Cars

Test: 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Review – Denali Interior Tour

JH
John H
Senior Cars Expert
8 min read

Test: 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Review – Denali Interior Tour

The 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali continues to set the benchmark for full-size pickup trucks with its refined blend of luxury, performance, and cutting-edge technology. As the flagship trim of the Sierra lineup, the Denali version offers an interior experience that rivals premium SUVs and luxury sedans. In this comprehensive review and interior tour, we’ll dive deep into the features, craftsmanship, comfort, and innovation that define the cabin of the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali.

First Impressions: Luxury Meets Utility

From the moment you approach the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali, it’s clear this isn’t just another work truck. With its bold chrome grille, sleek LED lighting, and athletic proportions, the exterior conveys confidence. But it’s the interior where the Denali truly shines—transforming the pickup truck into a mobile sanctuary of comfort and sophistication.

Opening the door reveals soft-touch materials, genuine wood trim, and meticulous stitching throughout the cabin. GMC has paid close attention to detail, ensuring that every surface you encounter feels premium. The Denali’s interior is a testament to the brand’s commitment to elevating the pickup truck experience beyond mere utility.

2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Interior Tour - luxury truck cabin

Craftsmanship and Materials: A Premium Experience

The 2025 Sierra 1500 Denali uses high-end materials that elevate the cabin to near-luxury status. The dashboard is wrapped in soft-touch leather, accented with real open-pore wood trim that adds warmth and refinement. Door panels feature stitched leather and padded armrests, while the center console is lined with brushed aluminum and soft rubberized surfaces.

Seat upholstery is standard in perforated leather, available in multiple color options such as Ebony, Cashmere, and Light Ash. These premium leather surfaces are not only visually appealing but also durable and easy to clean—a practical benefit for those who use their truck for daily driving or outdoor adventures.

The Denali also includes unique touches like a Denali-branded head-up display, metal-look pedals, and ambient lighting that can be customized to match your mood. The attention to detail is evident in the seamless integration of technology and luxury, making the Sierra 1500 Denali feel more like a high-end SUV than a traditional pickup.

Seating Comfort and Space

Front seats in the 2025 Sierra 1500 Denali are nothing short of exceptional. Available as 16-way power-adjustable seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions (on higher packages), they offer both comfort and support over long drives. The driver’s seat includes memory settings, lumbar support, and thigh extension for optimal positioning.

Rear passengers are treated nearly as well. The Denali offers a spacious rear cabin with generous legroom and headroom, even for taller adults. Heated rear seats are available, a rare feature in the pickup segment, and the rear bench can be folded to increase cargo flexibility when needed.

The Sierra 1500 Denali is available in both Crew Cab and Extended Cab configurations, though the Crew Cab with its standard four full doors is the most popular choice. Most Denali models come with a 5.5-foot or 6.6-foot bed, allowing buyers to balance passenger space with utility.

Infotainment and Technology

The centerpiece of the Denali’s tech suite is GMC’s latest infotainment system, which includes a standard 15-inch diagonal touchscreen. This large display dominates the center stack and features crisp graphics, intuitive menus, and lightning-fast responsiveness.

Powered by Google Built-In, the 2025 Sierra 1500 Denali offers seamless integration with Google Assistant, Google Maps, and the Google Play Store. This means you can get real-time traffic updates, voice-controlled navigation, and access to thousands of apps—without relying on a smartphone.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also supported wirelessly, ensuring smartphone users can stream music, make calls, and access messages with ease. The system includes over-the-air (OTA) updates, allowing GMC to improve functionality and fix bugs remotely—just like a modern smartphone.

A 15-speaker Bose premium sound system comes standard, delivering concert-quality audio throughout the cabin. For those who demand even more, a 24-speaker Bose Panaray system is available, offering immersive sound with strategically placed speakers, including in the headliner.

Driver Assistance and Safety Features

Safety and driver assistance technology are top priorities in the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali. The truck comes equipped with GMC’s latest suite of advanced safety features, collectively known as the Super Cruise system.

Super Cruise is one of the most advanced hands-free driving systems available. It allows for hands-free highway driving on over 400,000 miles of compatible roads in the U.S. and Canada. Using a combination of LiDAR map data, cameras, and radar, Super Cruise monitors the driver’s attention via an infrared camera and automatically disengages if distraction is detected.

Other standard and available safety features include:

The Denali also features a heads-up display that projects key driving information—like speed, navigation prompts, and safety alerts—onto the windshield, keeping your eyes on the road.

Interior Storage and Practicality

Despite its luxury focus, the 2025 Sierra 1500 Denali doesn’t sacrifice practicality. The cabin offers abundant storage solutions for drivers and passengers alike.

The center console features a large, dual-level storage bin with USB ports and wireless charging. There are multiple cupholders, bottle holders in the doors, and a glove compartment with soft padding. Upper-tier models include a locking under-console storage tray—perfect for securing valuables.

The Denali also features a Multi-Flex tailgate with six different configurations, allowing for easier loading, sitting, or working at the back of the truck. Combined with the available MultiPro Tailgate on higher trims, users can turn the tailgate into a work surface or step.

Inside, the Denali includes a hidden under-floor storage compartment in the rear cargo area, ideal for tools or gear. The interior’s blend of luxury and utility ensures it’s as functional as it is comfortable.

Climate Control and Comfort Features

The 2025 Sierra 1500 Denali features a tri-zone automatic climate control system, allowing the driver, front passenger, and rear passengers to set their preferred temperatures independently. The system includes heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, and available heated rear seats.

A panoramic sunroof is optional, flooding the cabin with natural light and giving rear passengers a more open feel. Dual rear USB ports and available rear-seat entertainment system options make long trips enjoyable for everyone on board.

For cold climates, the Denali offers a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, and heated exterior mirrors. In warmer regions, the ventilated seats and efficient air conditioning system keep the cabin cool and comfortable.

Customization and Interior Options

One of the strengths of the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali is the level of customization available. Buyers can choose from multiple interior color schemes and trim finishes to suit their taste.

Interior color options include:

The wood trim is real and carefully finished, avoiding the plasticky look of some competitors’ faux wood. Additional options include unique Denali badging, chrome interior accents, and premium floor mats with embroidered logos.

Buyers can also opt for a Power Sliding Rear Window, power-adjustable pedals, and a heated windshield washer system—perfect for winter driving. The Denali’s interior customization ensures that no two trucks feel exactly the same.

Driving Experience and Cabin Acoustics

While this review focuses on the interior, the driving experience is deeply influenced by the cabin’s design. The 2025 Sierra 1500 Denali is engineered for a quiet, smooth ride, with extensive sound-deadening materials and active noise cancellation.

Even at highway speeds, wind and road noise are minimized, allowing conversation and music to be enjoyed without strain. The available Magnetic Ride Control suspension (on Denali Ultimate) adjusts damping in real time, delivering a ride quality that rivals luxury sedans.

The Denali is available with multiple engine options, including a 6.2L V8, a 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I6, and a new 3.0L I6 turbo gas engine. All are paired with a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive on most trims.

The cabin’s acoustics are particularly impressive with the diesel engine, which operates with minimal noise and vibration. Power delivery is strong and refined, making the Sierra 1500 Denali capable of towing up to 13,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Comparison with Competitors

When compared to rivals like the 2025 Ford F-150 Limited, Ram 1500 Limited, and Chevrolet Silverado High Country, the GMC Sierra 1500 Denali holds its own in the luxury truck segment.

The Ford F-150 Limited offers a plush interior with massaging seats and a 12-inch touchscreen, but its design feels less cohesive than the Denali’s. The Ram 1500 Limited excels with its quiet cabin and Uconnect infotainment, but its wood trim can appear overly ornate.

The Chevrolet Silverado High Country shares a platform and many components with the Denali, but GMC’s version typically includes more standard luxury features and a more refined aesthetic. The Denali’s Google Built-In integration also gives it an edge in connectivity and navigation.

Ultimately, the Sierra 1500 Denali strikes a balance between modern tech, traditional craftsmanship, and driver-focused design that appeals to both luxury seekers and practical truck buyers.

Denali Ultimate: The Pinnacle of Luxury

For those seeking the ultimate in pickup truck luxury, GMC offers the Denali Ultimate trim. This top-tier version includes exclusive features such as:

The Denali Ultimate transforms the Sierra 1500 into a true luxury vehicle, blurring the lines between truck and high-end SUV. It’s ideal for buyers who want the capability of a full-size pickup without compromising on comfort or style.

Eco-Friendly Touches and Sustainability

GMC has incorporated subtle eco-friendly elements into the Denali’s interior. While not marketed as a green vehicle, the use of recyclable materials, low-VOC adhesives, and energy-efficient LED lighting reflects a growing industry shift toward sustainability.

The Denali also offers a mild-hybrid system on select engines, improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. Combined with the optional 3.0L Duramax diesel, the Sierra 1500 Denali delivers best-in-class fuel economy for a full-size luxury pickup.

Additionally, the use of real wood from responsibly managed forests and the availability of synthetic leather options (in future model years) could further enhance the truck’s environmental credentials.

Real-World Usability

Beyond the specs and luxury appointments, the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali proves its worth in everyday use. Whether you’re commuting to work, towing a boat, or taking a cross-country road trip, the cabin remains comfortable, quiet, and intuitive.

Parents will appreciate the LATCH system for child seats, rear USB ports, and available rear-seat entertainment. Contractors and outdoor enthusiasts will value the durable floor mats, easy-to-clean surfaces, and available 120-volt power outlets.

The Denali’s interior is designed for real people with real lifestyles—offering both indulgence and practicality in equal measure.

Pricing and Value