After riding in buddies new Denali, just realized finally real 4x4&#33

ktreece · November 13, 2013

So I was sold on a high country because the old AWD on the denali was just garbage for my use.

However, buddy just got a 6.2 denali and I got in it shockingly discovering it actually has a real 4x4 setup. How did I miss this? Best news ever.

Did they just get rid of AWD all together?

crushNchowda · November 13, 2013

Yes awd and big engine no longer standard- now you get to be the proud owner of an expensive denali truck w/ nothing to show for it but a fancy gauge cluster, chrome grill, and badges!!!

Part of the reason behind nixing the awd was to save costs across platforms, it guzzled even more gas for no real added benefit, gives a worse ride compared to 2wd mode, adds weight w/ no benefit, impacts steering feel, oh- and good luck landing your boat in the water on the beach....in the sand....

Kidding, but not. Since you can get a sierra SLT w/ 6.2....ummm, what is the point? 22"s? Nope- multiple options for SLT, painted bumpers? Nah get the all terrain it's cheaper looks better and automatically gets Z71 and its own special rims too!

the auto manufacturers must think people are dumb as hell. I have no problem w/ someone getting a Denali truck if they prefer it, but saying its for anything other than looks or making some other justification is moot.

Then again....$50,000 trucks are a little preposterous to begin w/ so who am I to point fingers?

I think making Denali trucks in 4WD is a good move as well as offering the 5.3 as the base engine (I also like getting the 6.2 in SLT trim)

ktreece · November 13, 2013

Man, my 1100Hp GTO...

No, but really cooled seats was a win for me. Plus, when you get that close in price on the all terrain vs denali you're about 1,500 cheaper to go denali route than all terrain actually.

Package it out and look for yourself.

Driver alert/sunroof/offroad/6.2/4x4

All terrain add navi/all terrain/plus package/sunroof/6.2

Edit: It is 2,000 more to go denali route. GMC mobile app was letting me combine null options.

Jon A · November 13, 2013

I never would have considered the Denali if not for this change. If they wanted to sell more of them, this change was probably a good idea. Farmers, ranchers, hunters and offroaders will now actually consider this "yuppy-rig."

As for the Denali not being as "special" as it used to be, who cares. I consider it an "extra SLT" trim you can get on a truck that'll actually work off pavement. For those who want to feel special, it's still very visually distinctive letting everybody know you got the very most expensive truck available, while an SLT could possibly be confused with a "lower-tier" truck (oh, the horror!).

I was originally planning to get an SLT but after optioning one up the way I wanted, it was only $1000 more for the Denali.

For that $1000 I get a reconfigurable gauge cluster (for gadget-freaks this is probably worth the money all by itself), body color bumpers along with the good heated/cooled leather seats (not available on the SLT) and of course while not a big deal to me the nice real wood and aluminum trim is a nice touch.

That's a lot for $1000; especially considering how many people will drop $3000 on a set of wheels alone.

Stex · November 13, 2013

"along with the good heated/cooled leather seats (not available on the SLT"

Jon A, are the seats different than slt? better leather?

Ron.s · November 13, 2013

I didn't think the seats were different but could have missed something. Agree 100% on the features vs price comparison. I was ordering an SLT in June and considered the All Terrain for the painted bumpers but you can't get Coco Dunn interior and reviews aren't good for the ride. Since I don't offroad and price of my SLT pushing $50 I opted to wait for the Denali and 6.2.

Once you get past the basic truck most options added are for comfort or looks lets not kid ourselves! I think the Denali grill is over the top, too much for me but that's the only thing I don't like. Oh except maybe 46 days since order and truck still not built.

suess13 · November 13, 2013

FYI,

heated and cooled seat are available on the SLT, i just ordered one.

GMC-AT · November 13, 2013

I just can't see the value in a denali. My SLT All Terrain has everything the Denali has, but the instrument cluster and 6.2 (which myself.. and 90% of us don't need) I just also think the AT flat out looks better...

bladz1454 · November 13, 2013

I don't like chrome but would have enjoyed those cooled seats. Also won't feel as bad taking my AT into the Vermont trails starting next week compared to the Denali. The AT actually looks somewhat like it's supposed to be there.

ktreece · November 13, 2013

FYI,

heated and cooled seat are available on the SLT, i just ordered one.

Cooled seats are not avaliable with All-Terrain package.

Also, I think what he meant by by different seats is that there is more coverage of real leather on the denali. I don't know that for sure, but the fake carbon fiber look on the Sierra isn't on the denali which would lead me to believe it was actual leather coverage.

ktreece · November 13, 2013

I just can't see the value in a denali. My SLT All Terrain has everything the Denali has, but the instrument cluster and 6.2 (which myself.. and 90% of us don't need) I just also think the AT flat out looks better...

Edit:

GMC's Mobile App pricing is not correct. I tried to make a comparison on a normal computer and got completely different results.

51,920 All-Terrain

54,105 Denali - Denali gets cooled seats, more driver alert, and the others.

So yeah, whoever said it above nailed it. It's just a extra SLT. It's like they intentionally took off options on the All-Terrain to push Denali branding. There's not near a price gap like there used to be, that's for sure.

Truck13 · November 13, 2013

I ordered it because I didn't have to fight with the options. I like the configurable cluster and the coco dune.

Plus... it's built in MEXICO!!!

Jon A · November 13, 2013

"along with the good heated/cooled leather seats (not available on the SLT"

Jon A, are the seats different than slt? better leather?

Actually I think they're 12 way adjustable instead of 10 way and they claim the leather is nicer.... But what I was really meaning was if you want body colored bumpers (not a huge fan of chrome) you need the AT package with the SLT in which case the top level seats aren't available at all. I'm hopeful the driver alert/lane departure warning may prove useful on long cross-country trips.

I agree with many on the grill--I've never been a fan of the Denali. I'm already shopping aftermarket options in case it doesn't grow on me.

GMC-AT · November 13, 2013

driver alert/lane departure warning = pure aggravation I can't see how anyone would want this on their truck.

crushNchowda · November 13, 2013

I just can't see the value in a denali. My SLT All Terrain has everything the Denali has, but the instrument cluster and 6.2 (which myself.. and 90% of us don't need) I just also think the AT flat out looks better...

That's kinda what I was getting at - you want the 6.2 you gotta pay for it on either trim level. You want the Z71 All Terrain already has it standard but you gotta pay for it on the Denali, you want 22"s gotta pay for it either trim level, only thing the Denali has that SLT doesn't "standard" is the grill, the gauge cluster (which I don't even think is worth mentioning but whatever), and side steps in the colored bumpers (aside from the obvious badges).

Keep in mind, it may have been a slip of tongue on your part, but the Denali DOESN'T come w/ the 6.2 anymore than the All Terrain does. That's an option on any SLT or Denali truck, not standard. The AT has the offroad suspension/Z71 package - that's an option for the Denali. The Denali simply has a distinctive grill, "better" is in the eye of the beholder - the AT grill is "distintctive" as well, in that it is only on the AT, that to me is what makes it nice and the same goes for the Denali, so what it comes down to is paying $3,000 for a gauge cluster and some badges and to me that aint worth it.