2023 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD

Pros:

• For towing and hauling, the powertrain can be configured in several ways.
• The back legs have plenty of room to move around now that the cabin is bigger.
• There are a lot of beds and places to tie things down.
• The touch screen looks good and is easy to use.

Cons:

• Its main competitors ride smoother than this one.
• The price of trimming is a worry.
• It’s hard to see because of the oversized hood and giant roof pillars.

How does the Sierra 1500 feel to drive? Our test vehicle had an optional crew cab, four-wheel drive, and a 6.2-liter V8 engine. It reached 60 mph in 6.2 seconds on our test track, which is fast for a full-size truck. The 10-speed transmission makes it easy to change gears quickly. Even though the maximum stopping force is potent, driving may be challenging because the brake pedal doesn’t feel like it should.

We are more relaxed about how the Sierra is run. As you turn corners, it means a lot and looks like it weighs a lot. You also feel numb when you hold the steering wheel. A full-sized car can go off-road. When there isn’t much grip, a Select Traction system lets the reels spin faster, enabling the throttle to start more smoothly.

How is the Sierra 1500 to drive? Even though Sierra’s front seats aren’t as comfortable as those in the F-150 and Ram 1500, they’re still suitable for long trips. The ride is comfortable on the highway, and the car is good at avoiding most small accidents. If you drive on the road with many dips and bumps, your car might start to shake.

The temperature control system makes heating or cooling the cabin easy, but some controls may be hard to use because they are so small. We like that GM’s front seats are heated and can be split. Both the seat cushion and the seatback can be made warmer or cooler. Unless you give the engine a lot of gas, it is quiet. Then it bothers me a little, but it’s not too bad.

Can you describe the interior? In the front, there is plenty of room for your head, shoulders, and legs. The back seat of the Sierra crew cab is also quite roomy. Three adults of the same height can stand next to each other without touching. You can change both the heart and the wheel to fit the driver. On the other hand, it’s easy for tall or short drivers to find a comfortable driving position.

Sierra’s internal controls have been improved, which is good news. It’s easy to find switches, knobs, and buttons, and it’s fun to turn, press, and click them. The touch screen starts up quickly and responds quickly to commands. On the other hand, it can be hard to see full-size cars, and Sierra’s shape doesn’t help. Short drivers might have trouble seeing over the hood, and significant side pillars might get in the way. Having a high-quality camera system that can see in all directions is helpful.

How well does the tech work? Without technology, it is impossible to understand the Sierra. A 13.4-inch touchscreen with several functions makes it easy to use. The screen’s high resolution makes it easy to touch and swipe. The navigation makes finding exciting places and landmarks easy, and the maps are easy to understand. Also, the speech recognition system on the screen, powered by Google, reads your question out loud in clear English. You can use your voice to change the station, the temperature, and other things.

Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot are all already set up in the test car. CarPlay works well on the big screen. A case protects your phone, and some can be charged wirelessly. The driver of this huge truck can get help from multiple outside cameras when trying to park it. Under the seat bottom is a buzzer for the rear cross-traffic warning system, which is another helpful feature.

In general, adaptive cruise control is excellent, especially for a car this size. In stop-and-go traffic, however, our test truck did stop quickly and hard. Ford’s BlueCruise technology is available on several F-150 models, but GM’s Super Cruise technology is only available on the top-of-the-line Denali Ultimate model.

How are things going with moving and putting things away? The GMC has a big bed with many steps and places to tie things down. It also has a MultiPro tailgate that opens in six different ways and is one of a kind. Top Sierra models come with a brake controller, memory settings for different trailer combinations, and a trailer camera view that makes it easier to hitch. Even though they aren’t the best in their class, the two highest marks are enough.

The big center console takes up a lot of space between the seats, but it has plenty of room for small things. You can put cups together in many different ways. The large back seat of the crew cab should be able to fit any child safety seat.

How much gas does it use? The EPA says that a Sierra with a powerful V8 and 4WD will get 17 mpg in cities and the countryside. This is a great idea, but the Toyota Tundra and Ford F-150’s hybrid engines use less gas. On our mixed-driving route, our test truck got an average of 17.6 mpg, which shows that the EPA was correct.

Is buying a Sierra 1500 a good idea? The Sierra’s biggest problem is offering more value, especially for the higher-priced trim levels. The materials used in the interior are much better than in years past. Aside from the split-and-fold MultiPro tailgate, a few improvements to the vehicle make up for the price increase. This truck can’t carry as much as other trucks that cost less.

The basic warranty on a GMC lasts for three years and 36,000 miles, while the security on the powertrain lasts for five years and 60,000 miles. Ram and Ford could only compete if they did regular maintenance (like changing the oil and rotating the tires) for the first year.

Now, a car must do much more than just the bare minimum. The most important things to think about are style and driving skills. The Sierra is a reliable truck that does all these jobs well and can tow and haul items well enough. But its competitors regularly do many of these jobs for much less money and with much better results.

The best value for money is found in the SLE trim. Its many upgrades turn it from a simple work truck into a car that is better for a family. There is also carpeting, cruise control, heated seats, and a MultiPro tailgate that can open differently.

GMC Sierra 1500 models include

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 comes in Pro, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, AT4X, Denali, and Denali Ultimate trims. The Sierra 1500 also comes with three different kinds of cabs: a single cab, a double cab, and anything in between(which is similar to a crew cab but has a smaller back seat), and a crew cab. You can only hang some trims in some of the possible ways. One of three possible bed lengths is chosen by how the cab is set up.