Road Test: 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali

A pickup truck is no longer just for the work sites or the contractor. These are now luxury vehicles in disguise, with the price point to match.

Case in point is the 2024 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate.

With a base price of $103,499, the tester had more than $5,000 in options. That included Super Cruise ($2,495) and a three-piece cargo bed cover ($1,565) as the biggest add ons that pushed the final price to $111,304.

Powertrain: There are several different engine options on the Sierra, but the Denali we tested featured the powerful 6.2-litre V8, pumping out 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. That power is moved through a 10-speed automatic transmission and the Sierra features a four-wheel drive setup.

As equipped, the Sierra Denali Ultimate has a towing capacity of 7,100 pounds.

While GMC says the estimated combined fuel economy numbers for the Sierra Denali is 14.3 litres per 100 kilometres, my test of the truck returned an average of 18.0 L/100 km.

Exterior: The Sierra Denali has distinguishing features that are more upscale that workmanlike truck.

Chrome trims abound, including in the front fascia, door handles and window trims. The 22-inch wheels are also hard to miss.

The large front grille is flanked by large headlights, and the vehicle’s height means the powered fold-out steps are a welcome addition.

At the rear, the multi-purpose cargo bed door converts into a stair to allow you to easily access your items. The corners of the rear bumper also have a step build into them.

Interior: The cabin of the tester is covered in Alpine Umber full grain leather for seating surfaces, an upscale look and a quality material.

The cabin is spacious and pretty comfortable – especially for a pickup truck. The Sierra Denali features a digital gauge cluster which is nice and clean, but the centre stack features a lot of buttons and dials that are thankfully neatly organized, or it could be overwhelming.

The faux wood in the dash is something I could live without, and the fit and finish on the panel appears out of alignment every so slightly.

The rear bench, like in almost all pickup trucks, fold ups to allow for additional storage space or to hide items under the bench. The Sierra can seat up to five quite comfortably.

Infotainment: The Sierra Denali has a massive 13.4-inch centre screen for the infotainment system, with Google built into it. The interface for the infotainment system features some clearly defined menus, and the screen allows for crisp views of your surroundings via cameras.

It features wired or wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot and GMs OnStar system.

Drive: The Sierra Denali delivers a pretty smooth ride, thanks in part to the premium suspension setup with adaptive ride control. The system is constantly adapting to the road conditions to ensure a comfortable ride for the occupants. While you will feel some bumps, the ride is not as rough as it could be.

The engine delivers plenty of power when called upon, and the transmission does an excellent job of handling it all.

Engine noise can be heard inside, especially when pushing it hard, but overall the cabin is kept fairly quiet.

Handling felt stable and competent at all times, although I wasn’t really putting the truck through too many hard paces. And I think people who are spending $100,000 and more on a pickup truck aren’t likely to do much of that anyway.

Conclusion: The stylish Sierra Denali Ultimate can certainly do the job it is intended, with a large cargo bed and a good towing capacity.

But it also has qualities – and a look in black – that has an upscale allure that means it would also look good for a night on the town. That is assuming one could find parking for this large truck.

2024 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate
Price as tested: $111,304
Freight: $2,200.00
Configuration: Front engine/Four-wheel drive
Engine/transmission: 6.2-litre V8/ 10-speed automatic
Power/torque: 420 horsepower/ 460 lb-ft of torque
Fuel (capacity): Regular (90 L)
Combined fuel economy ratings (L/100 km): 14.3 L/100 km
Observed fuel economy (L/100 km): 18.0 L/100 km
Warranties: 3-years/60,000 km (basic)
Competitors: Dodge Ram, Ford F-150
Website: GMC Canada