Differences between Sierra Denali and Silverado High Country?

FuelHauler87 · February 27, 2015

Denali only way to go. Proud Denali HD owner

mdrew · February 27, 2015

Denali has Napa leather and Black Wood/brushed trim which is nicer to me than the slt of same year I had. The 15 Denali also should have spray in liner...and a few other small things not mentioned like leather on shifter and chrome handle on center console lid.

When you say "Napa leather", are you certain it is any different than the other GMC lines? I was recently at a dealer, checking out a 2015 Denali and a HC they had on the lot. I could not tell any difference between the leather of the Denali and any other GMC. Look, feel, etc.... The HC, however, did actually feel different and obviously looked different.

My 05 Denali was unique. Different color, feel. Way different. My 08 Denali, same exact thing. Quite disappointing and nothing special.

high country · February 27, 2015

Napa leather, is that removed from happy cows in Napa Cali. and just what is a happy cow?

Bvonscott · February 27, 2015

They do not have Napa leather. It is called NUANCE leather. The Denali leather does feel different most likely due to the extra stitching and smaller leather patches.

250motorsportz · February 28, 2015

I've had a 2014 High Country 6.2/6spd and now just got my 2015 Denali 6.2/8spd.

Honestly, it really comes down to cosmetics. Which one do you like better? I have no regrets with either model...except the harsh vibration on my last HC and the very slight vibration in my new Denali. I do believe the Denali has a few "fancy" options such as the cluster, MRC, etc.

Let me tell you though...the 3.23 in the Denali sucks compared to the old HC!

EXSlider400 · February 28, 2015

They do not have Napa leather. It is called NUANCE leather. The Denali leather does feel different most likely due to the extra stitching and smaller leather patches.

He is right on the "Nuance" not Napa.

mdrew · February 28, 2015

I've had a 2014 High Country 6.2/6spd and now just got my 2015 Denali 6.2/8spd.

Honestly, it really comes down to cosmetics. Which one do you like better? I have no regrets with either model...except the harsh vibration on my last HC and the very slight vibration in my new Denali. I do believe the Denali has a few "fancy" options such as the cluster, MRC, etc.

Let me tell you though...the 3.23 in the Denali sucks compared to the old HC!

Thank you.

Can you expand an the "sucks" part, regarding the gear change? I'm somewhat surprised to hear this, as on paper, the final drive ratio of the 8 speed with 3.23 is better than the 6 speed with 3.42. Better meaning, lower first gear, tighter ratio between 1 and five, and a higher final drive ratio.

250motorsportz · February 28, 2015

It's definitely very smooth on the highway (shifting and gearing wise) however the punch just isn't as good as it was with my 14 6.2/6spd 3.42. I expected close to the same [off-the-line] punch but the 3.23 is noticeably slower.

Not a big factor for those that are using this truck under normal driving conditions however, I like to open the 6.2 up quite often. I'm sure a good tune will help in the lacking areas.

redwngr · February 28, 2015

I'm surprised as well, but I've never driven a '14 6.2/6sp.

mdrew · March 5, 2015

Apparently, another difference is the key. Chevy has a fob and push button start. GMC uses a key. Is this correct?

I put a deposit down on a Denali order. Waiting for a build date now. Sonoma Red, Dune interior, all the bells and whistles minus rear DVD.

If the tranny shifts are as bad as everyone says they are, and GM does not re-calibrate it soon, I'll just re-calibrate myself. I tune my vehicles, but do prefer to not flash my daily driver that I want to maintain warranty.

f8l vnm · March 5, 2015

Apparently, another difference is the key. Chevy has a fob and push button start. GMC uses a key. Is this correct? I put a deposit down on a Denali order. Waiting for a build date now. Sonoma Red, Dune interior, all the bells and whistles minus rear DVD. If the tranny shifts are as bad as everyone says they are, and GM does not re-calibrate it soon, I'll just re-calibrate myself. I tune my vehicles, but do prefer to not flash my daily driver that I want to maintain warranty.

Chevy has a push start button ?

EXSlider400 · March 5, 2015

Apparently, another difference is the key. Chevy has a fob and push button start. GMC uses a key. Is this correct?

I put a deposit down on a Denali order. Waiting for a build date now. Sonoma Red, Dune interior, all the bells and whistles minus rear DVD.

If the tranny shifts are as bad as everyone says they are, and GM does not re-calibrate it soon, I'll just re-calibrate myself. I tune my vehicles, but do prefer to not flash my daily driver that I want to maintain warranty.

Sounds like my 2014. Everything but the DVD. It was hard finding one with everything. Sunroof, Trailer control, Driver alert, heat/cooled seats, rear sliding window, Z71, heated wheel, & also Sonoma red and coco dune. I also added the quad fold but after it came in from GM, it is just the one from Fold-a-cover so I could have saved a few bucks. Also, go ahead and add the driver assist handle as it comes in "handy"..ok ok bad joke......

Also, will yours have the chrome or brushed Denali wheels? Or did you get 22"?

On the post above (push button) I know some of the SUV's have it but I don't think the trucks do.

mdrew · March 5, 2015

Sounds like my 2014. Everything but the DVD. It was hard finding one with everything. Sunroof, Trailer control, Driver alert, heat/cooled seats, rear sliding window, Z71, heated wheel, & also Sonoma red and coco dune. I also added the quad fold but after it came in from GM, it is just the one from Fold-a-cover so I could have saved a few bucks. Also, go ahead and add the driver assist handle as it comes in "handy"..ok ok bad joke......

Also, will yours have the chrome or brushed Denali wheels? Or did you get 22"?

On the post above (push button) I know some of the SUV's have it but I don't think the trucks do.

I also wanted the standard bed, 6.2/8 speed and sunroof. Hard to get that combo in the Sonoma Red, or hell....any color but black or white. I really like the blue as well, but damn, the Sonoma Red just rings a bell with me for some reason. I am a bit worried about the lighter colored seats, but I'm sick of black. It's just....blah...

I did opt for the polished 20's and AT tires. I will most likely stud the tires, and use that set for winter, or just run Blizzaks. I'll get a different set of wheels/tires for the truck to run in the summer. Getting the 22s from GM is a total rip off. Even the guy who built the truck for me said it was a rip off.

I did opt for the alert seat. I rented a suburban with that feature last year. It prevented me from getting slammed by an idiot on the freeway, clipping along at 75mph.

The guy who built the truck for me said he had to verify if the grab handle is compatable with the lighter interior. He said the handle only comes in one color and the build program was not letting him select that option.

As far as the push button start, someone said it comes with the Chevy HC package in a different thread. Personally, I don't care one way or the other. My Ram has that feature, and it's cool, but you have to have your foot on the brake to start the engine (safety interlock). Sometimes I just want to reach in and start the truck without climbing in. My Vette has push button too. I can live without it..... The one really cool feature the Ram has that I'll miss, is whenever you grab the door handle, with the fob in your pocket, the doors unlock. I'll miss that.