2016 Sierra Denali Missing Features - Why? Auto braking, adapt CC etc.

mcdonsco · March 30, 2016

I just bought a 2016 Sierra Denali 1500 and it's my first full size truck. I'm loving it but I'm also a bit baffled by some of the missing features.

It has all the "hardware" and sensors it needs for adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking but for some reason GMC excluded those on the trucks while including it on the SUV's - Why?

Also, manual tilt and telescopic steering wheel - MANUAL on a DENALI? Again - Why?

Just kind of baffled by these items. Wondering if anyone has insight as to a legit reason these features aren't included when all the sensors needed for them is there, but excluded none the less?

Thanks for any and all insight!

newdude · March 30, 2016

If I had to guess, it has to be some sort of engineering limitation or because the K2 trucks were one of the first results of post bankruptcy GM, there may have been some monetary designation to the SUVs to get extra features such as the ones you've stated, and save them for a later date for the trucks.

BootyHunter86 · March 30, 2016

another thing is no push to start on the K2 trucks. it should have at least been an option.

then again, its a truck. meant for work. we just happen to like them as a luxury vehicle lol

mcdonsco · March 30, 2016

another thing is no push to start on the K2 trucks. it should have at least been an option.

then again, its a truck. meant for work. we just happen to like them as a luxury vehicle lol

Yea, I got mine because we very often have a need for a truck or trailer yet I need to have a nice comfy higher end vehicle for clients. As such, would have ended up being a cheap big truck and a luxury suv or sedan, or...all in one, 1500 Denali :-) - like this option better!

white1500 · March 30, 2016

The suv's and cars got the full xenon headlights but the truck's got the halogen bulb in a projector housing, at least until 2015. That was a pretty big deal imo.

O_J_Simpson · March 31, 2016

GM runs about 3 years behind everyone else in technology. The K2's are nearing the end of their life cycle. They are old technology. Hope to see these things and more in about a 1 1/2 years when the K2 replacement hits the lots.

JeremyW426 · April 7, 2016

1st world problems...

redwngr · April 8, 2016

They seem to like to leave some features for the SUV's only.

Perhaps a Yukon Denali might have been a better choice than a sierra Denali for the desired application.

Standard on Yukon Denali

BTM Keyless start, push button start

ATH Passive Entry System, includes (AQQ) Remote Keyless Entry

N38 Steering column, power tilt and telescopic

Available on Yukon Denali:

Y66 Adaptive Cruise Control, with Front Automatic Braking, radar based system automatically adjusts speed to maintain preset following distance.

TJay74 · April 8, 2016

Meh, who care. I don't to be honest, doesn't bother me one bit that we didn't get passive entry systems or push button start. Same thing with the power tilt steering column, it didn't make or break my purchasing decision one bit. I bought the truck(s) because they came with the most HP and in my eyes the best driveline out there of any trucks on the market. The truck has 420hp and gets around or over 20mpg. It rides as nice as any car I have owned and makes sure I can get to work no matter the weather.

People know what these trucks have, if the features are not there that they are after then I suggest waiting until those features are added before buying a new truck.

camcamaro1991 · April 8, 2016

You guys forgot the most important missing feature................ LT4 upgrade, & HUD & side blind zone alert, why the Sierra Denali is missing the HUD & blind zone yet the SUV's get them is beyond me.

and to the OP, it does NOT have a radar system which is required for the adaptive cruise control.

Items I want added to the Sierra Denali's.

-LT4 or supercharged option <--- (highest on my must have list)

-HUD (w/ Denali Specific settings)

-Side Blind zone Alert (with towing ability) mirrors are getting smaller any help is greatly needed not a fan of elephant ear tow mirrors.

-Steering column, power tilt and telescopic (with easy exit, the wheel moves up and towards the dash to make easier to get in and out.)

-Keyless start, push button start (this is how the SUV owners are getting things stolen right in their driveways, they can defeat the alarm using a signal relay boost to make the key in the kitchen think its right next to the vehicle, use a 9 volt battery & boost the key, now you have keys to the castle even open you garage via the home link in the vehicle. (driving away will not work without the key)

- Adaptive Cruise Control

- Rear A/C in the head liner like the SUV's (NOT rear console worthless air vents) maybe make this a substitute for no sunroof option, worthless controlled leak, single pane glass in a roof what a dumb idea.

- 360 degree view video camera's (SUV's have this)

- Massage seats (Caddies have this)

- Rear vented & headed seats

- Captains chairs in the rear, again with vented & heated seats

- Larger fix piston calipers, brembo/zo6 brakes or similar. (anyone notice the stock 20" Denali's you can fit a baseball between the stock brakes and wheel spokes...... I have some ideas)

.... I am tired, I will add more later.

CRApex · April 8, 2016

How about rear passenger vents and controls? Crazy it doesn't have those.

I like the truck but have to agree, some of these items should be included..It really doesn't give me anymore sense of luxury than my 2015 Chev LTZ 3500 did.

f8l vnm · April 8, 2016

Yes although the new trucks are really nice they do lack the amenities the other trucks have. Heck the ram which came out in 2013 has almost everything you listed. Forward thinking. Something GM lacks. As someone above said. GM usually about 2-3 years behind. How about remote tail gate ? Or a flat floor rear ? Or a sport button? All windows express up and down? Or a working wireless charging system ? More wattage to charge an actual lap top? Just a couple more items. The ultimate cheap out is having no real vents in the back. I thought maybe GM did some homework for the 2016 models but all they did was cosmetic.They sure are pretty trucks and I sure do love my 6.2

f8l vnm · April 8, 2016

Also while we're at it anything less then 900 ft of torque for the new 17 duramax would be a disappointment. And 380ft of torque is weak for your only gas HD engine. Stick the damn 6.2 in there and tone it down. GM is last in HD sales to ford and dodge. And with new SD coming out soon with the new Ram HD following a year later GM needs to step up and get some of that HD market back. Seems like they only care about 1500s now. Imho

Every damn fleet HD work truck I see is F series or HD ram

amxguy1970 · April 8, 2016

You guys forgot the most important missing feature................ LT4 upgrade, & HUD & side blind zone alert, why the Sierra Denali is missing the HUD & blind zone yet the SUV's get them is beyond me.

and to the OP, it does NOT have a radar system which is required for the adaptive cruise control.

Items I want added to the Sierra Denali's.

-LT4 or supercharged option <--- (highest on my must have list)

-HUD (w/ Denali Specific settings)

-Side Blind zone Alert (with towing ability) mirrors are getting smaller any help is greatly needed not a fan of elephant ear tow mirrors.

-Steering column, power tilt and telescopic (with easy exit, the wheel moves up and towards the dash to make easier to get in and out.)

-Keyless start, push button start (this is how the SUV owners are getting things stolen right in their driveways, they can defeat the alarm using a signal relay boost to make the key in the kitchen think its right next to the vehicle, use a 9 volt battery & boost the key, now you have keys to the castle even open you garage via the home link in the vehicle. (driving away will not work without the key)

- Adaptive Cruise Control

- Rear A/C in the head liner like the SUV's (NOT rear console worthless air vents) maybe make this a substitute for no sunroof option, worthless controlled leak, single pane glass in a roof what a dumb idea.

- 360 degree view video camera's (SUV's have this)

- Massage seats (Caddies have this)

- Rear vented & headed seats

- Captains chairs in the rear, again with vented & heated seats

- Larger fix piston calipers, brembo/zo6 brakes or similar. (anyone notice the stock 20" Denali's you can fit a baseball between the stock brakes and wheel spokes...... I have some ideas)

.... I am tired, I will add more later.

Sigh, why not just team up with Mercedes and take their S-class and change the body? Can have all the little fragile gizmos ya'lls heart desires in a car err I mean truck. Then we can hear even more complaints on why a mid level truck costs 60k with barely any options.

All the image conscious suburban dads have been driving up the costs of trucks immensely in the last decade. The design and research for wasted things like cooled seats, memory chairs/steering wheel, HID head lights, adaptive shocks, auto park, panoramic sunroofs and so forth add up big time; those costs have to be spread out across the line. Not to mention every person and their mother buying 4wd and never needing it but it "makes a point" as someone mentioned once, GM knows they can sell it for a huge premium which is why it is now an almost 4k option depending on trim levels.

The suv's and cars got the full xenon headlights but the truck's got the halogen bulb in a projector housing, at least until 2015. That was a pretty big deal imo.

Much prefer it that way. The halogen reflector housing is the way to go. Cheap, works great, fills in the front of the trucks (tiny thin headlights look silly on trucks) and if a headlight goes out it is a $30 bulb or $150 ish dollar headlight, not $300+ bulb and god know how much for an LED headlight housing.

Unfortunately we will never be at those levels again, not looking forward to picking up my 2024ish model at $61k OTD for an LT/SLE.

Tyler

CounterMeasure · April 8, 2016

Yes, the Yukon Denali has a lot of those features standard. It's starting price point is also $14K higher than the Sierra Denali. They gotta throw more features in the SUV to keep people attracted to the higher margin SUV.