GMC Sierra Denali Named 2016 Truck of the Year

In late December, an automotive magazine known as Truck Trend selected the GMC Sierra Denali as the Pickup Truck of the Year for 2016. It was compared against six other trucks that were recently introduced or heavily updated. Experts tested a wide range of systems and features before coming to this conclusion.

Seven Contenders

Truck Trend invited five automotive brands to compete for the 2016 PTOTY title. In addition to the Sierra 1500 Denali, the competitors included three other General Motors pickups. Nissan’s Titan XD, the Tacoma TRD and the Ram 1500 Rebel also took part.

Why the Denali?

The magazine had many different reasons for choosing this truck. Its luxurious interior played an important role. Sierra Denali owners benefit from leather seats and an attractive aluminum trim. They also enjoy a quiet ride, thanks to sophisticated noise-cancellation equipment.

An editor commented that General Motors had succeeded in creating a luxury truck with the latest technology, a top-notch drivetrain and a comfortable interior. He noted that the magazine was impressed by the vehicle’s consistent ability to pass a range of difficult tests.

New Features

Various updates helped the Sierra 1500 Denali win this award. General Motors added long-lasting LED lights and replaced the wheels with 20″ aluminum units. It also introduced new engine options, chrome door handles, an optional remote tailgate lock and high-tech entertainment systems.

Furthermore, the Denali gained a completely new automatic gearbox with eight speeds. The judges used a pickup with a 6.2 liter eight-cylinder engine for testing purposes. They were impressed at its ability to reach 60 mph in only 6.6 seconds and drive 19 miles per gallon while pulling a trailer.

Grueling Tests

Truck Trend didn’t merely drive PTOTY contenders around the block. Its experts traveled over 1,100 miles in each vehicle. All seven trucks underwent acceleration, braking, towing and hauling tests. Their off-road driving capabilities were also tested.

All of the judges sat behind the steering wheel of each pickup before testing was finished. They assessed visibility, the ease of trailer attachment, traction and other characteristics. Off-road travel covered more than 50 miles in a Californian desert. The rough terrain featured sandy, rocky and muddy areas.

Ratings

Truck Trend’s judges rated each model’s function, performance, interior, exterior, off-road driving and cargo transport capabilities. The Sierra Denali scored particularly well in functionality and interior design. Compared to other trucks, it performed better on highways than off-road terrain.

The magazine was established about 17 years ago and introduced its Pickup Truck of the Year award in 2014. It is a division of Motor Trend, a periodical that selected the Chevrolet Colorado as 2016’s Truck of the Year. Truck Trend reports that over 2 million people read its automotive content.