2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Quick Review // Could It Be The One?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
- The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD Crew Cab Denali ($85,098 CAD as specced, ~$68,995 USD) is a comfortable workhorse with smooth power delivery due to its meaty 6.2 litre displacement. It is the last truck the guys are testing during their ongoing search for a Throttle House work truck. How will Thomas and James get on with the Denali? Will it be the answer to their trailer towing and comfort needs? Watch to find out! Subscribe!!
RELEVANT STATS:
6.2 Litre V8
420 horsepower
460 ft-lb of torque
11.5 L / 100 km claimed mileage (highway)
22 x 9-inch wheels (275 50 22 tire size)
Max trailering capacity 4,173 kg (9199 lbs)
Instagram!
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Facebook!
/ thomashollandproductions
THROTTLE HOUSE
/ hobbes8081987
Post-production by Thomas Holland and Karston Chong
Music from Epidemicsound.com and Artlist.io
#GMC #Denali #CrewCab4WD
They're going to buy a Ram Limited, no question about it. They keep coming back to that ride and interior.
Can't wait for the reliability updates 😂😂
Heard from a reliable source they have already bought the Ram
This Was a Given, they hinted to it in the RAM episode
@@pilotdog68 what reliability updates? It's not the 90s or early 2000s anymore. Ram has come a long way, especially in the last 6 or 7 years.
@@stevenholderby6354 and a long way still puts them in last place.
These trucks are so big that 22in wheels don't even look big anymore.
Right? Thought they were 18s til they said otherwise.
Lower the truck like 4"
@@Michael-ii9fs it’s for the look this day and age, huge wheel wells and high body lines. Never heard of “breaking” a wheel, either.
They feel big in person. My Silverado's 18s look small despite having 35s on them, but my wife's Ram has the 22s and they look enormous. She just has basic all terrain tires and yet thru are
Em massive due to how they fill the wheel well.
My first truck had 13" steelies. Wheel and tire size growth have certainly outpaced truck size growth. It used to be hard to get 35s under a truck without a lift. These days, it's a factory option. 37s are even possible on some trucks.
I would take a column mounted shifter over a rotary or push/pull button selector any day.
I had a 03 ram but these new 1500s with that shifter that’s no truck,
I miss the extra throttle house that sat down on the couch and talked. Do more of that please and thank you
Yep more comin hopefully soon!
Grateful for any throttle house content tbh
I really enjoyed those vids too, but I also love the laid back reviews so I'm glad to hear they may do both
NEIN!
@@thomasholland8436 Aweosme! Love all your content btw keep doing a great job
Just like computers. If you wait for the thing coming out soon you'll never buy one.
Never heard anyone claim that column shifters were "hard to use" before. As far as "shifters that don't take up center console/seating space" are concerned, I'd take a column shifter over a rotary dial any day.
I can’t say I like column shifters
Yeah thats a first for me too. You know you're stupid when....
Column shifters are awful, nuff said. Sure some people don’t mind them but a majority of people find them less usable than a proper center shifter
At this point, the only thing left for us Chevy/GMC guys, we want to have a column shifter. We hate buttons and rotary dials to shift our trucks. Hopefully others share the same view.
I wanted a new ram 1500 but I don’t like the shifter and I don’t wanna get a 2500 but the denalis always been one of my favorites just cuz of the name DENALI
I’ve had a couple of GMCs with the 6.2 and they were great. Power for days, quick enough, reliable and even decent gas mileage. I can’t wait for the redesign, as the current Yukon is brilliant
For all these good reasons I got 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali 6.2 and just months later with 14K miles the engine blew up. Total damage. I can't agree with you on reliability. Never in 20 years I had any problems with my trucks from competition.
@@antonbalek2968
I guess every brand has their ups and downs. My wife and I had two FCA vehicles that spent over 50% of their life at the dealer for warranty work. We traded both for GMCs and had years of happy ownership. We have a couple of F150s now too and they have been generally reliable
@@antonbalek2968 i blew up or did u bend a rod? bent rods are a issue in 2020 2021 years
@@Louthemailman Push rods are just one of many problems with this truck. For almost 80K spent in 2021 I have higher expectations then to get 1980's Kazakhstan quality
@@Louthemailman pushrods have been an issue since 15....I know cause my 15 6.2L had multiple issues....and lifters n pushrods multiple times was just 9ne of them.
Biggest POS Ever.
I’m still thinking of how to incorporate the line “Coal rolled in Texas” into “Footloose”, or maybe that should be on its own album, eh!? Great review, guys! “Feeling agricultural”, umm, yeah I get it and totally agree.
The Ram is the truck for people who like cars. It's got the tech, the interior, and the handling. I don't feel like I'm going to flip the truck if/when I take a turn quickly. It's the most sporty handling for sure and it is able to combine that with a super smooth ride with the rear coil spring suspension. I'd bet they're buying a Ram Laramie to spec or maybe a Limited if they want to spend more.
A RAM with the 5.7 drives just like a Challenger with the V6.
My guess is Ram Bighorn.
I looked at the Ram, bought the GMC. I didn’t like the giant screen, but the interior looked far better but wasn’t as ergonomic to live with. Also I drive many miles, the 3.0 I6 diesel in the GMC is the best engine right now for highway miles.
@@rightwingsafetysquad9872 I think that might say a lot more about the Challengers handling than it does about the trucks lol.
Here’s the problem with Ram. It’s made by Dodge/Chrysler. Of the big 3 trucks, Ram has the worst reliability. Ram also depreciates more than Ford, Chevy and GMC. So I’d rather have a truck that runs and doesn’t bleed money.
I drove them all exhaustively... I bought the Ram. Looks the best. Drives the best. Nicest interior. Best dealer incentives (at least when I was shopping). FCA completely killed it with this generation.
The interior is indeed very nice especially for a truck, modern trucks are getting almost too nice that youd feel bad getting inside dirty after work or throwing tools on the rear seat ect ..also fca products dont seem to hold up very well after that warranty is up
@@brocks692 trucks got nicer because when people can only get a single vehicle they choose top trims since is going to pull double duty for work and family stuff. But the price has gone to the outer space.
That's the only thing good about that truck is interior. I've had a few issues. Lucky it was a lease.
Lol looks the best.
@@gogofastful have you seen a limited in person?
I also like the column-mounted shifter, extra room. But I think it should feel agricultural...its a truck not a Miata. Using a column shifter is satisfying unlike a dial, button or foldable lawn chair (ford)
Exactly!
LOL, that was funny ! I drive a 19 ram and honestly, I like the dial cause of how it looks but, a column-mounted shifter definitely feels more truck-like. I think most truck refreshes are trying to be like cars when they should be themselves you know want I mean. I also have a 15' Mercedes ML350 Bluetec and the column shifter in that is amazing, I love it. I know exactly what you mean.
I’m so happy how long that ending lasted
I had a 6.2 in my 2018 denali. It was a beast. I now have a 6.6 and while not as quick, it is a great engine. The newest 1500s look amazing inside
I love these guys. Brighten my day every time they upload, whether on this channel or on the main channel.
Wait. There's a main channel?!
@@TheBradfordG 👀👀👀 shit shit shit😂😂
Great truck, I owned a 2004 Silverado version of this with the 5.3L extended cab, billet grille, bedliner, flowmaster 50 series exhaust, and used it every weekend to take my quad in the bed to off-road in the Superstition Mountains of Southern California and this truck was perfect on reliability, and surprisingly well on fuel economy, I averaged 17.5 mpg over 40,000 miles of mixed driving that included city, highway and towing.
My guess though based on your videos for your truck comparisons is that you will be going with a Ram.
When the 5.3s were good not anymore they feel gutless unfortunately
@@dor1tomcswagger69 True and that's why today I would buy one with the 6.2L
@@CruiseControl1 same even though I hate the Chevy's I'm glad gm decided to come out with the 6.2 for the Chevy's a couple years back it's a great motor unfortunately it's gas mileage ain't great it's worse than the Hemi and Ford's 5.0l
@@dor1tomcswagger69 More power than the 5.0L from Ford or the 5.7L Hemi from Dodge so I'm fine with that trade off. I read that the EV version of the Silverado is going to get rear steering unlike the Ford lightning.
And unfortunately the various cylinder deactivations they keep tacking onto the 5.3 make it the second least reliable engine in any truck on saw in America, only beating the Fiat diesel in the RAM and Gladiator.
When testing trucks you should make sure to test driving them unloaded and loaded. Some trucks are set up to ride nicer when you are towing and some rode nicer when unloaded.
Agreed it can drive like a completely different truck when loaded and since you are using it for the purpose of towing that should have been a huge part of the process
I've adopted one for the winter. It's big, no doubt about it, and the head unit is a bit dated, but still comfortable and easy to get used to. Lots of interesting features, expensive, but I'd say it's a lot of truck for the money. Drive that 6.2 L in Sport mode with premium gas. It'll put a smile on your face.
“But me and Kevin Bacon…” Lol
Notification of new video, and immediately had to stop everything to watch!
I actually bought one of these because I like the physical controls for HVAC. Disliked the Ram because of the giant screen and while the Sierra looks older, I find it’s more ergonomic. Also the Sierra came with a great Diesel engine.
Almost 100k followers …. Best Duo on TH-cam
I like the column shifter. My lovely wife will fill up every square inch of the console and I'm allocated the space occupied by the shifter....
No shifter means I have space for my cell and a small bottle of water..
Having owned a loaded Ram, I like the more basic interior of GM. The GM buttons are great. When you work out of the trucks all day, you get tired of of glare of screens.
Also, the hemi is a huge gas guzzler. My 2500 Silverado 6.6 gas , crew cab 4x4 uses about the same as my ram Rebel.
In a vehicle that I'm planning to actually drive, I would rather have a smaller screen with a well thought out system of buttons over a massive touchscreen. If the vehicle is fully autonomous, sure, a larger screen for watching videos and reading would be nice, but that's not the world we live in (yet).
But you can get a large screen with all the buttons too in the other brands. Bigger screens help with farmers views. Larger fonts when trying to use the screen like for radio etc plus navigation/CarPlay/android auto. With a bigger screen a quick glance is easier.
@@dmegahan But when you're driving, things like changing the radio and navigation are distractions from what should be the main focus. A combination of intuitive steering wheel controls, contextual voice recognition, and a minimalist HUD can accomplish the same as a massive screen without drawing a driver's attention away from the road in front of them. Pair that with a digital gauge cluster capable of displaying rear-view and side-view camera feeds along with other information, and the center console display can essentially be relegated to HVAC info and the time. With the cell phone connectivity we have today, there isn't any real reason for the passenger to have their own display, save for being a larger screen to watch content with. Vehicle displays do more to date an interior than anything else, which is why I would personally prefer keeping them to a minimum.
The Ram has the nicest interior even after the F150 refresh but nothing beats the power of the 3.5 Ecoboost, especially the hybrid for towing.
Congrats on 100K!
Honda Ridgeline. 5,000lbs towing specification. Fabulous Suspension on a road for a truck. 3.5L V6. Midsized pickup. Drainable Trunk/Storage Area under the truck bed.
3:24 .. I also have a Lexus IS in that trim and color. Thank you for including me Extra Throttle House.
Always thought the Denali's had way too much chrome for me, but these new gmc's are gorgeous trucks!!!
I like how you guys are reviewing pickup trucks now. On the farm we have a 2014 F-150 Lariat with the 3.5L Ecoboost not quite as powerful as the brand new ones but still very good with 365 HP and 420 Ib-feet- of Torque. It isn't actually the farm's main work truck we have a 6.7 Powerstroke for that, and the F-150 is actually more of a daily driver but it pulls the 36 ft Cougar camper trailer nicely. I would get a brand new F-150 with the 3.5L Ecoboost or Powerboost, and get the King Ranch or Lariat trim level, depends on how much money you want to save.
Throttle House. . . .Extra is about to hit 100K 🎉🎉🎉🎉 congrats dudes 🍾
I wish you would drive the Titan. Nobody seems to give them a shot maybe they’re underrated and nobody knows how good they are!
This was the truck I was going to suggest. 👍🏻 Because why not?
Eh, good reliable, but similar to tundra fairly outdated and i wouldn't say any of the sex appeal like rams or something. Recently ditched my tundra, originally looked at it with titans. Think they were best choice in early 2010s.
@@Bursar60 Can confirm… I had a 2012 Titan that I sold a few months ago. Over the course of 137k miles it never once needed anything other than normal maintenance. It was fantastic. Earlier this year I bought a 2021 Titan Pro4x. It’s been in the shop 3 times over 6.4K miles due to transmission issues which still haven’t been resolved. It’s now a known issue with the 9sp transmissions. Something is wrong with the steering column now so it’s going back to the dealer soon. I’m strongly regretting the purchase of this current Titan.
2020, and 2021 Titan is much nicer than current Tundra.
I have a 2020 Sierra SLT and over all I love it. Definitely the best truck I’ve owned. As a mid level truck it offered me most of the things I wanted and needed at a way better price than the Denali trim or any of the competitors, even Chevy, which surprised me.
I currently have this truck, but a 2019 w/ 5.3V8. Considered the Ram as well but engine reliability issues from many people, even a mechanic at local Dodge/Ram dealer is why I went with the Denali. Tech features or lack thereof is GMC's biggest fault. The one thing I miss from my previous vehicle is automatic wipers.
you guys were smart not to choose this one! i work at a buick GMC dealership and these are in all the time for lifters
It's become apparent that you guys should buy a Ram Limited. You'd be over the moon excited about that truck with the non-cowboy version of their very upscale interior.
My wife and I love our 2019 Sierra SLT Premium Plus 10 Speed w 6.2L - Tows the trailer, tools and the 70 Chevelle to the track w no worries
6:05 ram and Silvyierra both debuted refreshes for 2019 😱😱
True story
Correct. Amazing how much more refined and newer feeling the RAM is comparatively.
The RAM was completely redesigned for 2019. But it was refreshed in late 2020 (strange for a truck that was released about a year earlier) , albeit a very minor refresh. And new versions of the RAM are coming for 2022. I should add, the RAM has the best interior of any truck in its class, including the brand new F-150. Toyota will just keep teasing the 2022 tundra for another month at least..
I LOVE ❤️ the sound 🎶 of that GMC 6.2L V8.
Of the trucks currently available I think I'd opt for the Ram. When the new Tundra gets released I think I'd rather have that just because I like Toyota and as a work truck it's important that it last a long time.
If EV pickups were a viable option yet I'd love to own a Rivian R1T but that's not really a work truck so I could also go for the Bollinger B2
I just bought a 2021 Ram Rebel and love it. That said I may trade it in in like 2ish years for a 2023 Tundra if they have good enough tech and interior + performance. Certainly more comfortable long term with a Tundra than the Ram.
Thoughts on the F150 Lightning?
@@EpicTacoAirsoft I do really like the F150 Lightning I think it's a great option for truck folks who are sceptical of EVs or for EV folks who want a truck. I just like everything else I mentioned better.
Ford's not trying to do anything special with the F150 Lightning, that allows them to have the most market ready EV Truck but there is nothing really about it that would make me want to get it over a Ram or Toyota or even the standard gas powered F150 for that matter
I don't know if there is a truck on the market today I'd want. So many gadgets and doodads, I want a truck. Something I can get in with dirty coveralls, or forget the windows down overnight, or not be upset when I scratch it. I'm glad I don't need one anymore.
I'm a techy, but I can respect the need for a bullet proof no nonsense truck that just works. If the Tundra got better gas mileage, I'd probably be driving one. It is as close you get these days.
the intros are gold
"It also makes it feel very agricultural"
Yeah, it's a truck. It's supposed to be used in agriculture.
Course! But if you are actually getting a truck for agricultural work, don’t get a fancy 80k leather and chrome behemoth like this. These are meant to feel like road kings.
@@thomasholland8436 true, true
Most of the fancy ones are used by suburbanites to put like a garden hose in there for the once a month trip to home depot.
That's not at all accurate. They're designed to tow on any surface. A tractor is designed to be agricultural.
This would be a great new truck for my Grandparents.
na 6.2 v8 motor ....u thinking the v6 ford
My 2005 GMC Sierra is perfect because it is literally the same but you don’t have fancy looking stuff and it’s proven to be more reliable with 280000 miles on it never had a major engine problem and it still sounds nice. I’m just saying please save yourself from trying to impress others with how expensive your car is and save your money for a house that doesn’t lose 10% of its value when you first buy it, never go to a dealership and always buy used and old, you will save a lot of money that way trust me.
The screen and column shifter are the reasons I’d take the GMC/Chevy over the others.
I'll be honest with you, I find the tech on the other trucks very overwhelming. The GMC while a bit outdated, is simple, easy to use... and still does everything. The climactic controls are physical which I very much prefer as well. I genuinely prefer the GMC interior to the ram and f-150
Sierra Denalis are great, just get one. 👍
James' story at the end is legendary. Too bad it got cut off. I wanted to hear the conclusion.
A column shifter is out of the way purposefully because base model trucks have 3 seats in the front for landscape crews and whatnot
Titan please, even if it’s not in contention
So close to 100k
When you are impressed by a truck interior because of the size of the info screen are you really a truck guy? I will take the column shifter any day over a dial or console mounted shifter. But this summer I did drive my brothers 2021 Ford Escape with the dial and got used to it almost right away, but still do not want one in a truck. By the way remember it's just a question. I just so hate those big screens. Nice review Thank You.
I had 2017 GMC Sierra Denali ultimate package. Absolutely beautiful truck, but transmission has weird jerk in low gears. Now I have 2020 Ram Rebel with air ride. I love Ram truck over GMC all day any day. GMC interior has so much plastic it creaked every time temperature drops or rise.
Can't belive this aired the day after I bought my denali 1500 lol
There’s definitely an argument for each one, personally I would wait for the update to the GMC and Chevy twins and go from there
Literally about to be replaced. Super cruise ftw
I would choose the Denali because of the more simplistic interior and smaller screen with actual buttons and dials, and the column shifter
Almost 100k subs 👏🏻 🥳
Nissan Titan? 👉👈🥺 just to try it?
Love the channel man and love the truck hunt! Lol
Loved the Footloose reference.
Enjoyed the "Friends" reference.
I was searching for a comment about that!! Agreed, so subtle. Definitely a fun episode of ‘Friends’!
Just get a RAM 1500 with the Night Edition package and the upgraded tech in whatever trim and you’ll be plenty happy. The ride is super nice compared to everything else, and I personally love the looks of mine. Happy hunting for your truck guys!
The ram and GMC got refreshed at the same time, January 2018 they were both all new shown at the Detroit auto show and they were called 2019s they were both out mid 2018 on dealer lots sold as 2019 models. The GMC is ligh years behind on interior. Powertrain is great though.
What about the Nissan Titan? Would love to see you review it!!!
Very underrated truck, in my opinion.
@@damilolaakanni i don’t know a lot about trucks but my family used to have a 2018 Titan XD. It was a joy to drive and ride in!
I genuinely am not a truck guy, I have no need for one so I don't have any deeply held opinions, but I've always though those GMC Sierras were the most bad ass looking things on the road.
NO! Keep doing the intro!!! I love it
You want agricultural? Bring back the manual coming out of the floor on a 2 ft stick, and the clutch is only a suggestion.
I still miss my 89 chevy with the baseball bat sized shifter .
I would still go for the sprinter 3L diesel with a tow hook
I really feel the f150 is the “number one selling vehicle” because of all the businesses / govt places that have them and contracts for them
In Michigan you see more f150 then rams. Don't see as many Chevy and gmc
Just an FYI but the Sierra and Silverado were refreshed in 2019, same year the Ram got it's refresh.
you should look at the midnight edition for this truck. exterior “chrome” trim is replaced with a nice gloss black. black wheels and that big chrome grill is black as well. looks awesome
Cept if u know the new ones gonna be leaps and bounds ahead of the next it'd different. Altho I agree for most things
Would be good if that was still a package on the table for the Sierra. The only "black out" package as of right now would be the SLE Elevation and *maybe* the AT4 if you count that. I wish they made a blacked out version of the Denali, that would look so cool.
It's insane how expensive the "blue collar hard working man" trucks are now. BMW/Audi/Mercedes money for a body-on-frame truck which probably costs GM $15k to build.
Denali, if it were it's own automotive brand rather than a trim level, would be the most profitable brand in the market
@@Briggsian I think that's Escalade. 100k for a Tahoe.
It's nuts!
Growing up, my parents always had a basic truck and a “Saturday Night” car. 2 vehicles at all times.
Trucks these days can be both, and viewed accordingly are no worse, or perhaps even better, from a financial perspective.
@@upshifter5316 The point was the profit margin that manufacturers are getting on these trucks is insane and "working Joes" are happy to pay out the wazoo. The Denali is literally a Silverado with chrome and leather seats. The Silverado starts at $29,300. Do you really believe there is $30,000 of niceties added to this truck? There is no R&D or engineering to justify the price hike, no hours of race track development like you get in a German performance SUV. It's a cheap pickup truck sold expensively.
All I’m thinking about now is Guardians of the Galaxy.
Gamora: "we’re just like Kevin Bacon!”
It was the antenna lady though
Column Shifter 👍🏻
Just going to say it. I love column shifters, at least better than what you get in Tahoe or Yukon.😁
Wonder what you guys will pick in the end
How about the new Nissan truck?
Com'on guys...as if there is any suspense lol we all know you're getting the Ram.
They should do the electronic column shifter like Mercedes. Easier to use, and you keep the space in the center
That thing is gorgeous!
Should be some comparison of the different drive modes.
Most people report having issues with the 6.2 on 87 octane gas, whereas the 5.7 in the Ram runs fine on 87. That is one cost of ownership people usually dont factor in.
I've owned 6 Hemis, and running 87 is the quickest way to the "Hemi tick." I ran strictly 93 in my Scat Pack, and at 17k miles when I sold it, no tick like some of the others.
@@stevenholderby6354 the 6.4 hemi has a higher compression ratio and needs the higher octane gas. The 5.7 runs fine on 87.
@@TheIntoko The manual for the 5.7 Hemi recommends 89, not 87.
The GM 6.2 requires premium fuel, that's why people are having issues
I'm feeling that the RAM is the way to go, especially since you can get it without all the chrome and the cowboy accoutrama as Thomas says but I'm excited to see what it is either way 😀
All of the big 3’s trucks are nice Ram , F150 or Silverado / Sierra people buy according to there brand allegiance for the most part or who has the biggest rebate you could honestly buy any of the 3 and be happy
Agreed for the most part, though I went with the highest level of functional truck tech and engine torque this time around. Drive modes, trailer memory, lane keep, wireless android auto/ apple car play, all standard on the XL trim of the F150. The Big Horn doesn't even have that in RAM.
The only acceptable shifters in a pick up are column or h-pattern
1:09 what do you mean? It IS a full-size truck. Half tons are full-size trucks. The Canyon would be a midsize truck.
4:00 ah, scatman. excellent choice.
I'd take just about anything over a console mounted shifter in a car with a completely electronic transmission. Makes no sense, just gets in the way. The F150 with the fold down shifter is especially hilarious. Just have a column shifter or buttons lol
If you want fancy than so be it, I like simple, tried and true truck stuff. I have an 08 Tundra and it is everything I need without being too fancy and fluuffy. I don't need a turbo or a bunch of electronics. If I wanted that stuff I would just upfit on my own with stuff that is to my own taste. Supercharge the 5.7, buy a new centre screen from this era and BAMM!
Lol finally heres the truck that started the meme with the HDMI ports as exhaust
What about the Nissan Titan?
I know the new F150 Lightning has independent suspension in the rear. I wonder if they will bring that to any of the other trim/models.
Around 2:00, it looks like Thomas and James were photoshopped in at 3/4 scale 😂
I hate this trend of straight-out front hoods. Even in the previous generations it wasn't that extreme. Not only do I think it's ugly and excessive, I assume it's bad for outward visibility and worse for pedestrians.
Fun fact: Will Arnett (Arrested Development, BoJack Horseman) does voiceover work for GMC commercials. Does that make this video a crossover episode?
To that "Too much chrome" comment - agree. That 'plate' of chrome below the front license plate is horrible.
I hate how they didn’t bother changing the interior of these trucks I have a 2016 and it looks the same! I was considering on buying a 2021 but just for a different outside I think not!🤔
I want to see you guys to get a Ford Gt
The ford is best for truck stuff but the ram is better for living with. I'd go for a ram 1500 limited with the 5.7 hemi and etorque, the less expensive limited longhorn is a little cowboyish but bearable and a lush feel to it