2016 Denali 1500 lacking basic features!! Disapointed!&#3

[POWERQUEST290]

After three Dodge Rams, 07, 10,14 sport crew cabs, I wanted to change things up a bit. I loved the look and styling of the new GMC sierra. With the 20% off incentives in October i ended up with a 2016 Denali 1500. I loved the comfort of the magnetic ride on the test drive, and with $12,150 off a $60,750 sticker i did the deal. Right off the bat i did the Suspension Maxx 2.5 front lift with 1.5 blocks in rear just to make it look more like a truck, since i was use to the the rams which are so much higher from the start. The kit is a quality one since not many out there work with the magnetic ride. It makes the truck look 100% better than stock.

So now after a month of owning the truck i thought i would express my opinion on here hoping maybe some GM R&D people would listen to consumers coming from other brand trucks! I looked at all trim levels online and have found these things lacking on all GM trucks.

First off there is no grab handle on drivers side pillar like on the passenger side. Really? If you want one you have to buy one for like $50. then install it, don't you think that is a basic thing to have on a truck!

Second thing is no light in either top or bottom glove box! You can go buy a KIA base model car and get a lighted glove box for crying out loud, but not in a $60K truck!!

Third is storage, my Ram had storage under back seats when flipped up, storage in floors under back seat foot rests, i took a whole bin of stuff out of Ram storage areas and could not fit any of it in GMC!

And Ram also had a fold flat floor that folded down when back seats where up to make the floor flat to put stuff on instead of raised hump like in GMC.

Forth is a biggie, there are no heat ducts to the back seats, every other brand truck i have ever ridden in has some kind of ducts under the seat or in the center console between front seats with vents facing the rear seats. My Ram had both under the seats and in console.

Another concern is that my truck has the automatic retracting running boards, you can lock them in so they don't come out in your settings but no setting to have them lock in the out position which i think is stupid, i live in northern N.Y. where we get a ton of snow, i can already see those boards freezing in with the slush and snow after sitting in the driveway over night even though i put on mud flaps, maybe i am wrong we will see, but how easy would it have been to have an option to lock them out!

Well after all my ranting i do like the truck, even though its been back to dealer three times in 1500 miles for uconnect phone and electronic issues, so hopefully the GM guys will read this and step it up a little for a truck that is lacking in my eyes!

[Driver72]

I understand your positions.

I had 2013 and a 2014 Ram Laramie 4x4's as the very first trucks I've owned. Have been in many but never needed in truck in two decades of prior driving.

I did the same as you, got the GMC for two reason mainly. Wanted a change from my prior two trucks (though I liked the Ram's a lot) and because of the big 6.2 V8 engine. Wanted that too, for no other reason as I like V8's and power.

I passed on the Ford because of the 5.0 liter V8 is a bit "weak" compared to the Hemi and the GM 6.2

Also the new aluminum truck makes it light and "nimble" for a truck but the bed is soft and I worried about repairs and insurance costs from the aluminum. I also test drove a 2013 FX4 with Ecoboost back in 2013 and though it was quick, the truck shuttered something bad over uneven pavement and having a V6 didn't sound right in a truck to me yet (may never??).

 

Of the GM trucks the GMC Sierra looks much better than the Chevy with it's slit eye headlights/daytime running lights. And the GMC just seemed to be a step up in nicer quality.

 

But I was shocked at these things:

No keyless entry

No keyless push button engine start/stop

Having an actual KEY and a remote fob in two different pieces (what is this 2001?)

No rear A/C vents

Fog lights don't automatically come on with low beam headlights when in "auto" mode

The steering wheel controls seem to have a cheap rubber cover over them which seem like they'll wear out fast, no actual hard buttons.

The Satellite/radio preset memory buttons don't automatically scan over to the next page, you have to reach up and swipe to get to the next page as you are scrolling through the channels.

The Satellite/radio doesn't have a hard drive installed in it so if you want to pause a song, or play a song back on SiriusXm you can't like on the Ram.

With Ram you get 5 full years of included full SiriusXM and Sirius Traffic. You get a lousy 3 months with a $60k GM truck (that alone costs you a grand to have 5 years on the GM truck...they clearly want you to subscribe to OnStar instead).

Though the bed in the GMC is a bit longer than the Ram, you lose rear seat space in the GMC crew cab.

 

The GMC with the 6.2 has little noise. I bought a big V8 for a big V8 sound. It's nearly dead quiet when driving normal. Why not have a bit of a rumble from the exhaust? Now I need to spend the money to get an aftermarket muffler on just to have a bit of rumble. The Ram's Hemi sounded better and was perfect on the rumble from the exhaust.

 

Now don't get me wrong, I like the GMC with the 6.2, it's quite fast (though the Ram with the Hemi never felt slow, especially with the 3.92 gears), but the 6.2 is faster.

And I like other aspects of the GMC that the Ram didn't have (like the rear seat reminder if someone gets in the back. Not that I'd ever leave my child back there, but hey people have brain farts from time to time, so a reminder is not a bad thing).

I like the heads up red light flash and vibrating seat as the collision warning. And I like the looks of the GMC equally and maybe a touch better than the Ram, except for the view from the rear, where the Ram just looks better with it's dual exhaust coming out the back with polished tips. It's a bit lame for the GMC to have a single one sided exhaust pipe (I know, saves money weighs a bit less) but still, the Ram looks better from the rear.

I also like the Auto 4x4 feature in the GMC. With the Ram you were either in 2wd or 4wd, no auto. I don't drive the GMC in Auto mode, but its nice to have as I probably will in rain or inclement weather so the drivetrain can automatically switch to 4WD if rear wheel slip is detected. That's an awesome feature.

 

So overall, I like the GMC and especially the 6.2 V8. I think I would of passed on this truck though if the 5.3 was my only option.

Great smooth riding quiet (no wind noise) truck with great looks and great power, so I'm not dissatisfied with it, but it's a bit frustrating that GM remodeled these trucks in 2014 but didn't update many of it's technology aspects that have been on much cheaper vehicles for 5-7 years prior to 2014 already. So in that regard, I feel you.

[Donstar]

I would say you are describing differences between trucks but I wouldn't say your Denali is "lacking". I have an SLE and I am very pleased with all of the features. I did install the driver's side grab handle (an inexpensive and easy addition) due to my physical needs but I miss the clearer view! You will find vents under your seats directed to the back and I find them effective. Some prefer vents that are visible and blowing at them but I don't consider this a feature. Ford, Ram and GM have differences and it is great that we have a choice.

[Havvkeye]

Another crybaby thread, awesome.

 

I am just not sure why you created a new thread instead of just using one of the many that already exist. Not enough attention?

 

edit: Just a side note but saying the truck is lacking but you bought it anyway is not really going to get them to change anything.

[POWERQUEST290]

I totally agree with you Driver72, I didn't even get into the keyless entry, keyless push start, no fog lights on auto. I ended up with the 5.3 just because that's what dealer had for the 20% off, it is defiantly lacking power and also and the towing is not great with the magnetic ride, the shocks just cant handle the tongue weight like the stock or z71 package shocks. I should have researched a little more before i pulled the trigger. I understand the brands are all going to have there pluses and minuses, just that for the price of these trucks now days you would think that GM would be on level at least with the minor things. Maybe I'm being picky, but these are the bread and butter options you use everyday, and have been on other brands for years!

And Donstar you are right, i found the rear vents under the seats, my factory carpet was never tucked under the vent so the carpet went right over it and you could not see it. but vents in the console would have been nice!

[POWERQUEST290]

Hey Hawkeye, I am new to the forums and just trying to learn from others, gain knowledge and share my opinion about my truck like everyone else on here! I am sorry i started a new post on an apparent old topic, not looking for any attention. And yes I bought the truck, but you really don't get to know a truck on a 10 min test drive, it take some time to realize the ins and outs of it after you have owned it for awhile! If you don't like the thread then don't read it, go back to yelling up the stairs and asking mom when your lunch is ready!!

[amxguy1970]

Not looking for attention yet you start a thread to cry and whine? Yeah, ok...

 

Sounds like both you and Driver 72 should have bought a luxury car and leave the trucks for people that actually use and need them.

 

These threads are getting old, some of the stuff yall have listed is ridiculous to have on a truck to begin with. Keyless entry, do you have a purse to keep those in? There are ducts under the seat, the air out of the large front vents are more efficient. Fog lights, really? Turn them on if you want them on. How about just driving your truck and stop complaining, if you don't like it then sell it. Not sure what a thread crying about something is going to accomplish, it is about as effective as those protestors...

 

Tyler

[K9Niko]

OP,

 

I have locked my power running boards in the out position when forced to park in an area where someone might park too close and dent my baby. Locked out they give some protection from this.

[POWERQUEST290]

K9Niko, how do you lock them out? There is a tab switch to enable them or disable them, but only disable them from going out, don't know how to lock them in the out position?

 

amxguy1970, Hey Tyler, maybe someday when you can afford a truck you will understand!

[Havvkeye]

That's cute. Already degrading yourself to personal insults? You know maturity shows more through what you post than what you claim it is.

 

Welcome to the site, enjoy the few people that will like to complain with you. Just realize the majority of us adults on here actually did some research and possibly an overnight test drive before blowing 50k on a truck. The fact that you didn't and now you feel the need to complain about it in a font that is larger than normal says enough by itself.

[TxTruckMan]

OP,

 

I have locked my power running boards in the out position when forced to park in an area where someone might park too close and dent my baby. Locked out they give some protection from this.

I've heard people say this before. There is no way your running boards stick out far enough to protect your doors from anything like that.

[f8l vnm]

Not looking for attention yet you start a thread to cry and whine? Yeah, ok...

 

Sounds like both you and Driver 72 should have bought a luxury car and leave the trucks for people that actually use and need them.

 

These threads are getting old, some of the stuff yall have listed is ridiculous to have on a truck to begin with. Keyless entry, do you have a purse to keep those in? There are ducts under the seat, the air out of the large front vents are more efficient. Fog lights, really? Turn them on if you want them on. How about just driving your truck and stop complaining, if you don't like it then sell it. Not sure what a thread crying about something is going to accomplish, it is about as effective as those protestors...

 

Tyler

Lol. Ok

[f8l vnm]

I did my research and still bought my Gmc. No regrets. But it's missing options the other competitors ALL have. That's all. Now the rest of you can go back and nut swing on gm.

[crushNchowda]

I hear ya, but Ram has shortcomings as well....mainly it's fat ass curb weight, faulty "395hp Hemi" (no F'n way it makes that power...things a dog), terrible gas mileage, chintzy plastics (I almost puked when I was truck shopping & found Ram selling $50k+ trucks w/ plastic chrome wheel covers), stupid turn dial gear selector, etc. etc.

 

I do like that Rams come w/ 33" tires, I really like the ram cargo boxes built into the bed, they had a good software system w/ Uconnect although now seems dated.

[crushNchowda]

I hear ya, but Ram has shortcomings as well....mainly it's fat ass curb weight, faulty "395hp Hemi" (no F'n way it makes that power...things a dog), terrible gas mileage, chintzy plastics (I almost puked when I was truck shopping & found Ram selling $50k+ trucks w/ plastic chrome wheel covers), stupid turn dial gear selector, etc. etc.

 

I do like that Rams come w/ 33" tires, I really like the ram cargo boxes built into the bed, they had a good software system w/ Uconnect although now seems dated.

 

Also....if you had the 6.2 you would have a different opinion I think....& no offense but the reason you got 20% off on that Denali is precisely b/c it had the 5.3, that 20% off offer applies to trucks that have been sitting around the longest, & I'm not hating on the 5.3 either, still a better motor than the 5.7 Hemi.