Electric vehicles are revolutionizing the automotive industry, and major U.S. automakers are keen to electrify their profitable full-size pickup trucks. General Motors has introduced the GMC Sierra EV, following the Chevrolet Silverado EV. Sharing the same mechanical underpinnings as the Silverado EV, the Sierra EV boasts distinct styling, leans towards luxury, and commands higher prices. This addition makes GMC the sole U.S. brand with two electric pickups, including the GMC Hummer EV. Given GMC’s history with electric trucks, this legacy is fitting. The 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 launches with a $99,945 price tag, offering every available feature and limited 2024 production. GMC plans to expand production and introduce more trim levels for 2025.
Design and Interior
GMC designers blended futuristic styling with the substantial size of modern full-size pickups. The Sierra EV caters to traditional truck buyers while embracing its electric nature. With its illuminated grille silhouette, glowing GMC logo, and fender lights, the Sierra EV resembles a life-size toy truck. Its design also stands out more from its combustion-engine counterpart than the Chevy Silverado EV.
Both the Chevy and GMC trucks utilize a clean-sheet design based on a unique architecture, unlike the Ford F-150 Lightning, which adapts existing components. The Sierra EV features a unibody structure integrating the battery pack, rather than a traditional ladder frame. This design restricts the electric model to a four-door crew cab, the most popular pickup body style. The 5.8-foot bed, matching the shorter option for the standard Sierra crew cab, incorporates a mid-gate pass-through, allowing for longer cargo. While convenient, the mid-gate requires careful management due to the open space it creates.
The Sierra EV’s frunk offers valuable covered storage. The reconfigurable Multi-Pro tailgate, shared with non-electric models, provides versatile loading options. While overall length and wheelbase are similar to comparable combustion models, the Denali Edition 1 is slightly wider. However, this results in less second-row headroom and legroom compared to the non-electric Sierra.
The interior embodies austere luxury. GMC Denali trucks typically avoid Western themes, opting for a more refined aesthetic. However, the Sierra EV Denali’s minimalist, mostly-black interior lacks distinctive features. The extensive use of plastic reinforces the perception of lower-quality GM interiors.
Technology, Infotainment, and Driver Assistance
Despite the interior materials, the Sierra EV boasts a 16.8-inch touchscreen, echoing the Ford F-150 Lightning’s portrait orientation and central knob. Hard buttons for climate control and frequently used icons enhance usability. However, headlight controls and the engine off function are screen-dependent and easily overlooked.
An 11.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.0-inch heads-up display are standard. The Google-based infotainment system integrates Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play Store apps, similar to Volvo and Polestar EVs. However, Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto are absent. These Google services are subscription-based, with eight years included for 2024 Sierra EVs.
Standard driver-assistance features include forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and Super Cruise. Super Cruise provides smooth and reliable hands-free highway driving, though its automated lane changes can be overly aggressive. Super Cruise also requires a subscription, with three years included.
Driving Experience
The Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 packs a 754-horsepower, dual-motor powertrain delivering 785 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. Its estimated 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds rivals the Ford F-150 Lightning but trails the Tesla Cybertruck and Rivian R1T. While exhilarating, the Sierra EV’s size diminishes the sensation of acceleration.
Beyond rapid acceleration, the driving experience is typical of a large pickup truck. Handling is not agile, and there’s noticeable shuddering over bumps. The standard air suspension on the Denali Edition 1 provides a comfortable ride despite the 24-inch wheels.
Standard four-wheel steering simplifies parking but offers limited benefit at higher speeds. The CrabWalk feature, borrowed from the Hummer EV, enables diagonal driving at low speeds, but its practical applications are limited.
Regenerative braking effectively stops the heavy pickup, with normal, strong, and off settings. The normal setting suffices for regular use, minimizing brake pedal usage. A steering-wheel paddle provides additional regenerative braking on demand.
The Sierra EV’s estimated 10,000-pound towing capacity matches the F-150 Lightning. While the Rivian R1T and Tesla Cybertruck boast higher towing capacities, towing with EVs can be challenging due to limited charging infrastructure.
Range and Charging
The Denali Edition 1’s 205-kWh battery pack provides an estimated 440 miles of range. However, this range is achieved through sheer battery size rather than efficiency. Charging a large, inefficient battery can be cumbersome. While 350-kW DC fast charging is possible, access to such powerful stations is limited. Slower stations will require significantly longer charging times. Towing will further reduce range.
The large battery pack powers the Onboard Power Station Pro system, providing up to 10.2 kW of offboard power. GM also offers home-energy systems that allow owners to connect their EVs to a stationary backup battery during power outages.
How DT Would Configure This Car
The 2025 model year will introduce more affordable Sierra EV options, including the Denali with a smaller battery pack offering 390 miles of range, the AT4 off-road model, and the entry-level Elevation.
While these additions make the Sierra EV more competitive, brand loyalty will be a key factor in choosing it over rivals. The Sierra EV faces competition from the mechanically identical Chevy Silverado EV, which offers the same features with less compelling styling. The Ford F-150 Lightning remains a strong contender for buyers seeking a traditional electric pickup. The Rivian R1T and Tesla Cybertruck offer more innovative approaches, though the Cybertruck’s design compromises and build quality issues present challenges.
The Sierra EV occupies a middle ground. It embodies the design and engineering of a dedicated EV but retains the feel of a conventional pickup. While well-designed, it prioritizes satisfying existing customers and maintaining brand relevance over true innovation.
