New Sierra Denali

[Pat1911A1]

Looking at a new Denali today. One has a 5.3L V8. Other a 6.2L. Opinions welcome as to which I should buy. I tow very little these days, but may buy a 7x12 enclosed trailer to haul my Harley. Opinions on 22x285x45 low profile tires. My current truck has 18x275x55 tires and I am satisfied with them. But Denali options are limited

[Bigham16]

6.2L gets my vote

[SouthpawHD]

The 6.2 is fantastic motor, a fast motor, a fun motor, and very capable at just about anything you can throw at it. And the 5.3 is a almost just as good (probably a little less fun to hot-rod around with, but still fun). The 6.2 requires premium fuel, so if you're cost conscience at the pump, keep that in mind.

[TxTruckMan]

6.2!!!

[finn5033]

I know it's easy to spend other peoples money, but if I was spending that kind of money on a truck why not go with the 6.2?

 

I would stay away from 22" wheels and tires

[Showtime417]

6.2 Better in almost every aspect, And i Believe it gets similar miles if not better MPG than the 5.3

[Z45]

22-inch tires are useless IMO. Friend recently (last fall) purchased a $80k+ Escalade and it had 22-inch tires. It rides like a buck board, every crack in the road feels like you ran over a curb. She said its terrible traction in the winter and already marred one wheel hitting a pot-hole.

[Vic15]

Get the 6.2 so you won't have to wish you had.

[Doobs41378]

Id get the 6.2 with 22s. I like the look of those better but it will be a rougher ride as mentioned above.

[camcamaro1991]

Better question is why would some order a 60K truck with a 5.3? you get a 5.3 in a Denali you will regret it.

 

6.2 includes, Bose sound canceling tech.. & 9.76 rear end, so your getting a bit more than a engine upgrade, oh yeah its faster duh!

 

6.2L & don't look back this topic was just discussed last week, I optioned Chrome 20" wheels (w/ Denali logo in the wheel) looks so much better than the polished wheels that get hazy & take forever to clean after 1 rain storm.

 

Stay away from 22"s they ride like train on the rails & they are painted wheels with cheap chrome cladded inserts, 22's beats the heck out of you esp with ----> "magnetic ride"

 

 

I must admit I use the heck out the power running boards, far more valuable & useful esp getting in the bed, these trucks are bit taller than last gen.

[tallspawn]

Better question is why would some order a 60K truck with a 5.3? you get a 5.3 in a Denali you will regret it.

 

6.2 includes, Bose sound canceling tech.. & 9.76 rear end, so your getting a bit more than a engine upgrade, oh yeah its faster duh!

 

6.2L & don't look back this topic was just discussed last week, I optioned Chrome 20" wheels (w/ Denali logo in the wheel) looks so much better than the polished wheels that get hazy & take forever to clean after 1 rain storm.

 

Stay away from 22"s they ride like train on the rails & they are painted wheels with cheap chrome cladded inserts, 22's beats the heck out of you esp with ----> "magnetic ride"

 

 

I must admit I use the heck out the power running boards, far more valuable & useful esp getting in the bed, these trucks are bit taller than last gen.

I have to disagree with a few of these points...I've been perfectly happy with my 5.3 on 22" wheels. Not all of the 22's have the chrome or black inserts, not that they look bad but I wouldn't want to deal with cleaning them or dealing with water staying under the insert after washing. The ones I have are the easiest wheels I've ever had to clean, the paint & top coat feel really smooth and thick.

 

As far as riding rough, I'm sure I can feel the road a bit more but by no means does it beat the heck out of me and is in fact much smoother than I anticipated. For my taste the look far out weighs the small difference.

 

The 5.3 works perfectly for my needs and I really brought it alive (as far as throttle response and take off) by adding an Airaid MIT & Flowmaster 40 Delta. I also removed the resonator and clamped the flapper valve open just to get the sound I want, but it's running really well.

 

I do agree with the power steps being really cool, I personally don't need to use them and actually get in my way at my height but they work great for my wife and kids. When they're not in the truck I disable them and don't have to step over them when getting out.

 

No clad in sight:

 

[O_J_Simpson]

6.2L and tell the dealer to stick the 22" tires on some other sucker's truck.

[TXTruk15]

6.2L and tell the dealer to stick the 22" tires on some other sucker's truck.

 

 

totally agree with this - go 6.2 and don't go over 20"s

[TxTruckMan]

I've owned a 2014 Denali with 20" and now a 2015 Denali with 22" and MRC. Hands down the 2015 with MRC and 22" rides better than the non-MRC with 20". A Denali with 20" and MRC would probably ride even better, but I have ZERO complaints about the ride with 22's.

[camcamaro1991]

tallspawn

 

yeah I see no inserts, looks too plain for a Denali IMO. You optioned $2,995 22's wheels/tires + $495 Crimson tri-coat over a $2,495 6.2L?, I will always pick powertrain over wheels, you can add wheels anytime. Heck I have a Escalade wife's with MRC and 22's hate driving it period feels like a train car, 20's huge difference in ride quality...........huge!

 

Add all the exhaust and CAI's you want, still not going to keep up with 6.2L or out tow, esp when we have similar exhaust and CAI as well.

 

6.2 includes 3 items the 5.3 doesn't offer, this never gets brought up its not just a engine upgrade!

• 6.2L engine (acceleration fun factor alone is worth it)
• Bose sound canceling technology (<-- yes this is very nice to have)
• 9.76 rear end

 

6.2 improves long term value of the truck vs 5.3.

The Caddie's and Yukon Denali all get 6.2 as standard engine, not sure why GM skipped on the Sierra Denali, and yes I know the SUV's are almost 25K more.

 

last note, the 20's seem to have lots of space between the calipers and spokes, thinking grand sport/z06 brakes in the future.