2018 vs 2019 Sierra Denali

2015 High Miler · March 26, 2021

I’m shopping for a new used truck. I def want the 6.2 so I am looking at Denali 1500’s. I have a ‘15 and have loved it so I’m really okay with the 18 body style. But I’ve seen a few 19’s that I like as well. They are usually about $7-10,000 more though. I’m wondering if anyone has any feedback that has had both and if there is anything that makes one a better choice than the other. I’m torn on which one to get so just looking for some experiences.

thanks

OnTheReel · March 26, 2021

19 has the 10 speed instead of 8, and DFM instead of AFM. Overall the 19 is much better driving truck dynamically. The powertrain and handling is perfect. Probably the biggest reason to go with the 19.

You also have the option of more goodies in the 19. HUD, 360 camera, rear camera mirror, trailer tire pressure monitoring, heated rear seats with seat-back storage, multi-pro tailgate, deeper and wider bed, etc. That said, you do lose power pedals, height adjustable seatbelts, sunglasses storage in the overhead console and some other little things they deleted for 2019.

There are some definite reasons to consider the 2018 too besides price. Being the last year of that body style, most issues were pretty well sorted. Save for the 8 speed that some people hate and maybe the chance that it’ll have the Chevy shakes going on.

The 2019 is a first year truck so there’s bugs and glitches. Fair chance the rear window will leak (or has leaked) on the 19 too, especially if it’s an early build, say pre-11/2018.

EXSlider400 · March 26, 2021

Other than what was already stated, the camera views alone on the 19 really help parking in tighter spaces. The seats are not as comfortable on the 19 and the side mirrors don’t blend in as well...that is about it other than the 10-speed is way less problems.

Transient · March 26, 2021

Don't forget 2019 has a new frame

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f8l vnm · March 26, 2021

Don't forget the bigger Cab! Wheelbase increase by about 4 inches over older model

TNTSierra · March 26, 2021

11 hours ago, 15 hi miler said:

I’m shopping for a new used truck. I def want the 6.2 so I am looking at Denali 1500’s. I have a ‘15 and have loved it so I’m really okay with the 18 body style. But I’ve seen a few 19’s that I like as well. They are usually about $7-10,000 more though. I’m wondering if anyone has any feedback that has had both and if there is anything that makes one a better choice than the other. I’m torn on which one to get so just looking for some experiences.

thanks

I'll chime in on this conversation because I owned a 2018 Sierra SLT with 6.2L and the JUNK 8 spd. I even had truck tuned and it still had the 1st and 2nd gear clunking/jerking. I traded it in for a 2019 High Country with a 6.2L and 10 spd. You couldn't give me $10K cash to take the old truck back. (That's about the money difference between the years)

The T1's are just better trucks ALL AROUND. They drive better, ride better, more room, and are quieter! I owned my 2018 for 2 1/2 years and put a little over 30K on it. I will own my 2019 here in a month for a year and will have over 20K on it. I would have way more miles on it if we hadn't bought my wife a new Acadia in October. I love driving that now so much more than her Terrain. (plus having a 90 lb German Shephard, we needed the 3rd row for her to lay down and relax) So we take that on longer travels. I love driving this new T1 truck so much more than the K2s. I found excuses to take the Terrain instead of the Sierra when we owned both.

I will say, that you should drive 2 trucks, one with the 5.3L and one with 6.2L both with 10 spds and really give the 5.3L a chance because it will truly surprise you and with the cost of fuel increasing by the day. It's something to consider. Our premium here in Iowa is almost 70 cents higher than regular. That's quite a bit of difference. It used to be only 20-30 cents.

Good luck with your decision!

2015 High Miler · March 27, 2021

Great replies. . Thank you.

ive put 200,000 on it and as I said, I love it. Ive considered keeping it. It’s very comfortable and i make a lot of long road trips 2-4 hours and don’t want to lose that. With more features and just less miles in general, a new used truck seems to be a wise choice. I have also considered keeping what I have and adding some performance pieces. Been a great truck other than having trans replaced at 120,000.

Decisions decisions.

Edited March 28, 2021 by 15 hi miler

2015 High Miler · March 28, 2021

I found a 2019 2wd with the 5.3 but it has the 8 speed as well. Is there an issue with the ‘19 8 speeds as well?

Edited March 28, 2021 by 15 hi miler

OnTheReel · March 28, 2021

7 hours ago, 15 hi miler said:

I found a 2019 2wd with the 5.3 but it has the 8 speed as well. Is there an issue with the ‘19 8 speeds as well?

Yes. They changed fluid type mid-year which supposedly addressed the issue with shuddering. But it’ll never be the transmission the 10 speed is. And as you said in your first post, you def want the 6.2 anyway.

lmentzel · April 2, 2021

My wife has an 18’ sierra denali and loves it. Quite the chick truck.. Had the trans shudder first 150 miles. Took it in for service bulletin. Bad trans fluid.. weird. No problems since.

2015 High Miler · April 3, 2021

On 4/1/2021 at 7:37 PM, lmentzel said:

My wife has an 18’ sierra denali and loves it. Quite the chick truck.. Had the trans shudder first 150 miles. Took it in for service bulletin. Bad trans fluid.. weird. No problems since.

I found an 18 2wd with 6.2 and 8 speed that im going to look at this weekend. Its 2 hours away so I hope It works out. Anything specific to feel for with the 8 speed? Ive read some but making sure I am not missing anything.

Edited April 3, 2021 by 15 hi miler

Transient · April 3, 2021

I found an 18 2wd with 6.2 and 8 speed that im going to look at this weekend. Its 2 hours away so I hope It works out. Anything specific to feel for with the 8 speed? Ive read some but making sure I am not missing anything.

Imo, it's not a good as the 19 with the 6.2 and 10-speed. Beware of the "Chevy Shake" and hard shifting with the 8-speed.

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TNTSierra · April 3, 2021

Agreed with @Transient about the K2s. My 2016 had the “Chevy Shake” and got bought back. My 2017 had the 5.3L with 8 spd and I never had issue with it hard shifting but when I found my 2018 SLT Sierra with 6.2L and 8 spd. It started to clunk, jerk, and shift hard all the time from 1st to 2nd after 5k miles. Drove me nuts. Out on highway it was very smooth. Just was always in the back of my mind I knew it wasn’t right because of the $h!tty in town shifting it did. In my opinion, who should only look for the 10 spd. The new 8 spds are supposed to have the “bugs” worked out of them but idk, it’s a gamble, and idk about you but I don’t gamble because, I work to hard for my money. Also, the 10 speed has never had any issues that I’ve heard of, and mine has been flawless

2015 High Miler · April 3, 2021

Yes, I work very hard for the money, but I have to be cognizant of cost. The 19+ are $10-15,000 more and I have a daughter getting married next year (surprise) plus 3 other daughters. LOL I may just hang on to what I have for the time being.

My 15 has the GM clunk in the shift at times but I have gotten used to it I guess. I also have an for intune 2 and have dialed in the shift fairly well.

To the Chevy shake and other issues, it always concerns me buying an older low mileage vehicle like what I am looking at. Did they just not drive much and trade every 3-4 years or was it a buyback or was there something wrong with it and they just got rid of it...I would asume they would have to note its a buyback but that doesn't mean they do.

The used 19's are not are not that far off from a new 2021s. Used 19's are $55-60,000. New 21's are $60-68,000. Used 18's are $43-47,000 and not many at 43. Most are $45-47. These are all Denali's.

OnTheReel · April 3, 2021

Not really a great time to buy. Inventory is tight. Lots of people traded in or sold their truck recently only because they were able to get pretty much what they paid for it new.

Since you have 200k on your current truck, I doubt you’ll be able to take advantage of the crazy good trade in prices to make this make sense. Maybe hold off awhile and re-assess. Going from a 2015 to a 2018 is not a massive upgrade.