Hey guys, welcome back to the Mark Martin Motors blog. If you are anywhere within a four-hour drive of our dealership right here in Ephrata, PA, you know we see a lot of heavy-duty trucks roll through our lot. From local Lancaster County drivers to folks driving in from neighboring states, we get asked all the time what the absolute best pickup truck on the market is right now.
Today, I am laying it all out there and giving you my top pick for the year. It is the GMC Sierra 3500 Denali Ultimate equipped with the heavy-duty Duramax diesel engine.
Why This Heavy Duty Pickup Takes the Crown
First and foremost, why did I pick this specific truck? Honestly, it comes down to what our customers are actually buying. I sell more Denali Ultimates than almost anything else. Out of all the heavy-duty diesel trucks out there, the 3500 Denali Ultimate offers the best buy, the highest value, and the most everyday usability. Let's break down exactly why this truck is flying off our lot at 4126 Oregon Pike.
Unmatched Usability and Configurations
You have a ton of flexibility when it comes to ordering or buying a 3500. You can grab it with the legendary 6.6L Duramax diesel or the 6.6L gas engine. But what really sets the 3500 apart from the 2500 is the factory suspension. Straight from General Motors, the 3500 sits an inch and a half taller. You get heavy-duty front shocks and two extra leaf springs in the back, including a helper spring.
Beyond the suspension, the configuration options are incredible. You can get a 6.8-foot bed or an 8-foot bed. If you need maximum towing and payload, you can even spec that 8-foot bed as a dually. For a high-end, top-tier trim, having this much configuration flexibility is something you just do not see on specialty trims from the competition.
A Stance That Commands Respect
Let's talk about the look. From the factory, this truck looks absolutely incredible. Because of that extra inch and a half lift, you can easily fit a 35-inch tire under this truck without having to hack it up or add an aftermarket leveling kit.
General Motors nailed the exterior styling. You get the exclusive Vader chrome, which is this awesome tinted dark chrome finish, paired with paint-matched bumpers. It has just enough chrome on the tow hooks and accents to look premium without looking like an old man truck. It is modern, aggressive, and incredibly sharp, especially when paired with the 22-inch OEM wheels.
The Pinnacle of General Motors Luxury
If you want a luxurious work truck or a premium business write-off, there is literally not a truck in the GM lineup more luxurious than this one. This interior is as good as it gets.
Standard Features That Blow You Away
When you sit inside, you are surrounded by full-grain leather and real wood grain trim etched with the topographical coordinates of Mount Denali. It is a crazy attention to detail. The seats are 16-way power-adjustable, featuring upper shoulder support, side bolsters, and yes, they even massage you while you drive.
You also get a massive 15-inch touchscreen display, a Bose sound system, heated and cooled seats, a heated steering wheel, a digital rearview mirror camera, adaptive cruise, a suede headliner, and a heads-up display. And the best part? Almost all of this is standard. You even get power running boards standard on the 3500 Ultimate. You do not have to stress about checking a million option boxes when ordering; it just comes loaded. You can even option in a Kicker Bluetooth tailgate sound system for your weekend tailgates or illuminated sill plates.
Value That Beats the Competition
Finally, we have to talk about price point. Right now, General Motors is the value buy compared to Ford and Ram heavy-duty trucks. Ford and Ram have higher MSRPs for comparable luxury trims. A fully loaded Ford diesel can easily run you five to eight grand more than this Denali Ultimate. And while you might get a big discount on a brand new Ram, those trucks just are not holding their resale value the way these GM trucks do. The Denali Ultimate holds its value incredibly well, making it a smarter long-term investment.
If I were spending my own money on a heavy-duty diesel truck today, this is one hundred percent the truck I would buy.
If you are in the market for a heavy-duty pickup and want to see what the hype is about, come visit us. We are located at 4126 Oregon Pike, Ephrata, PA 17522, an easy drive from anywhere in the tri-state area. Ask for Josh, and we would be more than happy to get you behind the wheel of one of these Ultimates.
Check out the full video breakdown right here: