Overview
GMC now has not one, but two electric pickup trucks. The 2024 Sierra EV has arrived to complement the massive, over-the-top Hummer EV pickup. The Sierra is meant to be a more utilitarian and luxurious choice, and it shares much with its Chevrolet-badged sibling, the Silverado EV. The launch model is the fully equipped Denali Edition 1, which boasts a 754-horsepower two-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain, claims 440 miles of range, and will cost nearly $100,000. Additional models, including the standard Denali, the Elevation, and the AT4, will follow for 2025 with lower starting prices and less ambitious performance claims. The Sierra EV will be available only as a crew cab with a 5 foot 11 inch bed.
Where This Vehicle Ranks
#5 in Best Electric Pickup Trucks
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GMC Sierra EV
STARTING AT: $99,4956
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STARTING AT: $98,845
What’s New for 2024?
The Sierra EV is completely new for 2024 and is initially offered only as the Denali Edition 1 model. This means it comes fully loaded, featuring extensive equipment and a powerful drivetrain with two electric motors. Other trim levels will follow for the 2025 model year.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The Denali Edition 1 will be the only model available for the Sierra EV’s first model year, and it’s an expensive vehicle with all the luxury features and capabilities one expects from a modern pickup truck. GMC claims that lower trim levels will start at around $50,000.
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
The Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 comes standard with a powerful electric drivetrain that includes front and rear electric motors. This enables all-wheel drive and produces a total of 754 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque. There’s a “Max Power” mode that is activated via a hammer button on the drive-mode page. Additionally, the Sierra features an air suspension that can raise and lower the truck and the Hummer EV’s “crab walk” feature, which allows the rear wheels to turn in the same direction as the front wheels for diagonal maneuvers. A variety of drive modes alter the Sierra’s character, and a regenerative braking system includes a one-pedal driving option, utilizing regeneration to slow the truck significantly when releasing the accelerator. In our initial test drive of the Sierra EV, we found it to operate similarly to the Silverado EV. It’s remarkably quick and handles well for its size, though it can feel a bit over-responsive if the throttle is applied too aggressively.
0–60-MPH Times
In our testing, the Sierra Denali Edition 1 accelerated to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. That’s impressively quick for a truck of this size and weight, although it still falls short of the GMC Hummer EV Pickup’s 3.3 seconds as recorded during testing.
Towing and Payload Capacity
GMC claims that the Sierra EV will provide a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds. It’s yet to be established if this maximum capacity requires certain options, but further updates will clarify the Sierra’s standard and optional features.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 promises an impressive driving range of 440 miles on a single charge, thanks to its substantial 205.0-kWh battery pack. Fast-charging capability is also standard, enabling the truck to charge at up to 350 kilowatts. If you can locate a charging station compatible with this capacity, GMC indicates you can add approximately 100 miles of range in just 10 minutes. Less expensive versions of the Sierra EV will likely feature smaller battery packs and consequently offer less range than the loaded Denali variant.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
The EPA hasn’t published fuel economy estimates for the Sierra EV yet, and we haven’t been able to test the truck on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route either. Updates will follow once testing is completed. For more details on the Sierra EV’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Sierra EV is exclusively offered as a crew-cab pickup featuring a nearly six-foot-long bed. This configuration provides a spacious interior with a comfortable rear seat. GMC also includes a mid-gate functionality, expanding the bed into the cabin for accommodating longer items. A large “frunk” located at the front adds to the storage options, where the gasoline engine would typically reside. The Denali variant showcases premium materials, including open-pore wood and leather, corresponding to its luxury positioning.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The standard infotainment system features a 16.8-inch portrait-style touchscreen packed with connectivity options and built-in apps. However, it currently lacks support for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone-mirroring capabilities, although GM might add these features in the future. Additionally, an 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster and a wireless smartphone charging pad are included as standard.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
GMC has yet to disclose the complete set of standard and optional safety features for the Sierra EV. However, it is confirmed that the Denali Edition 1 includes the advanced Super Cruise hands-free driving system, taking over acceleration and braking, allowing for hands-free driving under specific conditions, such as while on mapped highways, provided the driver remains attentive. For comprehensive information on the Sierra EV’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features likely to include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Standard adaptive cruise control with hands-free driving mode
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The Sierra EV offers a warranty similar to that of other General Motors products, incorporating three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage.
- Limited warranty covers 3 years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- Hybrid components are covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit