It’s not clear if we’ve managed to discover the highest part of the premium trucks on the market. With prices and levels of equipment increase, buyers purchase them in increasing amounts, which means automakers throw additional features into them – additional leather trims, fancy stitching, and more nutty technology and push prices to new heights every year. The robust 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali Ultimate is a recent example, which is a one-point improvement over the standard Denali If you keep track of these things.
In 2023, the Ultimate option was an upgrade to that top Denali trim. In the updated 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 lineup, the Denali Ultimate transforms into a top-of-the-line standalone trim, as seen on the 2500 crew-cab version of the 4×4. In addition to the updated trim and features, these Sierra HD trucks get some cosmetic changes inside and out as well as some tweaks to the equipment and a new trailer-towing technology, and the oily parts are left unaffected. With a brand new Ford Super Duty on the market, can the modifications made to this version of the Sierra HD go far enough to make it more up-to-date in the competition between Detroit truck manufacturers? We tested one for one week to determine.
2024 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali Ultimate Exterior & Interior
The latest versions of the GM’s HD trucks, from GMC and Chevrolet are … distinct and, in a word, generous. Bold, big as well and intimidating features lots of chiseled front designs. The 2024 GMC also has a lot of chiseled front-end styling however it’s more appealing than the previous model, sporting an appearance that’s more welcoming with more “coming to eat your children.”
The new design makes the massive HD trucks closer with the style of the half-ton Sierra which is by about 10% more than the 1500 version. The difference is between Denali the Denali Ultimate and Denali Ultimate trims, however, the differences in style are minimal; a bit of dark metallic paint, various grilles, and a subtle badge differentiate the Ultimate’s exterior from other models. In reality, the normal Denali trim is more striking with brighter chrome instead of that dark “Vader” painted trim, however, it’s inside that the Ultimate package gets its name.
The interior is the area where GM spent a lot of money after they became fed up with the fact that their luxury vehicles didn’t have the most luxurious feel. The brand new Denali Ultimate interior is ultimate in a variety of ways that range from genuine wood and metal on the dashboard to luxurious leather doors and seats. The colors are rich the stitching is high-end and everything has a generally more sophisticated design and feel compared to previous Denali models. It’s no longer necessary to step inside the cabin and wonder what makes the truck priced so high: It appears to be as luxurious inside as its price implies it will. However, it’s not like the luxurious interiors offered by Ram.
Comfort is the name of the game in the brand-new 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali Ultimate, which is not surprising considering the massive size of the beast. It’s too big parking it on the majority of parking spaces is a hassle so make sure you take an extensive glance at the parking garage’s maximum height before you purchase the ticket and walk through the gate.
Also, it’s not exactly the easiest vehicle to view through due to its large hood and squat windshield. Constructing cones, for instance, tend to disappear from the vehicle and you’ll need to make use of cameras that surround you for any maneuvers that require a lot of force. If you’re in the truck, however, the dimension is an advantage and there’s ample space from front to back, in any dimension. Headroom? Legroom? Three people in the back seat? It’s not a problem You can fit everyone. The quality of the materials in this truck is unparalleled in the first row to the rear.
Tech Upgrades
The Sierra 2500’s update is the inclusion of the new multimedia system from GM that runs on a Google operating system. The vehicle still comes with the wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto as well as Amazon Alexa integration and other apps. However, all voice-controlled features and other functions now work via an internet-connected cloud connection whether for good or bad. The vehicle we tested was well, however previous tests of the new multimedia system have shown issues when the vehicle isn’t connected to an adequate data connection. Voice controls for radios can be a problem when the vehicle isn’t able to talk with the cloud.
Alongside the brand-new operating system, you will also get a brand-new dashboard with some huge digital displays. To the left of the driver of the Denali Ultimate trim is a fully-color 15-inch head-up screen projected onto the windshield together with a 12.3-inch adjustable Digital instrument cluster. To the left of the central console, there is a 13.4-inch touchscreen.
These components combine to create the most modern, high-tech HD pickup interior that we’ve seen. The screens are bright and clear and simple to set up and operate which allows the driver to view the amount of information they want. Are you looking to keep the display simple and minimal to reduce distractions? It’s possible. Do you want to include every detail about the activities of the truck on screens? That’s available, too. It’s fast and doesn’t have issues or delays. That is also pleasing to see.
Engine
One area where GMC has always been successful is the core of the pickup – the pieces and bits that matter, such as suspension parts, powertrains, and the technology that helps trucks be more than just a truck. This is what GM invested during the Sierra HD’s most recent revamp, so there was nothing that was required to be changed in this field to stay up-to-date and up to date. Two engines are included within the HD pickups: a basic 6.6-liter gasoline V-8 that produces 464 lbs-feet of torque.
There’s also the engine that the majority of buyers prefer, a turbo diesel 6.6-liter V-8 that produces the more robust 470 horsepower and 975 pounds of torque by 2024. It’s only a small increase over the previous diesel’s 445 horsepower and 910 pounds-feet of torque. But the numbers don’t reveal that GM has significantly redesigned the diesel engine to turbochargers. The engine is now tuned to provide 25 percent more torque at the lower rpm range to provide more efficient towing. Both engines are connected to a 10-speed standard Allison heavy-duty transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and four-wheel drive is available for most models.
The ability to make a heavy-duty pickup perform well when towing or carrying a large payload is standard at the moment when a truck has to be friendly and comfortable to accept. However, the process of making the HD pickup feel like that even when not in use is a greater challenge and the people at GMC have done a great job of making it feel that way. Its Denali Ultimate trim, at most, can isolate the cabin well with a minimum of noise from the road, engine, or wind that can reach the cabin.
The massively powerful diesel V-8 is strong however the Allison transmission manages well, delivering precise shifts in and out of the gears under all situations. The steering is a bit sluggish but it’s not overly jarring, and it does not have the unusually fast ratio that many rival HD trucks boast. It’s like a luxurious vehicle from its appearance to its operations, with a stunning level of comfort, refinement, and smoothness for such a huge workhorse pickup.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t in a position to tow during my time on the road with the truck it was disappointing since that is truly the truck’s job. Of course, with a brand new maximum for towing of 21900 pounds for a 2500 crew cab and 22,500 pounds for other 2500s that are specifically equipped however, I’m not privy to anything that could put the truck to its limits in any way; a 6,000-pound travel trailer camper could go by without notice.
For those with more weight to carry, GMC provides a ton of electronic equipment that will allow you to pull it effortlessly, such as the Transparent Trailer feature that utilizes camera accessories to let the trailer “disappear” in the central display’s rear view. The feature will be available in 2024 and is compatible with fifth-wheel and gooseneck-type trailers, too. The Sierra doesn’t automatically hook you to the hitch ball on the trailer like the brand new 2023 Ford Super Duty can, however, it does provide incredible towing assistance once the trailer is hooked up and heading your way.
Performance
If you’ve got a valid requirement for a large-duty pickup truck, then you’re probably already accustomed to the risks that accompany their operation. The size of the truck isn’t the most impressive one, but the thirsty engines aren’t far behind, too. The fuel economy figures aren’t provided for this truck, since its weight implies that the EPA does not require GMC to publish such figures.
However, suffice it to say that it’s a disaster My experience with it was a long one and included a large amount of highway cruising resulting in 16 mpg without load. The number will only begin fall when you tow something or fill the bed with stuff however, that’s what’s anticipated for the HD truck class. There aren’t any hybrid HD trucks currently, and one model, the Rivian R1T has an entirely electric high-duty truck; there isn’t an overwhelming demand for them from buyers.
2024 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali Ultimate Price & Release Date
This leaves us with the bottom line of 94,835 dollars for that Denali Ultimate I drove, including the destination fee. Yep, it’s another hundred-thousand-dollar pickup the kind people seem perfectly content to spend their money on in exchange for what’s essentially become today’s quintessential American luxury vehicle. America isn’t known for extravagant luxurious cars similar to the Germans or exotic high-powered vehicles like the Italians however, we do have some individual pickups that can fit better in a variety of American areas.
Of course, you don’t need to pay that much for the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali Ultimate to get the same capabilities. It starts at about $46,000 for a basic, RWD one-cab, long-bed model that comes with the gas V-8. Of course, it’s possible to exceed $100,000 for a fully full 3500 model, with a diesel engine, dual rear wheels, and all the luxurious trimmings. There’s a variety of options and prices so your requirements as a buyer for trucks will be fulfilled by a certain model of Sierra at a cost. With the enhancements GMC has made to 2024’s model, it’s money worth it.