Used 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Regular Cab Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Regular Cab.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Nice truck, with flaws
Jimmy Fortuna, Gaylord, MN, 12/29/2016
2017 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 8A)
Overall it's a nice truck. It rides well, is comfy, and has almost every bell and whistle. Almost everything seems to be at 90% of my expectations. The transmission is constantly searching, and the entertainment system already seems dated.
Love the truck but hate the costly repairs
Wesley W, Edmond, OK, 11/04/2023
2017 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 8A)
My favorite truck I have owned but does have some drawbacks. First, if you can’t jump a curb without popping a tire and bending a rim, then 22” rims don’t belong on a truck. The $2k to replace the magna ride shocks made me a little upset because you have to replace both front at same time and the regular shocks were $70. However, the ride quality is superb and handling when towing is … excellent. Second, at 125000 miles I had to replace rods and lifters over $6k. That being said I have enjoyed the powerful 6.2 v8 a lot and getting 22mpg on the highway is nice. The 8 speed transmission has been kinda rough and clanks into gear sometimes even since it was new but it’s still going strong at 135k mi. Wish the gps and apple play would connect without a cord because sometimes it won’t work but cleaning or replacing cord fixes the issue. Lastly, why would they make a crew cab without rear air? I constantly have to direct my vents off of me for rear passengers. Overall, the powerful 6.2, towing, ride comfort, gas mileage, and luxury have made this my favorite truck to ever own.
Love it so far
Jim Tr, Algona, IA, 01/08/2017
2017 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 8A)
Quite spendy
very much miss reactive cruise control, should have been on this vehicle.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Regular Cab
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Strong combination of fuel economy and power
- Pro:Comfortable, quiet cabin
- Pro:Compliant ride quality makes it suitable for daily use
- Pro:Many available configurations and trims
- Con:The six-speed automatic gear ratios are spread too far for towing needs
- Con:Cabin not as spacious as those of rivals
Which Sierra 1500 does Edmunds recommend?
If you need a regular cab, go with the SLE trim level for its added convenience items. We recommend ticking the box for the 5.3-liter V8 over the V6 because it provides a big boost in capability with minimal impact on fuel economy. For those needing a double cab or crew cab, the SLT hits the spot, with more standard equipment and an available eight-speed automatic instead of the standard six-speed. SLT trim also allows access to useful option packages. Avoid the larger optional wheels; they do little other than degrade the ride quality.
Full Edmunds Review: 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab
Driving
3.5The powertrain in the Sierra Denali is nothing short of impressive. With 420 horsepower, 460 lb-ft of torque and an eight-speed transmission, the truck is never short on grunt. But the brakes and the steering show considerably less advancement. The 22-inch wheels do it no help either.
Comfort
3.0The Sierra has the basics down with decent ride control, comfortable seats, and low road and wind noise. But the optional 22-inch wheel and tire package does its best to erase most of those gains. The climate control system also failed to keep the cabin cool during a stint in extreme heat.
Interior
2.0Most of the interior is a study on how to do a truck interior correctly. Switches are big and easy to use, access is good, and there's plenty of space. Some options proved to be more annoying than helpful, and the inexplicable misalignment of the center of the steering wheel is a nagging annoyance.
Utility
3.5If you can't haul a lot or store a lot, you're not doing the full-size truck game right. The Sierra Denali excels at both and proves useful on a personal as well as a professional level.
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 in Arizona is:
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