Our Opinion - 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Review The GMC Sierra 1500 pickup and its mechanical twin, the Chevrolet Silverado, are nearly identical trucks. It is up to you to decide which one you like. You can select practically any cab size, engine type, bed length, towing capability, and interior trim for these two full-size pickups. You can select from a base four-cylinder supercharged engine, a 5.3-liter V-8, a 6.2-liter V-8, or a strong Duramax diesel capable of towing 13,300 pounds. The Sierra 1500, like the Silverado, features adjustable bed lengths to accommodate 5.8-foot, 8.2-foot, or double cabs. It also comes in a four-door crew cab configuration. Of course, a four-wheel drive can be installed in any body design. GMC’s Denali and Denali Ultimate trims, which cost several thousand dollars less than the Ram 1500, attract customers looking for a bit extra comfort in their pickup truck. The Ram, not the Sierra, has received our 10Best award multiple times. This is due to a variety of factors, including a more comfortable cabin and a smoother ride. The Sierra can pull 450 pounds more than the runner-up. What's New? The 2025 GMC 1500 truck is almost identical to the 2024 model. The only minor alteration is that it has new 22-inch wheels. The Sierra was introduced in 2019 and will be redesigned in 2022. GMC has yet to announce any intentions to improve the Sierra significantly. Pros and Cons Pros A number of great engine options. Strong dynamics for driving. Beautiful interior. Cons 22’s ride was damaged. Costs are too high. Denali could be too good for this position. Engine, Transmission, and Performance Two gearbox options, four engine choices, and rear- or four-wheel drive are all offered on the Sierra. One of the core engines is a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that generates 310 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. People frequently select the 5.3-liter, 355-hp model or the 6.2-liter, 420-hp model as an option V-8. A light-duty diesel six-cylinder engine produces 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque. All three engines are connected to an automated transmission with ten gears. Additionally, the Sierra 1500 offers the option of adjustable shocks and wheels up to 22 inches in diameter. The basic Sierra rides rougher than the Ram 1500, but it still handles really well thanks to fast steering and well-controlled body roll. The Sierra lacks the severe off-road power of the Ford F-150 Raptor, but it does offer two off-road-specific variants. The rugged AT4 variant features a 2.0-inch suspension lift and other serious trail-flogging gear. The AT4X and Silverado ZR2 share improved spool-valve dampers, electrically locking front and rear diffs, extra skid plates, and durable off-road tires mounted on black 18-inch wheels. The AT4X AEV kit includes even more durable off-road components, such as a steel front bumper with a winch, AEV 18-inch wheels, and steel rock slides. Safety The half-ton Sierra includes a number of basic driver-assistance features. It also boasts sophisticated off-road functions, such as Terrain mode, which allows you to drive at low speeds with only one leg. Multiple cameras in the Sierra allow the driver to view what’s behind the trailer as if it weren’t there. GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system is also available for the Denali. This technology can be used with a trailer and is compatible with a variety of national roadways. However, it will only change lanes on its own if the vehicle is not plugged in. Visit the NHTSA and IIHS websites to get more details about the Sierra’s crash test scores. Important safety elements include the following: The car has front collision warning and autonomous emergency braking built right in as standard equipment. Regular lane departure warnings and lane guiding aid. Standard features include rear cross-traffic alert and blind spot monitoring. Internal and External Cargo Capacity The Sierra was designed with the driver in mind. All of the settings are easily accessible, and the materials improve as you progress through the trim levels. Starting with the SLE, all vehicles come standard with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Even more desirable amenities, such as a power-adjustable steering column and a head-up display, require a significant investment in higher variants. The Denali Ultimate features a lot of leather-covered surfaces and open-pore wood trim. Here’s where things get really fancy. The front seats are adjustable in 16 different positions and may be massaged. The interior cubby storage can contain a large number of little items, which is more than adequate. Though GMC does not supply any incredibly innovative storage choices, the Sierra 1500’s intelligent and multi-configurable tailgate is a nice touch. There is also a carbon fiber-reinforced luggage bed that is exclusive to this class and claims to be stronger and lighter than steel. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG The Sierra 1500 comes in a variety of body types, chassis lengths, and bed lengths. As a result, the fuel efficiency of each engine will vary according to the truck’s size and equipment. People who are concerned about gas mileage may consider purchasing the additional diesel engine, which offers up to 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Regardless, most Sierras will have the 6.2-liter V-8 engine that is standard on the Denali model. With all-wheel drive, it achieves up to 15 city mpg and 20 highway mpg. The Sierra 1500 Denali 4WD Crew Cab got an impressive 18 mpg in our real-world speed test. You can visit the EPA’s website for more information about Sierra’s fuel efficiency. Infotainment and Connectivity Most Sierra 1500s have a 13.4-inch tablet as their entertainment system, while less-priced variants have a 7.0-inch screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto continue to work wirelessly on the larger screen. It also includes Google software, which provides access to a voice assistant, maps, and an app store. Other amenities include a 12-speaker Bose audio system, more power outlets, and wireless phone charging. Range, Charging, and Battery Life As far as acceleration goes, our test track time for a fully loaded Denali Ultimate with a 6.2-liter V-8 engine was under 5.4 seconds. We have not tested the Sierra with the other engine options, but we have tested the Chevy Silverado extensively, as the two vehicles are extremely similar in many ways. The Chev diesel engine accelerated to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, while the Silverado 1500’s 5.3-liter V-8 took 6.1 seconds. Towing and Payload Capacity When properly outfitted, the half-ton GMC vehicle can tow 13,300 pounds and carry up to 2,530 pounds. Price and How to Choose This Sierra trim level lives up to its name, making it one of our favorites. It’s in the middle of the price range, but the package is attractive and stands out. You can also determine which of the several cab arrangements and bed lengths will best suit your needs. If you require a four-wheel drive, you can install it for an additional fee.
