When an automaker includes the word “ultimate” in a vehicle’s name, they’re setting the bar high. Such is the case with the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate. As the highest trim of this long-running pickup truck, the Denali Ultimate aims to take the Sierra 1500 Denali that has been available for many years and give it even more sophisticated performance, style, and amenities.
The question is whether the 2025 Denali Ultimate succeeds in this quest. When someone visits a GMC dealer, should they have their eyes on the Denali Ultimate? Let’s examine whether the 2025 Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate lives up to its moniker. From the powertrain to the cab, here’s an up-close look at the latest edition and whether it matches its “ultimate” promise of merging toughness and affluence.
Discover How Comfortable a Pickup Can Be
As the upscale cousin to the Chevy Silverado, the GMC Sierra 1500 already starts from a strong luxury bedrock. The Denali Ultimate turns the luxury up to the maximum with amenities inside and out. Sitting in the front seats gives you a taste of what’s coming. The driver’s seat has ten-way power adjustments with lumbar support, while the passenger seat has a whopping 12 power adjustments to dial in your posture and legroom. Both seats are heated and ventilated, too.
Furthermore, inhabitants plant themselves on soft full-grain leather upholstery that looks and feels amazing while being durable and easy to clean. Open-pore wood trim hearkens to the mid-20th century but adds the modern accent of laser etching. Paired with the available saddle-brown upholstery cover, it’s been compared to a log cabin, at least if that log cabin had over 400 hp.
The Denali Ultimate is also the only GMC Sierra 1500 with a standard power sunroof, letting passengers enjoy the air with a simple tilt and slide. Punch in the interior temperature settings and set the dual-zone automatic climate control to work. MultiPro retractable power steps and front and rear assist handles make getting in and out of the truck as easy as sinking into the leather seats.
A Refined Ride and Look
I know from experience that all the great seat trim, cushioning, and adjustments won’t matter if the suspension is as rough as a badger’s bottom. Luckily, anyone who climbs into the 2025 Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate won’t have to worry about that. This truck comes bearing the Denali Premium Suspension with active ride control and an auto-locking differential. To summarize, it automatically adjusts the dampers every two milliseconds based on road conditions for the best possible traction and ride quality. I’m particularly partial to the Sport mode, which changes the suspension, steering, and shift points so I can feel like I’m ready for Daytona.
Add the StabiliTrak electronic stability control, hill descent control, and standard 4WD, and this machine is smooth like butter. Furthermore, the Denali Ultimate simply looks like a great truck to drive. It has all-LED lighting, including DRLs, fog lamps, and on-off animation. It also features snazzy 22-inch alloy wheels with chrome accents, full chrome window moldings and mirror caps, and deep window glass tint for a VIP vibe. The MultiPro tailgate has hitch area lighting that is awesome at night and comes with EZ Lift assistance. Drivers will feel great, and everyone will know they’re coming.
A Powertrain That Makes Truck Owners Proud
While elegance is great in a pickup truck, I believe it should never come at the expense of the rugged performance trucks can offer. Otherwise, I might as well get a luxury crossover or sedan.
In this regard, the 2025 Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate is music to my ears with a powertrain that amplifies the luxury experience and maintains a truck soul. The 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine is the most powerful GMC offers, and it’s the optional power plant in this truck. This produces 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, which is more than any other naturally aspirated engine in its class. The standard engine is a Duramax 3.0L turbo-diesel, which drops horsepower to 305 but delivers 495 lb-ft of torque for towing or climbing steep hills.
With a ten-speed automatic transmission and Electronic Precision shifting, drivers can go anywhere they put their mind to, even the woods and trails, if a little dirt isn’t a big deal. The standard trailering package includes all the equipment and software needed to haul up to 13,200 lbs with the turbo-diesel and 13,000 lbs with the V8. A two-speed transfer case and dual active exhaust complete the loadout. In short, this luxury vehicle still has a truck soul, where sophistication meets strength for an unforgettable experience.
Tech to Work and Play Your Way
Big-time technology is a must if any vehicle wants to call itself the ultimate anything. The 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate is like if someone saw the various Sierra tech options and said, “Yes, please, I’ll have all of that.” The huge 13.4-inch infotainment screen can be configured however you like to operate the Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, satellite radio, and Wi-Fi hotspot. The Bose 12-speaker premium sound system provides the perfect driving soundtrack, and there’s a Kicker MultiPro weatherproof sound system built into the tailgate when you get to your destination.
Other tech highlights include a wireless charging pad, a head-up display, six USB ports, push-button start, and a universal home remote. Then there are the driver assistance features, which may sway even the most hardcore truckers with their usefulness. Feast yourself on a suite that includes adaptive cruise control, HD Surround Vision, enhanced automatic emergency braking, forward collision alerts and pedestrian braking, front and rear parking assistance, a following distance indicator, hitch guidance, and trailer side blind zone alerts.
Finally, old souls like me who are tired of pushing the wrong virtual buttons will appreciate the amount of physical controls. Their presence on the infotainment system and steering wheel makes enjoying the luxurious tech a snap.
Enjoy the Highway with GM Super Cruise
I decided to separate this from the main technology section because of how big a deal GM Super Cruise is for a luxury truck. This semi-autonomous driving system lets you go hands-free on over 300,000 miles and counting of compatible North American roads. Named MotorTrend’s best vehicle tech of 2025, Super Cruise incorporates a series of cameras and sensors to help you behind the wheel. It also has many features you won’t find in competitors’ systems, including trailering assistance, automatic lane changing, and driver attention monitoring.
Every 2025 Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate comes with three years of Super Cruise and OnStar Digital Services. No other GMC light-duty truck, or General Motors truck, for that matter, includes Super Cruise as a standard feature. It’s the icing on this towering cake of a vehicle.
Luxury Trucking Defined
Speaking in absolutes is dangerous when talking about vehicles since everyone has unique wants and needs. However, it’s hard to argue against the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate when it comes to luxury trucks. If I made a list of the things I wanted in an upscale light-duty pickup, the Denali would check just about every box. I haven’t even talked about some of the other cool features like rear underseat storage and premium carpeted floor coverings. Other features and packages are available to customize the Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate so it can be anybody’s dream truck. Check it out and see how this steed raises the bar on luxury.
