Need Help Choosing...sierra Ccssb 6.2l Vs. Sierra Denali

[TheGrouch]

I was able to drive an '09 Escalade SUV last week and loved the motor, ease of driving, and sound system. While I enjoyed driving the Caddy, I'm not ready to give up the versatility of a truck, so I'm thinking either Sierra Denali or Sierra CCSSB with 6.2L. So I've got a couple questions:

 

 

1. Is the 6.2L tuned for different power curves, based on it's application (Escalade vs AWD Sierra Denali vs 4x4 Sierra)?
   
2. Are the transmissions different between the Escalade, Sierra Denali, and Max Towing-equipped Sierra?
   
3. Are the nav-enabled sound systems in the Caddy and the Sierra Denali the same? What about the Sierra?
   
4. What am I giving up by going with a Sierra CCSSB vs. Sierra Denali (aside from the exterior/interior looks)?
   
5. I have been using the gmbuypower.com dealer inventory search to locate trucks, but it's cumbersome and time consuming. Anyone know a way to find all the 6.2L truck in Illinois?
   

 

 

Thanks!

 

Chris

[_Nomad_]

I was able to drive an '09 Escalade SUV last week and loved the motor, ease of driving, and sound system. While I enjoyed driving the Caddy, I'm not ready to give up the versatility of a truck, so I'm thinking either Sierra Denali or Sierra CCSSB with 6.2L. So I've got a couple questions:

 

 

1. Is the 6.2L tuned for different power curves, based on it's application (Escalade vs AWD Sierra Denali vs 4x4 Sierra)?

    

2. Are the transmissions different between the Escalade, Sierra Denali, and Max Towing-equipped Sierra?

    

3. Are the nav-enabled sound systems in the Caddy and the Sierra Denali the same? What about the Sierra?

    

4. What am I giving up by going with a Sierra CCSSB vs. Sierra Denali (aside from the exterior/interior looks)?

    

5. I have been using the gmbuypower.com dealer inventory search to locate trucks, but it's cumbersome and time consuming. Anyone know a way to find all the 6.2L truck in Illinois?

    

 

 

Thanks!

 

Chris

 

First of all kudos on looking for a 6.2L, they are excellent engines.

 

Yes, the Nav units are the same as well as the trans.

 

I can't help you with which truck to get, I personally went with the Denali because it was all I could find with the 6.2L at the time and I really liked the interior and exterior styling.

 

It actually took me several weeks to find the truck I wanted since there were none on lots a few months ago due to the plant closings. I think there are more out now so it shouldn't be quite so difficult to find one.

 

Good luck.

[C. Charles Hahn]

First two things to ask yourself:

 

1) Do I want/need 4WD with a low range gear, or am I fine with full-time AWD (if not totally against it for some reason)? Or, do I only need/want 2WD?

 

2) How much do I want to spend?

 

Depending on your answers to these questions, I'd go looking either for a SD or a CCSB Sierra with the All-Terrain package. The A/T package gets you basically all the same goodies you get on an SD (at least very close/similar) for potentially a lot less money depending on how you option it out, and gives you selectable 4WD with a low range.

[Stevens03]

Well the 6.2 has the power you wouldn't need lo4 in most cases, but if your in the mud or sand, it would be nice to have the selectable 4x4. When I got my truck, the 6.2 was not an option with 4x4. Now you can get the 6.2 with selectable 4x4 and NHT package that gets you the 3.73's.

 

Price isn't going to be all that different between the two.

[TheGrouch]

I've owned 4wd trucks for almost 10 years now. Never had one in low range, so AWD would be fine, except I enjoy getting my truck sideways in the snow.

 

The price difference between the SD and a CCSSB equipped the way I want, is nill. I just don't care for all the chrome on the SD.

 

As for the NAV systems, my question was really more aimed at how the audio systems sound in the SD vs. CCSB. I know my '07 2500HD doesn't have the same amp as the '07 luxury vehicles. So I'm wondering if there's a similar disparity between the SD and the CCSSB, when equipped with the NAV head unit.

[Tklei14]

I went with a 5.3 sierra because I drive ALOT and needed the better MPG.

 

I have changed the exterior of my truck to look like a Sierra becuase I wanted the Denali but didn't want the worse MPG and full time AWD. IMO if you can live with full time AWD get the Sierra Denali, the interior is much different. It has different wood trim, cup holders, center console, floor mats, steering wheel, door panels have leather instead of plastic, steering wheel is heated, and you can get preforated leather seats as and option. I'm told though that the leather is also a higher quality even on the non-preforated seats. Add all of the interior changes with the body color front and rear bumpers, both front grills, and 20 inch wheels, the extra 4k for the Denali is really worth it.

 

As far as the sound system, I think they are the same, but BE SURE you get the Nav that can play DVD's. Its the same cost as the one that does not play DVD's, and I had no idea they offerd 2 Nav's untill I tried to play a DVD on mine

[AINTNOFORD]

I have an 08 Escalade and an 09 Sierra Denali. Both have the 6.2. Both are RWD. Both have 6spd transmission. The Nav's are different. The Cadillac has a larger screen, plays DVD's in the front and has nicer interface. The Nav on the Denali is nice, but not worth the extra $2200 plus dollars. The interior is similar in both vehicles, except the dash is soft in the Cadillac and hard plastic in the Denali. The radio in the Cadillac is 5.1 surrond sound and not in the Denali. There is more interior noise in the Denali. You would expect the cadillac to have a nicer fit and finish. It is $15,000 more. The Denali is longer and has a larger turning radius. I was expecting a harsh ride with the 22's on the cadillac, but very nice ride. The Denali has 20's and very nice ride. I love both vehicles. Not an even comparison though. Get the Denali and skip the Nav and by a TOM TOM or Garmin. Down here in Florida, we don't need AWD like you do in Illinois but If you can afford the extra $$$ get it. I had it on my 05 Escalde Ext and it got me out of a few jams. Enjoy whatever you buy. Ryan.

[Vortec-Z71]

As far as the sound system, I think they are the same, but BE SURE you get the Nav that can play DVD's. Its the same cost as the one that does not play DVD's, and I had no idea they offerd 2 Nav's untill I tried to play a DVD on mine

 

I'm pretty sure at least on the GMT800s, Bose equipped Cadillacs and Denalis got the LUX version of the sound system whereas everything else got NON-LUX.

[C. Charles Hahn]

As far as the sound system, I think they are the same, but BE SURE you get the Nav that can play DVD's. Its the same cost as the one that does not play DVD's, and I had no idea they offerd 2 Nav's untill I tried to play a DVD on mine

 

I'm pretty sure at least on the GMT800s, Bose equipped Cadillacs and Denalis got the LUX version of the sound system whereas everything else got NON-LUX.

 

 

You're right about that from the GMT800s, but that is not the case with the GMT900 as far as I'm aware.

[TheGrouch]

As far as the sound system, I think they are the same, but BE SURE you get the Nav that can play DVD's. Its the same cost as the one that does not play DVD's, and I had no idea they offerd 2 Nav's untill I tried to play a DVD on mine

 

I'm pretty sure at least on the GMT800s, Bose equipped Cadillacs and Denalis got the LUX version of the sound system whereas everything else got NON-LUX.

 

 

Is that also the case with the GMT900s?

 

EDIT: Whoops, missed your post there Charlie.

[02silveradols]

Whats the difference with the amps? Does one sound better and are they interchangable?

[KMGZ400]

i would get the 4x4 sierra. its always nice to have a choice and 4-lo(i use it all the time for pulling and offroading) and the denali has too much chrome for me. i would be happy with a worktruck with power windows.

[Prokopchuk_9]

dont all caddy motors come with bigger ported heads? i know the older 6 litre engines have better heads in them, slightly larger ports and valves....?????i thought caddies always had the advantage in the HP section....

[Matt_]

.... just a comment, i notice a lot of people say that the Denali has "Too much chrome". Other than the grill and handles, it has less chrome....... The non-denali has a ton of chrome on the front and rear bumpers whereas the Denali is color matched, and they usually come with chrome grills too

 

 

 

 

To the OP: you're in a win-win situation.... go with the truck that has the options you want and the price thats better. From reading your input of what YOU plan on using the truck for, the AWD is a great system (unless you want to get sideways in the snow )

. If you were building a truck to take through deep mud and/or some off-camber offroad conditions, the selectable 4wd with 4LO would be a better option. But for a mostly street driven truck, nothing beats the AWD IMO. With all of my last trucks, there were plenty of times where I would've liked to have had AWD. I've never needed 4LO on the boat ramp either... my truck doesn't miss a beat even when pulling out my friends 28' boat.

 

.... not to mention with the power of the 6.2L and the gearing of the 6L80E, those tires are going to be easy to spin in 2WD (assuming you eliminate some of the torque management). With the AWD it's nice to know that you can put all that power down to the ground on demand and not have to worry about throttling the gas to keep traction.

[KMGZ400]

that is true skierboy, but think the denali's chrome grill and rims make it look more "chromey". and when people hear denali, they think luxury. its all whatever the buyers prefrence is