Yukon Denali vs SLT

[terptahoe]

Torn between ordering an SLT with premium package or a Denali with basically no options other than a sunroof. I’ve got some pricing that would place that Denali about $6500 more than the SLT.

I know for that price difference I get a few more features- nicer interior, different outside trim, better Bose system, heads up display, magnetic ride etc. all that sure doesn’t feel like it adds up to $6.5k in value.

However, in terms of resale value I read an article from KBB saying the Denali will retain more value down the road I think they said studies showed that it carried $7k more in value after 5 years. I have always heard that it’s better for resale to get a higher trim than an optioned up lower trim.

Anybody have opinions on this? Anybody own either that can weigh in? Appreciate all opinions thank you in advance!

 

[swathdiver]

Get the fancy stuff if you want them and want to enjoy them.

I wonder what the percentage difference in sale price would be in 5 years? Never seemed like a lot in terms of dollars though to me.

 

[altona]

The professionals that set the residual values 36 months down the road show the Denali loses 1 percentace point more in value than the SLT. So a $75000 Denali is valued at $ 37500 (50%) and a $66000 SLT is around $ 33600.

Keep in mind these same pro's totally missed the current resale values on every single used vehicle today.

 

[Banks22]

Torn between ordering an SLT with premium package or a Denali with basically no options other than a sunroof. I’ve got some pricing that would place that Denali about $6500 more than the SLT.

I know for that price difference I get a few more features- nicer interior, different outside trim, better Bose system, heads up display, magnetic ride etc. all that sure doesn’t feel like it adds up to $6.5k in value.

However, in terms of resale value I read an article from KBB saying the Denali will retain more value down the road I think they said studies showed that it carried $7k more in value after 5 years. I have always heard that it’s better for resale to get a higher trim than an optioned up lower trim.

Anybody have opinions on this? Anybody own either that can weigh in? Appreciate all opinions thank you in advance!

The Denali vs slt will hold a higher resale value but I don’t think you’ll make that $6500 difference back. For example I just sold my loaded up 2018 LT Tahoe last spring to get a 2021. There were 2018 premiers that cost $4-5000 more sticker price going for maybe $2-3000 more resale value with similar mileage. They depreciate at the same rate. Just get what u want. If u like the looks of Denali but want the slt price, someone on here swapped out the slt grill for a Denali for like $800 total. That’s about the only difference exterior wise, and rims.

 

[Pifemaster]

Torn between ordering an SLT with premium package or a Denali with basically no options other than a sunroof. I’ve got some pricing that would place that Denali about $6500 more than the SLT.

I know for that price difference I get a few more features- nicer interior, different outside trim, better Bose system, heads up display, magnetic ride etc. all that sure doesn’t feel like it adds up to $6.5k in value.

However, in terms of resale value I read an article from KBB saying the Denali will retain more value down the road I think they said studies showed that it carried $7k more in value after 5 years. I have always heard that it’s better for resale to get a higher trim than an optioned up lower trim.

Anybody have opinions on this? Anybody own either that can weigh in? Appreciate all opinions thank you in advance!

You did not mention one of the big differences: 6.2L vs 5.3L

 

[terptahoe]

You did not mention one of the big differences: 6.2L vs 5.3L

ah yes thanks for pointing out. I'm actually opting for Diesel so its a $1k upgrade on SLT or a $1.5k credit on the Denali

 

[terptahoe]

The Denali vs slt will hold a higher resale value but I don’t think you’ll make that $6500 difference back. For example I just sold my loaded up 2018 LT Tahoe last spring to get a 2021. There were 2018 premiers that cost $4-5000 more sticker price going for maybe $2-3000 more resale value with similar mileage. They depreciate at the same rate. Just get what u want. If u like the looks of Denali but want the slt price, someone on here swapped out the slt grill for a Denali for like $800 total. That’s about the only difference exterior wise, and rims.

will definitely look into. Appreciate that advice.

 

[Reddevil96]

I love my denali, the different dash layout especially the shifter buttons is much nicer. had rented an SLT a year prior to buying and the shifter button positioning was horrible, it was so bad in my opinion that I want to jump to cadillac instead, but my denali has proved to be pretty decent.

 

[SSGUNNER]

I agree with most i think the Denali is the much better option imo. The looks of the Denali are much more attractive in my eyes. Sure you can switch the grill of the SLT but…meh.

 

[swathdiver]

I love my denali, the different dash layout especially the shifter buttons is much nicer. had rented an SLT a year prior to buying and the shifter button positioning was horrible, it was so bad in my opinion that I want to jump to cadillac instead, but my denali has proved to be pretty decent.

Oh yeah, I forgot about the different dashboards, the Denali's much nicer. Those with the screen up high look cheap and like every other car on the market, foreign and domestic. Some look like a tablet leaned up against the dash!

 

[Sofa6A]

Great points in this thread, but to be honest SLT is overpriced for what it is and Denali as well for that matter.

I went with SLT optioned well for the price/value ratio. The Denali dash is sweet but I’m not a fan of the grill or oversized wheels/tires.

My two cents.

 

[Stbentoak]

Besides the resale value, what about all the years that you were going to live with it also? I would hate to have to slog through 4 to 6 years of a vehicle that I wanted a lot of things on that I didn’t get just to save a little money. By the time I’m done with it I don’t frankly care about the resale. You’re gonna get what you’re gonna get. I just don’t wanna spend five years in a vehicle that I didn’t really really like……

 

[Cop35758]

Which package did everyone go with for the Denali?

 

[newyukondriver]

I opted for a Denali over an SLT because of the adaptive cruise control. Mine wasn't a custom build b/c I couldn't wait for one, and none of the SLTs the dealer had came with adaptive cruise but the Denali did. Not sure if you can add that as an option w/ a custom build or not, but I wouldn't be w/o it.

 

[Cop35758]

I opted for a Denali over an SLT because of the adaptive cruise control. Mine wasn't a custom build b/c I couldn't wait for one, and none of the SLTs the dealer had came with adaptive cruise but the Denali did. Not sure if you can add that as an option w/ a custom build or not, but I wouldn't be w/o it.

I was told by my dealer that adaptive cruise control is currently on constraint. Make me want to completely avoid the Denali if a number of significant features are not available.

 

[terptahoe]

I was told by my dealer that adaptive cruise control is currently on constraint. Make me want to completely avoid the Denali if a number of significant features are not available.

Adaptive cruise would be great to have but honestly, i'm pretty disappointed that adaptive cruise is not standard in the Denali and requires at least a $2,500 package to get it. But what im more disappointed about is that its literally just adaptive cruise to regulate your speed. I have a 2021 F150 middle of the pack trim and i was able to add a 360 camera, adaptive cruise, AND lane centering ability, meaning the car steers itself down the road i just have to keep my hand on the wheel so it knows im not sleeping and that was only $750 or so. GM needs to step it up on their top of the line.

 

[YYCYukon]

I had a 2021 Denali and reordered a second 2022 Denali - both diesel.

Despite ordering another Denali, I thought I would give you some points in favour of the SLT to consider.

1) I find the open cup holders of the SLT more accessible than having that faux wood cover in the Denali. Sure it looks better in the photos, but its almost always up and kind of flimsy.

2) To my eye, the contrast piping in the SLT seating looks more “premium” than the Denali. As for the dash, I might like the Denali version slightly better, but I wouldn’t call it an “upgrade”. I may be wrong, but the higher position of the LCD screen in the SLT might even be slightly easier to look at.

3) The only exterior difference of importance is the grill. I actually favour fixed running boards (less prone to motor failures, keeps the road grime off the lower portion of the car). But I ordered both Denali’s without power running boards.

I pretty much ordered the Denali the second time because it looks better than the SLT in black. If I were to order a white one, I think they’re about the same.

Get the 360 camera system in the SLT it makes the big SUV feel way smaller in tight parking lots.

Good call on the diesel. It’s awesome. It’s the perfect engine for the big SUV.

The 2021 was the first time I have ever driven a diesel. I would consistently average 18.5mpg in the city (lots of <5km trips) and nearly 30mpg on long highway cruises (hand calculated, although the dash was always pretty close).

The only “issue” I had with it was that the engine light came on at about 5,000km. The dealer checked the usual suspects, cleared it and it didn’t return for 10,000km.

 

[Anh L]

I hate the big screen in style "iPad", that's why I go with Denali

 

[R32driver]

I hate the big screen in style "iPad", that's why I go with Denali

I thought this too when I was first looking at these vehicles. The denali dash is certainly more appealing but the screen in our slt is perfectly fine IMO. At first I thought it was super high up on the dash but once I physically saw the vehicle I realized it is not that high at all.
I'm not really that big a fan of these huge screens regardless of placement. Always having to dim them down so they don't light up the car while you're trying to drive. Drove the '02 audi s8 last night and was reminded how great simple red interior dash lighting is that doesn't blind you at all.

 

[THarber]

Don't want to cross you up but have you looked at the AT4? Pretty sweet colors and interior available. Also can opt for 6.2, I'm not sure of diesel.