The Ultimate New Year Party: 2024 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate

GMC just wrapped up celebrating the silver anniversary of the Denali nameplate.

Twenty-five years ago, in 1999, the Sierra marketing team came up with the notion of a new trim level atop the brand’s hierarchy. The idea was to create a capable and comprehensively equipped truck that would stand apart from the competition.

Little did they know they were starting a trend. The competition copied the move. Each produced a luxury-laden version of its pickup, and the Denali name spread across the entire GMC lineup.

To celebrate the 25^th anniversary of Denali, GMC is gilding the lily with the ULTIMATE version of the Denali – literally.

The Sierra Denali Ultimate starts with all that is Denali and adds another level of luxury. This is especially evident inside, where acres of buttery-soft, full-grain leather with contrasting stitching coats both front and rear seats, door panels and the power-adjustable and heated steering wheel.

The 16-way powered front seats themselves are worthy of note, not only are they heated and ventilated, but they also offer a massage function! The spacious rear seats are also heated and ventilated.

The instrument panel is decked out in open pore Paladao wood, laser-trimmed trim with intricate detailing including topographical maps.

Ultimate Delight inside the 2024 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate

Not only is there an array of visual and sensory delights, but the Denali Ultimate also comes with a full suite of active and passive safety features, and the latest technology. The infotainment system revolves around a 34-cm touchscreen. It comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and Google compatibility.

There are USB, 110 and 220-volt outlets. The 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system includes stainless steel grills, a RichBass woofer, and Center Point surround technology with AudioPilot.

A wireless charging pad, digital rearview mirror and panoramic sunroof are also standard. There are 10 cupholders, numerous provisions for storage including a huge centre console, two gloveboxes, and hidden spots under the front and behind the back seat.

But wait! There’s more!

The marketing wizards obviously didn’t check out the meaning of ultimate – the last, the best etc.

In addition to its very extensive standard equipment list, and $103,500 base price, the test vehicle came with $5,500 in options. Among them were a subscription to GM’s excellent Super Cruise system, Titanium Rush metallic paint, carbon-fibre reinforced cargo bed, and a slick tailgate complete with multiple configurations and step lights.

The driver faces a 31-cm instrument cluster and sees a customizable 38-cm colour head-up display.

The Ultimate Denali Ride – Brute power wrapped in supple silk

They will enjoy the ride quality afforded by a Denali-unique suspension with adaptive ride control. The truck also comes with a trailer brake controller, trailering package, two-speed transfer case and auto-deploying and retracing running boards.

Standard equipment is the latest generation of a great American V8 engine – the muscular 6.2-litre provides brute power wrapped in silk.  The all-aluminum engine with overhead camshafts and variable valve timing is modern in makeup but harkens back to the guttural sound of a big eight popular in North America for so long.

It can hustle this 6,000-pound brute to 100 km/hr from rest in less than six seconds. Yet it is equally at ease loafing along the highway at a perfectly silent and effortless 1500 rpm.

The ride is best described as supple, despite the limited sidewalls of the low-profile 22-inch tires. Vertical motions are well controlled by the magnetic ride-control shocks and noise levels are low.

GM’s SuperCruise self-driving system can be used on more than 320,000 kilometres of “compatible” roads in North America, very few of them in the Maritime provinces. But where available, the experience is quite remarkable, including an automatic lane-change feature that vibrates the driver seat slightly before making the move.

The system monitors the driver through a tiny camera atop the steering column. If the driver-monitoring system decides you are awake and paying attention, it will enable hands-free driving if there is access to an approved road.

GMC created the trend of treating pickup trucks as luxury vehicles. It shows no signs of resting on those laurels.

FACTS & FIGURES – 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate

PRICE

Base: $103,499

As tested: $111,304, including freight

INFOTAINMENT

34-cm infotainment screen with built-in Google and Onboard towing app, 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, satellite radio, 220-volt outlet, wireless phone integration, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, wireless charging

SAFETY

Collision prevention, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian detection braking, automatic LED headlights, safety seat alert

STANDARD EQUIPMENT

22-in alloy wheels, heated and ventilated 16-way power front seats with massage, heated second row seats, full grain leather seat trim, automatic locking differential, towing group, sunroof, heated steering wheel, utility area lighting, folding, heated anti-glare mirrors

OPTIONS

Super Cruise $2,495; rigid folding cover $1,565; titanium rush metallic paint, $495; Carbon Pro composite bed, $375; Multipro tailgate step lights, $280; block heater $195; wheel locks, $100)

MECHANICAL

6.2 litre V8, 420-horsepower, 460 lb. ft. of torque. 10-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel-drive with two-speed transfer case, NRCan rating (litres/100km city/highway):16/12.1

DIMENSIONS

Length, 5,890-mm; wheelbase, 3,745-mm; width, 2,063-mm; weight, 2,533-kg

COMPETITION

Chevrolet Silverado High Country, Ford F150; Nissan Titan, Ram 1500, Toyota Tundra