GMC Sierra - SLT vs Denali

jernatety · June 28, 2017

Hello,

Just dumped our 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT with 57k on it and replaced with used 2016 GMC Sierra Z71 1500 SLT with 12k on it. The vehicles are in no way whatsoever comparable, completely night and day. From a driving and use perspective I feel like the Sierra is a corvette to the Ram being a chevette, (random vehicle comparison). I feel like I was driving a piece of crap for the past two years.

The RAM had a lot of extras but the GMC is fully loaded. With that being said, I've seen Sierra Denali's and I've been told that is the fully loaded version of the Sierra. So my question is, what possibly can my truck not have that the Denali does, I'm certain it's got every extra there is possible.

Thank you to all in advance for any response.

truckguy82 · June 28, 2017

Mag ride and digital gauges

dasimmon · June 28, 2017

Mag ride and digital gauges

yeah look up the denali cluster, its aweomse

jernatety · June 28, 2017

Thanks for the response truckguy82.

LOL, is that it? I can't imagine what MRC would feel like, as I already feel like I'm riding on air compared to the Ram. The ride is so smooth. As for the gauges, no loss for me. That's really interesting because the overall cost for the Denali is like $10k more.

truckguy82 · June 28, 2017

Thanks for the response truckguy82.

LOL, is that it? I can't imagine what MRC would feel like, as I already feel like I'm riding on air compared to the Ram. The ride is so smooth. As for the gauges, no loss for me. That's really interesting because the overall cost for the Denali is like $10k more.

Mag ride is not impressive.

Ride quality is about the same, as is handling. The biggest difference I noticed in my mag ride loaner is when you hit a pot hole. With the regular suspension it feels like you hit a cinderblock wall, and then drove over the cinderblocks. In the denali, it feels like a normal luxury vehicle hitting a pothole.

I don't believe the actual cost is $10k over a fully loaded slt. I believe it's a few grand, as it should be.

Edited June 28, 2017 by truckguy82

rully1012 · June 28, 2017

Thicker leather...and a few others I cant recall but I think they are options on SLT

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

demar002 · June 28, 2017

I just purchased a Denali and looked hard at the slt vs Denali. I only went with the Denali because of the deal they gave me to purchase it.

The Denali with the ultimate package has the 6.2 l. Auto running boards. Moonroof, lane departure, break controller hand stiched leather hill decent along with the magnetic ride, 22 inch rims and the digital display.

The Denali without the ultimate package does not include the moonroof running boards the 22s the 6.2 or the magnetic ride control

The slt can have all of the above options with the exception the magnetic ride and the leather hand stitched seats and digital dash. I have never seen the auto running boards on an slt but they could be ordered as a specific option.

When I looked at an slt that had the 6.2 and the alert driver package it was within 1-2k of the base Denali.

I waited the dealership out (3 weeks) until they finally lowered the price on. Baseline Denali. Got it for 1000 more than the slt with the same options minus the couple mentioned.

DCazares · June 28, 2017

Might also have different headlights depending if your SLT has the upgraded LED headlights opposed to the standard HID.

Edited June 28, 2017 by DCazares

jernatety · June 28, 2017

Mag ride is not impressive.

Ride quality is about the same, as is handling. The biggest difference I noticed in my mag ride loaner is when you hit a pot hole. With the regular suspension it feels like you hit a cinderblock wall, and then drove over the cinderblocks. In the denali, it feels like a normal luxury vehicle hitting a pothole.

I don't believe the actual cost is $10k over a fully loaded slt. I believe it's a few grand, as it should be.

Gotcha, though I do do my best to avoid pot holes at all cost, ha ha.

jernatety · June 28, 2017

I just purchased a Denali and looked hard at the slt vs Denali. I only went with the Denali because of the deal they gave me to purchase it.

The Denali with the ultimate package has the 6.2 l. Auto running boards. Moonroof, lane departure, break controller hand stiched leather hill decent along with the magnetic ride, 22 inch rims and the digital display.

The Denali without the ultimate package does not include the moonroof running boards the 22s the 6.2 or the magnetic ride control

The slt can have all of the above options with the exception the magnetic ride and the leather hand stitched seats and digital dash. I have never seen the auto running boards on an slt but they could be ordered as a specific option.

When I looked at an slt that had the 6.2 and the alert driver package it was within 1-2k of the base Denali.

I waited the dealership out (3 weeks) until they finally lowered the price on. Baseline Denali. Got it for 1000 more than the slt with the same options minus the couple mentioned.

Ok, our SLT doesn't have the 6.2, moonroof, or auto running boards, we have the 5.3. with fixed running boards but we do have everything else, ours is the off-road package with 22" wheels and 9,000 lb towing capacity.

Z45 · June 28, 2017

All Denali's have Magnetic Ride Control, no exceptions.

The Denali without the ultimate package does not include the moonroof running boards the 22s the 6.2 or the magnetic ride control

Edited June 28, 2017 by elcamino

aseibel · June 28, 2017

Thanks for the response truckguy82.

LOL, is that it? I can't imagine what MRC would feel like, as I already feel like I'm riding on air compared to the Ram. The ride is so smooth. As for the gauges, no loss for me. That's really interesting because the overall cost for the Denali is like $10k more.

The big "DENALI" badges on the doors is a $2000 upgrade right there.

you aren't missing out on anything. The truck you bought is more than adequate. If the MRC was such an upgrade over regular suspension, why aren't we hearing about it advertised on other vehicles? or why is it not an available option on all trim levels? Denali is just the top trim level and available for people who want to feel special.

Edited June 28, 2017 by aseibel

jernatety · June 28, 2017

The big "DENALI" badges on the doors is a $2000 upgrade right there.

you aren't missing out on anything. The truck you bought is more than adequate. If the MRC was such an upgrade over regular suspension, why aren't we hearing about it advertised on other vehicles? or why is it not an available option on all trim levels? Denali is just the top trim level and available for people who want to feel special.

Well, you guys answered the question and we most certainly feel more than comfortable in the new truck. As for the family, my wife and kids love it, as do I. I was actually kind of caught off guard with all of the options. Yes it's more than adequate for us.

camcamaro1991 · June 28, 2017

2 time Denali owner here, GMT-900 and K2xx,

GMT-900 z60 suspension (sporty, but standard suspension) was ok at the time, but the K2xx MRC suspension is light years ahead of standard suspensions, it can even act as a sway bar in those highway loops, (the outer MRC shocks will firm up, reducing sway a bit) keeps the truck planted. much smoother ride over more varying terrain, since brother has my old GMT-900 I get to drive it every so often and its noticeable. BTW, both trucks have OEM 20's wheels and goodyear tires, hydro formed fully boxed frames, similar Gross vehicle weight, etc.... so this comparing apple to apples as its gets.

K2xx-

The ultimate package to me is a joke, 22's & sunroofs, chrome tow bar are required in the package, sunroofs are controlled leaks, they do fail, cleaning them is a PITA, they are a huge thermal loss, additionally they eat into head room as it lowers the headliner a bit to allow for the track and system.

The new power running boards are the best design in the industry, hands down.

real Aluminium trim, larger digital gauge over the standard trucks. MVI a vendor on here can add the Denali cluster to your SLT...

you can option a SLT to be the same price as loaded Denali, and now the Chevy high country desert addition with avalanche mod puts you near 70k range.

I didn't like the fact GM made the 6.2 engine a option on the K2xx trucks (which adds, 6.2L engine, Bose ANC & 9.76 rear-end), but comes standard on all Yukon Denali and caddie SUV's, but well worth the additional price, but it should have been baked in like the GMT-900's. I was able to use supplier discount along with monthly factory incentives putting my custom ordered Sierra Denali @ 52k , as ordered MSRP @ 62K. well worth it for my example, since no truck existed with my build requirements, impossible to find a sunroof-less 1500 Denali... so it had to be ordered.

Edited June 28, 2017 by camcamaro1991

truckguy82 · June 28, 2017

Ok, our SLT doesn't have the 6.2, moonroof, or auto running boards, we have the 5.3. with fixed running boards but we do have everything else, ours is the off-road package with 22" wheels and 9,000 lb towing capacity.

I just typed this inside a 6.2 slt.

On both slt and denali, the 5.3 is standard and the 6.2 is an option