GMC’s Denali-trimmed monster wagon is set to be the biggest thing yet in the large SUV sector.

SET to mount a big offensive as the market’s largest petrol eight-seater passenger model  - or likely to be derided as being too big and too offensive?

Views will unavoidably be split about the merits of the GMC Yukon Denali, but announcement of it being a $179,990 opportunity when it avails from around April, 2025, at least establishes the type's standing in the large luxury sports utility wagon sector.

The station wagon sibling to the Chevrolet Silverado pick-up presents with full strength American swagger, in delivering purely with a 313kW/624Nm 6.2-litre V8 and - at 5338mm long, 2058mm wide, 1541mm high and a 3071mm wheelbase  - massive road presence, dressed in flagship four-wheel-drive Denali trim which includes 24-inch rims and lots of chrome.

Who can fail but notice it?

In shared comment, Jess Bala, managing director of regional distributor General Motors Speciality Vehicles, has voiced expectation this model will be noticed for more than being XXL-sized.

She also believes the the has potential to “redefine premium family transport … (through) combining eight seats, incredible cargo room, the latest in premium technology, and easy towing with an advanced V8 engine for effortless progress.”

Like Silverado (and RAM product) Yukon is built in America but re-engineered to right-hand-drive in Australia, with GMSV asserting it can deliver factory-level quality.

Size-wise, it is larger than the country’s most popular category choice,  the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, except for height, where the Japanese sumo has a 7mm advantage.

Two elements of the experience have yet to be fully clarified.

First, there’s the expected fuel consumption: The media share about this vehicle doesn’t mention a consumption figure, though this and a CO2 count will eventually have to be forthcoming to comply with rules in Australia.

On this matter, GMSV only cites: “Under light loads and conditions, the EcoTec3’s Dynamic Fuel Management system can deactivate four cylinders, markedly reducing fuel use and increasing total range.”

The towing element is obviously going to be a major attraction, but again there seems to be some confusion about if the rig as it sells here will match the North American configuration.

In its home market, Yukon Denali is rated as being capable of a 3.8-tonne braked towing capacity, which means it, betters the 3500kg ratings offered by LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol.

However, in comment today, GMSV appears to contradict itself.

In the main body of its release, it cites that the rating for NZ and Australia stock is “in excess of 3.5 tonnes”. Yet a list of specification details then appears to cite that it optimises at 3.5 tonnes braked.