2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Expert Review
Reviewed by Duncan Brady
The Sierra 1500 is GMC's full-size pickup , positioned above the midsize Canyon and below the Sierra 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks. GMC introduced the current Sierra 1500 for the 2019 model, aiming—as it has for previous-gen trucks—to differentiate its truck from the Chevrolet Silverado with which it shares a platform. The GMC competes with other full-size trucks including the Silverado, Ford F-150, and Ram 1500.
The Sierra 1500 receives an update for 2022, which brings welcome changes to the exterior and interior.Check it out here.
What's New
- Newly available trailering tech and higher tow ratings
- MultiPro tailgate now offered on SLE and Elevation trims
- Diesel engine upgrade reduced by $1,500
- New exterior color options
What We Think
Although it's not our top pick in the full-size truck segment, there's plenty to appreciate about the Sierra 1500. A slick multi-function tailgate, adaptive ride control, and an available lightweight carbon fiber bed should impress buyers. We like the styling, too, and the big GMC performed well and inspired confidence in our tow testing.
As a 2020 Truck of the Year finalist, we liked the new Duramax diesel I-6 as well as the new turbo-four. With those two engines in mind, we concluded that the Sierra 1500 doesn't need a V-8. The truck is even a strong performer off-road, especially in AT4 guise.
Our biggest criticisms against the Sierra are inside the cabin. Everything you need is standard or available, but the cabin as a package looks dated, especially compared to the Ram 1500's excellent interior. This is where you'll notice the most in common with the Chevrolet, too. Value is another weak point, especially when compared to similarly priced models of the competition. The Sierra 1500 is a little expensive and a little drab inside, but this is otherwise a great truck.
Performance and Fuel Economy
The Sierra offers an impressive range of available engine options, from a high-displacement turbo-four to a turbodiesel inline-six or a 6.2-liter V-8. Engine choices are not limited to certain trims, but some powertrains cannot be paired with certain cab/bed configurations, so keep an eye out for restrictions.
- Engine: 4.3-liter V-6
- Transmission: Six-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 285 hp
- Torque: 305 lb-ft
- Fuel Economy (city/highway): 15-16/20-21 mpg
- Engine: 2.7-liter turbocharged I-4
- Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 310 hp
- Torque: 348 lb-ft
- Fuel Economy (city/highway): 19-20/22-23 mpg
- Restrictions: Not available with regular cab/long bed
- Engine: 5.3-liter V-8
- Transmissions: Six- or eight-speed automatic (RWD); 10-speed automatic (4WD)
- Horsepower: 355 hp
- Torque: 383 lb-ft
- Fuel Economy (city/highway): 15-17/21-23 mpg
- Engine: 6.2-liter V-8
- Transmission: 10-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 420 hp
- Torque: 460 lb-ft
- Fuel Economy (city/highway): 15/19-20 mpg
- Restrictions: Only available with 4WD, not offered with regular cab/long bed
- Engine: 3.0-liter turbodiesel I-6
- Transmission: 10-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 277 hp
- Torque: 460 lb-ft
- Fuel Economy (city/highway): 22-23/26-30 mpg
- Restrictions: Not available with regular cab/long bed
Cab and Bed Configurations
GMC offers the Sierra with three cab options and three different length beds. The two- or three-seat regular cab is exclusively paired with the longest available eight-foot bed. Both double and crew cab models seat five or six, although the crew cab offers more rear seat legroom. Double cab Sierras are only offered with the 6-foot, 6-inch standard bed, though crew cab models can be ordered with the standard bed or a short 5-foot, 8-inch option.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
This depends on what cab and bed combination you end up with. Each cab offers 44.5 inches of legroom up front; the second row offered in double and crew cab models measures 35.2 and 43.4 inches of legroom, respectively. Cargo volume measures 89.1 cubic feet for the long bed, 71.7 for the standard bed, and 62.9 with the short bed.
Towing and Payload Capacity
It should be no surprise that the Sierra's towing and payload capacities change with powertrain, drive type, and configuration. For maximum towing, a double cab standard bed Sierra with the 6.2-liter V-8, 4WD, and the Max Trailering package is rated for 12,100 pounds. On the other end of things, a crew cab short bed Sierra with the turbo-four and 4WD can tug just 6,600 pounds worth of trailer. (Although GMC has not yet published full towing numbers for 2021, it says nearly every turbo-four configuration adds 2,300 pounds of trailering capacity for the new model year.)
Payload numbers tell a different story. The strongest combo is a double cab standard bed Sierra with RWD and the less powerful 5.3-liter V-8, which is rated for 2,170 pounds. GMC's diesel option falls short here; lowest payload belongs to the double cab standard bed Sierra with 4WD and the 3.0-liter Duramax I-6 at 1,740 pounds.
Safety
In IIHS safety testing, the Sierra earns mostly Good crashworthiness scores (with one marginal rating) and a Superior score for the optional automatic emergency braking system, but the lowest possible Poor rating for its headlights. It earns a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.
Although GMC doesn't include any driver-assist active safety features as standard, plenty are optionally available. Lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert can all be had if you tick the right boxes.
Technology
The Sierra offers 7.0- or 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment systems, both of which include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. A 3.5-inch instrument cluster display is standard and 4.2- or 8.0-inch color displays are included at higher trims. Base models make do with two-speaker audio, but a six-speaker system is standard on most trims and a seven-speaker Bose premium system is available.
