The Ultimate Luxury EV Pickup?
Hot on the heels of Chevrolet announcing final specs and pricing for the Silverado EV RST First Edition, its corporate cousin, GMC, has released the starting MSRP as well as full details on the closely related Sierra EV. The capable all-electric pickup truck will start to arrive in dealerships this summer, and the first models will be the top-spec Sierra EV Denali Edition 1. Pitched as the most luxurious pickup truck out there, the flagship Sierra EV will carry a starting MSRP of $99,495, which is about $7,500 less than originally anticipated.
GMC Sierra EV Range and Capability
Sharing its GM Ultium platform with both the Silverado EV and the GMC Hummer EV, the Sierra EV Denali packs a whopping 205-kWh battery. The monster pack gives the Sierra EV Denali an impressive EPA-estimated range of 440 miles, which is a 40-mile increase over initial estimates. It also means that the Sierra EV can tow up to 10,000 pounds, and carry a 1,450-pound payload. Those numbers are increases of 500 and 150 pounds, respectively, over the initially-announced specs.
440 miles of range currently makes the Sierra EV Denali (and its Silverado EV RST cousin) the longest-range electric pickup out there, by a significant margin – at least for now. The top Ford F-150 Lightning maxes out at 300 miles EPA-estimated, while the Tesla Cybertruck can hit 320 miles EPA-estimated in its longest-range configuration. Next year, the Ram 1500 REV will launch with an even bigger (229-kWh) battery, which promises 500 miles of EPA-estimated range.
All of this capability, however, comes at a cost. This electric truck is heavy and not particularly efficient. Despite having 754 hp and 785 lb-ft of torque, a curb weight approaching 9,000 pounds and a huge footprint mean that the Sierra EV gulps electrons as it slams to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.
GMC Sierra EV: Class-Leading Charging
On a conventional home Level 2 charger, it could take up to 20 hours to charge from 0 to 100 percent; fortunately, the Sierra EV has extra-fast Level 2 charging capability of up to 19.2 kW if your home electrical system can handle it, reducing that time to 12 hours.
On the go, the Sierra EV Denali, much like its platform-mates, is one of the fastest-charging vehicles out there. On a compatible charger, it will charge at up to 350 kW – meaning drivers can add about 100 miles of range in about 10 minutes.
Sierra EV Interior and Functionality
Because it’s been designed as an electric truck first, the Sierra EV Denali has a similar footprint to GMC’s gasoline pickups but has a much more flexible package, more spacious interior, and some unique capabilities.
Without a gasoline engine up front, the Sierra EV has a huge “frunk” which is almost as big as the Lightning’s, with an array of power outlets that let you run tools, camping equipment, and other gear. The interior is exceptionally spacious and, in the Denali, packed with luxury features, including a giant digital information display, 17-inch touchscreen infotainment display, and a color heads-up display. Leather, wood, and real metal accents deliver a refined ambiance, and real knobs and buttons make everything easy to use. Sierra EV also features GM’s new “Ultifi” infotainment software, which integrates Google software like Maps, Assistant, and other popular apps.
Further adding to the luxury is an adaptive air suspension system with variable ride height, automatic load-leveling, and adjustable dampers, to let drivers choose their desired level of comfort or sportiness. Rear-wheel steering makes the Sierra EV easy to maneuver. There’s even a “CrabWalk” function – a GMC-exclusive feature that, at low speeds, allows the angle of the rear wheels to mimic the angle of the front wheels. Shared with the Hummer EV, CrabWalk lets the truck move diagonally in tight spaces.
Should I buy a GMC Sierra EV?
The Sierra EV Denali First Edition is not a cheap truck – at nearly $100,000, it is ineligible for any tax incentives despite being made in America – but given its equipment and range it is actually competitive within its class, with a starting MSRP of about $10,000 more than the top-of-the-line F-150 Lightning Platinum, but much more range and a better interior. The Sierra EV Denali is priced close to the $99,990 Tesla Cybertruck in top Cyberbeast trim, which is less spacious, has less range, although much more performance in a straight line.
If you can stomach this truck’s massive weight, and have the ability to home charge at top speed, the Sierra EV Denali is a compelling proposition for a do-it-all EV pickup, at least until the Ram 1500 REV arrives next year, which promises 500 miles from a slightly larger battery.
