GM fully re-wrapped its heavy-duty pickup trucks inside and out for 2015. The powertrain received a few new features, but interior revisions are the most important aspect of the update. We tested a 3500 Denali dually, the most premium trim for GM’s pickups. Its interior is filled with leather-wrapped surfaces and offers comfortable seating, top-notch infotainment and a massive digital display in the info cluster that offers good looks and concise information delivery. The display is customizable for different drivers, but it also reacts to the truck’s setting. For example, when you turn on tow/haul mode, additional information on cooling and oil pressure pops up.
FAST FACTS
Engine: 6.6L Duramax diesel with 397 hp and 765 lb-ft.
Transmission: Six-speed automatic.
Max. towing: 19,600 lbs.
As tested price: $67,548 as tested.
Base Price: $34,715 ($41,595 CDN).
Simplicity in the interior layout adds to the great usability inside the 3500 HD and is one of the reasons why GM’s new truck interiors are so good.
But a luxury interior alone doesn’t add up to a luxury vehicle. The way it feels on the road is also a big deal. Noise from both the engine and the road are minimal while the steering is weighted to feel like it is changing progressively as you turn it, although I would prefer it to feel slightly heavier at highway speeds.
What’s more, the 765 lb-ft of torque that cranks out of the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel feels as if it is down-rated. Having recently evaluated all three 3500 Heavy Duty offerings back-to-back, the GM trucks put the power to the ground the best, despite being less powerful on paper than its competition. In my opinion the Allison six-speed automatic transmission deserves a lot of credit in making that possible. Shifts are perfectly timed, and that made controlling a 9,800-lb trailer easy. It’s most apparent while the auto-grade braking feature is active. It works in conjunction with the cruise control to hold the speed you specify while driving over varying grades. It uses the transmission masterfully to hold the weight back and keep you in control at all times.
This is the best HD truck on the market and – no surprise – was the truck for towing within the group. But the things that make it so good also limit it. Its sheer size, especially when fitted with dual rear wheels, along with a lack of ground clearance makes it pretty much useless for even mild off-roading.
