GMC Sierra Denali Named Top Pickup Truck

The editors of Truck Trends selected the GMC Sierra 1500 Denali as the 2016 Pickup Truck of the Year. The fullsize Sierra Denali beat six other redesigned and all-new pickups, including its Chevrolet twin, the Silverado 1500 High Country, in the second annual competition.

During a weeklong evaluation, judges subjected competing trucks to 1,100 miles of road testing. This included a mix of track, highway and off-road runs to compare hauling, towing, safety and fuel economy capabilities as well as overall performance, comfort, ergonomics, technology and design.

The redesigned GMC pickup was recognized for its comfort, safety, innovation and performance. In addition to a new front end design, the 2016 model added a new 8-speed automatic transmission, an Apple CarPlay smartphone interface and optional retracting side steps.

The transmission is mated with a 6.2-liter V-8 engine that generates 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The combination propels the Sierra Denali from zero to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 15 seconds at 98 mph, which Truck Trends says makes it one of the quickest production pickups it has ever tested. The truck also posted best-in-class times with a full payload and towing a trailer.

The Sierra Denali finished first in three (interior, functionality and “empirical”) of seven categories rated by the magazine, and second in two others (highway and exterior). Truck Trends, which is owned by The Enthusiast Network (TEN), was founded in 1998 as an offshoot of Motor Trend.