The Denali gets it own chromed grilles, both the upper section and the air vent below the front bumper.

The hood has a pair of long, narrow V-shaped power bulges and leads back to a steeply raked windshield. The windshield is tilted back for improved aerodynamics and enhanced highway fuel economy.

The side view features slightly bulging and elongated fender flares that sweep down behind the headlamps. The sides of the cargo bed are higher than on previous models, and the exterior of the tailgate is sculpted, enhancing the rear view of the truck. Stacked tail lamps are on either side of the tailgate.

Nine colors are available on a truck that looks taller and stronger than its predecessor, yet also has improved aerodynamics that help give the Sierra a highway fuel economy rating of as many as 22 miles per gallon with the 5.3-liter V8 engine under the hood.

An optional cargo management system is available for the bed with side rails and various cargo-carrying and cargo-controlling boxes and dividers and tie-downs.

The GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado are built on the GMT900 platform, which shares most underpinnings with the Yukon SUV. The pickups get a unique rear frame section that is 245 percent stiffer. The Sierra and Silverado share mechanical components, with the exception of the unique features found on the Sierra Denali.

Compared with the previous-generation GMT800 truck, the new frame is 234 percent stiffer in torsion rigidity, 62 percent more resistant to bending and 136 percent stiffer laterally. This yields a smoother ride and better handling. It also allowed the engineers to reduce the gap between the truck bed and passenger compartment as well as the gaps between fenders and bumpers, all of which enhances aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.

For 2007, the front suspension has switched from torsion bars to coil-over shock absorbers and the rack-and-pinion steering gear is mounted to the engine cross member frame. The truck also has a new rear axle design with shocks absorbers mounted outboard and more upright for better dynamic control.