GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate.

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate is “Exhibit A” that a pickup truck is not just for work anymore. At one point, a Jimmy (GMC nickname) was the grody beat-to-hell example of your father’s work truck. That was in the past. Now, it’s quite a different story. We’ve heard from some quarters that a Chevrolet Silverado is for the workers use, while the GMC is for the owners. Napleton News spent a week in the GMC Sierra to find what it is to do it like a boss. Here’s our report.

The GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate.

The GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate is the latest in a line of light-duty pickup trucks from the GMC division of General Motors. As part of the Sierra family, it joins a variety of other models in different trim levels. Take your pick from various styles including Regular Cab, Double Cab and Crew Cab models. Short, Standard and Long boxes are available, depending on model and trim level. Set aside some time: it could take all day to configure it just as you’d like.

Our Denali Ultimate is the best of the best. Start with a Sierra Denali Crew Cab, painted in Titanium Rush Metallic. Add the Denali premium suspension with adaptive ride control and a 2-speed automatic transfer case. An auto-locking rear differential is next, along with GMC’s Stabilitrak with Trailer Sway control.

And we’re just getting started.

What’s under the hood?

GMC’s 6.2-liter naturally aspirated ECOTEC3 V8 engine powers the Sierra 1500 Denali. It comes with quite a pedigree because it is like the engine found in the new Chevrolet C8 Corvette. The 420 horsepower engine mates to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

If you don’t need all the luxury or towing power of the Denali, there are three other engines available in the Sierra lineup. These include a 310 horsepower 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-4 cylinder. A 5.3-liter V8 making 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque is next. Finally, there is the 3.0-liter turbodiesel that provides 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The 2.7-liter mates to an eight-speed gearbox, while all others are joined by a 10-speed automatic transmission.

How does the GMC Sierra 1500 Denali look?

Massively impressive, to tell you the truth. Honestly? It’s as though Chevrolet and Mack Truck had a lovechild, and the result is the Denali. Totally upscale, it features a massive, yet intricate grille design and other features around the cab that dress it up further.

Our 4WD Crew Cab with Short Box was nicely appointed with various features and technology. These included a 120-volt bed power outlet, LED cargo area lighting, fog lamps and headlights. Our favorite features though, included the GMC Multipro Tailgate with built-in Multipro Audio system with speakers by Kicker. It is a moveable panel on the tailgate which can serve as a work table top. With the Kicker speaker, It’s just the thing for a weekend of tailgating at the stadium.

What about inside?

The beauty of the GMC Sierra 1500 Denali is that you can make it church mouse quiet or as loud as a Grateful Dead concert. We’ll take loud and proud of the Denali any day! At that level, what you get is pretty damn spiffy. Opulent, even!

Start with a leather-swathed interior with massaging , heated and ventilated front seats. In addition to the 12.3-inch driver information screen, there is a 13.4-inch central display touch screen that anchors the GMC Premium Infotainment System. Tunes are provided by a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, complete with SiriusXM Satellite Radio. There is also wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and Google Map availability. Above it all is the trick rear view camera that lives inside your center rearview mirror. It uses a tailgate-based camera to show what’s happening behind you in real time.

The rear seat bottom folds upward for additional underseat storage. It’s perfect for making a weekly run to the big box wholesale store. While we are talking about big boxes, the Denali’s short box can carry 2,233 pounds in the bed and tow up to 9,100 pounds on the trailer hitch.

Behind the wheel of the GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate

With a blindfold on, a driver would think they were behind the wheel of a luxury SUV like a Land Rover or Cadillac Escalade. Take that blindfold off, please, before pushing the starter button, because you won’t want to miss this show.

Between the road of the 6.2-liter V8 and the gurgle from the chromed exhaust tips, to the sound of the Bose audio system, there’s much going on in this Denali. It’s big, brash and bold but it’s also quiet, well-equipped and a welcome respite following a hectic day.

That’s it in a nutshell: The GMC Sierra Denali is a full-fledged work truck, capable of doing a job and then of taking you in style where and when you want to go. What separates it from others is that it’s at home on your ranch or parked in front of your ranch home.

That choice is up to you.

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