The GMC Sierra Denali is the original luxury truck. As other automakers join the fray with more luxurious pickups, we see GMC take a step further.
When you hear Denali, you know the GMC vehicle attached to that name is a luxurious and impressive truck with the comfort and quality desired. The GMC Sierra is one of the toughest and most rugged half-ton trucks in the market and it continues to be a great choice for drivers searching for something a little more enjoyable to drive.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the GMC Sierra Denali models and see what’s offered.
Three engines for your driving power
This GMC pickup truck is available with three different engine options. The Denali trim comes standard with the 5.3-liter V8 engine that produces 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. This engine mates to a 10-speed automatic transmission and can tow up to 11,200 pounds or carry 2,150 pounds of payload.
There’s also a 6.2-liter V8 engine, which comes standard in the GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate. This larger V8 engine produces 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque to give you more power for the drive. This engine enables the Sierra 1500 to tow up to 13,100 pounds and carry up to 1,870 pounds of payload.
Both Denali trims can be equipped with the 3.0-liter Duramax turbocharged diesel 6-cylinder engine which produces 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque. The diesel engine is the strongest for towing, offering up to 13,300 pounds of capability and as it allow the truck to carry 1,880 pounds of payload in the bed.
What does the Denali trim include?
The Denali trim is the first level of luxury truck driving for the GMC Sierra. This version has some trim-specific items, including:
- Denali appearance package
- 20-inch polished aluminum wheels
- Continuous damping Adaptive Ride Control
- Power-sliding rear window
- Forge perforated leather seats
- 12-way power front seats
- Open-pore wood interior trim
- Premium carpeted floor mats
- Bed-view camera
Several options and packages are also available for the Denali trim, giving you some useful upgrades. Some of these are:
- Technology Package
- Carbon Pro Package
- Denali Reserve Package
- GMC MultiPro power steps
- 22-inch painted aluminum wheels with machining and bright chrome inserts
- Super Cruise
Could the Denali Ultimate be the truck for you?
The highest trim available for the GMC Sierra is the Denali Ultimate. This model is the symbol of luxury truck driving, providing you with:
- 22-inch wheels
- Vader Chrome grille
- Power running boards
- Power sunroof
- Massaging front seats
- Bose Premium Series audio system
- Head-up display
- MultiPro features
The Denali Ultimate has so many features that very few options are offered. Still, there are some, and a few of them are:
- Super Cruise
- Carbon composite bed
- Premium floor liners
Is the Denali Ultimate worth the added cost?
The GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate is nearly $100,000, which makes us wonder if this ultra-luxury truck is worth the cost. This top-tier truck starts out at nearly $9,000 more than its Denali sibling. Is this truck actually worth the premium price tag?
Regardless of trim, the GMC Sierra has large and supportive seats, but when you step into the highest trim, these seats feel like they are shaped and molded just for you. This could be the result of the impressive materials used or just the right feeling in this GMC truck.
Both screens are large and digitized to give you the touchscreen qualities you’re looking for in the infotainment system, giving you an excellent tech-rich feeling in this rugged and impressive truck. Everything looks and feels right in the Denali Ultimate.
The most welcoming feature of this top-tier truck is the massaging, heated, and cooled front seats. This makes it easy to have a relaxing ride home after a hard day at work. This feature alone could justify the increased pricing required for the Ultimate name.
Which truck should you drive?
If your choices are down to the GMC Sierra Denali or Denali Ultimate, you’re doing pretty well. This GMC truck provides incredible power, performance, and capability while also providing amazing comfort features and qualities during your drive.
Will you choose the regular Denali or go for the gusto with the Denali Ultimate? Either way, you’ll enjoy the first name in luxury truck driving and experience the best that GMC has to offer in the half-ton truck market. Don’t be surprised if you never want to drive a lower-trim truck again.
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