The GMC Sierra offers strong value in the light-duty truck market, thanks to its impressive towing capacity, numerous configuration options, and advanced technology. While it may not be the leader in its class, the Sierra is still an excellent choice, with the V8 engine adding even more to its appeal.
Performance
The Sierra is available in various configurations, which is one of its many strengths. Our test model came with the optional 6.2L V8 engine, which is impressively quick. Despite its size, accelerating from a standstill is quite pleasant, and the Sierra doesn’t struggle with acceleration like some others in the segment. The 10-speed transmission complements the engine well, delivering quick and responsive shifts.
Braking performance is crucial for a pickup truck, and the Sierra 1500 excels in this area. The brake pedal offers solid feedback, and the brakes respond quickly when needed. However, like many light-duty trucks, the Sierra falls short in handling. It experiences significant body roll, and the steering feels numb, providing limited road feedback.
Interior & Comfort
The Sierra’s cabin offers plenty of space, with ample headroom and legroom thanks to its well-designed and roomy interior. The layout is well-executed, with everything intuitively placed, from the buttons and switches to the touchscreen and other controls the driver interacts with. It all seems perfectly positioned, enhancing the overall driving experience. The quality of materials is also impressive, with nothing inside feeling cheap or out of place.
Seats are crucial in a pickup truck, especially for blue-collar workers who spend long hours behind the wheel, and the Sierra delivers with exceptionally comfortable seating. The ride quality further adds to this comfort, remaining smooth on most road surfaces. Even on rougher roads, the suspension does a good job of maintaining a balanced and comfortable ride.
The climate system is an essential feature in a pickup, given its daily use, and it does well at keeping the cabin comfortable. Higher trims also offer both ventilated and heated seats, which work well to enhance comfort in different weather conditions.
Despite the large size of the truck, multiple camera angles and the surround-view camera system make maneuvering and parking easier.
Technology
The tech offerings are another strong point of the Sierra, starting with the 13.4-inch touchscreen that features a user-friendly interface and responds quickly to inputs. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, with wireless connectivity available on higher trims. Both systems look great on the large screen and function smoothly. While there is a slight delay when using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto wirelessly, this is a common issue across most vehicles with wireless connectivity.
The Sierra comes with a good amount of driver assistance features, which is one of GM’s strengths. Common features like adaptive cruise control work well at maintaining distance from the vehicle ahead without abrupt braking.
GM’s Super Cruise is the highlight when it comes to tech offerings in the Sierra—it’s a hands-free driver assist technology that can take control on select roads, making driving easier and more relaxing. Super Cruise is one of the best systems in the industry, arguably second only to Tesla’s. The downside is that this feature is only available on the fully loaded trim, limiting its accessibility to those who opt for the highest-end model.
Best Value
The Sierra is available in a variety of configurations, each offering its own set of advantages. You can choose from five different cab and box styles, as well as two drive types: 2WD and 4WD. The truck also offers a range of engine options, including a 2.7L TurboMax engine, a 5.3L V8, a 6.2L V8, and a 3.0L turbo diesel engine, allowing you to tailor the Sierra to your specific needs and preferences.
The choice of cab and box style depends on your specific needs, but if you’re looking for the best overall package, the Denali Ultimate trim is the top pick. It offers an ideal blend of utility and luxury, making it a standout choice. The 6.2L V8 engine and Super Cruise, both exclusive to the fully loaded Denali Ultimate trim, make this version a clear winner in our book.
While the Sierra may not be the class leader when compared to top contenders like the F-150, one of its greatest strengths is its versatility. There’s truly a Sierra configuration for everyone, allowing buyers to uniquely customize the truck to their liking.
GMC also frequently offers attractive discounts on the Sierra, further enhancing its value and making it a compelling choice for shoppers.
