GMC Sierra - SLT vs Denali

powerhaulic · July 10, 2017

Love the Denali.

My dash has more options

Stitching and colors are different.

Denali headrest

Denali in the bed.

Plus you get more options standard with Denali versus having to "add" them

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All true, but if you desire NHT you must "make" your Denali by adding the packages.

Lgetz · July 10, 2017

Max Tow package is not available for Denali regardless of how you configure it.

Linecapt · July 11, 2017

My deciding factor for the SLT was the option of a chrome bumper. With the Denali (and now the Elevation and All Terrain) they come with a painted front bumper. After 10 years with my '03 Tahoe Z71 and 3 years with my '13 Silverado LTZ, both with painted front and rear bumpers, the front got chipped up from rocks and therefore start to rust. I wasn't going to go thru that again. I know I could've gotten a clear bra or similar, but I didn't want to toss away another few hundred dollars. So I optioned up my SLT with everything that I wanted, which got it near what a Denali would have and I'm satisfied with my results.

redwngr · July 11, 2017

It's 8 speed, got on the turnpike on the way home yesterday and tested.

So now that I know I have a question about our camper. We have a 33' camper which in the past truck, (Ram) we averaged 9 miles per gallon hitched up with tow control enabled. Which is better, using the auto shift or just leave it in drive?

Just leave it in drive, but use the tow/haul reduce unnecessary shifting.

elKrusto · July 12, 2017

I just did this exact swap, traded my 2015 Denali 6.2 in on a 2017 GMC SLT 6.2, wanted the max tow and big mirrors, and didn't want the painted rock chipped bumper or the magnetic ride anymore, needed more of a truck than a car.

Dale Huhtala · March 10, 2022

I realize this is an old thread but for those buying used 2017 like me, the big, big difference is the max tow package, as mentioned above. It is a bit of a unicorn but if you see a 2017 or 2018 with the 2500 towing mirrors, it probably has the max tow package. That puts towing capacity at 11,700 pounds on a crew cab 4wd while the Denali cannot be configured above 9,100 pounds. So that made ALL the difference for me. It meant I didn't have to buy the used 2500 for $20K more...and get the jolting ride of a 3/4 ton. Pulling a 7,000 pound trailer (dry weight) means the Denali wouldn't cut it once I was loaded up.