When you think of luxury cars, typically a GMC Denali isn’t your first thought. Typically brands like Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and others come to mind first.

So how come GMC Denali drivers treat this SUV like it’s in the same luxury brand category?

In a TikTok, with more than 31,800 views, Leslie (@leslie_kitchens) expresses her annoyance with GMC Denali drivers—and calls them out on it. 

What made her so irritated by GMC Denali drivers?

In her viral clip, Leslie shares how she is annoyed with the pretentious aura GMC Denali’s drivers give off. She imitates these Denali drivers by saying “I drive a Denali” in a long extended vocal fry, tongue out, and an eye roll. 

Leslie questions what does that even mean and is driving a GMC Denali even a flex? She rambles off different models that have the Denali package option including the Yukon, Acadia, or a truck. She concludes the video with, “Am I supposed to tell you what Ford Explorer package I drive?”

Clearly, she is bothered and confused by these drivers thinking that they are special for driving a GMC Denali. Especially when that isn't a type of car.

So what exactly is a GMC Denali?

According to GMC, Denali sets a higher standard for trucks and SUVs. GMC promotes the Denali package as the luxury option for GMC vehicles. The Denali models include the Sierra, Canyon, Terrain, Acadia, and the Yukon. It's a trim option, not a model.

So whenever a car buyer is looking for a luxury GMC model, they will shop for the Denali package. The Denali package includes premium interiors, seamless technology, and bold exteriors. 

“Denali is a trim level. Drives me bonkers when people refer to their car as a Denali. No ma'am, that's a Yukon,” one TikTok commenter added.

Essentially when people say they drive a GMC Denali, it leaves room for question which car model exactly. People can assume that this type of person does not know what they are talking about and are just trying to flex the luxury aesthetic. 

“I think it’s code for, 'I really wish I could drive an Escalade but I can’t afford it. However, at least I’m not in a plain Tahoe,'” one TikTok commenter added.

Why do people feel like it’s a flex to drive a GMC Denali?

Considering the Denali is the luxury package offered by GMC, it’s safe to assume the car buyer spent a good chunk of change to acquire it. According to GMC, the cheapest option for a Denali model is 2024 Terrain Denali with a starting MSRP of $38,600. While the most expensive Denali is the 2024 Yukon Denali Ultimate starting MSRP is $98,755. 

“To me all I hear is I overpaid,” one TikTok commenter added. 

A big price tag can leave some buyers being a little arrogant and cocky. As mentioned earlier, the content creator got frustrated when people flexing Denali don’t even know which model they drive.

Generally speaking, if you are seeking external validation based on what car you drive, it might be time to reevaluate what really matters.  

@leslie_kitchens

♬ original sound - Leslie Kitchens

What did the viewers think about this?

“It’s code for couldn’t afford the Cadillac,” one joked. 

“I think what they're trying to say is 'I'm a boring human being and I find all my worth in the things that I own,'" one added.

“My husband worked for GMC for 15 years and this was his biggest pet peeve!” one shared.

This TikTok has more than 1,200 likes. 

The Daily Dot has contacted @leslie_kitchens over Instagram messenger and TikTok messenger. Additionally, Daily Dot has reached out to General Motors over email.

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The post ‘Drives me bonkers’: Woman calls out GMC drivers who tell people that they drive a Denali. Then she reveals why it’s so misleading appeared first on The Daily Dot.

The Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates delivered a letter to Los Angeles elected officials on Tuesday, March 25, urging them to avoid across-the-board cuts without considering their long-term impacts and offered recommendations to address a nearly $1 billion deficit at City Hall in the coming fiscal year.

Glenn Bailey and Jay Handal, co-chairs of the Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates, delivered the group’s annual White Paper, a report on the city’s spending and services, to Mayor Karen Bass and the Los Angeles City Council. They urged the city to evaluate the structure of city departments and to consolidate them if necessary, as well as to consider moving employees back into City Hall or offer work-from-home opportunities to reduce costs with leases.

“This is a pivotal moment in our city’s history,” the letter reads. “It is not a time for politics but for responsible financial stewardship. We must make tough but rational decisions.”

“This is also an opportunity to think about what kind of city we want in 10 years and structure the decisions accordingly,” the letter continued.

The budget advocates also noted that history has shown “indiscriminate reductions” — especially in revenue-generating departments — can result in unintended consequences. They warned against slashing critical administrative functions such as personnel, which could leave the city struggling to recover once economic conditions improve.

In the letter, the budget advocates provided the following recommendations:

— Update the four-year General Fund budget outlook to reflect anticipated raises for city employees;

— Develop a two-year budget;

— Conduct open and transparent labor negotiations that require significant outreach to Angelenos before, during and after the negotiations;

— Place a ballot measure that would prohibit the city from entering into any labor agreement that would create a current or future deficit, which in the short term could be implemented via an ordinance;

— Develop a long-term infrastructure plan;

— Create robust reserve fund that can only be used in declared emergencies and not to balance the budget (a current practice); and

— Establish an Office of Transparency and Accountability to oversee the city’s budget and finances in real time.

In its 116-page report, the budget advocates also provide a department-by-department list of potential cost-saving measures, which can be viewed at budgetadvocates.org/white-papers.

Under a system established in 1999, members of Neighborhood Councils are volunteers elected by residents of their respective communities. The councils advocate on issues such as homelessness, housing, land use and public safety.