Driving experience, High Country vs Denali

BigKahuna · June 7, 2019

So I'm ready to trade up, and I have not driven a 2019. I've sat in them and checked them out enough to know that I like both of these models. On the GMC I prefer the body lines, but I do not like the multi-pro tailgate, odd shaped wheel wells with plastic cladding, or squared off, tall looking hood. On the Chevy I don't care for the tail lights, the way the front fenders connect to the front bumper with the vertical slots/vents, and the way the body lines swoop down behind the front fenders, but I find it not very noticeable in a dark color such as black.

That being said, what are the hidden differences? Has anyone here spent much time driving both to compare? I wonder which has better headlights? Better visibility over the hood for maneuvering? Anything else worth mentioning?

I wonder this because I feel that my 17 Silverado had much better headlights than my 18 Sierra, mind you this was LED vs HID. The headlights in my 14 and 15 Sierra's were atrocious, and the shape of the hood seemed to make it difficult to judge where the front corners of the truck are. Especially in the 3500HD. Are the Chev/GM pretty even when it comes to this stuff?

Thanks!

RivieraGS · June 8, 2019

I have not driven the High Country but regarding the multi-pro tailgate, It came with my Denali and I was OK with it. But after a few times of loading something into the bed I really came to like it. With the bed sides being higher and the inside of the bed being wider the tie down hooks are a bit more difficult to reach then the previous generation. Drop the top portion of the tailgate and it is a lot easier to anchor a gas can or something. Loading something heavy into the bed is a lot easier too. The load stop should have a detent to keep it upright but is a really nice feature when you need to haul a couple of 8 foot 2 X 4's in the short bed. The 6.2 with the 10 speed transmission is truly amazing and worth the extra in my opinion. The long and short of it, drive both of them and decide which you like.

BigKahuna · June 9, 2019

9 hours ago, RivieraGS said:

I have not driven the High Country but regarding the multi-pro tailgate, It came with my Denali and I was OK with it. But after a few times of loading something into the bed I really came to like it. With the bed sides being higher and the inside of the bed being wider the tie down hooks are a bit more difficult to reach then the previous generation. Drop the top portion of the tailgate and it is a lot easier to anchor a gas can or something. Loading something heavy into the bed is a lot easier too. The load stop should have a detent to keep it upright but is a really nice feature when you need to haul a couple of 8 foot 2 X 4's in the short bed. The 6.2 with the 10 speed transmission is truly amazing and worth the extra in my opinion. The long and short of it, drive both of them and decide which you like.

I can see the multipro tailgate being useful for certain situations but I’m 6’5 and I just have never felt a need for more than what GM already offers with the steps in the rear bumper. I like simplicity. I’m annoyed that I can’t seem to find an in stock truck that doesn’t have the Safety 2 and technology packages, for that matter. The auto high beams and collision warning stuff I find to be a big nuisance. Same with the power steps, at least they can be disabled but I hate paying a premium for stuff that I don’t want/need. If the RST came with the 6.2 and cooled seats I’d just get it instead.

Edited June 9, 2019 by Camstyn

Cpl_Punishment · June 27, 2019

If you custom order your truck, you can still get the standard tailgate.

RST will be available with the 6.2 in 2020 but not cooled seats.

FDHog · June 28, 2019

On 6/9/2019 at 12:29 AM, Camstyn said:

I can see the multipro tailgate being useful for certain situations but I’m 6’5 and I just have never felt a need for more than what GM already offers with the steps in the rear bumper. I like simplicity. I’m annoyed that I can’t seem to find an in stock truck that doesn’t have the Safety 2 and technology packages, for that matter. The auto high beams and collision warning stuff I find to be a big nuisance. Same with the power steps, at least they can be disabled but I hate paying a premium for stuff that I don’t want/need. If the RST came with the 6.2 and cooled seats I’d just get it instead.

You had to see the fun I had trying to find an AT4 with the 6.2 and the Off Road Performance pkg without the technology pkg.

Most of the trucks on the lots are loaded. Unfortunately I had to get the Safety 2 pkg, but I just shut all the nannies off.

I'm 6'3" but 65 yrs old with a $hit back and that multi pro comes in handy.

Edited June 28, 2019 by FDHog

L86 All Terrain · June 28, 2019

Sounds like you get a new truck almost every year anyway so you might as well pull the trigger and trade it in next year if you don't like it. GMC is the nicer looking truck hands down. I drove a new AT4 and it didn't make me want to trade my K2 All Terrain, but I might have to anyway because the new LT engines are failing to the tune of $14k CAD after warranty. The front fender on the Silverado looks like someone attacked it with a dull axe to put that hideous line in there. Denali and SLT use the same LED headlights so you wont notice a difference between the two in that regard, I know your pain I have done multiple things to improve my 2015's lighting. For me, the less bull$hit in my truck the better. You can have your adaptive cruise, auto lights, collision crap, torque management, start/stop, V2 mode. The only one I appreciate is TC/SC which I would like to be able to disable when desired. I wish I could order a truck without the aids. People need to put down the phone, pay attention, and learn how to drive again rather than rely on driver aids. It is a scary thought to think about a 16yo learning to drive these days then hopping in Uncle Joe's 1977 Chevy with no abs, no power steering, manual trans. etc. I see the point of the aids helping inadequate drivers keep safe on the road, but it also helps produce less attentive and less skilled drivers in general. I already have to hit the shoulder enough for texting teens and new-Canadian truck drivers, I don't need them paying even less attention.

BigKahuna · June 30, 2019

I ended up with a High Country. I agree with the above post about the ugly front fender / bumper junction area but I find it easy to ignore with a dark color, so i got the havana brown. The GMC just has too large of a front end and the only model I found I was able to overlook it was an elevation edition, but they have even less creature comforts than the RST.

I couldn’t get one without the safety 2 and technology packages without getting a lighter color, so I went ahead. It’s nice that they have made it easier to shut off all of the safety 2 stuff now on these trucks. I do like the HUD and multiple cameras of the technology package now that I have it, which I thought I’d be indifferent about. The wife doesn’t have that stuff on her Tahoe RST and she’s jealous, lol.

I had thought that GMC made a lateral or even backwards move with the interiors for 2019 but after driving the truck my opinion has changed. Many small refinements and improvements add up to me being very pleased. The center stack still looks too big proportionally but otherwise everything seems better and more refined.

The only thing I wish I could have gotten on the HC that’s only available on the Denali is the dark walnut leather. I went with the jet black and I’m happy, I like how they’ve made the truck’s headliner a dark charcoal color instead of light grey, it looks much better.

No disappointments so far. I haven’t driven the truck much at night yet but the headlights seem good, fog lights seem mediocre at best. I’m thinking the lighting on my 2017 LTZ may have been better.

wizard4878 · July 1, 2019

I didnt think that I would ever use that multipro tailgate, but after having it I won't go back to a regular tailgate, it really does make loading or unloading anything easier. Just being able to walk up the back like a staircase with hands full is reason enough...

Bigfoot16 · July 1, 2019

I considered both and drove them quite a bit before I made my decision. Your question asks about the driving experience. I actually thought the Denali drove just a touch nicer than my High Country. I would assume the magnetic ride control, or whatever is called now, contributed to this.

For me it all came down to looks. The tailgate didn't really matter to me at all. I really liked the aggressive front end of the Denali but just cannot connect with the looks from the side with the fender shape and plastic molding.

So I went High Country mainly for that reason. My wife was going crazy over the Denali, but I still did not think I could "learn to like the wheel wells" over time.

Both are very nice trucks.. so go drive and scrutinize for yourself. I have used the "auto up" feature on my tailgate a few times already.. and I would be the first guy to say the automatic tailgates in either model are overkill.. but they are kinda cool.