2020 Sierra AT4 vs Denali

nolabell · May 14, 2020

I am looking to upgrade trucks and am torn between the AT4 and Denali. I love the aggressive look, leather seat accents, and 2” front level of the AT4, but also love the look and luxurious feel of the Denali. I don’t go off-road much. I’m wondering if anyone else was in this boat and what decision they made? I’m also wondering if the magnetic shocks make the ride quality of the Denali significantly better then the AT4? Seems like these trucks have many things in common besides what I mentioned. Thanks

AdamAT4 · May 14, 2020

AT4 for sure!!

Looks better and it's a more desirable truck.

If I were after a luxury truck the Denali would be the last I'd look at as the Ram and Ford Limited trim is soo far better I have no idea how the denali even sells.

AT4 on the other hand with the better suspension and offroad looks as well as a standard size box is what drew me away from the ram rebel and price of the raptor was too much to stomach for a half ton truck. I had a ram limited 2500 and wanted to step down from the big heavy trucks as I barely tow anymore and AT4 was closest to what I needed, with bed view camera (ram bed view is only on HD) std box, and decent tires so I didnt need to spend any money after purchasing.

Only option I'm missing on my AT4 vs Denali is the power up on the tailgate, but when you have a tonneau its probably something that wont be used often, the main feature is the auto down, I do like that.

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f8l vnm · May 14, 2020

12 minutes ago, AdamAT4 said:

AT4 for sure!!

Looks better and it's a more desirable truck.

If I were after a luxury truck the Denali would be the last I'd look at as the Ram and Ford Limited trim is soo far better I have no idea how the denali even sells.

AT4 on the other hand with the better suspension and offroad looks as well as a standard size box is what drew me away from the ram rebel and price of the raptor was too much to stomach for a half ton truck. I had a ram limited 2500 and wanted to step down from the big heavy trucks as I barely tow anymore and AT4 was closest to what I needed, with bed view camera (ram bed view is only on HD) std box, and decent tires so I didnt need to spend any money after purchasing.

Only option I'm missing on my AT4 vs Denali is the power up on the tailgate, but when you have a tonneau its probably something that wont be used often, the main feature is the auto down, I do like that.

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The AT4 has proven to be a really successful model for GM

Edited May 14, 2020 by f8l vnm

AdamAT4 · May 14, 2020

The AT4 has proven to be a really successful model for GM

The AT4 is going to push other manufacturers to focus on this "offroad" ready truck. Ram is gunning for the Raptor with the new Rebel TRX, and now the rumors of Chevy ZRX. We will likely see a few offerings in this category as the Raptor style trucks will be out of reach for many as the Raptor with luxury pkg is $97k in Canada

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nolabell · May 14, 2020

The AT4 is a gorgeous truck. I’m more of a color match guy and less of a chrome guy.

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Glava2876 · May 14, 2020

57 minutes ago, nolabell said:

I am looking to upgrade trucks and am torn between the AT4 and Denali. I love the aggressive look, leather seat accents, and 2” front level of the AT4, but also love the look and luxurious feel of the Denali. I don’t go off-road much. I’m wondering if anyone else was in this boat and what decision they made? I’m also wondering if the magnetic shocks make the ride quality of the Denali significantly better then the AT4? Seems like these trucks have many things in common besides what I mentioned. Thanks

I was looking at the same thing. For me, I drive on a 12 mile dirt road maybe 2 or 3 times a year. Basically the AT4 has the off road look and the Denali is more subdued with an "on road" look -I got mine with 22" rims and performance brakes etc.

So IMO it really boils down to the use or the look that you want.

jlong1984 · May 14, 2020

2 hours ago, AdamAT4 said:

Only option I'm missing on my AT4 vs Denali is the power up on the tailgate, but when you have a tonneau its probably something that wont be used often, the main feature is the auto down, I do like that.

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None of the trucks with the Multi Pro tailgate have power closing, just power opening. The Silverado LTZ and High Country have the power closing tailgate since they don't offer Multi Pro over at Chevy.

AdamAT4 · May 14, 2020

None of the trucks with the Multi Pro tailgate have power closing, just power opening. The Silverado LTZ and High Country have the power closing tailgate since they don't offer Multi Pro over at Chevy.

Aww.. I test drove a high country and it had the power closing. Multi pro has turned to be a much better option, I use it more than expected

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Joe98 · May 14, 2020

Can’t comment on the 2020 models; but if I had to do it all over again I would’ve waited and got the AT4. I ended up going with a 2018 new left over Denali with the ultimate package and the 6.2 motor. The incentives at the time were unbelievable. Please don’t get me wrong, I love the truck. Like you, my truck will never see off road, maybe a gravel road if I visit a friends cottage. The power of the 6.2 is incredible and the truck goes like hell...I like the interior and find the materials to be of good quality. When the AT 4 came out I wasn’t sure if I liked it and the Mrs didn’t like the kaki stripes on the leather seats. However, now every time I see one I really love the look of them. I also would’ve chosen smaller wheels than 22” that come with the Ultimate package on the Denali. If the road is infested with potholes you will definitely feel them. Overall, I can’t complain much. My 2018 has been really good so far. Barely used 4 wheel drive this winter with snow tires on it. Good luck with your choice...take your time and don’t rush into it....that’s a lot of coin we’re talking about.

Supercup · May 14, 2020

I have a 2019 AT4 Carbon Pro and am very happy with the truck - 6.2l and 10 speed is awesome set up. Truck has every feature I could ask for except a decent size fuel tank (26 gallons is at least 10 to small). The ride is really good for what it is. can't comment on the ride of denali - but I am sure that suspension is really nice. Overall looks I prefer the AT4 look - I came out of a 2014 Raptor, which I loved - I just could not get on the program with the new Raptor eco boost motor - so went AT4, plus incentives and lease made it far cheaper than new Raptor.

Does everything I need and more, very happy with the truck. No bad choice!

hotrodz37 · May 15, 2020

It all depends on what interior color you want and what features you’d like. I much prefer the looks of the AT4 but went with the Denali to get the Walnut interior, plus you can get the digital driver center without having to upgrade to the technology package. The Denali comes standard with it, without having to add HUD, and all of the other added stuff. If you like those features than the AT4 for sure but I hate heads up display and lane departure and all the extra features I’d turn off anyway. I figured I could configure the Denali the way I want it and then color match the exterior trim to my liking.

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Mikedfw · May 15, 2020

There is no magnetic ride suspension anymore, it's just an adaptive suspension now, which still works well.

Other differences are mostly cosmetic, but the denali has the retractable running boards. The leather also has a different grain to it.

It just depends what you are looking for. The denali handles better and actually corners really well for a truck, the at4 suspension is really good too, but you do lose a little bit of the handling on it.

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Michael2020AT4 · May 15, 2020

My recommendation is the AT4.
I second the other posts.
It comes down to personal taste.
I came from 2016 Yukon xl Denali and although a nice truck and I liked it I knew I wanted something more rugged and I wanted a truck.

I didn’t even look at the Denalis this time. I didn’t want a lot of chrome.
I had a friend that had 2017 sierra Denali that had the same thoughts. He wanted more rugged and went with the AT4.
Good luck with your choice. Both are good trucks.

fighting irish · May 15, 2020

I ordered a Denali a few months ago... still waiting for it to be delivered (it was built March 4th). Most people on this forum would go with the AT4 which makes sense. I agree that it looks better and has more off road capability than the Denali. For me, there were a few things that made decide to go with the Denali at the time, but I would definitely reconsider now. First, I will never go off roading. It isn't something I have any desire to do, and isn't in my line of work. Maybe a dirt/gravel road here or there, but nothing that requires a lift. My truck is used for mostly woodworking and landscaping work around the house, commuting in poor upstate NY weather, and some family road trips. The adaptive ride control makes more sense to me from a comfort standpoint.

Secondly, the lift/height make things a little more difficult for my family. My wife is on the shorter side, and I've got a 4 year old son. Easier ingress/egress is important to them (I personally don't care). Additionally, the height would make things a bit tricky if I am doing work on it in my garage.

Third, I get GM Employee pricing. When I ordered, the AT4s were actually slightly more expensive as the employee discount wasn't very high. The AT4 is a more desired trim, and I think inventory was low, so they didn't have a big discount on it. That has changed, and they now have the same discount as Denali's. If the discount were the same, I probably would have reconsidered. A similar spec AT4 is actually about $4000 less than the Denali I ordered- and what do I get for that $4000? Nicer leather, power steps, 22" wheels, and adaptive ride control? I wouldn't consider that a great value. And that is why most people should go for the AT4.

spizike9 · May 15, 2020

17 hours ago, AdamAT4 said:

AT4 for sure!!

Looks better and it's a more desirable truck.

If I were after a luxury truck the Denali would be the last I'd look at as the Ram and Ford Limited trim is soo far better I have no idea how the denali even sells.

AT4 on the other hand with the better suspension and offroad looks as well as a standard size box is what drew me away from the ram rebel and price of the raptor was too much to stomach for a half ton truck. I had a ram limited 2500 and wanted to step down from the big heavy trucks as I barely tow anymore and AT4 was closest to what I needed, with bed view camera (ram bed view is only on HD) std box, and decent tires so I didnt need to spend any money after purchasing.

Only option I'm missing on my AT4 vs Denali is the power up on the tailgate, but when you have a tonneau its probably something that wont be used often, the main feature is the auto down, I do like that.

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I think most here would say the Rebel suspension is better than the AT4. The AT4 uses the garbage Rancho shocks and the Rebel has Bilsteins. (Although the model below 5100) Overall I’d still buy the AT4 over the Rebel because the exterior looks and some other features though.

Edited May 15, 2020 by spizike9