The 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali shatters truck stereotypes with cutting-edge styling and a wealth of technology.
The full-size pickup truck segment is one of the most competitive in the industry, and GMC has always had to fight friendly fire. The differences between Chevrolet and GMC trucks used to be minimal, but GMC has been trying to set itself apart with a greater emphasis on styling and an ongoing effort to move upmarket from the mainstream Chevy. All of that is quite evident in the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali, the flagship of the brand’s half-ton truck line and part of the significantly refreshed 2016 Sierra lineup.
Designer truck?
General Motors previously tried to differentiate Chevrolet and GMC by positioning the latter as a higher-end brand. While that’s still in place, GMC is also trying to use design to set it apart from its sister brand and the rest of the full-size truck herd. Exterior design is the main reason consumers choose GMC, the company says.
The new square-jaw mask works well with the non-replaced parts of the truck.
So while the Sierra was all-new for 2014, GMC gave it a pretty significant facelift for 2016. All models get new grilles and headlights, and the Denali gets an updated version of the model’s signature chrome grille mesh. It also gets all LED headlights, taillights and fog lights, though all Sierra models get at least some LED lighting. The new square-jawed grille works well with the parts of the truck that haven’t changed, and has a much bigger impact than the relatively mild changes made to the Sierra’s Silverado sibling.
Inside, GMC tries to stand out with more use of premium materials. It uses real aluminum trim across the board instead of shiny plastic, and the model’s Sierra Denali instrument panel was covered in a nice soft-touch material with neat rows of stitching, which becomes the automaker’s code for “look how hard we went to not make this interior look cheap.” .”
The interior is certainly a nice place to be, and the design is much more tasteful than the top-of-the-line Chevy Silverado, High Country. It’s far from spartan and, thankfully, not an atmosphere that calls for a cowboy hat. However, the Denali’s interior didn’t feel that much more luxurious than that of some mid-level Sierra models that were also present for this test drive.
But the Denali gets all the gadgets. New for 2016 are movable walking boards that also slide back to allow easier access to the front of the bed. Instead of the analog gauge cluster and small digital display that’s standard on most models, the Denali also gets an 8.0-inch display nestled between the standard analog speedometer and tachometer. It displays things like trip and navigation information, vehicle diagnostics, and speed and mileage readings.
Like most GM vehicles, the Sierra Denali comes with a 4G LTE system, including a Wi-Fi hotspot that supports up to seven devices. Wireless phone charging is also standard on the Denali (optional on SLE and SLT models when equipped with front seats), making good use of the huge space atop the center console. To keep customers’ phones working beyond charging, GMC is also in the process of rolling out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Both systems debut across most of the GMC lineup for 2016. At launch, only lower-level Sierra models equipped with the 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system will offer an Apple or Google option. Models with the 8.0-inch system—which GMC expects to be more popular—will run only with CarPlay and will get Android Auto via a March 2016 software update.
Power and poise
The Sierra Denali comes standard with a 5.3-liter V8, which produces 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, but we grabbed a pickup truck equipped with the optional 6.2-liter V8 for a drive through New York’s scenic Hudson Valley.
With 420 hp and 460 lb-ft, the 6.2 is noticeably more muscular than the 5.3, but what really sets the two engines apart is their demeanor. The smaller one isn’t exactly lacking in power and had no trouble powering the Sierra SLT model we drove for comparison with the Urgent. What makes the 6.2-litre engine so satisfying is the availability of power; once you get going, it seems like only a slight flexing of the toes of the right foot is needed to maintain momentum.
Stephen Edelstein/Digital Trends
Stephen Edelstein/Digital Trends
An added benefit of the larger engine used to be that it came mated to GM’s eight-speed automatic transmission, but now that smooth-shifting transmission is also available with the 5.3-liter engine. Unless you really need its extra towing capacity, it’s hard to call the 6.2-liter V8 necessary, but it’s a worthy indulgence. Be sure to factor in the high fuel bills too, as the Sierra Denali is a thirsty truck with either engine.
Conclusion
DT accessory package
Step up your game and get the most out of your gear with the following accessories hand-picked by our editors:
Dee Zee Padlock Utility Chest ($428.57)
K&N Performance Intake Kit ($220.79)
MagnaFlow Cat-Back Exhaust System ($874.47)
It may be a pickup truck, but with a base price approaching $60,000, the Sierra 1500 Denali is in pretty high-end territory. Behind the wheel, it does its job pretty well for the price. Noise, vibration and harshness are mitigated, and the Denali’s magnetorheological dampers make a significant difference in ride quality. A feature previously reserved for Corvettes and Cadillacs, the system can quickly adjust stiffness using an electric current that runs through a liquid filled with metal shavings.
Trucks and luxury cars used to be as far apart as Democrats and Republicans, but that distance has narrowed significantly in recent decades. The 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali is a clear example of that trend. It boasts all the technical and practical features of the average car or crossover, but you’ll never forget it’s a full-size truck.
Tall
- Sharp style
- Powerful engines
- Refined driving
- Impressive technique
Falls
- Price
- Probably too pristine to serve as a work vehicle
- Size
- Fuel consumption
Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn