There has been a lot of hype surrounding the release of the new 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The truck is more capable, spacious, and powerful than ever. Is it the new king of the hill when it comes to pickup trucks?
The 2022 Sierra 1500 lands in the upper half of our full-size pickup truck rankings. It features a strong combination of capability, comfort, and performance. While not quite a class leader, the Sierra is a great all-around large pickup.
Pros
– Large, luxurious interior
– Strong engine lineup
– Easy-to-use entertainment system
– Comfortable ride
Why should you purchase a GMC Sierra 1500?
Anyone looking for a reliable full-size pickup vehicle that can do it all and has an upmarket leaning should consider the Sierra 1500. It boasts powerful engine options, great towing and hauling capabilities (but not class-leading ones), and a contemporary interior design. If you want a fuel-efficient vehicle, the Sierra is a smart option thanks to its turbo diesel engine, which delivers good mileage figures for the class.
Engine
Basic engine:
Engine: 2.7-liter turbo-four
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Horsepower/Torque: 310 hp/420 lb-ft
(Standard in Pro, SLE, and Elevation)
Available engines:
Engine: 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Horsepower/Torque: 277 hp/460 lb-ft
(Standard in SLT and Denali; available in Pro, SLE, and Elevation)
Engine: 5.3-liter V-8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Horsepower/Torque: 355 hp/383 lb-ft
(Standard in AT4 and Denali Ultimate; available in SLE, Elevation, SLT, and Denali)
Engine: 6.2-liter V-8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Horsepower/Torque: 420 hp/460 lb-ft
(Standard in AT4X; available in SLT, AT4, Denali, and Denali Ultimate)
Interior Quality
The Sierra 1500’s updated interior gives the truck’s cabin a more contemporary and elegant look. This is especially evident in higher trims, which are covered in luxurious leather and wood. The updated Sierra’s interior is still a noticeable advance over the 2021 Sierra 1500’s cabin, despite the presence of a few hard plastics.
Cargo Space
The Sierra’s cabin features a few storage compartments, and the Crew Cab model comes with a spacious center console. You can carry longer cargo items in Double Cab and Crew Cab versions by folding the rear seats.
Ride and Handling
Despite its massive size, the Sierra moves with confidence. While not very agile, the Sierra doesn’t seem unsteady while steering or stopping. The Sierra offers a comfortable ride, but it’s not relatively as smooth as the Ram 1500’s superior on-road comfort.
Gas Mileage
The standard turbo-four engine in Sierras gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway; however, vehicles with four-wheel drive only get 17/20 mpg city/highway. Depending on the engine, models with the optional turbodiesel inline-six get significantly higher gas mileage, averaging 20-23/23-30 mpg city/highway.
Although the fuel efficiency estimates for the two V8-powered vehicles in the range aren’t significant, they are equivalent to those of other full-size pickup trucks with V8 engines. The Sierra gets 15–16 mpg in the city and 18–21 mpg on the highway with the 5.3–liter V8, while vehicles with the more powerful 6.2–liter engines get 13–14/17–19 mpg city/highway.
Cost
The base Pro version of the Sierra 1500 with the Regular Cab, standard box, and rear-wheel drive is priced at $35,400. Prices for mid-level trims range from $46,660 for the SLE Double Cab Standard Box to $62,500 for the AT4 Crew Cab Short Box model with a four-wheel drive. The AT4X and Denali Ultimate are the two top trims, with starting prices of $76,500 and $81,900, respectively.