Since GMC introduced the Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate trim in 2022, it has established itself as one of the most luxurious pickup trucks on the market. It’s packed with high-end materials and cutting-edge technology intended to compete with the best that Ford and Ram have to offer.
But is it perfect? Not quite.
After spending significant time with these trucks, we’ve compiled a brutally honest list of the top five features that blow us away, and the five things that drive us absolutely crazy. If you are in the market for a high-end GM truck, here is everything you need to know.
The 5 Things We Love About the Denali Ultimate
GM got a lot of things right with this flagship truck. Here are the standout features that make the Denali Ultimate truly special.
1. The Incredible Exterior Aesthetic
The overall factory look of the Denali Ultimate is second to none. GM absolutely nailed the styling right off the assembly line. The standout feature is the "Vader Chrome" grille—a dark, smoky chrome finish that looks aggressive and premium. Paired with the unique 22-inch wheels that feature matching Vader chrome inserts, this truck really pops without looking overly flashy.
2. The Alpine Umber Interior
The interior is arguably the best in the pickup truck segment right now. The exclusive Alpine Umber (brown) full-grain leather is tasteful, luxurious, and incredibly comfortable. The seats offer massage and lumbar functions that strike the perfect balance—they are soft, but supportive enough that you don't sink in and hurt your back on long drives.
3. GM Super Cruise Technology
Having GM’s full self-driving technology in a pickup truck is amazing. Super Cruise is incredibly impressive and, in our experience, performs significantly better than Ford's Blue Cruise. It’s a feature previously reserved for big SUVs like the Yukon, and having it in the Sierra 1500 is a massive selling point.
4. The Factory Active Exhaust
On models equipped with the 6.2L V8 (standard on recent Denali Ultimates and AT4X), the active exhaust system is a total game-changer. When you flip the truck into Sport Mode, baffles open up—similar to a Corvette—and the truck sounds absolutely awesome. Turn Sport Mode off, and it returns to a quiet, refined cruiser. It eliminates the need for an aftermarket exhaust system.
5. Magnetic Ride Control Suspension
The GM Magnetic Ride Control is one of the best suspension systems in the business. It uses shock fluid filled with magnetic particles that adjust instantly to road conditions. It generally provides an incredibly smooth, premium ride that defines the Denali experience.
The 5 Things We Hate About the Denali Ultimate
Despite all the luxury, there are some glaring oversights that GM needs to address in future models.
1. The Ride Quality of the 22-Inch Wheels
As much as we love the look of the standard 22-inch wheels, we hate what they do to the ride quality. Even with the incredible Magnetic Ride Control suspension, a 22-inch wheel simply doesn't have enough tire sidewall to absorb road imperfections. The truck rides significantly rougher because of them. A 20-inch wheel option would offer a much better balance of looks and comfort for a pickup.
2. Poorly Designed Power Running Boards
The power running boards on the GMC 1500s leave a lot to be desired. Unlike the excellent boards on the 2500 HD trucks that drop down low, the 1500 boards sit too high. You still have to step up significantly to get into the cab, often hitting your shins or having to duck to clear the door frame. They just aren't user-friendly.
3. Only One Bed Length Option
Why does GM only offer the "short bed" (5.5 ft) on their top-tier truck? The standard Denali and the AT4 trims give you the option of the super-usable standard bed (6 ft 8 in). Excluding the longer bed option from the Denali Ultimate trim is a major missed opportunity for buyers who need luxury and utility.
4. The Clunky Kicker Tailgate Audio System
GM totally dropped the ball on the optional Kicker MultiPro tailgate audio system. It feels like a cheap aftermarket add-on rather than a factory integration.
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It connects via Bluetooth directly to the tailgate unit, not the truck's internal infotainment system.
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If you are playing music inside the truck, you cannot seamlessly transfer it to the tailgate speakers outside.
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The pairing interface is clunky and difficult to use.
5. The Tiny, Outdated Sunroof
In the era of panoramic moonroofs, the standard-sized sunroof in the Denali Ultimate is unacceptable. GM offers massive moonroofs in their SUVs (Tahoe, Yukon, Suburban) to compete with Ford and Ram. Why are they still putting tiny sunroofs in their flagship pickup trucks? It feels incredibly dated for the price point.
Final Thoughts
The GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate is a stunning truck with the best interior in its class and game-changing tech like Super Cruise. However, frustrating choices like the rough-riding 22-inch wheels and the lack of a panoramic sunroof keep it from being perfect.
What do you think? Are these deal-breakers for you?
Watch the full in-depth review in the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-OKxLhIEyA