Here's where GM has really outdone itself in its new SUVs. Like the Tahoe, the Yukon shows off one of the best interiors GM has ever mustered in a mass-marketed vehicle. All the buttons are of above-average quality, and the environment and stereo controls are ergonomically perfect.

The front and middle seats were extremely comfortable and supportive. They were also extremely wide, to accommodate the ever-expanding American waistline. My passengers enjoyed the backseat accommodations, with their own environment controls and captain's chair accoutrements. The third row of seats came in handy for a day of house hunting in the suburbs with realtor, in-laws and wife aboard. My 5-foot-6-inch wife, who drew the short straw, thought the third-row seat was comfortable but that foot room was nonexistent. I wouldn't advise trying to squeeze three people onto it, despite GM saying the Yukon fits seven. We also didn't discover the handy button that automatically flips the second-row seat forward, allowing access to the rear row, until after the day's jaunt was finished.

The test Yukon Denali also came with a DVD entertainment system in front of the second row of seats so both rear rows could view it. Up front, the stereo featured XM Satellite Radio and a CD player. One brand-new CD we inserted didn't get past the first song before it skipped horribly. A different and well-played disc performed without incident. Sound from the upgraded Bose system was adequate, but felt unnatural and seemed to come from far ahead of the dash despite numerous adjustments to the audio settings. Perhaps that serves as a buffer for rear passengers who are watching DVDs.