GMC’s answer to the electric truck question is a 9,000-pound beast that’ll humble most sports cars in a straight line. The Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 packs a massive 205-kWh battery good for nearly 480 miles of range, 760 horses under the hood, and a price tag that’ll make your accountant wince. This isn’t your average work truck going electric. This is GMC taking everything they know about luxury trucks and stuffing it full of batteries.
- The Sierra EV Denali weighs around 8,800 pounds, which actually qualifies it as a heavy-duty vehicle in some states and can affect registration costs and inspection requirements.
- Despite the massive weight, the dual-motor setup rockets this truck from 0-60 mph in about 4.1 seconds, though that’s still slower than the Rivian R1T’s 2.7-second sprint and the Tesla Cybertruck’s performance variants.
- Real-world testing shows the Sierra EV can travel over 400 miles on a single charge at highway speeds, making it one of the longest-range electric trucks you can buy right now.
This Thing Weighs as Much as Two Honda Civics
Cram a 205-kWh battery pack into a full-size pickup and you get a vehicle tipping the scales at roughly 8,800 pounds. That’s about 60% heavier than a regular gas-powered Sierra 1500. Some reviewers pointed out you could stick an entire Chevy Trax in the bed of a standard Sierra and the combo would still weigh less than the EV version sitting empty.
In certain states, this weight pushes the Sierra EV into heavy-duty truck territory for registration purposes, meaning higher fees and potentially different inspection requirements. The upside? All that battery gives you an EPA-estimated range of 440 to 478 miles. MotorTrend’s real-world highway test at 70 mph saw the Sierra EV cruise well past 400 miles before needing a charge.
Fast for a Truck, Slow for an EV
Two electric motors pump out 760 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque when you hit the Max Power mode button. That’s enough to launch this nearly-four-and-a-half-ton truck to 60 mph in around 4.1 seconds. Pull up next to a gas-powered F-150 at a stoplight and you’d leave them wondering what just happened.
But here’s where electric truck comparisons get weird. The Rivian R1T’s tri-motor setup hits 60 in just 2.7 seconds. The Tesla Cybertruck’s Beast configuration does it in 2.6 seconds. Even GMC’s own Hummer EV clocks in at 3.3 seconds. The Sierra EV’s weight holds it back when you’re talking straight-line acceleration against other EVs.
Car and Driver’s testing director Eric Tingwall nailed it: “All that weight is like throwing an anchor out behind you.” The truck also gets squirrelly under hard acceleration, with the rear-wheel steering and soft suspension making it feel less planted than you’d want when you mash the throttle.
A Cabin Built for Comfort, A Bed Built for Work
Step inside and you’ll find open-pore wood, leather seats, and a massive 16.8-inch touchscreen taking up most of the dashboard. GMC went all-in on making this feel like a proper Denali. The cabin is spacious and library-quiet, with plenty of tech including Super Cruise hands-free driving that’ll handle highway miles while you relax.
The bed measures just under six feet in normal configuration, but here’s where it gets clever. Drop the MultiPro MidGate and you can haul items up to nearly 11 feet long. There’s also an 11-cubic-foot front trunk where the engine would normally live. For towing, GMC rates the Sierra EV at 10,000 pounds max capacity. Just know that real-world range while towing will tank to around 200 miles or less depending on what you’re hauling.
The Six-Figure Reality
The Denali Edition 1 starts around $99,495 before destination charges. Add those fees and you’re north of $100,000 when you drive it off the lot. To put that in perspective, you could buy three quality used cars for what GMC charges for one Sierra EV Denali. This isn’t competing with affordable electric vehicles or certified pre-owned trucks. This is firmly in luxury territory, going head-to-head with loaded Range Rovers and BMW X7s that never plan to see a construction site.
GMC plans to offer more affordable versions eventually, with the AT4 off-road trim and Elevation base model coming for the 2026 model year. But right now, if you want a Sierra EV, you’re writing a check with a lot of zeros. The question is whether all that range and luxury justifies the price premium over competitors that cost $20,000 to $30,000 less.
How It Stacks Up Against the Competition
The Sierra EV’s killer app is range. That 205-kWh battery is one of the largest in any production vehicle, and it shows when you’re actually driving. If you need an electric truck that can actually drive like a gas truck without constant charging stops, this gets the job done. Fast-charging at 350 kW means you can add about 100 miles of range in roughly 10 minutes at a compatible charger.
Where it stumbles is handling and ride quality. All that weight makes itself known when you’re throwing it into corners or standing on the brakes. The ride quality takes a hit from those 24-inch wheels with thin sidewalls. And while 4.1 seconds to 60 mph is objectively quick, it feels pedestrian when other electric trucks in this price range are doing it in under three seconds.
The Rivian R1T is sharper through corners and quicker off the line. The Tesla Cybertruck brings even more power and a higher towing capacity of 11,000 pounds. The Sierra EV fights back with more interior space, longer range, and that traditional luxury truck feel that some buyers prefer over the R1T’s adventure vibe or the Cybertruck’s sci-fi aesthetic.
Who This Truck Actually Makes Sense For
If you’re shopping used cars or browsing certified pre-owned lots looking for affordable transportation, this truck isn’t even in the same universe. The Sierra EV Denali targets buyers who want a luxury electric truck that doesn’t compromise on range. We’re talking about someone who might cross-shop a loaded Ford F-150 Platinum, a Rivian R1T, or even premium SUVs like a loaded BMW X7.
GMC clearly bet there’s a market for six-figure electric trucks that put comfort and range ahead of raw performance. Early sales suggest they might be right. The Denali Edition 1 sold out quickly, with many buyers trading multiple vehicles just to cover down payments on these electric pickups.
Is it worth $100,000? That’s a question only your bank account can answer. If you need serious range, want luxury features, and don’t mind paying the weight penalty, the Sierra EV does what it promises. If you want the quickest, most fun-to-drive electric truck that’ll pin you to the seat every time you floor it, look at the Rivian or Cybertruck instead. The Sierra EV is for buyers who want a truck that feels like a Denali first and an electric vehicle second.
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