I had a 2021 Denali and reordered a second 2022 Denali - both diesel.
Despite ordering another Denali, I thought I would give you some points in favour of the SLT to consider.
1) I find the open cup holders of the SLT more accessible than having that faux wood cover in the Denali. Sure it looks better in the photos, but its almost always up and kind of flimsy.
2) To my eye, the contrast piping in the SLT seating looks more “premium” than the Denali. As for the dash, I might like the Denali version slightly better, but I wouldn’t call it an “upgrade”. I may be wrong, but the higher position of the LCD screen in the SLT might even be slightly easier to look at.
3) The only exterior difference of importance is the grill. I actually favour fixed running boards (less prone to motor failures, keeps the road grime off the lower portion of the car). But I ordered both Denali’s without power running boards.
I pretty much ordered the Denali the second time because it looks better than the SLT in black. If I were to order a white one, I think they’re about the same.
Get the 360 camera system in the SLT it makes the big SUV feel way smaller in tight parking lots.
Good call on the diesel. It’s awesome. It’s the perfect engine for the big SUV.
The 2021 was the first time I have ever driven a diesel. I would consistently average 18.5mpg in the city (lots of <5km trips) and nearly 30mpg on long highway cruises (hand calculated, although the dash was always pretty close).
The only “issue” I had with it was that the engine light came on at about 5,000km. The dealer checked the usual suspects, cleared it and it didn’t return for 10,000km.