Name a Better LuxTruck Than the '16 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate

[Gorehamj]

John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
11/17/2015

GM calls luxury trucks "a growing niche." That is a vast understatement. The basic equipment in a mid-priced full-sized truck now rivals most luxury cars for content. At GMC, the Denali trim is always the top-spec truck. Until now. GMC's new Denali Ultimate Sierra has just raised the bar higher.

Duncan Aldred, vice president of GMC Sales and Marketing, didn’t mince words in the Denali Ultimate’s press announcement, saying, “This truck is the ultimate expression of the Sierra Denali with greater emphasis on the bold and refined presence and advanced features that make Denali models synonymous with precision and exclusivity.” He means this truck gets the full bling-bling if that marketing-speak got confusing.

 

The Sierra Denali Ultimate starts with a 4X4 1500 crew cab model with either a 5’ 8” or 6’ 6” cargo bed. The drivetrain is the 6.2L V-8, eight-speed automatic with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The Denali's trailer brake controller and magnetic ride control are also of course standard. Everything on the Sierra Denali is. So what do you get that makes this truck the "Ultimate?"

 

 

GMC lists many things including premium soft-touch interior materials, aluminum trim and contrast stitching on the standard leather-trimmed interior, 12-way power adjustable heated and vented front leather bucket and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel. 22-inch wheels with chrome or black inserts, tri-mode running boards, the 2016 Denali LED headlamps with GMC LED signature lighting, the all-new Denali grille and LED taillamps are part of the standard package. Also included are:

 

◾OnStar 4G LTE connectivity with a Wi-Fi hotspot
◾Bose premium sound system
◾Wireless phone charging – new for 2016
◾Remote vehicle starter system
◾Remote keyless entry with new remote locking tailgate
◾Power-adjustable pedals
◾Power-sliding rear window with defogger
◾Rear-vision camera with dynamic guidelines.

GMC has not said what the new Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate will cost yet. We are pretty sure it will be more than $55K though.

[galliher_nc]

Ford F-150 Limited.

 

Panoramic Moonroof, Heated Rear Seats, Push Button Start, Remote Tailgate Release, Power Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column w/Memory, Adaptive Cruise Control w/Collision Warning and Active Brake Assist.

 

These are all things GM doesn't even offer as an option, but are standard on the Ford. Not trying to start a war, just being a realist. This Denali 'Ultimate' is pretty unimpressive. It offers nothing over my '15 Denali besides the new headlamps/taillamps, wireless phone charging and the 22's.

 

The Ford Limited starts at $54,100 according to their website, so I would hope this thing isn't above $55K starting price.

[AgDoctor]

The Ford Platinum trumps this Ultimate, but the Limited goes even further.

 

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[Stevens03]

But Ford can't fix ugly by throwing extra options at it..haha

 

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[KMGZ400]

Ford F-150 Limited.

 

Panoramic Moonroof, Heated Rear Seats, Push Button Start, Remote Tailgate Release, Power Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column w/Memory, Adaptive Cruise Control w/Collision Warning and Active Brake Assist.

 

These are all things GM doesn't even offer as an option, but are standard on the Ford. Not trying to start a war, just being a realist. This Denali 'Ultimate' is pretty unimpressive. It offers nothing over my '15 Denali besides the new headlamps/taillamps, wireless phone charging and the 22's.

 

The Ford Limited starts at $54,100 according to their website, so I would hope this thing isn't above $55K starting price.

Panoramic moonroof is a big thing that GM should offer IMO!

[SandyNeck]

I'm having difficulty understanding what this 'Ultimate' configuration offers beyond including a few pieces of equipment that are already available as options on a Sierra Denali. Is there any advantage to getting this 'Ultimate' version of the truck over simply adding these few extra options to a regular SD?

 

I actually have a SD order pending and am not noticing anything included in this 'Ultimate' package that you can't already get. FWIW, my configuration includes everything I'm seeing mentioned in the 'Ultimate' edition, except the 22" wheels and power retractable steps, which I decided against. MSRP on my order was just over $60K if that's any indication of pricing on this package.

 

 

Update: After reading up a little further elsewhere online, I noticed a quote from GMC indicating that pricing on the 'Ultimate' would be "in the low $60K range" (with actual pricing to be announced closer to release in Q1). So since my configuration was coming in at just over $60K without the 22" wheels ($3K) and power steps ($1K), perhaps it's just a pricing thing. This 'Ultimate' package includes those options and is supposed to still be around $60K.

[crafferty]

Does the Ford counter part even matter? The new highend F150 is going to be $70k.

 

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[Junkyard33]

Im not sure why this gets a name or it's own press event.... this is a trumped up LTZ Plus Package. "Ultimate" - 'We checked every box.' I dig the wheels, I just wish they were 18's or maybe 20's max. I realize these trucks won't be leaving the road but still, I wouldn't be comfortable bouncing over a curb or wheel stop even, with 22's.

[galliher_nc]

Does the Ford counter part even matter? The new highend F150 is going to be $70k.

 

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You must not have read my post very carefully. Ford's website says $54,100 for the Limited F-150 with the standard features I listed. This Denali will be more expensive with less options. So yeah, it matters.

[crafferty]

You must not have read my post very carefully. Ford's website says $54,100 for the Limited F-150 with the standard features I listed. This Denali will be more expensive with less options. So yeah, it matters.

Wow what the heck? I thought the ford limited was supposed to be a step above the Platinum and cost about $70k.

[KJS Sullivan]

I just hope that on the Denali Ultimate and any new Sierras they do something with those mirror turn signals they are incredibly blinding I had to put up flaps to block them and that works very nicely, it looks stupid if you really look at them. But it is much safer changing lanes and turning corners with a turn signal on instead of that red light blasting you especially at night time....

I just hope that on the Denali Ultimate and any new Sierras they do something with those mirror turn signals they are incredibly blinding I had to put up flaps to block them and that works very nicely, it looks stupid if you really look at them. But it is much safer changing lanes and turning corners with a turn signal on instead of that red light blasting you especially at night time....

[mikemac4498]

It looks like the Limited is 4x2 at $55,295 and when I price the Denali with a 4x2 option it's $50,015. So I'm not seeing how the Denali is more expensive than the Limited when you compare base to base.

[AgDoctor]

Those power running boards look horrible. If I want deployable board I damn sure don't want to see them. GM should fire every last one of the idiots they have designing and approving these nonsense options and insane price increases.

 

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[Front Runner]

Maybe it's just me, but I like the look of 2015 Denali's better. The 2016 High Country looks much better than the 16 Denali IMO.

[Likarok]

Ford F-150 Limited.

 

Panoramic Moonroof, Heated Rear Seats, Push Button Start, Remote Tailgate Release, Power Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column w/Memory, Adaptive Cruise Control w/Collision Warning and Active Brake Assist.

 

These are all things GM doesn't even offer as an option, but are standard on the Ford. Not trying to start a war, just being a realist. This Denali 'Ultimate' is pretty unimpressive. It offers nothing over my '15 Denali besides the new headlamps/taillamps, wireless phone charging and the 22's.

 

The Ford Limited starts at $54,100 according to their website, so I would hope this thing isn't above $55K starting price.

I must say I was not really impressed with the 16 Denali either! To me this year the High Country looks way more impressive on the front end! But even still no rear heated seats and HVAC is a major disappointment in the GM trucks!