2016 GMC Sierra Denali lacking options/equipment?

hurricanoday · August 4, 2016

I tried to warn in my previous post, this is how these forums are and it is usually the people with lower trims. Any time you say anything about the features the trucks don't have or wish they would have you are a complainer. Or the best is why did you spend 60k on a truck is now the go to response. I personally think GM makes the best truck, but it just doesn't have some features it should have. I think they will hopefully make some corrections with the next gen trucks.

It's like everyone on these forums doesn't shop around for everything else in life, which everyone knows they do. I am looking at subcompact tractors and guess what first thing I did was compare the kubota vs john deere to see the different options vs price. I'm also going to be looking at a new tv come black friday and guess what if I am buying top of the line I am expecting top of the line features.

It isn't complaining to say how can gmc market their Denali and not come with the whole package with the pickups. It is suppose to be the top of the line truck. I actually called and spoke with gmc about it explaining that Denali is suppose to be Denali. Also filled out lots of their questionnaires.

TJay74 · August 4, 2016

Sport mode is a nice option, every vehicle should offer it but I don't care for it when I'm driving a pickup with a V8 under the hood. I have the power when I need it, and this neutered power delivery you speak of is non-existent in my truck. My 8 speed is on par with any other 8 speed I have driven, not slow or quick on upshifts, just normal. Back in the 6 speed and 4 speed days, I can defiantly agree with you. Very light throttle and your pulling away from everyone on the light so I don't feel like it needs a re calibration at all. Even at higher speeds, I feel that it's fine. But everyone has their own opinion and depends on what you set your standard at. An Audi, BMW, or a Benz are light years ahead of where the American automakers are at in almost every aspect.

I have owned several cars with built 700R4 transmissions, several with 4L65E+ transmissions and 3 with the 6L80E and now the new truck with the 8L80E. The 8L80E is worlds ahead of the 6L80E stuff, that I can agree with. The shifts are faster, there is no flare shifting like the 6L80E has been plagued with for years either. Most of the "dullness" is in the calibration as the same engine/transmission combo in the Camaro and Corvette has a better feel to the calibration. I know on the 2012/2013 Corvettes GM went in and reprogrammed the calibration for the sport mode and tap up/down due to complaints from the owners about the huge delay in shifts.

The powertrain can handle it, but due to consumer demographics and input GM has dulled it down to make the driving experience super smooth so that you never notice the shifts or the torque converter locking up, something that you could always notice on the old 4 speed auto systems.

Once HP Tuners has the rest of the 8L80E calibration decrypted I will be playing with mine some more. On my 2014 I had the transmission calibration setup to where under less than 70% throttle it was almost stock like in driving experience, shifts times were a little faster but not much. Once you got over 70% throttle input the shift times got a lot faster and the shift firmness was increased.

I never had problems with cars that had the same or more power than my 2016 6.2l/8L80E has, my 2001 Formula had 370rwhp and a M6 and I could feather the throttle just fine. My2008 Corvette had almost 400rwhp with a M6 and same thing, no problems with the sharper throttle.

I've owned domestic all my life, both of my parents retired from GM so that is all I have owned, the Audi is our first venture into the German market and while there are things that Audi is behind in some ways (not very many) the one thing they are not behind in is the powertrain calibration, it is spot on for the most part.

f8l vnm · August 4, 2016

A switch for the bed lights in th bed would also be great. While we're at it why does the f150 get a power invertor and up to 400w and my Sierra gives me baby power? Like I said before I like my Sierra but when it comes to well thought out useful options , ford destroys GM in every way.

I still can't get over the lack of rear amenities. Pathetic

truckguy82 · August 4, 2016

I tried to warn in my previous post, this is how these forums are and it is usually the people with lower trims. Any time you say anything about the features the trucks don't have or wish they would have you are a complainer. Or the best is why did you spend 60k on a truck is now the go to response. I personally think GM makes the best truck, but it just doesn't have some features it should have. I think they will hopefully make some corrections with the next gen trucks.

It's like everyone on these forums doesn't shop around for everything else in life, which everyone knows they do. I am looking at subcompact tractors and guess what first thing I did was compare the kubota vs john deere to see the different options vs price. I'm also going to be looking at a new tv come black friday and guess what if I am buying top of the line I am expecting top of the line features.

It isn't complaining to say how can gmc market their Denali and not come with the whole package with the pickups. It is suppose to be the top of the line truck. I actually called and spoke with gmc about it explaining that Denali is suppose to be Denali. Also filled out lots of their questionnaires.

I didn't shop around at other brands.

When it comes to small suv's, I shop around

When it comes to sports cars, I shop around

When it comes to luxury sedans, I shop around

When it comes to 1/2 ton body on frame pickups and suvs, I shop at GM.

truckguy82 · August 4, 2016

A switch for the bed lights in th bed would also be great. While we're at it why does the f150 get a power invertor and up to 400w and my Sierra gives me baby power? Like I said before I like my Sierra but when it comes to well thought out useful options , ford destroys GM in every way.

I still can't get over the lack of rear amenities. Pathetic

Dunno, but I plugged in a hedge trimmer to the outlet and it handled it no problem.

Havvkeye · August 4, 2016

A switch for the bed lights in th bed would also be great. While we're at it why does the f150 get a power invertor and up to 400w and my Sierra gives me baby power? Like I said before I like my Sierra but when it comes to well thought out useful options , ford destroys GM in every way.

I still can't get over the lack of rear amenities. Pathetic

There is a switch for the bed lights (why do you need one in the bed?)... and if you think Ford destroys GM in every way and you STILL bought the GM you are either an idiot or just straight out lying to advance your viewpoint.

To clarify my stance on the topic... I think more options would be nice as well, obviously. I think posting "Hey these trucks are way behind the times and have horrible options, having said that I bought one anyway" is telling GM that they don't need to have any of those options for people to still get them. You can get your point across better by buying something else if it really bothers you. Hence, all this thread is doing is complaining to complain.

Barbarrino · August 4, 2016

Havvkeye if you are going to quote the man read the quote. He said "when it comes to well thought out useful options , ford destroys GM in every way."

There are things called "drive train", "Engine" and built quality too. Those are overall more important to me and i would assume others, it would be nice if the same priced truck had the roughly the same options. Again we bought the truck, we shopped around and we know what we got. We are just shooting the Sh*t.

JeremyW426 · August 4, 2016

If GM gave the customers every single option they could ever ask for, someone, somewhere, would still be complaining that its not enough. And if not that, then they would be complaining about their truck having to go in the shop because their brand new fancy dew-dad just broke. Unwilling to accept the fact that no vehicle is unbreakable. Then they would just be griping that their vehicle is garbage. The debate on options will never be won with any manufacturer and with more options, comes more repairs down the road. I love my WT Blackout. It looks good, its functional, it rides great and I've had it over a year and a half and couldn't be happier. But that's me. I've had people get in my truck and comment on my small 4" screen, well, sorry, I didn't want an 8" screen covered in finger prints, mine works fine. 4WD shift on the floor? that's great, when I pull the lever back, its in 4WD, no waiting, just clunk it in and go. I'm 30, I like electronic toys, but growing up in the automotive industry, I've learned less is more down the road.

Huss1301 · August 4, 2016

If I were you I would be embarrassed to be pissed off over auto windows... It is sad how petty is this society getting.

Tyler

Tyler, simple question. What do you drive?

TxTruckMan · August 4, 2016

I personally disagree with those that are complaining. If you bought a Denali, like me, you thought that the truck was worth what you paid. If not, you're an idiot for buying it.

If you think "a $60k truck needs more options", you're wrong. You can have DIFFERENT options, or you can have a $65k+ truck. You can't have both all the time. Over time prices come down, but sh!t ain't free. Sure, Ford has some "better" features, but it also has some worse ones. It's not a better truck, it's a different truck.

Let's not forget that GM's trucks are now the oldest on the market and they were designed during their bankruptcy. Option prices will come down over time, but it's like you guys expect GM to adopt EVERY option from EVERY OEM the day after the other guy gets them. That's not how it works.

Buy the truck that meets your needs and makes you happy and live with it. Don't buy a truck and then complain about what the other guy gets the next year.

f8l vnm · August 4, 2016

There is a switch for the bed lights (why do you need one in the bed?)... and if you think Ford destroys GM in every way and you STILL bought the GM you are either an idiot or just straight out lying to advance your viewpoint.

To clarify my stance on the topic... I think more options would be nice as well, obviously. I think posting "Hey these trucks are way behind the times and have horrible options, having said that I bought one anyway" is telling GM that they don't need to have any of those options for people to still get them. You can get your point across better by buying something else if it really bothers you. Hence, all this thread is doing is complaining to complain.

I know it's real hard for some of you brand loyal nut swinging guys to admit it or hear the truth. It's ok. No worries I don't take personal attacks on the internet personal

In my first post in this thread the first thing I mentioned was I love the looks and 6.2 over anything ford can offer that's why I got my 16 Denali.

And if you stack up options vs options the ford wins hands down. its on paper not my opinion either. Ford goes as far as putting a tiny button to push the tailgate. Rather then pulling the handle. No ,I'm not lazy I could care less about pulling my handle to open my tailgate but you have to admit this is the out the box thinking that ford has GM on.

TxTruckMan · August 5, 2016

I know it's real hard for some of you brand loyal nut swinging guys to admit it or hear the truth. It's ok. No worries I don't take personal attacks on the internet personal

In my first post in this thread the first thing I mentioned was I love the looks and 6.2 over anything ford can offer that's why I got my 16 Denali.

And if you stack up options vs options the ford wins hands down. its on paper not my opinion either. Ford goes as far as putting a tiny button to push the tailgate. Rather then pulling the handle. No ,I'm not lazy I could care less about pulling my handle to open my tailgate but you have to admit this is the out the box thinking that ford has GM on.

If your butt is so hurt about a stupid button, go buy a Ford then! Nobody's stopping you. If a stupid button makes you jealous with envy, go get one! I didn't buy a truck to impress my neighbors. I bought it because I liked everything about it overall, not just a few pointless options, at the price I paid - and I still do. Button or no button. I didn't make a stupid spreadsheet and compare feature to feature, dimension to dimensions, capability to capability, and then pick the one with the highest score "on paper". I'm not that materialistic and shallow. Could some things be better? Sure. But I'm not naive enough to expect GM to add every single meaningless feature that Ford, Ram, Toyota, AND Nissan adds to their truck every year. If you don't like your truck, go trade it in.

RayGMC · August 5, 2016

I am a previous 2007 Sierra Denali owner and a current 2015 F250 Platinum owner. My wife's vehicle is a 2015 Yukon Denali.

The fact of the matter is, some people buy "loaded" vehicles specifically for the bell and whistles. These same people are the type that compare the features and weigh the pros vs cons.

The fact that they still purchased a GMC Denali, while knowing some of the other trucks have more options, leads me to believe the lack of options was a minor factor in the decision making process.

Having said that. The F150 owners are complaining big time about their cooled seats. They have a major problem with the design of the system. When the cooled seats are turned on it actually ends up making the back warmer over time. Someone on their forum used a FLIR to take thermal images of the seat and it was obvious how much hotter the back was compared to the bottom seat.

Being in FL, cooled seats are a big deal to me. That one issue alone could persuade me to overlook the lack of 360* cameras, passive entry/keyless ignition, panoramic sunroof, electric column, remote tailgate, and etc..(because there are more).

So my point is, one particular thing could persuade a person to buy one over the other . That doesn't mean that they wouldn't miss having those other great options though.

DAY11 · August 5, 2016

I don't know or care if a Ford has better options

however, I do feel there should be a switch in this bed for the bed lights. The light switch should be where the light is. If I approach the vehicle and open the tonneau I don't want to have to also run to the cab to hit the button. Truth be told I should sell them because I haven't used them once since I put the tonneau with light in.

If your kitchen light switch was in the laundry room you would complain too.

FishinJ · August 5, 2016

One option I love is the remote start especially living in SW FL. I can start my truck from inside my office and cool it down before getting in. My wife's Infinity has push to start and I could care a less about it.

I wish it had rear vents for the few times my kids are back there but they have their own cars now and are not back there very often. As soon as I point the vents back there it cools it down good and fast.

Mine has the drivers alert package but adaptive cruise and auto braking for an emergency would be nice. Maybe it will be on them when I get the next truck but if not, it's not a deal breaker.

If I wanted everything the Ford or Dodge had I would have bought one of those, but I liked the GMC.