clash of the titans
In the battle of luxury pickups, Denali has smoother engine, newer package at lower price
Eighty grand is a lot of dough, enough to buy one of the most luxurious pickups on the market today: the 2019 GMC Sierra Denali or 2019 Ford F-150 Limited. Ram, too, has an expensive truck, one with a better interior than either the Ford or GM, but this test is between the two top guns of the Big Three: the Denali and the Limited.
Ford steps into the ring at a disadvantage because the F-150 is starting to show its age after a complete refresh in 2015, followed by a mild update for 2018. GMC’S top-line truck presents with all new design and parts.
Under the hoods, these pickups could not have more different approaches to power. Ford has diverted a bunch of 3.5-litre high-output Raptor engines from the assembly line to enhance the appeal of the top-line Limited. As such, the Limited’s turbo V-6 trumps the Sierra for pure grunt, delivering 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque funnelled through the same 10-speed automatic used in the Sierra. The Denali, on the other hand, uses a good old-fashioned V-8. The 6.2-L engine returns 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque.
But here’s the surprising part: Despite the Ford having more power and being about four-tenths of a second quicker to 96 km/h than the GM, according to Car and Driver, the Denali simply feels and sounds better overall. While both engines are smooth, even at wide-open throttle, the Denali’s 6.2 is cheesecake to Ford’s apple pie, delivering a richer experience.
Thanks to the direct injection and Dynamic Fuel Management, which can shut down any number of cylinders to optimize power delivery and efficiency, the Denali’s fuel economy was impressive, though it did fall short of the Ford overall. While a low of 10 L/100 km was registered on the highway in the Denali, our overall average was 13.1, while the Ford registers 12.6 overall but 11.2 on the highway — close enough that neither of these trucks is more efficient than the other. Both have automatic 4WD systems in addition to 2H, 4H and 4L.
Where the Ford pulls ahead is in towing prowess. The F-150 is able to haul up to 13,000 pounds with the proper package and setup, compared to the Sierra’s 9,300. Earning back some practicality in the face of outright muscle, the Sierra Denali’s “Prograde” trailering system and its comprehensive suite of trailering aides edges out those on the Ford.
Both trucks have similar payloads close to 2,300 pounds and both ride very well, the quietness in each truck a testament to the amount of sound deadening and noise cancelling. Rough roads are, perhaps, somewhat better absorbed in the Denali, and its body exhibited less shake and shudder.
The Denali bed can be optioned in carbon fibre, but Ford has better LED cargo lighting because the bed lights are activated with a button inside the bed instead of a switch in the cab.
As for tailgates, Ford’s fold-out step is OK, but the Multipro twin gate is superior. The only hitch (pardon the pun) is the need to remove any ball hitch for the Multipro before using it as a step, which would be a pain for those who leave hitches in regularly. GM’S bumper steps are equally brilliant and can be used instead.
The seat-mounted storage cubbies in the Denali are useful, as are the storage bins under the rear seats, but Ford’s rear seats lift up to create a wide open area inside the cab, which can be useful for carrying big objects or lots of tools. Neither of these trucks is better, per se, in the back seat area, although the front seats in the Ford Limited clearly win for comfort and a massage function.
Ford’s Limited also gets a huge, panoramic sunroof as opposed to a traditional sunroof in the Denali. Both pickups get small power-sliding windows in the rear, although the Ford’s is laser cut from a single sheet of glass.
Equipped with unique, white metallic paint and a couple of other options, the F-150 Limited stickered at $87,399. The Denali, meanwhile, starts with a lower MSRP, and with options came to $79,240, pushed higher by the $2,900 cost for the 6.2-L engine and the $7,100 Ultimate package, which includes a fantastic heads-up display, HD surround-vision camera, rear camera mirror, power running boards, 22-inch wheels and a bunch of safety gear.
Both interiors offer a mix of analog and digital controls and a good variety of materials with adequate-sized centre touch screens.
Brand loyalists will never change, no matter what the competition offers, but to those who are on the fence between these two luxury pickups, the GMC Sierra Denali offers a newer package at a better price with an engine that simply feels better than Ford’s.