Update: Chevrolet has announced that the maximum horsepower of the Silverado EV RST is now rated at 754 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque, which is equivalent to the power output of the Sierra EV Denali Edition 1. The RST was previously listed with 664 horsepower in this article, which has now been corrected.
With the debut of the new Sierra EV, GMC is in a remarkable position to have two all-electric pickup trucks in its portfolio. Scheduled to arrive in early 2024, it will join the larger-than-life Hummer EV at GMC dealerships and yes, it can scratch.
It’s pretty powerful too, but with all that comes a not-insignificant starting price of $108,695. Less expensive versions of the Sierra EV will eventually be available, but it all starts with the decked-out Denali Edition 1 seen here.
Like its Silverado EV sibling, the truck is a unibody design with the Ultium battery pack integrated as a structural part of the vehicle. It delivers 400 miles of range on a full charge, and it can quickly charge up to 350 kW with 800 V DC capacity, adding 160 miles of range in 10 minutes. If that juice is needed for an emergency, GMC says the Sierra EV can power a home’s “essential necessities” for 21 days — provided you have the necessary equipment to hook everything up.
The all-electric Sierra is only available as a double-cab pick-up with a bed that’s just six feet long. Like the Silverado EV, it has a center port that opens up the interior, increasing the floor space to nine feet. There is also the MultiPro tailgate which can be folded down, creating a total floor space of almost 3 metres. For job sites or campsites, the Sierra has EV Power Station Pro that provides 10.2 kW of external power through 10 outlets. This system can also be used to charge another EV.
That’s the general standard, but what about performance and sideways riding? The Sierra EV has an estimated maximum power of 754 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque, which we’ve learned now equals the peak horsepower in the Silverado EV RST. The dual-motor layout always powers all four wheels, and in Max Power mode, GMC says the Sierra EV can reach 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds. Four-wheel steering with Crabwalk mode is available and the truck features air-suspension that can raise or lower the rig by as much as two inches. It can tow up to 9,500 pounds and carry 1,300 pounds in bed.
Inside, the Sierra EV Denali is quite different from the Silverado EV. A 16.8-inch portrait-oriented screen dominates the center of the dashboard. Behind the wheel is an 11.8-inch driver display, with a multi-colored heads-up display projecting even more information onto the windshield. Being a Denali, it’s dressed up with premium materials, including wood and aluminum trim, and there’s loads of features like Super Cruise, a panoramic roof, 14 cameras, Bose sound, and a hands-free starting system. Just climb into the cab with the key fob in your pocket and drive away – no need to push a start button.
It’s important to note that everything mentioned here applies to the Sierra EV Denali Edition 1, the flagship of the line with its six-figure sticker price ($107,000 plus $1,695 destination to be specific). It’s scheduled to hit dealers in early 2024, with Sierra EV AT4 and Elevation trim levels for the 2025 model year. GMC says Sierra EV models will be offered in the $50,000 range, but at this point it’s unknown what those equipment will be and when it will arrive.
For now, buyers eager to purchase the Denali Edition 1 can make a reservation on GMC.com. If it goes like the Silverado EV RST did, those reservations could already be full by the time you read this.