Test
Vehicle’s MSRP:
$71,850 (Base Model: $40,795)
Seating Capacity: 5 or 6 (depending upon trim)
Standard Safety Features: air bags; a locking tailgate; a tire pressure monitoring system; Daytime running lights; a stability control system; a hill start assist system; rear camera; a reminder rear seat system; and a teen driver safety monitoring system
Standard Equipment 1500 CrewCab Base Model 4WD: 17-inch wheels; a manual operated single-zone a/c; a 7-inch infotainment system screen; a manual operated front seats; split bench front seats; a corner step rear bumper; a pickup bed; a manual operated tailgate; a capless fuel filler door; a single outlet exhaust system; external engine oil cooler; an electric power steering assist; a tow/haul mode; and a transfer case, single speed
Standard Equipment Denali 1500 4x4: 20-inch wheels; chrome wheels; assist steps; an automatic 8-speed automatic transmission; an 8-cylinder 355-horsepower engine; front and rear parking assistance; a rear cross traffic alert system; a lane change alert system; a blind spot zone alert system; safety alert system; a dual zone automatic climate control system; an 8-inch infotainment system with navigation; a 7-speaker Bose system with Richbass subwoofer; SiriusXM; HD radio; a rear window electric rear window defogger; a remote vehicle starter system; a rearview auto dimming; premium floormats; power outlets, bed mounted; USB ports second-row seats; HD rear vision camera; front buckets with center console; 10-way power front seats; driver’s memory seat; ventilated and heated front seats; heated rear seats; rear seats with storage; leather front seats; a heated leather wrapped steering wheel; wireless charging system; a sprayer-on bedliner; Signature chrome-like Denali; GMC’s MultiPro tailgate with six functions; an easy lift tailgate; dual exhaust with chrome-like tips; a a push button ignition starter system; an automatic stop/start system; a remote vehicle starter system; a keyless open system for all four doors; an in-vehicle Wi-Fi System; and a hill descent control system
Optional Features On Test Vehicle: a heads up display system; a rear camera mirror; a HD surround camera; a bed view camera; a pro-grading trailering system; LED cargo lights; 22-inch high gloss black wheels; a 3.0-liter diesel engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission; an engine block heater; a 220-amp alternator; a forward collision alert system; a lane keep assist system with lane departure warning; a low speed forward automatic braking system; a front pedestrian braking system; a high beam automatic headlight system; following distance indicators and a safety alert seat system; a radar activated cruise control system; power steps; power sunroof; a CarbonPro composite bed and a MultiPro audio system by Kicker built-into the tailgate; and optional premium exterior paint color
Other Trims:
1500 Regular Cab
1500 Double Cab
2500 Heavy Duty Regular Cab
2500 Heavy Duty Double Cab
3500 Heavy Duty Regular Cab Single or Dual Rear Wheels
3500 Heavy Duty Double Cab Single or Dual Rear Wheels
3500 Heavy Duty CrewCab Single or Dual Rear Wheels
Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 6-speaker AM/FM
Apple CarPlay/Android: Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity: Yes
iPod connectivity/USB Port: Yes
Powertrain Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles
Standard Engine/Horsepower: 4.3-liter, 6-cylinder/285-hp
Recommended Fuel: Regular
Standard Fuel Mileage: 15-city/20-hwy
Towing Capacity: 9,800 lbs
What’s New: The redesign Sierra made its debut in 2019. In order to stay competitive in the fullsize truck segment, GMC is not resting on its laurels. For the 2020 model year, the following features are available on the truck: 22-inch wheels, trailer tow mirrors, an audio system in the tailgate, a radar activated cruise control system and a 5.3 liter V8 fuel management system which is paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Ironically, GMC’s sibling, the Chevy Silverado does not offer this level of variations with its tailgate. To add to that point, GM went to great lengths with their current generation of trucks to move beyond slapping different grilles on the trucks. This time around the design theme of both trucks goes skin deep. In fact, GMC’s trucks win hands down win judging the exterior styling. Numerous critics have taken Chevy’s design team to task on the controversial cat-eyed front headlights embedded in its grille.
GMC’s fullsize truck, which is available in a variety of cabs, is available in a multitude of trims too. The vehicle is available in either a 2WD or a 4WD configuration. The fullsize truck continues to serve many needs, ranging from being a basic work horse to a luxury cruiser that’s great for business meetings on the farm or five star vacations at the Ritz Carlton hotel.
Also the Sierra truck is available in several powertrains too. For instance, in the higher end Denali model we reviewed, the crewcab was equipped with a quiet, but highly fuel-efficient 6-cylinder Duramax. In fact, the 3.0-liter diesel engine in our 1500 series model pushed out 277-horsepower and 460-lb ft of torque.
Even more important, the 1500 series diesel engine, according to fueleconomy.gov, has a fuel driving range of 576 miles on a tank of fuel. Thus, allowing the driver to achieve 22 and 26 miles in the city and highway, respectively when configured with a 4x4 drive system. As a side note, with a 4x2 model, the diesel’s fuel economy rises to a combined 30 mpg.
Moreover, the Denali exterior styling adds a touch of class to the truck segment, too, giving the vehicle a more elegant, luxury-like look. With that being the case, its no wonder why today’s fullsize trucks are taking on the title of luxury trucks due to the array of premium standard and optional features. Yes, its no coincidence that our test model was loaded with chrome – literally from head to toe or in this case from grille to wheels. The vehicle cements itself in the luxury range with all of these ammenities.
Furthermore, one inside the vehicle, depending upon the trim, one can expect everything from leather seats to a radar activated cruise control system to built-in tailgate speakers to a heads up display system. We believe the readers will agree. It sounds like we’re describing a luxury car, as opposed to a luxury truck.
But:
While all of
the shine for GMC’s current generation of trucks is literally outside the vehicle, the interior wasn’t as fresh, modern and luxurious, as the exterior. In our opinion, the interior design team, as
well as the entire fullsize truck segment should take a page from the current class-leading Ram 1500, with its
iPad-like infotainment screen. The Ram interior design team has literally pushed the truck segment into stratosphere range with its oversized iPad-like touchscreen.
Another quirk of ours was related to the seats. They're just too firm. While trucks have become the replacement for sedans and coupes, its imperative that the seating comfort catches up to the exterior design. If the folks from Ram and Ford has gotten the formula right, so can General Motors.
Moreover, if we were allowed to combine the exterior styling of the Denali 1500 with the interior of
the Ram Limited, this would be our ideal truck.
Lastly,
why is it that our up deluxe Denali truck lacked a power operated tilt telescopic
steering wheel?
tailgate speakers
Verdict:
Today’s trucks have
become the new luxury flagship vehicles. While car sales have dipped to less than 20 percent of new vehicle sales, trucks
have stepped up to the plate taking their market share. GMC’s Sierra trucks are available in a variety of engines, cabs and trims. There is a healthy price
tag to step in today’s trucks, especially as we start loading them up with
options that were once reserved for luxury sedans.
Our
upscale Denali was loaded with all of the bells and whistles. Before adding on
options, our Denali had a base price which was just a few hundred dollars shy
of $60,000. However, once we added on the quiet-sounding diesel, the frosted
tricoat paint, the ultimate package and the carbonpro edition, the price tag
zoomed to $72,000.
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