Jul 30, 2019, 09:41 AM by Mike Blake

Redesigned and all-new from the ground-up, the Next Generation Sierra is differentiating itself from its sibling, the Chevrolet Silverado, after years of badge engineering and shared body panels with new styling, performance enhancements, a GMC-exclusive, industry-first MultiPro Tailgate, segment-first Multi-Color Head-Up Display, six engine set-ups, three cab sizes, and six trim levels that are all GMC.

New for 2019 is a reconfigured footprint that is larger in almost every dimension, including a longer wheelbase and longer crew cab body that offers about 3 inches more rear legroom than the previous model, yet the new model is lighter than the previous version, thanks to a mixed materials approach — including aluminum for the doors, hood and tailgate, with steel for the fenders, roof and standard cargo box. Also onboard is a GMC-exclusive, industry-first CarbonPro carbon fiber cargo box, developed to increase durability, efficiency and functionality, while offering best-in-class dent, scratch and corrosion resistance. The innovations don’t stop there as Sierra gets a segment-first Rear Camera Mirror that can function as a traditional mirror or as a camera screen, helping to eliminate obstructions such as rear seat passengers and head restraints while providing a wider, less obstructed rear field of view. And the 2019 Sierra offers a ProGrade Trailering System with Trailering App for a connected and comprehensive suite of trailering technologies, enhanced front and rear suspensions and an improved brake system featuring electro-hydraulic power assist, larger-diameter Duralife brake rotors and larger brake pads.

Of the six trims, I tested the top-of-the line Sierra Denali, the luxury flagship of the next-generation Sierra lineup, distinguished by iconic design cues, more upscale appointments, purposeful technologies and capability in a professional grade truck. Along with its bold design and premium features, the new Sierra Denali ups the ante in the segment with the most powerful V-8 engine in its class, and exclusive ride, handling and performance technologies designed for comfort, control and capability.

Denali stands tall, with a strong, purposeful stance, bold bodywork, chiseled shoulders and a tall, powerful hood, which is capped with a grille that’s bigger and bolder than any prior Sierra. New “light blade” signature lighting elements within Sierra Denali’s headlamps help accentuate the pickup truck’s exterior design, providing a distinctive appearance.

The Sierra1500 trims fill out their muscular demeanor with three cabs styles: regular, double cab and crew cab and run in length from 210.8 inches with a regular cab and 6-foot-6-inch box, to 231.7 inches with either a double cab and 6-6 box or the crew cab and a 5-foot-8 box. This represents a gain of from 2 inches to 6 inches depending on configuration. The Denali I tested, with Crew Cab and short box, sat on a 147.4-inch wheelbase (regular cab models are on a 16.5-inch wheelbase). Width goes 81.2 inches and height is 75.5 inches. Curbweight for the 4WD Crew Cab is a confident 5015 lbs. (regular cabs go as low as 4531), and the max trailering rate is 12,100 lbs.

In a you-want-it-we’ve-got-it-for-you approach to power, GMC trims comes with six different engine choices: 4.3-liter V-6 or 5.3-liter V-8 mated to a 6-speed automatic; 2.7-liter turbo or 5.3-liter V-8 coupled with an 8-speed automatic; and a 6.2-liter V-8 or a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel matched with a 10-speed automatic. Fuel economy runs from 15 to 20mpg in city driving and from 19 to 23 mpg on the highway. Powerwise, the 4.3 gets you 285hp and 305 lb-ft; the 5.3 rates at 355hp/383 lb-ft; the 2.7 turbo runs 310hp/348lb-ft; and the 6.2 delivers 420hp/460 lb-ft.

My 6.2-liter Denali was an upgrade over the standard 5.3 and was rated at 15mpg/city and 20mpg/highway -- I averaged 17.7 mpg in my heavy-footed tests. But the 6.2 really came alive when asked. While handling was big-truck loose, and steering was a bit vague, power was king. The 6.2 gave me a 6.2-second zero-to-sprint during a 14.6 second quarter-mile. Acceleration at speed took a beat, then exploded with power. At slow speed and around town, acceleration was a bit hesitant. Firm suspension feel was exhibited through an independent front with coil-over-shock with twin-tube shock absorbers working well with a solid axle rear with semi-elliptic, variable-rate, two-stage multileaf springs and splayed twin-tube shock absorbers. 

Inside, Denali is luxuriously appointed and is augmented with advanced connectivity, 
an 8-inch-diagonal GMC Premium Infotainment System with a high-resolution color touchscreen, and a seven-speaker Bose® Premium Sound System with Richbass® Woofer in the center console personalization features. Sierra Denali’s crafted cabin is spacious with 43 inches of front headroom in the crew cab version and 40.1 in the rear. Legroom is a comfortable 44.5 inches up front and 43.4 in the cab, and shoulder room is 66 and 65.2. 

The base regular cab, standard box 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 starts at $29,000 for 2WD and moves through multiple trims, cabs, beds and engines, topping out with the Denali basing at $54,700 and apexing at $66,590 for the Denali Yukon. My test Denali was the Yukon, so that I could try out the 6.2-liter engine. The 2WD setup was upgraded to 4WD for an additional $3000. Onyx Black exterior paint actually discounted the price by $1095 from the Summit White price, and Denali in Black looked powerful and luxurious. Jet Black perforated leather appointed seats were at no charge; The Denali Ultimate Package of power sunroof, power retractable assist steps, 4-wheel antilock disc brakes, 22-inch bright aluminum wheels with Midnight Silver premium paint, 22-inch all-season tires, inclination sensor, Enhanced Security Package with self-powered horn, interior movement sensor and vehicle inclination sensor, and Adaptive Cruise Control with Advanced with Forward Automatic Braking added another $7055 to the price. Roof rack cross rails added $265; premium all-weather floormats added $235; and destination and freight added $1295, for a stick-as-tested of $79,550, but package discounts and cash allowances trimmed the MSRP-as-tested to $76,050.
  
You can see GMC trucks through the decades, and more than 2,000 trucks of all eras, at the Carlisle Truck Nationals, August 2-4 at the Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds. This event and has been one of the world’s largest truck shows since 1991. This celebration of trucks features Pick-ups, Heavy-duty trucks, Big Rigs, Mini Trucks, Antiques, Custom Vans, 4x4s, Jeeps, SUVs, Vintage Fire Trucks, Monster trucks and more.


> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>