Some might argue the Sierra is just a rebadged Chevrolet Silverado, but the GMC Sierra is a bit more than that. The GMC Sierra's starting price is around $37,000 for a base spec 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 with a 310-horsepower and 420 lb.ft 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine. The recently unveiled 2024 GMC Sierra starts at $38,000 with the same 4-cylinder engine. Some GMC Sierra 1500 competitors include the RAM 1500, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Toyota Tundra, and Nissan Titan. Also, the Rivian R1T and GMC Hummer EV Pickup are excellent choices if EVs are not excused from your list of considerable alternatives.
General Motors Company (GMC) unveiled the first generation Sierra alongside the Chevrolet Silverado in 1999. It was the pickup for the one percenters who wanted more from a truck without compromises. Complete with some of the best features you would look for in a truck at the time, including standard 4x4 and all-around disc brakes; the GMC Sierra was the truck to get if you were looking for a workhorse in 1999. The GMC Sierra 1500 was the most common version of the Sierra range and was available in three cab body styles: a two-door regular cab, four four-door extended cab, and a four-door crew cab. Three bed length options were also offered: a 69.2-inch short box, a 78.7-inch standard box, and a 97.6-inch long box. GM carried over these cab body and bed styles to preceding model years, including in the 2024 GMC Sierra 1500.
Throughout the five generations, the GMC Sierra saw tons of changes and upgrades to better it for the one percenters it was meant to cater to. From aerodynamic enhancements to the latest tech and luxury features, GMC gave the Sierra everything it could. GMC even tested the 4th gen GMC Sierra in a wind tunnel! The current generation defines luxury in a truck on another level, considering trucks are built to get beat around and get dirty. Luxury features are meant to be in mall-crawling SUVs such as GM's very own GMC Yukon. This brings us to the question: what is the difference between the GMC Sierra and the Chevrolet Silverado? The appearance difference is a little bit too obvious, but you can't miss the design similarities between the two trucks. The front fascia might differ, but the enormous grille takes over considerable space on the front end. Also, fog lights, tow hooks, and vent positions are similar in the two trucks.
Having been designed with luxury-seeking buyers in mind, the GMC Sierra has a more premium overall appearance featuring chrome bits and a smooth finish. On the other hand, the Chevy Silverado has a more rugged and masculine touch, featuring blacked-out bits and an aggressive finish. Underneath the striking bodies of these two trucks, everything is the same, even though GM keeps the chassis codes under different names. Engine, suspension, drivetrain, and transmission options are similar in base and high-spec models. However, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has a higher maximum towing capacity at 13,300 pounds compared to the GMC Sierra's 13,000 pounds, with both trucks having the 6.2-liter V8. In the interior, the GMC Sierra is plusher donned with refined luxury touches and trims. Leather seats are standard, and buyers can opt for wood trims that complement the interior perfectly. However, a few interior features, such as the 13.4-inch infotainment display, are similar in the two trucks. Enough about the differences between the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado. Buckle up as we explore what makes the GMC Sierra stand out in the competitive landscape of pickup trucks.
On the exterior, the GMC Sierra carries a purposeful design integrating modern and aggressive styling. One thing that stands out on the exterior is the front end. That humongous grille with red GMC initials is to die for and gives the front end a subtle, aggressive appeal. The headlights sitting on each end are nothing short of stunning, especially with the strip cutting downwards. The side angle is the best angle to view the GMC Sierra. It might be a luxurious pickup truck, but the side profile tells you enough that it's built to handle ranch terrains. At the rear end, there's nothing too much going on, which is precisely how a pickup truck should be. But the chrome exhaust tips add a nice touch that doesn't go unnoticed.
Step inside the GMC Sierra and enjoy unparalleled comfort. The cabin is loaded with attractive materials even in the standard model, but real luxury is found in the high-spec models such as the Sierra Denali. Despite the seat material you get, the seats are comfortable and feel like GMC yanked them straight out of a private jet. Regular cab models accommodate five occupants in the cabin, while the crew cab GMC Sierra models seat six, three in the front and the rear. One feature we love about the GMC Sierra's cabin is that you can spec the car with rear heated seats, an option unavailable in most pickup trucks. The driver and front seat passenger get to enjoy the highly interactive 13.4-inch vertical display with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, and satellite radio, among other entertainment perks. Audio is distributed through the cabin via a six-speaker stereo system that buyers can swap with a 7-speaker high-performance Premium Bose sound system. Other optional interior features in the GMC Sierra include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seats, dual sunroof, Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless device charging, and front bucket seats. There are also numerous trim options, including aluminum trims and wood inserts.
Like most new Pickup Trucks, the GMC Sierra is not short of tech features. The best we've seen is GM's Super Cruise, which allows for hand-free driving for more than 400,00 miles. Super Cruise is only available in the Sierra Denali and Denali Ultimate and controls acceleration, braking, and lane changing on compatible roads. But it requires constant driver attention on the road, or else an alert system will be activated and force the driver to take control of the steering wheel. One advantage Super Cruise has over hands-free systems in other trucks, such as Ford's BlueCruise, is that it allows hands-free towing. GMC also recently unveiled Alexa compatibility with their car's infotainment systems, including in the GMC Sierra. This adds to the remote access capabilities of the GMC Sierra since GM had earlier unveiled the OnStar Guardian app, which gives up to seven connected devices remote access to the car's function. Driving in any condition with the GMC Sierra is made easy by the 14-camera system that displays all driving angles via the infotainment system. Whether you are on a rocky mountain pass or the highway towing a trailer, you get a 360-degree view, enhancing your driving confidence. The optional in-built In-Vehicle Trailer system allows drivers to create trailer profiles for maintenance, route preparation, trailer tire pressure monitoring, and light sequence. The system can be accessed and controlled via the myGMC mobile app when outside the car.
The GMC Sierra has four engine options: a 2.7-liter turbocharged high-output inline-four engine, a 5.3-liter Ecotec3 V8, a 6.2-liter Ecotec 3 V8 and a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel inline-six engine. With the least amount of power, rated at 310 horsepower and 430 lb.ft of torque, the 2.7-liter engine gives the GMC Sierra a 9,200-pound maximum towing capacity, which is pretty impressive for an engine that size. Units with the 5.3-liter V8 making 355 horsepower and 383 lb.t have a towing capacity of up to 11,300 pounds. The 6.2-liter V8 produces 420 horsepower and 460 lb.ft and allows the GMC Sierra to tow up to 11,800 pounds. If you're in the market for a truck that has impressive towing capabilities, go for a GMC Sierra with the 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine. It has the best-in-class maximum towing capacity at 13,000 pounds despite having the least power among engine options offered in the GMC Sierra at 277 horsepower. This is made possible by its high torque figures at 460 lb.ft, which kicks in at low RPMs. Which transmission does the GMC Sierra have? The 2.7-liter 4-cylinder and 5.3-liter V8 are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, but the 5.3-liter V8 can be optioned with a 10-speed automatic. On the other hand, the 6.2-liter V8 and the 3.0-liter turbodiesel are coupled to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Pickup trucks usually have some pretty nice features that make their usability easier, and the GMC Sierra is no exception. The first feature you probably don't know about is the extending running board. In most trucks, the running board extends outwards and downwards, but the GMC Sierra's running board also extends backward. If you have a roof rack or tent, the backward-extending running board allows you to step into the bed or to the top of the truck. The multi-pro tailgate in the Sierra SLT and AT4 is one of the most practical tailgates available on a pickup truck. It has six different functions, including functioning as a step that makes it easy to get into the bed. The multi-pro tailgate also has a load stop for loads that exceed the size of the bed, so you have to open the tailgate. These are just a few of the features of the multi-pro tailgate. Not least of all, the head-up display in the GMC Sierra displays more than the vehicle's speed. It shows the drive mode, driver assist features, off-road stats, and direction, among other functions. This is unlike most head-up displays that only display the speed.
One of the best alternatives is the Chevrolet Silverado, which closely matches the GMC Sierra and shares the same powertrain and drivetrain. It's the truck to buy, maybe if you consider a more familiar brand, but remember, General Motors produces both trucks. Full-size trucks such as the RAM 1500 and Toyota Tundra give the GMC Sierra the most competition. There are also EVs, such as the Ford F150 Lightning, GMC Hummer EV, and Rivian R1T, that are worth considering.
The GMC Sierra boasts a strong reputation for its durability, towing capacity, and luxury features, making it an appealing option for many truck buyers. A comfortable and well-appointed interior and a variety of available features and trim levels are some of the features that draw buyers to the GMC Sierra. Also, the excellent engine options give it an upper hand against most competitors.
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