If you had to choose...

[Donstar]

BTW, Merry Christmas everyone! I assume you (OP) have two specific trucks in mind. If this is the case then money is the logical decision maker. If you are open to other configurations, there are many choices available especially if you do not restrict yourself to a particular engine size.

[07Serria]

I was told the 6.2 needs premium fuel to run Optimal Performance

[RHStansbury]

I do have two specific trucks in mind. They're at different dealers, so I hope to play them against each other a bit.

 

The AT would be a lease (don't make this a discussion of lease vs. buy), and I'd be buying the Denali. Long story, but both options work for me based on my current financial standing.

 

Guess we'll see what they have to say when everything opens up tomorrow morning.

 

If the dang all terrain had a normal interior, and the chrome from last year, this discussion wouldn't even be happening.

[Doobs41378]

I was told the 6.2 needs premium fuel to run Optimal Performance

Yes, the manual suggests 91 octane or above.

[Rolling Thunder]

I do have two specific trucks in mind. They're at different dealers, so I hope to play them against each other a bit.

 

The AT would be a lease (don't make this a discussion of lease vs. buy), and I'd be buying the Denali. Long story, but both options work for me based on my current financial standing.

 

Guess we'll see what they have to say when everything opens up tomorrow morning.

 

If the dang all terrain had a normal interior, and the chrome from last year, this discussion wouldn't even be happening.

 

Don't forget you need premium fuel for the 6.2 and it ain't getting any cheaper anytime soon.

[powerhaulic]

6.2 all day every day

have had both

just traded an '11 6.2 for my '17

I really liked the 5.3 trucks I have had, but after having a 6.2.............never going back

[Daryl LBZ]

Out of the two I'd choose whichever one I could get the best deal on.

[Lgetz]

6.2 all day everyday. ??

[BlueCrayon]

6.2 without a doubt! Granted I only test drove a 5.3 but when I ordered mine, the 6.2 was literally my only requirement. It's awesome. When you get on it, it's shocking how fast it moves for a 3 ton truck. I'm sorry but if you're already spending 50k+ for a truck, the extra couple hundred a year for premium gas is irrelevant.

[20L8TSierra24]

6.2 all day

[KARNUT]

5.3 with the e-85 option. Then I have options. On a trip I can run 87gas, if I want to get within 40 HP of the 6.2 E85, in my area E85 is a lot cheaper than 93 gas. in my hot rods I don't mind running premium gas, in my DD no.

[Donstar]

The OP asked the question "why" and several are simply declaring 6.2 as the deciding variable. We can all guess as to why people choose the biggest as the best. Many people live and work in an environment where the first question asked upon the purchase of a new vehicle is "What engine does it have?" In these situations it is gratifying to discuss the power hidden under the hood. In other peer groups, such as mine, people admire such attributes as interior and a smooth ride. I know that I chose a leather interior strictly for the "wow factor". The closest comment about power I ever receive is about the amount of fuel I must use by choosing to drive such a big truck! Nobody else knows what size engine you have unless you tell them or place a sign on your truck. (I put a V6 badge on my tailgate) With any of the three engines you will be able to haul your rated load without problems. You will also arrive at any destination at exactly the same time with either of the engines unless you are on a racetrack. The "rush" of having the additional HP is undeniable and I fully understand and appreciate the desire to have a powerful truck. I own a very powerful truck and enjoy it everyday!

[crushNchowda]

I have had 2 (2014 & 15) All terrains, one was a 5.3 & my current is a 6.2 - It depends what you're using the truck for TBH.

 

The 5.3 has plenty of grunt, sounds good w/ an exhaust, & when running E85 literally makes 90% of the power/tq the 6;2 makes. If you don't need to have the biggest/baddest engine available (which in truth would be the duramax/allison combo in the HD lol) then the 5.3 is plenty....there's no difference in tow ratings really so it isn't like the 5.3 precludes you from using your 1/2 ton any way different than when equipped w/ the 5.3

 

It really isn't a night & day "wow I can't live w/o this 6.2" difference between the 2 engines, its more like "Oh, this is a little peppier/torquey....nice"

 

If we were talking identical trims, only difference being the 6.2, I would say yeah go w/ the 6.2 even if you gotta pay the extra $2000, why not. However in All Terrain SLT vs. Denali?? I dunno....tough call....especially if you don't plan on lifting/leveling it (magride is more pricey/difficult to lift) - In an All Terrain SLT you get the unique "carbon" trim & red contrast stitching, but to put it bluntly you will be charged for leather like a regular SLT but essentially you don't get any, no joke. The steering wheel is leather but I don't think much of anything else is, maybe a couple pieces on the front seats are split back crap quality, but that's it. Can't have perforated and/or ventilated seats. No leather on the column shifter. No magride. Denali comes standard w/ bed liner & has nicer leather than the SLT's (so "twice" as good as an All Terrain SLT), unique/better gauge cluster,

 

That's the inside. IMO the outside is where the All Terrain gets an edge, it gets the body colored bumpers, unique 20" wheels (best looking factory 20" IMO), all the Z71 stuff (which isn't much), the front grill is unique & looks better than the cheesy Denali plastic chrome job, hell I even think the All terrain badges look cool & I'm usually one to debadge.

 

I have my dobie jumping in & out of my truck, a 2 year old throwing cheerios everywhere, & dirty hiking/skiing/ATV eqiupment in it all the time so the nicer interior wasn't a huge draw for me.

I will not let go of the fact that they charge you for leather but don't give you any though & I would be adamant about getting a discount for that if I were to buy an AT model again. Other than that its a unique look & the 6.2 is nice.

[truckguy82]

I really don't understand how 65hp makes that much of a difference. It's definitely night and day.

[KARNUT]

I've been around awhile and bought a few trucks. I use to go with the top of the line truck. After a few I noticed the leather didn't last, I didn't use the sun roof and always ended up using my garman gps instead of the truck gps. What does that have to do with engine you ask? Simple if you want the 6.2 you have to get that stuff too, o yea the Bose, not impressed. When I found out about the 5.3 on E-85, what was GM thinking? When ever one of these 5.3-6.2 threads pup I remind people about the E-85 deal. Save me a ton of money buying the SLE verses the SLT just to get the 6.2, about 15K