Screw all this technology.
I'm so glad I got a new truck when I did. Otherwise, there'd be two things I have no desire to have on my 2020 truck. I got the "Ultimate" Package on my Denali which basically means it puts pretty much every option on the truck, but now they're listing it as a separate trim level. So when you get an Ultimate Denali, I believe that's a kitchen sink model. Mine listed MSRP for around 71K. The 2022 is roughly around 80K+ MSRP!!! Where the heck are we going with these prices? Assuming they have enough computer chips to build the things. But getting the kitchen sink model is saving some $$ instead of adding on to the lesser models for the same equipment. Have to give them some credit though, the new interior looks much sleeker and more integrated than the 2021 and earlier models.
#1 non-impressive option not desired by me is the Hands-Free Driving, aka Super Cruise. Contrary to popular belief, although it's "free" for the first 3 years, it will cost you after that at a clip of $25 per month at the moment. Surely it will rise in the future. So whatever the cost is to get Super Cruise (Escalade is $2500 for the hardware), just tack on another $2100 plus for a 10 year ownership just for that. And if you like the Chevy trucks, their version is coming later in 2022 on the High Country. This subscription crap just to drive your car the way you want is getting to be really a PITA. Everyone wants a subscription service to do anything anymore. And Super Cruise is available only on "certain compatible highways and roads". Meaning what, is anyone's guess. Has an automatic lane change feature, too. All with the help of....See #2 below.
#2 is the one I despise the most, and that's GOOGLE with Google assistant voice command (same thing as Amazon Alexa). I think they've already started it in the 2021s, but I haven't looked. They're integrating all that with Super Cruise as well. Now it's one thing to have OnStar being able to snoop on your conversations inside the car, but it's another when you have one of the alphabet companies whose main business model seems to be snooping on people and manipulation of what they see and hear. I can't really escape these a**holes on the interwebz, but now they want to be integrated into my vehicle? Um, just no. That, for me anyway, is a deal breaker. Not like I'd be buying a new truck probably ever again, but that isn't the point. If I was wanting to, I'd be forced to deal with every Sierra trim level to be Google-capable. Which means they'd be all up in your life, even when you don't subscribe.
I'm so glad I got a new truck when I did. Otherwise, there'd be two things I have no desire to have on my 2020 truck. I got the "Ultimate" Package on my Denali which basically means it puts pretty much every option on the truck, but now they're listing it as a separate trim level. So when you get an Ultimate Denali, I believe that's a kitchen sink model. Mine listed MSRP for around 71K. The 2022 is roughly around 80K+ MSRP!!! Where the heck are we going with these prices? Assuming they have enough computer chips to build the things. But getting the kitchen sink model is saving some $$ instead of adding on to the lesser models for the same equipment. Have to give them some credit though, the new interior looks much sleeker and more integrated than the 2021 and earlier models.
#1 non-impressive option not desired by me is the Hands-Free Driving, aka Super Cruise. Contrary to popular belief, although it's "free" for the first 3 years, it will cost you after that at a clip of $25 per month at the moment. Surely it will rise in the future. So whatever the cost is to get Super Cruise (Escalade is $2500 for the hardware), just tack on another $2100 plus for a 10 year ownership just for that. And if you like the Chevy trucks, their version is coming later in 2022 on the High Country. This subscription crap just to drive your car the way you want is getting to be really a PITA. Everyone wants a subscription service to do anything anymore. And Super Cruise is available only on "certain compatible highways and roads". Meaning what, is anyone's guess. Has an automatic lane change feature, too. All with the help of....See #2 below.
#2 is the one I despise the most, and that's GOOGLE with Google assistant voice command (same thing as Amazon Alexa). I think they've already started it in the 2021s, but I haven't looked. They're integrating all that with Super Cruise as well. Now it's one thing to have OnStar being able to snoop on your conversations inside the car, but it's another when you have one of the alphabet companies whose main business model seems to be snooping on people and manipulation of what they see and hear. I can't really escape these a**holes on the interwebz, but now they want to be integrated into my vehicle? Um, just no. That, for me anyway, is a deal breaker. Not like I'd be buying a new truck probably ever again, but that isn't the point. If I was wanting to, I'd be forced to deal with every Sierra trim level to be Google-capable. Which means they'd be all up in your life, even when you don't subscribe.
