GMC Sierra 1500: The entirely rebuilt GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado trucks that General Motors unveiled four years ago didn’t last very long. The contentious style of the Chevy led to a better-than-ever Ram 1500 and a new Ford F-150, quickly overtaking GM in sales. Since then, both trucks have been playing catch-up, but significant interior and system modifications last year significantly enhanced both vehicles. The Sierra differs from the more commonplace Chevy in that it has a more upscale appearance and a more chiselled, square-jawed shape, even though both trucks have various variations and remarkable capabilities.
Due to supply chain constraints, the midyear modifications from the previous year followed a run of trucks built to 2021 specifications known as “Sierra Limiteds.” Significant improvements were made to the vehicle’s towing capability, and all trim levels other than the entry-level Pro had redesigned dashboards with a 13.4-inch infotainment screen and a 12.3-inch driver’s display sporting a new Google-based operating system. Building on the popular truck models, GMC has introduced two new trims: the even more robust AT4X and the even plusher Denali Ultimate. There are fewer modifications this year, including a new AT4X AEV Edition and more power for the available diesel.
The Sierra’s new 13,200-pound tow rating and redesigned interior help to make it more competitive, but the Ram 1500 and Ford F-150 remain the best vehicles in this class, and the Toyota Tundra, which will return in 2022, is also quite good. Although the Sierra is somewhat more expensive than the Silverado, it is also advertised as more abundant, and higher-end Sierra models sell well. The other trucks lack or will soon lose the features that the Sierra (and Silverado) provide, such as GM’s Super Cruise and a powerful diesel.
With 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque, the diesel engine now enables the Sierra to tow up to 13,200 pounds while achieving a combined fuel economy of up to 26 mpg. Three more powerplant options are also available, including two well-known V8s and a four-cylinder turbo. Except for the AT4 versions, which are 4WD but also come with additional off-road gear, rear-drive is standard, and four-wheel drive (4WD) is available. These vehicles are pretty competent. However, they aren’t competitors with the F-150 Raptor or Ram TRX. For a car its size, the Sierra handles relatively well, too.
In addition to a bewildering assortment of cab-and-bed combinations, GMC still provides a regular cab model for those content to remain with the base trim levels. The highest trims only come with crew cabs and short beds, which most customers pick, but the Sierra has a roomy and cosy interior. The beds come with GMC’s convenient multi-function tailgate, and on some trims, a lightweight bed strengthened with carbon fibre is an optional feature. Although a handy vehicle, it lacks Ram’s storage choices and Ford’s renowned onboard generator.
Last year’s upgrades addressed a significant drawback of pre-2022 Sierras, including many new standard safety equipment, but just the essentials are included. Sadly, only available on the Denali, GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system is the finest available on the market and functions well while towing a trailer. Although optional, GMC’s trailer monitoring system is also excellent. Despite Sierra’s upmarket appearance, the price might quickly build up to a sum that appears excessive, given its kilometre-long options list.
What’s New
- The available Duramax turbodiesel inline six-cylinder engine now produces 495 pound-feet of torque and 305 horsepower, up from 277 and 460 in the previous year.
- The AT4X, which debuted last year, now has an even more extreme version called the AT4X AEV. American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) has modified the AT4X’s body with unique features, including hot-stamped skidplates, redesigned bumpers, laser-engraved wheels, and 33-inch Goodyear mud tires.
- Three more colours are available: Volcanic Red Tintcoat, Deep Bronze Metallic, and Sterling Metallic.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Beautiful, unique style and a significantly upgraded interior
- several powerful engines available, including a diesel variant
- It’s much more competitive now that safety and technological aspects have improved recently.
Cons
- It is more expensive than a Silverado, although most two ratings are somewhat lower.
- Ford’s capabilities are still superior to Ram’s regarding ride quality and poshness.
- Top models are the only ones with the most excellent equipment, such as General Motors’ Super Cruise.
Performance: GMC Sierra 1500
GMC provides the Sierra with four engine options, the first being the basic 2.7-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine. It is coupled to an eight-speed automatic and has been increased to 310 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque (a 20% increase over 2021). While the Sierra’s turbo four may not be considered “fast,” it can accelerate to 60 mph in around 7 seconds and tow up to 9,500 pounds (8,900 in a 4WD Crew Cab).
The V8s are above the four. In addition to having 355 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, the 5.3 can tow up to 11,200 pounds (or 11,100 in the crew cab) and can go from zero to sixty miles per hour somewhat quicker than the four. Available exclusively on AT4 and Denali models, the massive 6.2-litre V8 produces 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. It is also only available in a crew cab. It can pull up to 13,000 pounds and reach 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, even when set up correctly.
The 3.0-litre Duramax turbodiesel inline-six engine provides maximum pulling power. The diesel’s performance is comparable to the turbo four’s, with 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft now available (up from 277 and 460 in previous years). It can tow up to 13,200 pounds (or 13,100 in the crew cab), but that’s still less than the F-150’s 14,000 pounds. Although it is still available, Ram’s torquey turbodiesel will be phased out in January 2023. A 10-speed automatic gearbox is fitted to both the V8s and the Duramax.
Except for the AT4 versions that only have 4WD, rear-wheel drive is standard, and 4WD is optional. Along with a significant lift kit, the AT4 has other enhancements that increase its trail capability, including 10.9 to 11.1 inches of ground clearance. The AT4X is limited to the 6.2 and costs extra, but it has thicker underbody protection, electronically locked front and rear differentials, and Multimedia spool-valve dampers that improve ride quality.
Though not as good as the comparable Yukon, which has a different rear suspension, the Sierra handles well for a large truck and considerably better with the optional adaptive suspension. Moreover, it doesn’t ride as smoothly as the 1500 Ram. The AT4s provide genuine off-road ability without sacrificing on-road or towing capabilities.
Fuel Efficiency: GMC Sierra 1500
One of the most fuel-efficient half-ton trucks is the Sierra with the optional turbodiesel inline-six engine. Its combined EPA ratings are 26 mpg, 31 mpg on the interstate, and 23 mpg in the city when it has two-wheel drive; 4WD vehicles lose around 1 to 2 mpg in each category. That’s much better than the Toyota Tundra hybrid (22 mpg) and even better than the Ford F-150 Powerboost hybrid (25 mpg combined), but diesel naturally costs more per gallon.
The four-cylinder Sierra performs well, combining 20 mpg in rear-drive and 19 in 4WD. This puts it on par with the Toyota Tundra but less than or equal to the F-150’s V6 and V8 variants.
The V8s, predictably, perform worse. The 5.3 can get up to 18 mpg with rear-drive and 17 mpg with 4WD, while the 6.2 can only manage 16 to 17 mpg. With its off-road components and tires, the AT4 and AT4X perform considerably worse. The AT4X only manages a combined 15 mpg, which we found difficult to achieve during real-world testing (we saw about 14 mpg in more than 350 miles of mixed driving). Even worse, the 6.2 only offers pricey beverages.
Driver assistance and safety:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awards the GMC Sierra four out of five stars. At the same time, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives it a scattering of “Good” grades in most areas, albeit it isn’t a Top Safety Pick. A significant complaint of earlier Sierra models was addressed by GMC last year when several sophisticated driver-aid technologies were made standard. Almost none of the equipment was familiar in prior years, and the expensive alternatives were few.
The standard features include automatic high beams, a following distance indicator, forward automated emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, lane departure warning with lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning. A $995 upgrade includes cross-traffic alerts and rear automated braking, which is helpful in a large vehicle. Super Cruise Level 2 hands-free driving technology from GM is available as an option for the Denali and standard for the Ultimate. It is compatible with towing a trailer.
Additionally, Sierras may be equipped with a range of trailering cameras, some of which follow the location of your trailer and provide up to 15 distinct perspectives. Given the size of the vehicle, this function is also helpful while off-roading; nonetheless, the Sierra excels in terms of trailering aids, giving it an additional point in our assessments.
Coziness & Space: GMC Sierra 1500
This is a large vehicle, and the Sierra has plenty of room, just like the other half tons. Although the Ram 1500 offers more rear-seat legroom (45.2 inches compared to 43.4 inches) than the Sierra, crew-cab versions outperform their competitors in most categories, including front legroom, which is best in class at 44.5 inches. Even if the rear of the Double Cab (extended) model is still tiny for family usage, it is one of the most spacious versions of this kind of cab.
Except for the work-truck Pro, the Sierra’s interior has been updated to make it more aesthetically pleasant and comfortable. Better-feeling and higher-quality components are available than ever before in both the AT4X and Denali Ultimate, albeit the former’s off-road goal requires the use of more resilient and easily cleaned materials.
Infotainment: GMC Sierra 1500
Last year, GMC significantly upgraded the Sierra’s technology, which makes the vehicle better in many ways. Every 2023 Sierra has a 13.4-inch centre infotainment screen and a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster, except the work-truck Pro, which retains the previous cabin and a 7.0-inch central screen. Returning GM enthusiasts will discover that the interface is richer and more extensive than GMC’s earlier systems, yet it is still familiar and straightforward to understand.
Google provides the Android-based operating system that powers the new screen and has benefits, including real-time traffic and constantly updated map info. Google Play and Google Assistant are also included in the configurable infotainment system. For those who want an interface that isn’t quite like this one, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both built-in. Compared to Ford and (indeed) Ram, the display is less cluttered, and the options are more straightforward to understand.
The highest trims have a 12-speaker Bose music system, wireless phone charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 15-inch head-up display.
Storage & Cargo Space:
Although you can’t modify the Sierra in every imaginable way, GMC makes it with three different cab layouts and three distinct beds to match. A regular cab is still available on the basic model Pro with 79.5-inch (6-foot, 6-inch) or 98.2-inch (8-foot, 2-inch) beds. While Crew Cabs may have the standard or short 69.9-inch (5-foot, 8-inch) beds, certain trims (especially the most expensive ones) only have the short bed. Double Cabs only have the standard bed.
These beds provide up to 89.1 cubic feet (long bed) of storage capacity below any tonneau cover, making them somewhat more significant than other models. The short bed is 62.9 cu ft, while the regular bed is 71.7 cu ft. Not only does Ram’s innovative RamBox bed-wall storage modules not come with the Sierra, but neither do Ford, Chevy, or Toyota. It is also inferior to Ram in terms of internal storage capacity. But the Sierra shines in one area: the six-way MultiPro Tailgate offered. It increases functionality and facilitates bed usage.
Design: GMC Sierra 1500
The fact that the new Toyota Tundra from last year looks to borrow heavily from the Sierra in several areas should make GMC proud if imitation is indeed the best form of flattery. Both have sharp, angular looks that, unlike the scowling Silverado, seem solid and challenging without being too combative. While the little wheels that aid in the AT4X off-road appearance seem tiny on such a large vehicle, the Denali and AT4 versions of the Sierra have a lovely appearance.
The Denali and Denali Ultimate are luxurious, and the redesigned dashboards significantly enhance the interior decor. Thoughts vary on whether they are as plentiful as their asking costs indicate; the top-of-the-line F-150 and Ram 1500 models seem a little finer. While we did not see the same occurrence with the Denali versions that other Forbes Wheels writers have examined in the last year, we did notice a few misfitting plastic bits in our AT4X.
Is the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 Worth it?
We believe the most incredible deals in the Sierra range are further up the trim ladder since the basic model, the Sierra 1500 Pro ($37,445 including a $1,895 delivery tax), is somewhat more expensive than the comparable Chevy Silverado WT and is available in fewer combinations.
The Elevation ($55,870), which has the most engine options and combinations (albeit not a standard cab), is perhaps the most outstanding value overall.
The diesel, 4WD, and trailering assistance systems are a few choices since they are far less costly than the Denali and AT4 variants. Moreover, it has a more extensive equipment set than the SLE, with one level lower. Though it comes at a higher price, tow hooks, better wheels, and the Max Trailering option are added to the crew-cab-only SLT ($59,960). Although it differs at higher trim levels, the revised infotainment system in the Sierra is also better than the one in the Ram at this mid-grade level.
The Denali ($69,490) and AT4 ($60,490 with the diesel, the 6.2 costs more) are priced above that. The Denali has a pretty opulent inside, if maybe not quite as lovely as a Ram Limited’s, along with more technology and the Super Cruise system, now available as part of a $6,340 package. Though it isn’t as extreme as an off-roader, the AT4 has a more excellent selection of powerplants and comes with a significant amount of off-road gear compared to the AT4X.
The best models are the Denali Ultimate ($84,835 with the diesel) and AT4X ($85,490). These are the greatest Sierras; the Denali greatest surpasses the normal Denali in luxury, even with the basic Super Cruise. Though it wasn’t always intended to be in the same class as the Raptor or TRX, the AT4X delivers even more off-road performance with less sacrifice. Neither of those vehicles is as practical for daily usage or has as much towing capacity.
The AEV Edition of the AT4X, primarily a cosmetic package, is the big news for 2023. Specialized floor mats, 18-inch wheels, complete underbody protection, and rocker guards are all included for an additional $6,895, bringing the total price into the $90,000 area. We’d continue to use the standard AT4X.
How Much Does GMC Sierra 1500 Insurance Cost?
The insurance expenses for the Sierra 1500 are around average compared to its competitors. The average yearly premium for a 30-year-old female driver with a spotless record is $2,274, which applies to all 50 states. In contrast, a diesel Ram 1500 Longhorn ($2,299), a Toyota Tundra Limited ($2,078), and an F-150 King Ranch ($2,238).
GMC Sierra 1500 Generations
Fourth Generation
2019 to Present
The present fourth-generation Sierra debuted as a 2019 model in 2018 and underwent significant updates for the 2022 model year. It was built from the ground up and still uses Chevy Silverado components. The updated and upgraded 2022 GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado have better interior decorations and electronics, less aggressive external accents, and the inclusion of a six-cylinder turbodiesel engine. These features were lost when competitors unveiled new and improved models.
Third Generation
2015 to 2018
The third-generation Sierra, which debuted in 2014 as a 2015 model, made a splash in the pickup market with its squared-off appearance and a slew of new amenities, such as upgraded infotainment systems with an optional Bose audio system. For Denali versions, a 6.2-litre V8 was available. In 2016, a minor update was released.
Second Generation
2007 to 2014
The revamped appearance, upgraded interior, improved frame and suspension, and improved suspension system of the second-generation Sierra made it a noticeable improvement over the first.
First Generation
1999 to 2007
As a more expensive alternative to the Chevy Silverado, the Sierra 1500 was unveiled in 1999 with the Chevy Silverado. The addition of the Sierra C3/Denali package helped to upscale the GMC further. An even more potent V8 and a leather-wrapped interior were options. Numerous versions, improvements, and other powertrains would be launched throughout the first generation.
Verdict
The full-size pickup truck, the 2023 GMC Sierra, is boldly designed and very competent. It costs more than its Chevy brother, the Silverado, but it also has a few extra goodies. Both were overhauled in 2019 but no longer seem to fall short of modern options from Ford and Ram. Significant interior and technological improvements, along with the 2022 arrival of the ultra-plush Denali Ultimate and more durable AT4X, make the Sierra a more competitive vehicle. This year’s changes are minimal, but the Sierra maintains its impressive power and pleasing appearance.
