High-Powered, High-Tech 2024 GMC Sierra EV Breaks Cover
And this new pickup truck will have a high price to match
2025 GMC Sierra EV AT4
By Jeff S. Bartlett
GMC unveiled its long-anticipated Sierra EV pickup truck this week; it is the companion to the Chevrolet Silverado EV and the second electric vehicle from the upscale truck brand, following the Hummer EV.
Now a tradition in the electric vehicle space, GMC will start sales with the highest, most expensive trim: the Denali Edition 1. This truck boasts some big numbers, starting with the $107,000 price tag. (Reservations are open now.) A touch higher than the $105,000 RST First Edition that kicks off Silverado EV sales.
Other key figures include a GM-estimated 400-mile range, a peak output of 754 hp, and a maximum towing capacity of 9,500 pounds.
This is the fully loaded, flagship truck for GMC and General Motors as a whole. It has many similar features to the previously announced Silverado EV, and it borrows a few tricks from the Hummer EV, such as crab walk—a unique ability to move diagonally at low speeds.
Other trims will roll out for the following model year, including the off-road focused AT4 (late 2024) and well-equipped Elevation (early 2025) already scheduled. All will have crew-cab body styles. The product line will eventually include a base model priced at $50,000—about $10,000 higher than the electric “Work Truck” that Chevrolet will offer.
For now, GMC is focused on the Denali Edition 1. Here’s what we know so far.
What it competes with: Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Hummer EV Pickup, Rivian R1T
What it looks like: A pickup truck modified to appear in a sci-fi movie.
Powertrain: 754 hp, dual electric motors; 1-speed direct-drive; all-wheel drive
Price: $50,000-$107,000
On sale: Early 2024 (Denali Edition 1), late 2024 (AT4), early 2025 (Elevation)
2025 GMC Sierra EV Elevation, 2025 GMC Sierra EV AT4, and 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1.
Photo: GMC
CR's Take
GMC is taking a measured approach, adapting the corporate Ultium platform and rolling out its Sierra EV line, starting at the top. This strategy makes sense for the manufacturer, but it doesn’t help ordinary pickup buyers looking for price parity with a conventional pickup truck. Start with the lower volume, higher profit version, thereby allowing the assembly line to gain momentum over time. And initial marketing materials tout wondrous abilities and features. However, the auto industry as a whole may be turning off many prospective buyers with the initial emphasis on six-figure trucks.
That said, the Sierra EV Denali sounds quite promising, with a sophisticated suspension, powerful motors, long range, innovative midgate, 800-volt DC fast charging, and off-board charging capabilities. However, it will come to market years after Ford launched the F-150 Lightning pickup, which is already available in four trims with varied pricing. For GM loyalists, it sounds like it will be worth the wait, but it will be a while before the mainstream iterations arrive at dealerships.
2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali shown with the midgate folded down, expanding the bed's cargo space into the cabin.
Photo: GMC
Outside
The Sierra EV’s exterior looks more futuristic than recent GMC designs, including the upcoming Silverado EV. It clearly signals that this is much more than a work truck. Given that volume sales are not expected until the 2025 model year, looking like a truck from tomorrow is probably a good thing.
If you look at the body lines, you’ll see that this has a unified bed/cab structure, making it more like a full-sized Yukon SUV than a typical two-piece cab-and-bed truck. Beyond promising a more solid body from this approach, it enables the return of the “midgate” feature pioneered by the Chevrolet Avalanche a couple of decades ago. This means the bed can fold into the cabin, expanding the cargo capacity from the exposed 5-foot, 11-inch bed to 9 feet with the tailgate closed. With a split-folding rear seat and available tonneau cover, there are many secure cargo-toting possibilities, such as transporting a kayak while having a rear passenger.
For further storage, there is a front trunk where the engine would traditionally be located. Like the Silverado EV and Ford F-150 Lightning, the once-traditional grille area opens with the front trunk lid, making the space more accessible.
The Edition 1 includes the MultiPro tailgate offered on current Sierra trucks, with its ability to flip and fold to aid in securing long lumber and providing a convenient step ladder to climb into the bed. We have found these tailgates to be quite helpful, but they are heavy to close. Payload capacity is 1,300 pounds.
The 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition cabin is dressed in premium materials, as expected at this price.
Photo: GMC
Inside
Befitting a six-figure truck, the cabin is dressed with open-pore wood trim, quilted upholstery with accent stitching, and nearly every bell and whistle in GM’s parts bin. The most striking element is the giant 16.8-inch center touchscreen used to control infotainment, climate, and more. We like seeing an integrated knob and hard buttons below the display, because some recent EVs have been overly reliant on screens.
The stereo is sourced from Bose, and there is a wireless phone charger.
Adding to the premium ambiance is a panoramic roof.
There is added storage under the hood, an area that is known as a frunk—meaning "front trunk."
Photo: GMC
What Drives It
The Denali Edition 1 produces 754 hp and 785 lb.-ft. of torque in Max Power mode. This mighty motive force is delivered to all four wheels. GMC says the Edition 1 can race from 0 to 60 mph in under 4.5 seconds, making it muscle-car quick.
Future trims are expected to offer more modest configurations. As a guide, the Silverado EV offers single- and dual-motor electric drive systems, with power spanning from 510 to 664 hp. Expect the Sierra EV to have similar offerings.
This truck includes 19.2-kW onboard AC charging, meaning it can benefit from charging at 240 volts on an 80 ampere circuit. Its 800-volt architecture allows rapid DC fast charging in public places. GMC claims this allows up to 100 miles of range to be added in just 10 minutes. Total range is estimated to be 400 miles.
Plus, the truck can be used as a mobile power source. GMC says it could power essential home devices for up to 21 days, depending on usage, energy draw, and weather. An optional Ultium Power Bar enables the Sierra EV to provide 10.2-kW of power through up to 10 outlets, so it can energize a work site or campsite.
The driver can select from Standard, Tow/Haul, Off-Road, My Mode, and Max Power modes to tailor the truck’s performance to the situation. (The AT4 will add a Terrain mode.) It does allow one-pedal driving, where the driver can lift off the accelerator and the truck will use regenerative braking to slow down.
Sharing the Ultium platform that underpins the Hummer EV, Silverado EV, and Cadillac Lyriq, the Sierra EV has an independent suspension. Denali Edition 1 takes it a step further with an adaptive air suspension system that can adjust to driving conditions, and raise or lower the truck by 2 inches, say, to go over rough terrain or to ease access into the cab or bed.
Among its tricks first seen on the Hummer EV is crab walk. At low speeds, the truck can turn all four wheels in the same direction, allowing it to move diagonally, such as around an obstacle when driving off road. And it has four-wheel steer to reduce the turning radius of the large vehicle.
Active Safety and Driver Assistance
The Sierra EV will no doubt come with a comprehensive suite of standard and available active safety and driver assistance technologies, but details have not been released. We do know that the Edition 1 comes with a towing-compatible version of GM’s Super Cruise hands-free active driving assistance technology.
The 2024 Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 includes a 19.2-kW onboard AC charging for home and public charging. And it is 800-volt DC fast charging compatible.
Photo: GMC
More from Consumer Reports:
Top pick tires for 2016
Best used cars for $25,000 and less
7 best mattresses for couples
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2022, Consumer Reports, Inc.
