2005 GMC Sierra Denali | Review | Buying Guide
GMC switches the Denali model from one pickup to the next in 2005, making the top-line icon of class, power and sophistication a crew cab instead of an extended cab. This move makes sense when you look at it—crew cabs have more interior room, and now with the Denali they have the most refinement of them all.
For that is what the Denali name means in GMC-speak. It is a chance for designers and engineers to go wild and pile on the features. What results is a near luxury vehicle that still has the ability to do everything a normal full-size pickup truck can.
Like other models with the Denali title, the Sierra Denali has a distinctive front-end appearance. It includes a chrome grille, projector-beam headlamps and a unique front fascia with foglamps. Other exterior cues are body-color door handles, body side moldings, tailgate handle, outside mirrors, rear bumper and tonneau cover.
Under the Hood
Doing the work under the hood of the classy Denali is a rugged 6.0-liter/ 364-cu. in V8 engine. Mated to a smooth-shifting 4-speed automatic transmission, it can produce a whopping 345 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 375 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm.
The Denali is the only 1500 Sierra model to come with all-wheel drive. It also uses specially formulated ride-control Z71 suspension to maintain an even balance over all sorts of different terrain levels.
Specifically, the suspension system includes three-leaf rear springs and 46-mm gas-charged shocks at all corners. The Sierra Denali also is equipped with an advanced vacuum-boost brake system, which provides stopping power for high-deceleration stops and optimum antilock performance.
Standard Features, Options Packages and Style
The Denali isn’t content to just look different on the outside. Inside, there is a Denali-specific instrument cluster and center console, a power-operated sunroof, tone-on-tone leather seating and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
For listening pleasure, there’s an AM/FM stereo with cassette and single-disc CD players, a console-mounted six-disc CD, and a Bose luxury speaker system with enhanced performance application, Audio Pilot noise reduction feature and seven speakers (including a subwoofer).
For the rear passengers, there’s a DVD system. It uses a flip-down, 7-inch screen and can play both CD-audio and DVD-format discs. Two sets of wireless (infrared) headphones with independent volume control, a wireless remote control and three sets of auxiliary video/audio inputs are included in the package.
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