Jump to content
Create New...
  • 💬 Join the Conversation

    CnG Logo SQ 2023 RedBlue FavIcon300w.png
    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has been the go-to hub for automotive enthusiasts. Join today to access our vibrant forums, upload your vehicle to the Garage, and connect with fellow gearheads around the world.

     

  • William Maley
    William Maley

    Quick Review: 2012 GMC Sierra Denali HD 2500


    William Maley

    Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

    May 8, 2012

    The war of heavy duty pickups has been raging on for many years with Ford, General Motors, and Ram one upping each other with more powerful engines and towing capabilities that could embarrass certain commercial trucks. Now, a new branch of this war is emerging; the luxury heavy-duty truck.

    Gone are the steel wheels, vinyl seats, rubber floormats, and grey dashboards seen on many a truck. In their place are large chrome wheels, leather seats with heating and cooling, carpeting, and different color dashboards trimmed with wood.

    Ford, GM, and Ram have thrown their competitors into the ring and are now battling for the king of luxury heavy-duty truck.

    So when a 2012 GMC Sierra Denali HD 2500 was dropped off for week, it was the perfect time to see if it can be the king or not.

    gallery_10485_419_22569.png

    What has changed?

    Not much since General Motors updated its heavy-duty trucks back in the 2011 model year. The big news for the 2012 model year was GM upping the hauling and towing ratings for the heavy duty trucks. The stats are,

    • Maximum towing capacity of 23,000 pounds
    • Conventional-hitch trailering capacity of 18,000 pounds
    • Maximum payload of 7,215 pounds

    Besides the rise in ratings, GMC has added a new exterior color and some new interior features for the Denali HD line.

    On to the exterior & interior


    So the exterior is pretty much the same as before?

    Yeah, the Denali HD hasn’t changed much since its last appearance in the C&G garage back in December 2010. The blunt front end still has the signature Denali chrome finishing on the upper and lower grilles. Around the side, the front fenders carry some sculpting and chrome bars adorn the doors. Add on the optional 20-inch chrome wheels and the new Steel Gray Metallic paint, and what you get is an understated luxury pickup, a trademark of the Denali line.

    gallery_10485_419_1114902.png

    What about the interior?

    The Sierra HD Denali’s interior is similar to any other loaded up GMC Sierra, albeit with more leather and “wood” trim. The dash looks and feels outdated with the materials clearly from the "old GM" era of cheap plastics. If the Sierra HD Denali cost $30,000, this would be ok. However, when the Denali HD is pushing $63,000, it falls into unacceptable. Also missing on this truck was the auto-up feature on the power windows. The only auto-thing on it was the auto-down feature on the driver’s side. It left me wondering why certain compact cars have this feature and not this truck.

    gallery_10485_419_145599.png

    The optional navigation unit in Sierra HD Denali has been updated this year with new software that solves the problem of outdated software we had in our previous example. But interface issues remain; do I really need two whole rows of buttons to move around the NAV?

    gallery_10485_419_924458.png

    However, all is not lost with Sierra HD Denali’s interior. The leather seats are very comfortable for both front and rear passengers. Front seat passengers will enjoy the heated and cooled seats for whatever season it is. Back seat passengers will like the amount of head and legroom.

    Next: Power, Verdict, and Specs


    What is the powertrain and how does it drive?

    All of GM’s heavy-duty pickups come standard with a 6.0L V8 producing 360 HP and 380 lb-ft of torque. However, this Sierra HD Denali was equipped with the shining star of GM’s powertrain lineup; the 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel V8. The 6.6L engine produces 397 HP and mind-numbing 765 lb-ft of torque. All of that power goes through a six-speed Allison transmission.

    gallery_10485_419_653239.png

    Driving around with the Duramax and Allison combo was a sublime experience. Power was strong and linear as I left from a stop or while making a pass. The transmission provided buttery smooth shifts.

    Average fuel economy for the week stood at 14.5 MPG. On a 100 Mile highway trip, the Sierra Denali averaged 19 MPG, a surprise since the Sierra Denali HD tips the scales at 7,400 lbs.

    The ride of the Sierra Denali HD varies on the road condition. Smooth roads and Sierra Denali HD provided a comfortable ride. Head onto a rougher road and you can feel every bump. That’s due to good looking 20-inch chrome wheels and the upgraded suspension to handle the weight.

    Maneuverability isn’t the Denali HD’s strongest suit. The long length and wide turning circle make it pain in certain situations. Many a time was spent during the week backing up, steering the truck, and pulling into certain parking spots without trying to cause property damage.

    And the verdict?

    The Sierra Denali HD sits in a precarious spot in the luxury heavy-duty truck market. On one hand, the Denali HD doesn’t match what the Super Duty and Ram Heavy Duty trucks offer in luxuries. Examples include a better quality dash, a newer navigation system, and other little things that make you feel your spent your money well. Plus, maneuverability could be a little bit better.

    On the other hand, the Sierra Denali HD claws back with its superb optional Duramax and Allison Transmission powertrain package. Plus, the Denali has a trick up its a sleeve. Unlike the Ford and Ram’s current luxury trucks which scream, “Look at me, I’m driving a big honking luxury truck,” the Denali HD goes for the understated look.

    The Sierra Denali HD hits 75% of what luxury truck buyers want, it’s the last 25% the truck is missing, which could prove devastating when Ford and Ram launch their true competitors to the Denali HD later this year.

    Cheers:

    • Duramax and Allison powertrain
    • Understated luxury look
    • Hauling and Towing Ratings

    Jeers:

    • Interior doesn't match pricetag
    • Poor maneuverability
    • Ride Quality

    Disclaimer: General Motors provided the truck, insurance, and one tank of diesel.

    Year - 2012

    Make - GMC

    Model - Sierra HD

    Trim - Denali 2500 Crew Cab

    Engine - 6.6L Duramax Turbo Diesel V8

    Driveline - Four Wheel Drive, Six Speed Automatic

    Horsepower @ RPM - 397 @ 3000

    Torque @ RPM - 765 @ 1600

    Fuel Economy: City/Highway/Combined - N/A

    Curb Weight - 7456 lbs

    Location of Manufacture - Flint, Michigan

    Base Price - $48,785.00

    As Tested Price - $62,914.00 (Includes $995.00 Destination Charge)


    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    • Conventional-hitch trailering capacity of 18,000 pounds

    Makes the 6,000lb rating on my Suburban seem pedestrian. This is a good thing when we're talking about a "heavy duty truck".

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites



    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Support Real Automotive Journalism

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has delivered real content and honest opinions — not emotionless AI output or manufacturer-filtered fluff.

    If you value independent voices and authentic reviews, consider subscribing. Plans start at just $2.25/month, and paid members enjoy an ad-light experience.*

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Posts

    • Pretty much. I saw a homepage blip about him years ago, read up on his background, and decided I didn't like him. Then I heard this happened from across the pond. I was looking at some videos with reporters and such to obtain information and the status of the situation.  I thought I wouldn't have to see the actual event.  One news video flipped over to it quickly and it was more powerful and more disturbing than I would have imagined.   I backed up to see some past videos where he is on.  Yeah, I've tossed out a fair bit of stereotyping in my life, but he tossed out so much racism and dislike toward anyone who is not white, religious, conservative, and has a picket fence existence.  And its delivery was consistently vile and condescending. He was yet another podcaster who made his living this way.  He had quite the motor mouth, so he could have gone to law school, taken the bar, and gone to work.  That would have been too much work, given that he only did a year of college and dropped out.  This new way people are making a living doesn't make for much value-added.
    • When I saw this, I thought of you guys and how much most of you love Tesla.  This is obviously where they unload these nasty cars. This is what I saw walking from the marine terminal in Southampton to the train station to fly out to warm weather that same afternoon. I was following some Europeans with luggage across the street and a green turning lane was still in effect.  A local started yelling at us from his car in that working class brand of UK talk, including all "you 'effin' idiots."  At least I could understand it.  I need a translator for heavy-duty Scottish talk. The crossing was good.  The ship stayed close to Canada all the way up to Newfoundland and then crossed.  There was only one day of light chop.  There were 2 poolside days in the beginning.  That meant indoor jacuzzis under the glass roof for the rest of the crossing. Of four trips, the cabin was the best I've had.  The composition of the table was marginal compared to previous trips.  I won't go into it or I wouldn't be P.C.  I reverted to the open seating option on a few nights. With all that, I didn't want to get off.  A few others said the same thing.  If the seas are good, it's incredibly relaxing.  You're just lulled into another state and it's mostly a good one.
    • Another white cis male. A teen. A teen radicalized by hate.   No whole lotta media coverage either. Do not know how American media is wrapping this one up as the guy in the video says, a baby faced teen with mental health issues...but...   I know I went off bigly before, but there are SEVERAL themes I mentioned that NEED  to be addressed.  Violence begets violence.  Hate begets hate Violence and death is necessary when violence and death is staring you down. Dont mistake this for ANYTHING OTHER than violence and death...     Jon Stewart says violence should NEVER be tolerated. And he would be correct 100000%.  But he also says that is "their" problem.  NO!!!!  It is ALL of YOUS problem.  And the way Trump talks about MY country, Canada, it kinda looks like its MINE and my fellow Canadians' problem too, hence my violent rhetoric.    Violence (gun or otherwise) now has been accepted and romanticized by MANY Americans.   Lies have buried the truth and fascism has settled in. Peacefully because it is of the slowly boiling a frog scenario.  But hate and violence REVEALS itself every step of the way going forward. If you ignore it while waiting the courts to decide your fate, look again, the courts have been ignored by Trump. Some judges have been replaced with Trump sympathizers.  Dont think the US is becoming violent?   He says 1 death is too many. He asks how many deaths is too many? Violence should NEVER be tolerated after naming 50 school shootings the last 25 years but acknowledging there are plenty more to recognize going back further than 25 years...  He asks what the phoque are we (Americans) are doing?   THE PHOQUE ARE YOU PEOPLE DOING???!!!  And if THAT is the sentiment of the right wing morons that WANT war with the left, with Hyundai employees, with transgenders, with Canada and Canadians...then HOW THE PHOQUE ARE THE REST OF YOU GOING TO RESPOND???!!! Peacefully and with the courts???!!! Yeah...every act of war was NEVER won with give peace a chance, kumbaya sit downs.  Im afraid Yoko Ono/John Lennon Give Peace a Chance love songs are just a tad too late for peace to happen.  It kinda worked after the Viet Nam war for a while.  But American society let hate and violence creep into their world again...         
    • Blame a democrat?  They want to start a civil war with the left yet at the same time complain why there is no empathy for dear ole Charlie and at the same time say that empathy is a made up word with no meaning and empathy is not only a human weakness but empathy is also evil.  Therefore... Is it really horrible  when it comes to death, regardless of how that death was arranged, of misinforming, misleading, false narrative, hate filled  pricks that fuel hatred, bigotry, sexism, racism, homophobic rhetoric designed to divide? For me...it is not horrible when garbage is taken out.  It is necessary.   A society lets people and politicians like Trump and Charlie to spew lies and hatred and divisions happen within that society. Fascism creeps in and takes control.  The truth gets buried and never comes back.  Free speech for me but not for thee is standard practice.  Political violence is tolerated ONLY by those who want to take control.  And in this case, religion is used as a shield.  I find it repulsive when Christianity is used and abused the way it has been by America as a Greek Orthodox practitioner myself.  I also find it repulsive when right wing a55ho77e5 want to silence me by using my kindness, my religion against me as saying I am of the tolerant left and I should NOT revolt back because political violence is not a defining Christian trait and freedoms of this and freedoms of that.  Yet...the right wing BREAKS ALL OF THE RULES.  Hate speech begets hate. Charlie fueled hate. Charlie got hate back. By his own ilk un-ironically. Charlie tolerated violence. School shootings and public executions. Charlie got killed in a school setting by a very public setting. All that he tolerated and was killed by the very thing he preached and praised. By his own flock un-ironically.  And he did not get ANY empathy as even he admitted that empathy is INHUMANE and evil.  Well, colour me inhumane and evil, but I am only following his doctrine.  About religion and violence...Greece is thousands of years old. Greece has seen ALL kinds of political violence in its existence. The Hellenic peoples have seen it all throughout our history on this planet.  About political violence and Christianity being or not being involved. If any of you do not know what was the Ottoman empire, I suggest you read a history book.     As you could see, even if I am not American, (although Im very close in being one), I MOURN the state of the US possibly MORE than some of you that are phoquing afraid to fight for your rights and freedoms!!!    Take BACK your country!!! 
    • Yeah, someone skilled with a rifle in Utah and they immediately wanted to blame a democrat 
  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search