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2007 GMC Sierra Denali AWD Road Test

This truck is one big rolling idiosyncrasy. What kind of professional needs thisgrade of bling? And if he or she got it, why would they put up with imitation bling? Don't get me wrong, this is a badass truck, both from a functionality and ability standpoint, and with a look that nails the owner/big dog separation from the crew/pack. The engine is as big as they come and as menacing as a mother bear on PCP, but when GM decided that they could chrome plate a piece of plastic and stick it behind the GMC badge, they lost a lot of my respect.

That was probably no way to start a review of a truck that I kinda' love, but I think it's because I love it that I expect a little more from it. That's right — love it! But if I paid almost $50,000 for a truck, you can be damn sure I'm not expecting the signature grille to be a flimsy brittle-feeling 68¢ piece of plastic. It's total and utter BS. I don't care if it costs them an extra couple hundred dollars, GM should have a little more respect for its top-dollar customers. And you know what, GM? If you charged a few hundred extra for real

Don't mess with professional grade. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

stainless steel or billet aluminum you'd keep the Denalicustomer proud, and I don't think you'd scare away too many luxury-hungry shoppers with that drop in the bucket. A bit of authenticity couldn't hurt.

As for its working class roots, the Sierra is definitely not lacking for authenticity, as its 403-hp 6.2L V8 can tow 8,400 pounds in its AWD configuration and 8,600 pounds when the engine only drives the rear wheels. The chassis is as firm a foundation as the Golden Gates' piers, and the Z60 sport suspension that comes standard on the Denali model works well with the coil-over-shock monotobe front suspension and power rack-and-pinion steering to provide sporty performance that could definitely embarrass some cars. It's a quiet, mellow cruiser out on the highway and nimble enough in the suburbs

Plastic Denali grille got a real grillin' by Jon. (Photo: Jonathan Yarkony, American Auto Press)

where I kept it. However, I'll letyou in on a little secret—I actually kept it at a friend's house rather than attempt to find parking near mine.

Rather than use it as a daily commuter from my midtown apartment (and its underground parking) to my suburban office (and its underground parking), I took the Denali out to The County to see what kind of reaction it would get in truck country. It got plenty, and if it wasn't admiring, it was pure envy! First of all, the foreman of the crew of painters working on my mom's fascias had some nice things to say about it, and judging by his mid-90s, rust-chewed, dented and stained Sierra 1500, he would have gladly traded for this white thoroughbred.

But the perfect reaction to this truck came from a kid I didn't even speak to. After dropping my mom off from work and heading back around the corner to her house, I turned the corner and time

No, no one messed up during the chrome plating process of these wheels... (Photo: Jonathan Yarkony, American Auto Press)

seemed to slow down as it would on a breakaway or when you just get in the zone. I noticed the almost brand new dark blue Sierra with a young kid who looked barely out of his teens at the wheel and three of his friends enjoying his slick new rig. As I made the turn, but before I fully passed him, I saw the driver spot my truck, check out the grille, the shock of recognition that he was driving the Sierra and I was driving the Denali, and then an amazed look at me, the guy who showed up in his town on his birthday with a truck that was just that little bit better than his truck. As I made my turn I gave him the Sierra club nod, but I swear his jaw hit the steering wheel and the confusion was clear, even through his mirrored-lens trooper shades. Priceless. He had the best truck in town, for like, two minutes until I showed up and stole his thunder with a lightning bright grille on my pure white pickup.

Speaking of the paint job, some staffers here at American Auto Press who made the field trip with me claimed

An interior straight out of the Yukon Denali... well, almost. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

the Summit White hue was a little too institutional and combined with some of the black plastic trim to give it a decidedly work-truck-like appearance, and I'd have to agree as the bed frame had these exposed ports that seemed to serve no purpose but to allow rainwater in. On the other hand, the subtlety of the chrome against white was pretty slick, so for the most part I appreciated the white coat, especially as it helped to keep the office cool on the hot summer days during which we had it.

Staying cool on the road was plenty easy with GM's electronic climate control, and Steven's son enjoyed the roof-mounted DVD player,although I found that it obstructed my rear view; but who am I to deny a kid his Scooby and Shaggy battling the Green Werewolf. He had his earphones and I had my XM satellite radio playing through Bose speakers and nav system to play with, so we were both pretty well pleased. I wasn't entirely pleased with the rest of the interior, however. Despite an impressive list of features—I'm going to claim a headache rather than list them all here, and you can easily go through them all on GM's website at www.gmc.com—the

All the goodies you'd want in a luxury SUV can be had on the Denali. We just wish the high quality materials could be had as well. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

interior was not impressive when you factor in the price tag. Sure it's got leather and nav and a touchscreen interface, but we weren't sure whether the wood trim was real or fake, and either way it just looked kind of stuck on, and not part of some plan that a designer had going into production. Keep looking beyond the wood trim and leather buckets, which were very comfortable I should add, and you'll find cheap, hollow plastics that reminded me that this is, despite all the fancy-schmancy toys, still a bona fide work truck.

Personally, it didn't really bother me and in all fairness it's as good, and in some cases better than anything else in the class, but it was pointed out to me by Justin (European import fan) so often that I had to pass it on. One point that I managed to convince them of is the truck's powertrain and smooth ride. Although the engine roars and gurgles when you hammer the throttle, a good thing by most truck lovers' standards, the long highway ride resulted in ample time to discuss the truck's merits and faults, made all the easier by the quiet, well-insulated cabin and suspension silently muting road imperfections.

The engine, routed through a six-speed auto with automatic AWD, was also able to pull away from traffic at a

With tweaks, it'd be perfect. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

mere suggestion of throttle, and it was similarly unconcerned with the price of gasoline at the end of our trip, since I was the one that had to pick up the tab, and not the 6.2L high-output V8. While the six-speed transmission was wonderfully smooth and no doubt helped the cause of efficiency, this V8 does not feature GM's AFM cylinder-deactivation system, so it's all cylinders, all the time. We filled it up twice in one week, each time to the tune of about $85 at three bucks-thirty per gallon — it also suggests premium fuel, so you make the call.

With all that power and great delivery, this was an easy truck to love, but at the same time there were so many little things that made it seem incomplete, as if they rushed to get this one delivered to GM before its milk-white exterior expired. Perhaps the ride and feel of driving made it feel like a much richer vehicle, and perhaps I forgot that 80-percent of the price can be accounted to solid engineering for an all-capable truck, but I still was pissed off when I was polishing the chrome grille for photos and felt it flex and give at the slightest pressure. That chrome grille is the Denali signature and for GM to value it so poorly is a measure of its own lack of standards, a slap in the face of the truck's authenticity. This truck deserves better, GM, that's all.


Specifications (Sierra Denali AWD):

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