GMC Pickups: The Difference Between the Standard GMC Sierra and Denali

Carlos Kirby
· 4 min read
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Pickup trucks
are one of the most popular types of vehicles on the market right now in America, but there are many options. For example, fans of GMC trucks have a lot of trims and packages to consider. Here's a look at the GMC Sierra and its more upscale trim, the GMC Sierra Denali. 
GMC pickups have very similar trims, but what’s the difference between the Denali vs Sierra?

A look at the standard GMC Sierra 

Like
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Buick GMC
wrote, the standard Sierra is a pretty good truck as is. Off the bat, because it's the standard trim of the truck, it's also the cheapest brand-new option available. It starts at just under $30,000. 
However, even at that price tag, it has plenty to offer. For example, it comes with a 4.3-liter V-6 engine. This V-6 gets 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque. 
That allows it to carry a max payload of about 2,178 pounds. It'll also allow it to tow up to 7,700 pounds, according to Dale Earnhardt Jr. Buick GMC. But, since it's the cheapest option available, the Sierra doesn't come with that many extra features.
There's a 7-inch touch screen display and Bluetooth connectivity as standard. However, it's pretty basic in terms of its seats and other tech features. For instance, the Sierra has a rear camera, but those are legally mandatory on new cars. 
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The pros and cons of the GMC Sierra Denali

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At a starting price tag of almost $55,000, the GMC Sierra Denali is, as one might guess, much better in many ways than the regular Sierra. Like Dale Earnhardt Jr. Buick GMC said, the Denali comes with a bigger and more powerful engine. As such, it can also tow a lot more cargo than the regular Sierra can.
The Denali has a 5.3-liter V-8, and it gets 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. This allows it to tow up to 9,500 pounds of cargo, which is almost 2,000 pounds more than the regular Sierra can tow.
That being said, its payload capacity isn't that much better. The Denali can only carry about 2,206 pounds of cargo in its truck bed. This is more than what the regular Sierra can do, but only by a few pounds. 
However, when it comes to the interior, the Denali shines. It comes with an 8-inch touch screen display, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, and a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot. It also has heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and it can be equipped with leather upholstery, too. 

Which one is better?

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While it may seem like the Denali has fewer cons than the regular Sierra, its main issue is its price tag. Ultimately, since both trucks are very similar, it all comes down to where they are different. 
The Denali is more powerful and more luxurious, but also more expensive. At a price tag of over $55,000, not everyone can afford a Denali, while the more modest $30,000 Sierra is simply more affordable. 
As such, the GMC Denali is the better truck if a family can afford it. But, since few can, the GMC Sierra is the better truck overall. Sure, it tows a bit less, but it's a capable and affordable workhorse, and that's what many folks want in a truck.
It can be challenging to compare and contrast two different trucks, and that's the same story with car insurance.
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