rjkratzig

Just traded my 2016 Sierra SLT for the same price I paid for it 5 years ago (almost to the day); had only 36,000 miles and I didn't need to trade it, but couldn't walk away from that value on something I expected to be worth half of this amount by now!

Thanks all for your input! I ended up testing out three trucks: 2020 (used) Denali Ultimate with 5.3 + 10-speed 2021 AT4 with 3.0 Diesel + 10-speed 2021 SLT with 5.3 + 10-speed The Denali didn't seem like it rode that much smoother with the ARC than the SLT did, and ride quality was a big look-for in this purchase; the AT4 was a bit rougher, which was to be expected. I didn't think the 3.0 Diesel was a smooth as the 5.3, though it definitely did have more snap under acceleration. I didn't find the diesel to lack power at passing speed on the highway as some here have noted, but it felt a bit sluggish under light acceleration at low speeds. In the end, because of my short commute I decided against the diesel, and on a feature-to-feature basis I couldn't justify the additional $10k for the Denali. I have a 2021 SLT in my driveway now, same color and mostly the same features as my 2016 SLT, however I can solidly say this new truck drives so calmly and easily, where the 2016 with the 8-speed was clunky and jumpy from the start. VERY pleased!

Thanks. I'm a little nervous about going Diesel as I don't have much of a commute (about 8 miles round-trip each day) and we typically take my wife's SUV if we go on a family trip. However, being it's such a daily driver I'm looking for something that rides smooth, and I know the Denali has Adaptive Ride Control that I hope would give a better ride than my '16 or even the '21 SLT.

Hi all, I have a 2016 SLT Crew Cab 4x4 Z71 5.3L that I purchased new five years ago. I went into the local dealer to see what they'd give me for it, and they're actually willing to give me $500 more than I paid for it five years ago (not including tax, fees, etc.). I have two choices I'm considering: -2021 Sierra SLT Crew 4x4 5.3L w/ 10 Speed -2021 Sierra Denali Ultimate 4x4 3.0 diesel w/ 10 Speed Curious if any of you have made a similar jump and what your feedback would be? I'm anxious to get away from the 8-speed, but also wasn't totally impressed with the overall ride quality in my 2016. I've driven the 2021 on a test, but am curious to hear about ride quality from anyone who has actually bought these trucks compared to the older generation. Anyway - anything you can give me would be appreciated. Thanks!

Just took my truck (2016 Sierra SLT Crew) into the dealer for a 5,000 mile service. Since new I have experienced moderate/severe clunking in the 1-2 upshift and 2-1 downshift. Being a long-time reader here of people's experiences, I decided to let it hit the magic 5,000 mile number before going in to address the issues. At about 4,800 miles, things really calmed down and I would only notice the shift clunking every once in awhile. Saturday when I took it in for service (at around 5,100 miles) and mentioned the trouble I'd been having, the dealer said there was a software update for this very issue, and that they'd re-flash it and then do the fast learn. WOW! Now it drives like I expected from day 1. Beautiful! If your dealer hasn't run this latest update for you yet, get them to do it! I couldn't be happier! I did also tighten the leaf spring bolts a few months ago, which did make some difference, but definitely the transmission was part of the clunking as well. I too agree that sometimes I hear the fuel sloshing around in the tank (which I've never heard on any other vehicle), but it's not the same sound as these transmission/rear-end clunk noises.