Loaded AT4 vs base Denali

[Mtnranger]

I had a loaded AT4 with premium plus and 6.2L on order for last couple of weeks and today I found that it doesn’t come with adaptive cruise control. Now, I’m thinking of switching to a base Denali with trailering package as both come out to $82k. Any insights?


Really want:
Magnetic Ride Control
Decent ground clearance
360 parking view
6.2L

Can live without adaptive cruise control or memory seats but tough pill to swallow when spending 80k


AT4:
Love the exterior look. Grill looks somewhat timeless. Interior is alright.
Hate that it doesn’t have adaptive cruise control and doesn’t have memory seats
Air suspension might come in handy when one day if I get a travel trailer

Denali:
Hate the grill
Interior looks better than AT4, but don’t care that much about it
Choosing the air suspension makes it pricey and also forces you with impractical large wheels.
If I get it, I’ll probably get it with just the pro trailering package

 

[StephenPT]

If you hate the look of the Denali, that won’t ever change and you walk up to it every time you drive it thinking it doesn’t look good.

Why not just go with a High Country Tahoe/Suburban and stick to the Chevy look you like and also get adaptive cruise? All of the other really want options are either standard or available on that trim.

 

[adventurenali92]

If you hate the look of the Denali, that won’t ever change and you walk up to it every time you drive it thinking it doesn’t look good.

Why not just go with a High Country Tahoe/Suburban and stick to the Chevy look you like and also get adaptive cruise? All of the other really want options are either standard or available on that trim.

Pretty sure the high country package also only offers a 22 inch wheel option.

But that being said deals are always struck up with dealers for wheel swaps. That’s a pretty easy problem to solve.

 

[Mtnranger]

Pretty sure the high country package also only offers a 22 inch wheel option.

But that being said deals are always struck up with dealers for wheel swaps. That’s a pretty easy problem to solve.

It’s 22inch wheels and coil springs as well. Nonetheless, not a fan of Chevy front fascia either

 

[Punteh]

Cosmetic things like the grill and wheels can be changed to suit your desires. The interior is much more difficult/impossible to change. And considering the interior is what your using and staring at the entire time you're driving the vehicle to me it would seem to make the interior more important than changeable items on the exterior. Also consider if you're spend 82k on an AT4 you're basically getting the same interior as a base model SLE minus some finishing

 

[adventurenali92]

Cosmetic things like the grill and wheels can be changed to suit your desires. The interior is much more difficult/impossible to change. And considering the interior is what your using and staring at the entire time you're driving the vehicle to me it would seem to make the interior more important than changeable items on the exterior. Also consider if you're spend 82k on an AT4 you're basically getting the same interior as a base model SLE minus some finishing

He makes excellent points.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I hate to say it, but this decision is your, and yours alone. Flip a coin, if you cannot make a final decision on your own.

 

[Mtnranger]

I went ahead and switched to base Denali. Lost front ground clearance, air springs, powered steps, sunroof, all terrain tires, and gained adaptive cruise control and better interior. Figured if we keep it 10+ years, I consoled myself we don’t have to worry about leaky sun roof, leaky air spring bags and stuck power steps

 

[adventurenali92]

I went ahead and switched to base Denali. Lost front ground clearance, air springs, powered steps, sunroof, all terrain tires, and gained adaptive cruise control and better interior. Figured if we keep it 10+ years, I consoled myself we don’t have to worry about leaky sun roof, leaky air spring bags and stuck power steps

Great choice. I personally prefer the static running boards. Less things to break down the line plus the extra benefit that they bigger static boards catch a lot more of the crud from the road flying up and less of it ends up hitting the paint on the lower doors. I like the Denali j two too over the no. Denali interior as well. Especially the integrate dinfotwinment screen that doesn’t stick out away from the dash. You could always order an AT4 grille, swap out the Denali one, and I’m sure you could sell the Denali grille and off set most of the cost of the AT4 grille. I’m sure someone here would buy it off you. Same can be said for wheels if you end up swapping out 22s.

 

[Mtnranger]

Great choice. I personally prefer the static running boards. Less things to break down the line plus the extra benefit that they bigger static boards catch a lot more of the crud from the road flying up and less of it ends up hitting the paint on the lower doors. I like the Denali j two too over the no. Denali interior as well. Especially the integrate dinfotwinment screen that doesn’t stick out away from the dash. You could always order an AT4 grille, swap out the Denali one, and I’m sure you could sell the Denali grille and off set most of the cost of the AT4 grille. I’m sure someone here would buy it off you. Same can be said for wheels if you end up swapping out 22s.

The base Denali comes with the 20s. Down the road maybe 18s but for now I think 20s look proportional and pretty decent compared to the 22s and have sufficient sidewall for dirt roads. I’m not a fan of the grill but I’ll learn to live with the it instead of turning it into a Frankenstein especially because there won’t be matching skid plate and tow hooks.
Thank you all for the insights

 

[NothEastTahoe]

The interior in the denali is so much nicer looking with the integrated dash, that if its an option you almost HAVE to buy the denali. It "forced" me to go up a level and get one.

You say you don't mind and that is fine, but I think you 1000000% made the right choice, can always swap grills and tires! I do really like the at4 exterior better, I have the same problems with the exterior of the denali, its tough!

 

[ktpinnacle]

The interior in the denali is so much nicer looking with the integrated dash, that if its an option you almost HAVE to buy the denali. It "forced" me to go up a level and get one.

You say you don't mind and that is fine, but I think you 1000000% made the right choice, can always swap grills and tires! I do really like the at4 exterior better, I have the same problems with the exterior of the denali, its tough!

Personally, I really like the Vader Chrome, but it's only available with the six-figure rig. Too bad. Having that on a 20-inch base Denali would be a good option for me, especially with the Duramax.

 

[GBF1]

I had a loaded AT4 with premium plus and 6.2L on order for last couple of weeks and today I found that it doesn’t come with adaptive cruise control. Now, I’m thinking of switching to a base Denali with trailering package as both come out to $82k. Any insights?


Really want:
Magnetic Ride Control
Decent ground clearance
360 parking view
6.2L

Can live without adaptive cruise control or memory seats but tough pill to swallow when spending 80k


AT4:
Love the exterior look. Grill looks somewhat timeless. Interior is alright.
Hate that it doesn’t have adaptive cruise control and doesn’t have memory seats
Air suspension might come in handy when one day if I get a travel trailer

Denali:
Hate the grill
Interior looks better than AT4, but don’t care that much about it
Choosing the air suspension makes it pricey and also forces you with impractical large wheels.
If I get it, I’ll probably get it with just the pro trailering package

With the money you will be spending I would not settle for anything less than what you want.

 

[dusttur]

I have a 22 AT4 XL, only thing I don't have is the air suspension. Don't know if it's a chip thing, but I have memory seats... Don't know if you ever plan to go offroad at all (not that I do, just camping but def not doing anything crazy that I'd do in my old Tacoma), but last year I was camping and hit a large rock as I was maneuvering my camper. If it didn't have the AT4 grille/skid plate/better approach angle and had the Denali grille I would have smashed grille and an expensive repair bill on my hands. Definitely was an operator error, but glad the AT4 grille saved me. I love the interior and the magneride suspension is truly amazing. I almost settled for the 5.3L but went with the 6.2L and am SOOOOO glad I did, the engine is a monster.

 

[gatorintx]

Don't know if it's a chip thing, but I have memory seats...

Yeah I'm pretty sure all AT4's have memory seats. The GMC website says that 2 memory settings come standard on the AT4. So this, at least, shouldn't be a concern for OP between the Denali and AT4.

 

[NothEastTahoe]

Personally, I really like the Vader Chrome, but it's only available with the six-figure rig. Too bad. Having that on a 20-inch base Denali would be a good option for me, especially with the Duramax.

I agree, I try to look away from the all the chrome when I get in the car, but the interior is so nice it more than makes up for it to me.

 

[yukon-xl]

I am pretty sure loaded AT4 comes with memory seats, but adaptive cruise is not available on it. Denali trim has better Bose audio system too, (I believe 13 speakers instead of 10)

 

[blackelky]

New escalades can be had for the same price as well

 

[mikeyss]

I am pretty sure loaded AT4 comes with memory seats, but adaptive cruise is not available on it. Denali trim has better Bose audio system too, (I believe 13 speakers instead of 10)

I don't think the AT4 has a center dash speaker, so I think they only have 9 speakers.

 

[yukon-xl]

I don't think the AT4 has a center dash speaker, so I think they only have 9 speakers.

Yeah, Bose audio on AT4 is probably same as SLT which is 9 speakers. Suburban Premier/HC have 10. And Yukons Denali 13.