One thing that stands out about the GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate lineup – both on the 1500 (Light Duty / LD) and Heavy Duty (HD) models – is the exclusive Vader Chrome treatment, which is intended to provide the pickups with a more sinister, darker-themed demeanor. However, despite the exclusivity of Vader Chrome, the range-topping Sierra trim still receives a healthy amount of “regular” shiny chrome. We set out to understand why.
GM Authority’s Executive Editor Alex Luft, known as The Authority within the Motrolix offices, recently asked GMC designers why they choose to not give the Vader Chrome treatment to some exterior elements of the Sierra Denali Ultimate models
“We don’t typically change all of that because it gets so complex,” explained the designers. “Because it’s so petit, we feel it’s ok to have a few accents like the tow hooks [finished in regular chrome].”
As it were, there are several pieces that GMC designers could apply the Vader Chrome treatment too for both the LD and HD Denali Ultimate trucks, as we have broken out below.
Sierra Denali Ultimate 1500:
- Lower front fascia trim piece
- Tow / recovery hooks
- Side-view mirror caps
- Door handles
- Daylight opening (DLO) / window surround trim
- Denali hard badge on tailgate
- Sierra hard badge on tailgate
- Exhaust tips
Sierra Denali Ultimate HD:
- Tow / recovery hooks
- Side-view mirror caps
- Door handles
- Wheels
- Daylight opening (DLO) / window surround trim
- Denali hard badge on tailgate
- Sierra hard badge on tailgate
As we have heard from several owners of Denali Ultimate trucks, giving the items listed above the Vader Chrome treatment – which is noticeably darker than regular chrome – would complete the darker theme of GMC’s flagship trucks.
As a reminder, the Denali Ultimate is positioned as the range-topping trim level for both 1500 and HD pickup trucks, being introduced in conjunction with the 2022.5 model year refresh for the Sierra 1500 and the 2024 model year refresh for the Sierra HD. Denali Ultimate models receive exclusive exterior accents and interior treatments, as well as the range-topping engines available in each truck.
Pricing for the 2023 Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate starts at $82,940, while GMC has yet to announce pricing for the 2024 Sierra HD Denali Ultimate.
What are your thoughts on GMC’s decision to not treat all shiny chrome with Vader Chrome on the Denali Ultimates? Vote in the poll and sound off in the comments section below.
Comments
Because old guys like shiny chrome!
Lol. I’m one of those old guys that likes real steel chrome not the junk plastic chrome the have today.
No chrome no sale. The price you pay it shouldn’t be covered in flat black paint. That’s a marketing ploy manufacturers convinced young people it looks better saving them the cost of chrome plating. A rattle can of flat black paint is much cheaper than chrome.
You still get the Denali with bright chrome. This is the Denali Ultimate, with black chrome. There isn’t any flat black paint involved.
Bob, GM doesn’t paint the cheap plastic parts flat black- that’d cost more to build it. They just use cheap plastic that is already black, making them even cheaper. Chrome probably doesn’t even cost that much, certainly no where near what it would cost if they used chromed metal. If GM can convince buyers to purchase blacked out cheap plastic for premium prices, more power to them.
I ordered everything on the DENALI ULTIMATE except the super cruise and added Crome wheels which cost the same and a few other options like cat back performance exhaust. I prefer the ultimate lighter interior but not enough to overcome the Vader Chrome. An all blackout theme exterior has no personality from a distance and looks like a ford blackout as well.
Like the other person said, “Old guys like chrome “.
Yeah, I hate black wheels they always look dirty and cheap.
I definitely agree. And they give the owner a “bad ass” urban terrorist image which does NOT appeal to me.
It’s too bad the 1500 Elevation dies not have a chrome or non-black wheel option. 😕
The grille on the Denali Ultimate looks cheesy and cheap and ruins the look for me! The chrome grille for the Denali is what sets that truck apart from all other trucks and I can’t believe that GM would ruin that feature for the Denali Ultimate. While all front ends on vehicles are plastic these days, the high end Denali Ultimate was ruined with that highlighted plastic front grille. Damn it!
I think the Denali and the Ultimate should both have the option for both grille features. Also, the Denali, being the “Luxury” GM brand should come with the 2 speed transfer case and undercarriage shielding, but why please me- I’m just a potential customer, and GM seems to think they know what I want better than I do.
Chrome is king. I reserved the Denali Ultimate in the 2nd week of October in 2021. Only to have GM cancel the order after notifying the dealer that they would accept the order to build the truck. The truck had to be reorder. Do these trucks exist? Still waiting for the order to be accepted.
Same exact issue here. Reserved the Ultimate in 2021 & still nothing. I would actually prefer everything in the Vader though…& I come from the old chrome days!
I ordered mine back in October 2021 as well. It was built in Fort Wayne, June 17 2022. I took Delivery early October 2022. They exist although I have not seen another one on the road. I’m wondering if I got mine because I live in Indiana only about two hours away from where it was built.
It seems to always be one option on constraint or another from what I’ve been told. First chips…then Super Cruise…then the Technology Package…then the 6.2L
I’m buying at no dealer market adjustments & now I’m wondering if my dealership is avoiding me. I’ve even heard of them selling their allocations on the high end vehicles to other dealerships for big $$$ or even other customers who are willing to pay the premium.
I’m not sure what’s happening- I ordered the Chevrolet High Country with Max Towing and Tech Pac. on Dec 6, GM accepted the order in Jan, and then decided not to build it- the Chevrolet Dealer and I both don’t know why (no explanation). I’m not sure if this means they won’t build it, or just that they won’t build a ‘23 model. Maybe they just want to build it in the ’24 year model so I’ll be stuck paying the difference between a ‘23 and ‘24 model. Not too happy if that’s their plan.
Well, my dealer made me a solemn promise that as soon as GM told them ANYTHING about my order (see above), they would contact me. Long story short, I found another truck with all of my must have items a month later one town over, and bought it. A day later, I went to my ordering dealership for my deposit refund, and the salesman told me it was scheduled to be built in 20 days. Thanks for nothing, moron! If he would’ve kept me up to date, I’d have waited for the build. No problem- I love my new High Country.
Brandon, pretty sure the glass will reflect more sunlight than the chrome on any vehicle. You sound like someone who would spray bedliner over your entire truck.
Since this is the “Ultimate” we should be able to option it with either full Vader chrome or full shiny chrome. At this price point the customer should have the ability to choose how the truck is trimmed out. If they followed this formula all camps would be happy.
Then opt for the Denali.
Doing so negates the Alpine Umber interior color unique to the Denali Ultimate.
I bought the trucks I have because of the chrome. I may be an old guy but, chrome makes since to me for appearance and durability.
Love the chrome grille on my 2018 Denali HD. Too bad GM chrome wheels are crap, can’t keep the corrosion from creeping in from the back, same for the running boards. Don’t like chrome plated plastic, but they don’t corrode.
Why wouldn’t you match everything?
I bought a fully optioned High Country instead of the Ultimate because of that. Those trucks like like someone bought a regular Denali and ordered an after market grille from Ebay. The drapes need to match the carpet. #firethelamedesigners
There are (2) things I don’t like about the Ultimate. #1 is the Vader Chrome look & #2 is the color of the Interior. Both are hideous. For a $90,000 Truck GMC should put some Chrome on the front instead of the Black Vader Chrome. They should give it some sparkle for that price to really stand out and make other people want to wish that they had one. Back in 1971 I looked at both a Chev C10 or a GMC 1500. I chose the 71 GMC over the Chev C10 because the GMC had the Chrome Grille and the Quad headlights. That plastic Chicken Crate grille did not cut it for me (incidentally I still have that truck that a LOT of people want to buy. It only has 49,000 original miles on it & Garage kept it’s entire life. Never even 1 speck of snow ever on the truck. Also Original paint on it and still doesn’t need any. I guess GMC made good trucks at that time). Now for #2 reason I don’t like the Ultimate is the Customer doesn’t have the choice of color for the interior. My wife and I are not fans of a brown interior. The color of the Ultimate interior is hideous. Some people may like it but we don’t. Why can’t they have an optional color??? Something like black or even grey. Anything other than what they now put in the Ultimate. I am a GMC guy having owned quite a few of them but I have to admit I am SERIOUSLY considering a Ford Shelby F-150 Super Snake. Sorry GMC I am going to be a trader.
I agree. Interiors on the high end GMC trucks has prevented me from moving into a new truck. It makes no sense to me that on a $90k truck you get two interior choices and one of those choices: black. No sale for me continues until more interior color choices are offered.
The highlight of the ultimate is the Vader chrome, that what sets it apart. All the old man shiny chrome on the Ultimate should be Vader. The truck looks like a short cut was taken. I own one and everytime l walk up to it l wonder why GM took a shortcut on a $100,000.00 CAD truck. I won’t order another one if they don’t go all in like they did on the Yukon Ultimate.
For those who like the shiny chrome great, just order the regular Denali and load it up. For the ultimate guy’s they have to decide if they like a salt and pepper look…
I agree with this decision. You have the Denali and the Denali Ultimate. If you want all bright chrome or the black chrome, you have a choice.
If they were to give the Ultimate black chrome on all of the chrome accents, then it will look like the lower trim that has color matched, or rather monochromatic throughout.
How many young folks can afford a Denali anyway? I like the chrome better.
Brandon wouldn’t the amount of reflected light depend on the angle at which the smooth surface was in relation to where you are? Because you may have a degree doesn’t mean you learned anything because a truly smart young person wouldn’t be pissing away their money on something that loses value the minute you drive it off of the lot but would be investing it for the future or maybe purchase of a house. If you still think you need a 100,000 dollar truck maybe you should wait a couple of years maybe they will not only have all the chrome removed but the massage seats will give you a reach around.
Brandon now that you have climbed out your mom’s basement your eyes will adjust to the glare from the sun just be patient. Sorry you were picked on in high school but your 100,000 dollar truck still won’t change that or get you women or probably guys in your case, maybe you and nate can hook up and finally have a date, now back to work.
So the last post is correct?
Wow I hit a sore spot because you are angry! When you get off of work research when glass becomes a mirror. Yes I do have a pension from a aerospace company and also have investments along with properties so living comfortably since I retired at the age of 55. Back to work.
Funny I found this post because I’m looking to swap out the chrome on my Denali Ultimate because I don’t like how it looks with the Vader chrome. Don’t get me wrong it still looks good, just don’t love the regular chrome and Vader mixed. Will probably just get it wrapped if I end up selling to one of you old timers years from now.
I’d rather not have someone else deciding for me what color options I can have. For that price I’d better get it exactly how I want it, chrome or not. And I wish there were more leather interior options also. And if they haven’t already, get rid of damn Bose ffs.
“Because it’s so petit, we feel it’s ok to have a few accents like the tow hooks [finished in regular chrome].”
Who tf is this guy? First off if you referred to your truck as petit, get a cute little hybrid car instead. Trucks shouldn’t be petit. I shouldn’t have to even say that.
2nd off, “we feel”? Your ass isn’t buying my truck so who are you to tell me what “we feel” about options I don’t want that also don’t match and stick out badly. We feel lol. What a dingus.
complex,” explained the designers. How? Get it right or don’t do it….. I sure don’t like the mix.
Complex…. How? That’s no explanation. Get it right or don’t do it….. I sure don’t like the mix.