Do you have concerns about the driving range of electric vehicles? GMC's latest electric pickup truck offers an exceptional solution, albeit at a premium price point.
*Advantages:*
- Demonstrates exceptional real-world range performance.
- Offers rapid Level 3 charging capabilities.
- The cabin represents a substantial improvement over its Chevrolet counterpart.
[Cons]
- Reduced performance due to battery weight.
- Occasional torque steer during aggressive acceleration.
- Considerable cost.
The GMC Sierra EV achieved an impressive range of 422 miles in the MotorTrend Road-Trip Range Test, surpassing the manufacturer's claimed range of 440 miles. The test involved maintaining a consistent speed of 70 mph while utilizing 95% of a full charge. GMC has since announced an enhanced range of 20 miles for the 2025 model.
There are currently no electric trucks, SUVs, or cars that can travel farther than other electric vehicles.
The Sierra EV has a range of 422 miles, making it the longest-range electric vehicle we have tested. It surpasses its sibling, the Chevrolet Silverado EV RST, by 21 miles, the dual-motor Rivian R1T by 82 miles, and the dual-motor Tesla Cybertruck by 127 miles. To put this into perspective, a fully-charged Fiat 500e would be required to travel the distance between the GMC and the Tesla, and even then, there might be a need to walk the remaining distance. While towing a trailer reduces the range by approximately half, the Sierra EV should still be able to cover over 200 miles while towing. Although this range may not be exceptional, it is still commendable considering the current state of electric vehicle technology.
For your information, the Sierra EV's range not only surpassed other trucks but also outperformed our highest-performing SUV (Mercedes EQS450+) by a significant margin and our best-tested car (Mercedes EQS580) by an impressive 68 miles. As we accumulated more miles, the Benzes remained at the forefront of our thoughts. If you anticipate spending an extended period behind the wheel of an EV, approximately six hours, the Sierra's cabin provides a suitable and comfortable environment.
In the past, we have expressed concerns regarding GMCs being perceived as glorified Chevrolets, with interior "upgrades" that did not necessarily constitute improvements but rather changes for the sake of change. However, the Sierra EV stands out as noticeably superior to the Chevrolet Silverado EV, featuring a distinctively styled cabin and a tangible elevation in the quality of its trim. This particular GMC model effectively justifies its price premium in comparison to its corresponding Chevrolet counterpart. Furthermore, the extended range provided an additional 18 minutes to appreciate the cabin's aesthetics during the charging process. Ultimately, the determination of whether the $99,495 price tag associated with the top-of-the-line Denali Edition 1 model is justified remains a matter for individual consideration and financial consultation.
Powering Down, Recharging
The GMC Sierra EV achieves its impressive range through the utilization of a substantial battery with a capacity of 205 kilowatt-hours, surpassing most electric vehicles except the Silverado EV. However, it is important to note that weight significantly impacts efficiency, as evidenced by the Lucid Air Pure sedan, which delivers 330 miles of range with a battery less than half the size of the Sierra EV.
The Sierra EV's extensive battery requires a considerable amount of time to charge. Nevertheless, its 800-volt charging system aims to expedite the process. Commencing from a 5% charge level, a 350-kilowatt charger can add 129 miles of range within 15 minutes and 218 miles within 30 minutes. Reaching an 80% charge level takes approximately 49 minutes, with an average charging rate of 224 kilowatts.
After a total of 86 minutes, including a 37-minute charging period, the battery reached 100% capacity. It is important to note that the charging speed of electric vehicles decreases as the battery approaches full capacity. Additionally, for shorter trips, it is recommended to charge the battery to 80% to optimize battery life and save time. Considering the size of the battery pack, the charging performance was satisfactory. On a long journey, a 15-minute charge can provide several additional hours of driving range.
The Impact of Leadership on Performance
The Sierra EV's substantial battery contributes to its significant weight, as evidenced by its 8,802-pound mass. To illustrate this point, the Sierra EV weighs approximately four and a half tons, which is heavier than a Chevrolet Trax placed in the bed of a gas-powered GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate.
The vehicle's considerable weight has a detrimental impact on its performance capabilities. Despite the Sierra EV's dual motors generating a substantial 754 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque, the acceleration from 0 to 60 miles per hour required 4.2 seconds, even when utilizing the Max Power mode. Furthermore, the quarter-mile distance was covered in 12.7 seconds at a speed of 110.7 miles per hour.
In terms of acceleration, the Sierra EV's 4.2-second 0-60 mph time is impressive compared to most gasoline-powered pickups, except for the Ford Raptor R and Ram 1500 TRX which achieve 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. However, among electric trucks, the Sierra EV's acceleration is relatively slower. It ties with the 452-hp Ford F-150 Lightning Pro for the longest 60-mph run we've recorded for an electric truck. In comparison, the quickest Cybertruck we tested reached 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, while the slowest Rivian achieved it in 3.4 seconds. Even the Sierra's close counterpart, the Silverado EV RST, accelerated to 60 mph in four seconds. It's worth noting that both the Sierra and Silverado were tested under the same conditions at the same location on the same day.
During the timed acceleration run, the testing director, Eric Tingwall, observed that the excessive weight acted as a hindrance, akin to throwing an anchor behind the vehicle. It is noteworthy that while the Chevrolet and the closely related GMC Hummer EV exhibited a significant amount of torque steer, the Sierra demonstrated slightly improved behavior, although it still exhibited some movement around 60 mph.
Jane, Stop This Crazy Thing
The Sierra EV's braking capabilities are adequate for its weight. It can decelerate from 60 mph to 0 in 132 feet, which is longer than most other electric trucks and the previous gas-powered Sierra 1500 (which stopped in 118 feet). However, the braking performance is still acceptable, and the stops are straight and drama-free, although they do become longer as the brakes and tires heat up.
Following the skidpad test at 0.74 g, we conducted an evaluation of the Sierra EV's performance in our figure-eight course. This assessment measures a vehicle's ability to effectively integrate braking, handling, and acceleration within a single test. The Sierra EV achieved a commendable lap time of 27.7 seconds, generating an average grip of 0.65 g. While this performance is respectable for a pickup truck, it is worth noting that certain Ford F-150 Lightning models we have tested exhibited slightly faster lap times. Additionally, the latest Rivian R1Ts equipped with street tires demonstrated significantly faster performance. However, it is important to acknowledge that the Rivian vehicles share more similarities with performance cars than with conventional trucks, which may contribute to their superior results.
Undoubtedly, the Silverado's range stands out as its most compelling attribute. However, the substantial battery does impact its overall performance. Nonetheless, we commend GMC for developing an electric Sierra capable of traveling comparable distances to many gasoline-powered pickup trucks (excluding scenarios involving trailers) and even surpassing them in acceleration. While other electric pickups may initially outperform the Sierra at traffic light starts, the Sierra EV's extended range allows it to maintain its momentum and continue its journey while its competitors pause for recharging.
*2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali Edition 1 Specifications*
*Base Price:* $99,495
*Vehicle Layout:* Front- and rear-motor, AWD, 5-passenger, 4-door truck
*Motor Type:* Permanent-magnet electric
*Power (SAE Net):* N/A (front), N/A (rear), 754 hp (combined)
*Torque (SAE Net):* N/A (front), N/A (rear), 785 lb-ft (combined)
*Transmissions:* 1-speed automatic
*Curb Weight (F/R Dist):* 8,802 lb (51/49%)
*Wheelbase:* 145.7 in
*Length x Width x Height:* 233.2 x 83.8 x 78.7 in
*0-60 MPH:* 4.2 sec
*Quarter Mile:* 12.7 sec @ 110.7 mph
*Braking, 60-0 MPH:* 132 ft
*Lateral Acceleration:* 0.74 g (avg)
*MT Figure Eight:* 27.7 sec @ 0.67 g (avg)
*EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ:* Not tested
*Range, EPA Comb/MT Road-Trip:* 440 (mfr est)/422 miles
*On Sale:* Now
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