Interactive Review: 2011 GMC Sierra Denali 2500 Crew Cab 4WD

[Drew Dowdell]

Interactive Review:

2011 GMC Sierra Denali 2500 Crew Cab 4WD

Well the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe went back to GM just before the Thanksgiving holiday. When I got home from work, I found a black, 4-door, GMC Sierra Denali stuffed into my driveway... it just about scared the poor CR-V off the cliff in my back yard. Equipped with the 6.6 liter V8 Duramax, one of the first impressions I got with this truck is how fiercely fast it is for being so huge. GM just refreshed the chassis, engine, and transmission for 2011, but didn't touch the sheet metal or interior. I already know I'm going to ding the interior in places, as some of it isn't even up to GM's new standards for interior quality. The window sticker for this truck rings up at $61,189 after destination charge. I won't be able to get the windows sticker scanned in until I get back into my office on Monday, but if you have any specific equipment questions, I can let you know what it's got in the meantime.

Oh, and I'm going to need one of you truck guys to 'splain me about the locking differential. Apparently this truck has it, but it dug a 10 inch deep hole in my driveway when I tried to pull out in 2WD.

[loki]

lol at the "divot"!

[Z-06]

RLD - Ability to lock the wheels on the same axle together as if they have a common shaft. Basically to help the traction while driving on surfaces offering very poor traction.

I wished I could test drive the beast. What mileage are you getting?

[Drew Dowdell]

14.4mpg.... the gauge hasn't budged

RLD - Ability to lock the wheels on the same axle together as if they have a common shaft. Basically to help the traction while driving on surfaces offering very poor traction.

But it should engage automatically, yes? Why did it dig a hole?

[CanadianBacon94]

14.4mpg.... the gauge hasn't budged

reset it.

[balthazar]

I'm getting around 16.0 (no DIC, but every tank is charted) out of my LLY 6.6 2500 CC, but mine is an HD.

I would ask you to -assuming the trans quadrant works the same as it does in my brother's '07 and has a manual mode)- to watch how infrequently the Allison goes into 6th.

[Z-06]

14.4mpg.... the gauge hasn't budged

But it should engage automatically, yes? Why did it dig a hole?

Is the dial set on automatic? Were you giving it a lot of gas? Was your other tire on a firmer surface?

[GMTruckGuy74]

Lucky you! Enjoy the Sierra for the time you have it. I'd love to get the opportunity to have an extended test drive with one of these new GMCs. I was happy to have a 2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT 4WD Crew Cab for two days in October from Eterprise while my Envoy was getting some warranty work done

[ocnblu]

How on Earth did you dig that hole, Drew? Did you have your HOUSE chained to it? Were you powerbraking? That's one hell of a luxurious beast.

[Drew Dowdell]

Is the dial set on automatic? Were you giving it a lot of gas? Was your other tire on a firmer surface?

The three options are 2H, 4H, and 4L

other tire was on the same surface.

I have a flat parking pad that is gravel, but then I have to climb up a very steep hill on concrete.

How on Earth did you dig that hole, Drew? Did you have your HOUSE chained to it? Were you powerbraking? That's one hell of a luxurious beast.

Nope. I'm going to have to take a picture of my driveway in daylight so you guys can see what happened.

[Z-06]

The three options are 2H, 4H, and 4L

other tire was on the same surface.

I have a flat parking pad that is gravel, but then I have to climb up a very steep hill on concrete.

Those are wheel drive modes, apparently GM made the RLD automatic, so it just detects the slickness. I think, while the surface may have looked similar visually, the differential detected slip on one side and that is why the hole.

Here is a cool video explaining how the A-RLD works.

[Drew Dowdell]

See, I get that... that's why I'm confused how I made that hole.

[Z-06]

See, I get that... that's why I'm confused how I made that hole.

Is the hole near the edge of the driveway or center?

[Camino LS6]

You know that long pedal on the right?

In gravel or other low-traction surfaces, you only want to breathe on it. The Duramax makes so much torque at idle that anything above a tap on the pedal will induce tirespin. On my '05 I would literally just give the pedal a slight tap and take my foot away immediately letting the truck idle its way into its initial takeoff roll.

Reverse is even more dramatic.

I can't tell you how many times I chirped the tires when backing up before I got a feel for the torque.

That engine is flat-out amazing.

[Drew Dowdell]

So what you're saying is: I only want to use 4WD to get out of my driveway.

[Camino LS6]

No, no 4WD.

Just use as light a touch as you can manage on the pedal, and be patient. The diesel responds a shade slower than a gas engine - you'll get a feel for it as you drive the truck.

Just a tap will get you rolling.

When you get the chance, engage the engine braking on one of those Pittsburgh hills, keep your foot off of the brake, and prepare to be amazed. That system is one of this truck's best features.

[Drew Dowdell]

ok

but I still think I'm going to take a picture with the truck posed so you can all see that I'm not an idiot.

[Camino LS6]

Respect the beast, and it will be good to you.

If you have anything heavy to move or tow, use this truck to do it - that's where it will really shine.

[regfootball]

is there HUGE "Denali" stitching on the front seat seatbacks?

[Robert Hall]

Let's see...some typical road test questions--how is it to parallel park? How is the rear and side visibility? How are the cupholders? Seat adjustability? I bet the turning radius is huge...

[ocnblu]

Is the tailpipe a huge turnoff?

Yes, diesel torque comes on in a relentless, artful wave unlike a gas engine.

See, I've "built and priced" a Steel Green Silverado 1LT Duramax extended cab 4X4 so many times now it's ridiculous. The only thing that holds me back is the clunky Chevy website. If I lived in the country, had the money and a garage big enough, a Duramax would be in it.

Edited November 28, 2010 by ocnblu
sorry, I had to edit that bit out OCN.

[gm4life]

I do have a few questions... How is riding/driving it? How did it perform in tight areas (parking lot) and on the back roads? Did it feel as feel like a big truck? Also if you get a chance how did the bed handle a load? I am already enjoying the photos, and might like one of these for myself but with a 6.0L.

Edited November 28, 2010 by gm4life

[Drew Dowdell]

It's a bit rough over choppy pavement. You really bounce along over our poor PA roads. It's very difficult to park. Turning radius is huge. Getting it in and out of my driveway is a pain. I've yet to actually get it into a parking space straight... I just get it "good enough" and give up.

I doubt I'll get to haul anything with it. I would have to assume that the bed will handle a load as good as any other.

[Camino LS6]

*chuckles*

I always found these to be easy to drive and park. The choppy ride comes with the territory - but disappears when loaded.

The price, however, is beyond the pale.

Edited November 28, 2010 by Camino LS6

[Drew Dowdell]

Well, I'll have an F-350 in two weeks to compare it to. The only other vehicle close to this size that I have to compare it to is my old Avalanche which was incredibly maneuverable for it's size.

BTW, this truck is making me really miss my Avalanche.

[balthazar]

It's a beast, no doubt. Wheelbase on my truck is 153". Understandably, the steering is quite a bit sharper (in angle) than shorter vehicles. I have no maneuverability issues- but I've been on a steadily increasing wheelbase diet since day 1.

[Z-06]

It's a bit rough over choppy pavement. You really bounce along over our poor PA roads. It's very difficult to park. Turning radius is huge. Getting it in and out of my driveway is a pain. I've yet to actually get it into a parking space straight... I just get it "good enough" and give up.

I doubt I'll get to haul anything with it. I would have to assume that the bed will handle a load as good as any other.

LOL. It is maneuverable once you get used to it. I have often parallel parked my company's 4x4 2500. Is it a docile beast on the highway?

[Drew Dowdell]

Ok, so I took some pics of the truck in the exact position where it starts to slip. I hit the brake and set the parking brake right where I lost traction. The right rear tire is just where it was the other night when it tried to dig a hole to China.

Here I am about 20 feet from the front of the truck and my shins are about level with the roof..... that's how steep the driveway is.

[balthazar]

OK- you have the optimal conditions for why what happened: extreme slope, uneven pavement, dirt at the bottom and a turn to boot.

You need to 'roll' thru that with just enough moxie to get the RR wheels onto the macadam, then you'll be fine.

That... or back in.

[Drew Dowdell]

But....why no G20 lock in?

[ocnblu]

I'm still at a loss as to how you did that, whether it has G20 (?) or G80 locking diff. It appears there is a little drop-off between macadam and gravel though, is it possible you stopped right at that moment, chocking the front wheels? This is a miniature disaster.

[Robert Hall]

I bet that driveway is fun in the winter when it's covered in ice.

[Drew Dowdell]

G80. Not always easy posting from phone.

Oh yeah, the driveway is a real hoot. I buy lots of salt and have a snow blower.

Still, I managed 4 winters with a RWD CTS

[CanadianBacon94]

not necessarily directed at olds, does the rear suspension have that much drop with a load, or is the large wheel gap just a visual cue?

[Camino LS6]

not necessarily directed at olds, does the rear suspension have that much drop with a load, or is the large wheel gap just a visual cue?

That gap is due to the position the truck is in - it isn't normally quite so dramatic. But it is large to allow for lots of suspension travel.

[lowbow]

It's not a hole, its a good start on a fishing pond. Every house in Texas with a Diesel in the driveway has one. It's all the rage.

[GMTruckGuy74]

Oh how I love that face

[Drew Dowdell]

Uploaded the window sticker.

[gm4life]

Uploaded the window sticker.

Could you please get a few more photos of the interior and exterior of the truck Oldsmoboi? I just love looking at this beast! Anyways just look at the window sticker... It is certainly pricey but you get a TON of truck!

[SAmadei]

It is certainly pricey but you get a TON of truck!

You mean slightly more than 3 and a half tons of truck. This thing really has a curb weight of 7393 pounds?!? Jeez.

[Robert Hall]

You mean slightly more than 3 and a half tons of truck. This thing really has a curb weight of 7393 pounds?!? Jeez.

Daymn...that is one obese truck....20 years ago, a 4x4 crew cab was what, under 5000lbs? Insane...no MPG rating..wierd...what's the MPG--10 city, 12 highway?

Edited December 2, 2010 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[balthazar]

That cannot be right. My truck on a scale was right around 6500 (subtracting for me, and there were some tools in the back seat).

To answer Cubitar's question as close as I have handy: 1986 GMC 3/4-ton CrewCab 8' bed : 4834.

Edited December 2, 2010 by balthazar

[Robert Hall]

That cannot be right. My truck on a scale was right around 6500 (subtracting for me, and there were some tools in the back seat).

Isn't yours the previous generation (GMT-800)? With each successive redesign, it seems weight is added to most vehicles.

[balthazar]

Yes, it is (2004), and tho mine doesn't have some of the weighty options this GMC does (NAV, sunroof, stepbars, heated seats, etc), mine has the same powertrain and it's an HD to boot.

Still, knowing my truck, it's quite hard for me to imagine how it could've gained 800 lbs.

And agreed; the only car that comes to mind that doesn't add weight at each new generation is the Corvette.

[Drew Dowdell]

entirely new more heavy duty frame for 2011 .... plus all the stuff you mentioned

[balthazar]

Looking over the windo stckr again; the things this truck has over mine :

> fully boxed frame (would still like to kno the rail height x width)

> skid plate package

> RR park assist

> StabiliTrack w/ trailer sway control

> fog lamps

> heated mirrors

> remote start

> tailgate assist

> dual zone A/C

> 12-way power seats/ lumbar/ heated & cooled

> 6-disc changer & USB port

> DIC

> auto-dimming mirror

> power pedals

> steering wheel radio controls

> universal home remote

> power sunroof

> 20" wheels

> RR vision camera

> heated steering wheel

> step bars

Yeah, I can believe all that weighs 800 lbs or so.

[Cory Wolfe]

Damn... $61k makes for one pricey pickup. I

[G. David Felt]

SWEET Ride, I love the Denali Trucks, I just wish that GM still had the Rear Steering on these trucks. Until you drive one, you have no idea how much easier it makes parking, trailer towing, etc when you have a crewcab 3/4 or 1 ton truck.

Nice package.