In 2013 it sold more than 75,558 units of the Denali brand, which accounted for 20% of GMC's sales, making it one of GM's most successful sub-brands.

The "Denali" brand was derived from the native Alaskan Athabaskans / Koyukon people's name for the tallest mountain in North America.

When introduced in 1999, the Yukon Denali's exterior, which it later shared with the 1999 Cadillac Escalade, differed from the standard Yukon in the front fascia and lower side body panels as well as having unique 16" polished aluminum wheels and a special exhaust cutout for a right side-exiting cast exhaust tip.

These standard features included an upgraded Nuance leather interior, driver and passenger 6-way power seats with power lumbar support, front and rear heated seats, a Bose 7 speaker (including subwoofer) audio system, an in-dash cassette, single CD player.

Beginning in 2000 an in-console 6-disc CD changer was added and the continuous door buzzer was changed in favor of an actual chime that would later be used in the 2001-2002 Tahoe.

The 2002–2004 Sierra Denali was equipped standard with a 325 hp 6.0 L V8, all-wheel-drive, and Quadrasteer, the 4-wheel steering system developed by General Motors.

Additionally the trucks from 2005 to 2007 (2007 being classic body style) were changed to a crew cab with a 5'8" bed and did not have Quadrasteer as the 2001-2004 Sierra Denalis had.

Unveiled at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show,[1] the GMC Denali XT was a concept hybrid pickup truck with unibody design using Zeta platform.

It had a 4.9 L V8 with Active Fuel Management engine rated at 326 horsepower (243 kW) with E85 ethanol-capability and direct-injection, two-mode hybrid propulsion system, 23-inch aluminum wheels with Kumho 255/35/R23 front and 285/35/R23 rear tires, height-adjustable suspension, 1,100 pounds (500 kg) payload and 3,500 pounds (1,600 kg) towing capacities.

These changes include 403HP instead of 380HP, Cooled and perforated leather seats (optional), Bluetooth Handsfree calling standard, and flat chrome insert/body colored bodyside moldings.