General Motors, which lent ENR a rig to test out for one week in May, has refreshed its heavy-duty pickups with the latest Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-truck features, including bolder looks, sumptuous interiors and handy hauling tools. The Sierra Denali HD—which stands for heavy duty—is the top trim in the lineup, carrying a starting price of $50,540. The truck I tested stickered for $63,835 including delivery fees.
New to the HD trucks are useful apps and safety technologies that include lane departure warning and collision avoidance. During a routine drive, I discovered that this boss of pickups is also a bit of a bossypants: Approach another vehicle too quickly, and the truck startles you with red alerts flashed onto the windshield, more lights on the dashboard and sharp buzzes to your fanny. The only thing missing was a lecture from Sister Catherine over the audio system. Additionally, a backup camera and parking sensors proved invaluable for maneuvering the Denali HD, which only comes in a longer crew-cab model.