It’s no secret that the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra have a lot in common––many would go as far as to say they are the same truck with different badges. So when Chevy announced the Silverado EV back in January, just about everyone expected a Sierra EV to be right around the corner. The announcement was longer in coming than anticipated, but the 2024 GMC Sierra EV has now been unveiled, and yes, you read that model year correctly.
The Sierra EV isn’t expected to actually hit GMC dealership showrooms until early 2024. That puts it a year behind the Silverado EV (expected Spring 2023) and over two years behind GMC’s own Hummer EV (which began deliveries in December 2021). When it does arrive, the Sierra EV will command an eye-watering price tag of $107,000, and that’s before GMC dealers apply their usual markup. Now, GMC does promise that more affordable versions that cost as little as $50,000 are on the way, but don’t hold your breath.
The First Electric Denali
The good news is that if a six-figure price tag and two-year wait don’t phase you, then the Sierra EV is actually quite a respectable truck. The launch version will be the Denali Edition 1, and it more than lives up to the Denali name in terms of luxury and performance. While the Sierra EV and Silverado EV share the same basic specs, GMC pulled out all the stops to make its version of the truck a truly premium model, and you will find quilted leather seats, aluminum accents, and open-pore wood trim in the cabin.
As expected of an electric vehicle, the Sierra EV is also an incredibly high-tech truck filled with innovative features. Inside the cabin is a 16.8-inch central touchscreen running the new Ultifi software. This operating system offers three-way split-screen functionality and over-the-air updates to add more features down the road. But perhaps the coolest feature is Hands-Free Start, where the truck automatically turns on when it senses your key fob and is ready to drive the moment you climb in the driver’s seat.
This premium feel pairs well with the incredible performance offered by the 200 kWh battery pack and pair of electric motors. With the driver-selectable Max Power mode, the Sierra EV produces 754 hp and 785 lb-ft of torque, making it more powerful than the Ford F-150 Lightning. However, its two-motor configuration is noticeably less powerful than the tri-motor Hummer EV or quad-motor Rivian R1T. Still, with an estimated 400 miles of range, the Sierra EV will be able to go further than either of its more powerful competitors. GMC also gave its new truck four-wheel steer and the Crab Walk feature from the Hummer EV, allowing it to drive diagonally for enhanced maneuverability.
Is GMC Getting Serious About Electric Vehicles?
Over the years, GM has often overpromised and underdelivered when it comes to electrification. It has been one of the pioneers in electric vehicles, even building the first production EV back in 1997, but has consistently failed to capitalize on the market. Unfortunately, the 2024 GMC Sierra EV seems like it could follow this trend. On the surface, it is an amazing electric truck, arguably one of the best on the market. Its performance and tech features are best-in-class, and it is based on the proven Ultium platform. However, its stratospheric price tag makes it difficult to justify over a Ford F-150 Lightning or Rivian R1T, and even more competitors will likely be available by the time it finally hits dealers in 2024.
