Most pickup truck buyers recognize that choosing between the GMC Sierra 1500 pickup and its mechanical twin, the Chevrolet Silverado, it comes down almost entirely to styling preference and trim levels. Looking at the basics like bed size, engine lineup and towing capacity, both full-size pickups have similar offerings, and both can be had in endless combinations. And while both are offered in luxurious trim levels, if you want the most luxurious truck from GM, well, look no further than the Sierra.
The 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 is a full-size pickup that offers excellent working capabilities alongside a spacious interior for passengers. Four different engines are available – from a turbocharged four-cylinder to a six-cylinder turbodiesel, and two V8 offerings – a 5.3-liter V8 and a 6.2 liter V8. The Sierra 1500 is available as a single cab, double cab, or four-door crew cab with bed lengths ranging from 5.8 to 8.2 feet. Of course, four-wheel drive is available on all body styles. It’s offered in many trim levels, from the base Pro, to the off-road focused AT4X, to the luxurious Denali – and many in between. But the focus this week is ultimate luxury, in this case the Denali Ultimate.
The Denali trim level has been synonymous with luxury in the GMC brand lineup for some time now. With the Sierra, the Denali gets tech features like a bed-view camera, power sliding rear window and power retractable side steps. The Denali Ultimate adds to that a carbon-fiber composite bed, 22-inch wheels, and a heads-up display.
Last year, the Sierra received an exterior freshening, and with it, advanced LED headlights and foglamps. The Denali Ultimate stands out among other Sierras with its use of smoked out black chrome for a unique premium look. The Denali Ultimate also has some special exterior functionality, like a backwards moving power running board for side access. And if you are into tailgating, you will appreciate the Kicker audio system built into the tailgate. And on the subject of tailgates, the Denali Ultimate comes standard with the Multi-Flex six-mode tailgate.
Luxury really hits you though, when you open the door and enter the Sierra Denali Ultimate. The cabin is draped in Alpine Umber leather along with open pore wood trim. Once seated in the seats, where both front seats are heated and ventilated, and have 16 power adjustments as well as massaging abilities, looking up reveals a suede headliner. Other unique details include Denali Ultimate badging and a topographical map of Mt. Denali.
The luxurious cabin leads to plenty of fancy features. There is a 12.3-inch digital cluster along with a 15-inch heads-up display and 13.4-inch infotainment display. Then there is a heated leather wrapped steering wheel and power adjustable pedals. The Denali Ultimate also features a 12 speaker Bose audio system.
As luxurious as this Sierra is, let us not forget that it is a truck at heart and can tow up to 13,000 pounds and carry a payload of 2530 pounds.
Under the hood, the Denali Ultimate comes standard with the big 6.2-liter V8, making 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. One of the options is the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six diesel engine, which makes 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque. Both use a 10-speed automatic transmission.
On the road, the Denali Ultimate has a fantastic ride, thanks in part to the adaptive dampers. This does a great job of smoothing out most road imperfections. The tester is equipped with the V8 and there is never a shortage of power. The tester is also equipped with Super Cruise, GM’s hands-free driving system. This system allows you to drive on the interstate or highway without your hands on the wheel. It will turn for you and even change lanes. Yes, it works – and it works very well.
All this luxury and technology does come at a price. The Denali Ultimate starts at $84,200, with tester coming in with an MSRP of $86,805.
I’m not sure how trucks get better than this. The GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate covers it all. It gets the job done, and it does so by looking and keeping everyone comfortable and in total luxury. If GM’s Cadillac division were to have a pickup truck, the Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate would be that truck.
— Christopher A. Randazzo
By The Numbers:
Base Price: $84,200.00
Price as Tested: $86,805.00
Layout: front-engine / four-wheel drive
Engine: 6.2 liter V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Horsepower: 420 hp
Torque: 460 ft-lbs
EPA Fuel Economy: 15 mpg city/ 19 mpg highway
[Visit me at www.carsbycar.blogspot.com or email me at auto_cran@hotmail.com]
© 2012. All Rights Reserved. Created by Zerge for themeforest.net