The full-size pickup truck phase is hotter than ever, with brand-new entries from Chevrolet, GMC, Ford and Ram all vying for buyers’ hard-earned . GMC’s new Sierra 1500 brings a complete lot to the desk, particularly on this totally loaded Denali spec. But in contrast with heavy hitters just like the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500, the Sierra cannot climb to the highest of the pack. Highly aggressive The GMC Sierra 1500 vary is expansive, with myriad trim ranges, choice packs, engine choices and cab and mattress configurations. The Denali is barely out there in Crew Cab guise, although you may go for a brief or lengthy mattress. A 5.3-liter V8 engine is customary, however a beefier 6.2-liter V8 is optionally available, each of which will be paired with two- or four-wheel drive.

GMC brings a number of “firsts” to the desk with the 2019 Sierra. It’s the primary pickup truck to have a six-way adjustable tailgate — you should use it as a workspace, modify it to safe longer gadgets, flip it down so you will have a neater step into the mattress and so forth. (The trick tailgate is customary on the Denali, in addition to the SLT and AT4 trims.) This truck additionally has the primary rear-camera mirror in its class, providing a wide-angle view of what is behind you. The Sierra is the primary truck to supply a full-color head-up show. This truck will even introduce the primary carbon-fiber mattress to the market, later this yr. The MultiPro six-way tailgate can perform as a desk, for on-site laptop duties.
Emme Hall/Roadshow
But the competitors brings its A-game, as properly. While the Sierra will be had with issues like blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping help and a seat-buzzing warning do you have to veer out of your lane, it would not include adaptive cruise management — one thing you will get on each the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500. The Sierra’s 8-inch shade touchscreen infotainment system is fairly straightforward to make use of, and comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a Wi-Fi hotspot, however Ford’s Sync 3 software program is way simpler to make use of, and I can get a fully superior, 12-inch, vertically oriented infotainment display within the Ram. Even in Denali guise, the high-spec variations of the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 genuinely really feel nicer inside, with higher inside supplies and design. Smooth and plentiful energy Even if it is not as good as its opponents, I can see placing some severe miles on this truck. The 6.2-liter V8 gives nice energy: 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, mated to a properly tuned 10-speed computerized transmission. There’s sufficient torque to stand up to hurry shortly, and the Denali-exclusive Adaptive Ride Control helps maintain the suspension composed over all forms of pavement. ARC displays the highway and adjusts the damping charges inside milliseconds, so even pockmarked roads do not feel so dangerous. There are Tour, Sport, Off-Road and Tow/Haul drive modes, and you’ll add Snow and Terrain modes, relying in your configuration. Tour mode works the perfect for me, and can doubtless work the perfect for you, more often than not.

While the Ram 1500 gives 48-volt mild-hybrid expertise to assist with effectivity, the Sierra depends closely on cylinder deactivation. All instructed there are 17 cylinder activation combos which might be always within the combine, however you by no means actually discover this tech working. The prime trim Denali will get loads of chrome on its large grille.
Emme Hall/Roadshow
In the tip, the EPA charges this 6.2-liter V8-powered Sierra Denali at 15 miles per gallon metropolis, 20 mpg freeway and 17 mpg mixed. During my time with the truck, I noticed a mean of 16.4 mpg. Meanwhile, the 5.0-liter V8 in a four-wheel drive F-150 returns an EPA-estimated 16 mpg metropolis, 22 mpg freeway and 18 mpg mixed whereas a four-wheel drive Ram 1500 with a 5.7-liter V8 and the mild-hybrid expertise returns an EPA-estimated 17 mpg metropolis, 22 mpg freeway and 19 mpg mixed. Depending on configuration, the 2019 Sierra can tow as much as 12,200 kilos and haul as a lot as 2,240 kilos of payload. This Denali tester is rated for a still-very-usable 9,300 kilos of towing and 1,610 kilos of payload. The Sierra’s most towing and hauling capacities definitely finest these of the getting old Nissan Titan and Toyota Tundra, however once more, cannot finest these of the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500. For a more in-depth take a look at how the Sierra 1500 handles towing, head over to Tim Stevens’ first drive of the GMC Sierra truck from final yr. He discovered the tow setup course of to be straightforward because of the usual Hitch Guidance with Hitch View tech, plus the Sierra’s trailering app. Ford’s ProTrailer Back-Up Assist tech, nonetheless, could be a bit of higher. Useful, not luxurious Inside, the Sierra Denali would not really feel all that luxurious. The heated and cooled entrance leather-based seats are snug sufficient, however the total inside design leaves so much to be desired. This hardly seems to be or appears like a brand-new truck.

Still, the Sierra gives a number of niceties. The new, 2019 mannequin’s wheelbase is 3 inches longer than earlier than, straight translating to extra rear legroom — this Crew Cab tester is absolutely spacious. There are USB Type-A and Type-C ports out there for each entrance and rear passengers, to maintain all of your units charged.

Even the mattress gives nice utility, with no fewer than 12 completely different tie-downs to assist safe cargo. Big enchantment, however in the end falls quick The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali begins at $58,000, however with the larger engine and some choice packages tacked on, the truck you see right here tops out at $67,735, together with $1,595 for vacation spot. Considering the Denali is not actually all that luxurious, I would personally step down and spec an AT4 trim, which begins at $54,795. It’s simply as good inside, if you load it up with issues just like the off-road efficiency package deal, rear-camera mirror, navigation, wi-fi charging and driver help choices, you are still coming in a number of thousand lower than this Sierra Denali. But hey, if you happen to like plenty of chrome, the Denali’s your jam. The backside line is that this: The 2019 Sierra Denali is a extremely good truck, nevertheless it simply cannot prime the Ford or Ram in my eyes. With its superior trip high quality, onboard tech and total functionality, the Ram 1500 is totally my favourite truck within the class. If you may decide up what the Sierra Denali is throwing down, you will not be disenchanted. But if a high-dollar, fancy truck is what you are after, undoubtedly check drive the GMC’s competitors earlier than in the end making a purchase order determination.