PHOTO | GMC

The 2022 GMC Denali Ultimate adds new features.

When you are the top dog in the lineup, what do you do to get better?

If you are the GMC Sierra 1500 Denali, you just add more stuff – lots of stuff – and call yourself the Denali Ultimate.

So, what stuff do you add? Well, GMC took the options list and made nearly everything standard except paint choices. That even includes the new-fangled Super Cruise tech. Yes, the Denali Ultimate can drive itself in certain situations.

The Denali Ultimate is a very handsome truck. The Vader chrome grille is menacing, yet the truck comes off looking elegant, almost. The 22-inch low gloss black aluminum wheels with machined accents are striking. There is even LED lighting in the bed section.

The Ultimate’s interior is nearly jaw dropping. All Sierras get a new interior this year, but this Ultimate is surely that. The digital driver’s screen and the 13.4-inch touch screen grab your attention. The full-grain leather seats are exceptionally comfortable. Did you have a bad day at work? Step into your Denali Ultimate and set either the driver’s or passenger’s seat to massage. Yep, you’ve got that standard.

You can chill with the 12 speaker Bose counterpoint system which sounds mighty good in this big truck. You can throw a party with Kicker tailgate speaker system (standard, of course) which is totally independent of the main system.

There’s a pattern that repeats throughout the cabin that I found is the “topographical map pattern of Mt. Denali,” which is laser etched. OK. That used to be called Mt. McKinley. The wood trim used is genuine open pore Paldao.

There is plenty of room to stretch out in front and rear. Head room is also good, even with the standard sunroof.

The Denali Ultimate is powered by the 6.2-liter Ecotec3 V8. It’s a powerful beast but if you want something more fuel efficient there’s the 3.0-liter Duramax diesel.

The Ecotec3 V8 makes 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. It feels fairly fast when you floor it, clicking through its 10-speed transmission with ease. There is no hesitation or hunting for gears. Whatever you ask of the combo they deliver with little effort.

The Denali Ultimate doesn’t drive as big as it looks. Entry is easy with the automatic side steps. Once inside the outward view is fantastic. You have a clear view of the highway. The huge, power adjustable and folding mirrors allow you to see to the side and behind you. There is also a live-feed rearview mirror.

The Ultimate has adaptive ride control which gives the truck a car-like ride. It can become a bit unruffled if you find some not so nice roads, but it takes fairly rough roads to do so. The interior remains quiet even at high speeds There is some noise around the mirrors but not enough to ruin your trip.

Super Cruise allows you some hands-free driving on certain highways. The system will remind you to pay attention, but it does drive you, even making lane changes and cornering. A subscription is required for the system to function.

Is the Denali Ultimate necessary? Of course, it isn’t but I’m glad this truck exists. It’s another excuse to pile lots of luxury materials and technology into one vehicle. If Cadillac made a pickup truck this would be that truck.

Could the Ultimate use anything else? I’d like a fridge in the massive center console, a rear-seat entertainment system and rear seats that offer a massage. Those additional features would increase the already lofty price. My test vehicle started at $78,700. The only option was $495 for the Titanium Rush paint.

With destination, my as-tested price was $80,840. I checked GMC’s website and found this same vehicle now costs about $83,000 after some price increases.

Pros:

• Lap of luxury sitting

• Tons of technology

• Spacious interior

• Potent V8 engine

• Nicely-tuned suspension

• Upscale interior features

• Quiet, smooth ride

Cons:

• Lofty price

• So-so fuel economy

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