2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byJason KavanaghSenior Vehicle Test Engineer

　　Jason joined zzdcar' testing team in 2006 as a vehicle testing engineer. Jason believes true appreciation of modern cars stems from owning really, really bad old ones.

　　

What's new

The Sierra is fully redesigned for 2019Part of the fourth Sierra generation introduced for 2019

　　Sharing nearly everything with the Chevrolet Silverado, the GMC Sierra full-size pickup has suffered from an identity crisis in recent years. There simply hasn't been much difference between the offerings of the two brands. While the GMC brand proffers somewhat pricier and more feature-laden vehicles than Chevrolet, the differences have ultimately been subtle.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 2dr Regular Cab LB (4.3L 6cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$208/mo  for Sierra 1500 Base

　　Sierra 1500 Base

　　2dr Regular Cab LB (4.3L 6cyl 6A) - $29,600 MSRP4dr Double Cab SB (4.3L 6cyl 6A) - $33,500 MSRP2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB (4.3L 6cyl 6A) - $34,200 MSRP4dr Crew Cab 5.8 ft. SB (4.3L 6cyl 6A) - $35,900 MSRP4dr Crew Cab 6.6 ft. SB (4.3L 6cyl 6A) - $36,200 MSRP4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (4.3L 6cyl 6A) - $36,800 MSRP4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (4.3L 6cyl 6A) - $39,200 MSRP4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.6 ft. SB (4.3L 6cyl 6A) - $39,500 MSRPSLE 4dr Double Cab SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $37,800 MSRPSLE 4dr Crew Cab 5.8 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $40,200 MSRPSLE 4dr Crew Cab 6.6 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $40,500 MSRPSLE 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $41,100 MSRPSLE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $43,500 MSRPSLE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.6 ft. SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $43,800 MSRPElevation 4dr Double Cab SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $40,300 MSRPElevation 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $43,600 MSRPSLT 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (5.3L 8cyl 8A) - $44,300 MSRPSLT 4dr Crew Cab 5.8 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 8A) - $46,700 MSRPSLT 4dr Crew Cab 6.6 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 8A) - $47,000 MSRPSLT 4dr Double Cab SB (5.3L 8cyl 8A) - $47,600 MSRPSLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $50,000 MSRPSLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.6 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 8A) - $50,300 MSRPAT4 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (5.3L 8cyl 8A) - $50,800 MSRPAT4 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 8A) - $53,200 MSRPAT4 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.6 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 8A) - $53,500 MSRPDenali 4dr Crew Cab 5.8 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 8A) - $54,700 MSRPDenali 4dr Crew Cab 6.6 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 8A) - $55,000 MSRPDenali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 8A) - $58,000 MSRPDenali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 6.6 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 8A) - $58,300 MSRP

　　vs

　　$233/mo

　　Avg. Large Truck

　　GMC hopes to more clearly differentiate the two pickups with the introduction of the 2019 Sierra 1500. To wit, the 2019 model has unique sheet metal and will be available with a carbon-fiber bed and a multiconfigurable tailgate. Optional retractable side steps that can pivot rearward to aid bed access are another GMC exclusive. And while the off-road-focused Sierra AT4 variant is largely similar to the Silverado Trail Boss, the Sierra AT4 will be available with the most powerful engine, the 6.2-liter V8. The Trail Boss isn't available with the 6.2-liter.

　　Of course, the Sierra and the Silverado are still much more alike than different. Both share the same five powertrains, frames, cabs and most of the interior. The latter is perhaps the biggest drawback. We're just not enamored with the overall design or the quality of materials. The Sierra plays to a more affluent audience with exclusive features, but it might not be enough to stake out a different fate than its Silverado brother.

　　Notably, we picked the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 as one of zzdcar' Best Trucks and Best Trucks for this year.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.3 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Crew Cab Short Bed (6.2L V8 | 10-speed automatic | 4WD | 5-foot-9-inch bed).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.3 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	7.5
Interior	7.5
Utility	8.0
Technology	7.5

　　

Driving

7.5

　　There's no replacement for displacement, and the optional V8 is a wonderful engine. We wish the brake pedal feel wasn't so lethargic. Handling, too, lacks any real edge, even in Sport mode. But if power is all you need, then the Denali is a worthy consideration.

　　

Acceleration

8.5

　　With the larger engine option, the Denali has plenty of power, and the 10-speed transmission upshifts quickly. To get the fastest launch, we put it in 4-Hi to maximize traction and selected Sport mode. In zzdcar testing, 0-60 mph took 6.2 seconds, which is quick for a full-size truck.

　　

Braking

6.5

　　The Sierra stopped from 60 mph in 128 feet in our testing, which is better than average for the full-size truck segment. But the pedal feedback is wooden and lacks initial bite. Although the brakes have power, the brake feel and feedback to make precise stops at all speed ranges just isn't there.

　　

Steering

7.0

　　The steering weighting is light, with a very small numb area on-center. The steering ratio is slow and requires a lot of effort to enact a direction change. Sport mode reduces assist, making the weighting heavier, and feels more appropriate for this truck. Feedback from the wheel is generally good.

　　

Handling

6.5

　　The Denali's suspension tuning is firm, but the truck turns into corners sluggishly. Sport mode stiffens up the adjustable dampers and livens turn-in. Regardless of suspension mode, body roll is apparent on longer turns. The Denali feels even bigger than it is, which contributes to its ponderous feel.

　　

Drivability

8.0

　　The big V8 makes a lot of power and is more than willing to show it with an overreacting head-snapping initial response. Once it's going, the transmission is smooth and moves through the gears quickly. Large throttle requests can result in a delay as the transmission drops down four or even five gears.

　　

Off-road

7.5

　　There's a dedicated off-road mode in the Traction Select system that allows additional wheelspin and a smoother initial throttle response in low-traction situations. The head-up display and dash also show vehicle inclination and roll angle. A button controller is used to shift the transfer case.

　　

Comfort

7.5

　　The Denali is aiming to be a premium truck but, aside from the comfy seats and effective climate control system, we don't see what the fuss is about. Our test truck's 22-inch wheels produced a lot of tire noise over rough terrain.

　　

Seat comfort

7.5

　　The Denali's seat bottoms are flat and have minimal bolstering, but the seatbacks are well-contoured. These seats fit most people well, and they're comfortable for long trips. The rear seats are firmer, with less support, but at least the rear bench is wide.

　　

Ride comfort

6.0

　　The Denali's ride feels firm and it shimmies over freeway expansion joints and other small, repeating bumps. On smoother roads, you can still feel smaller bumps, though larger bumps are absorbed. In Sport mode, you'll notice a busier ride, with more body movement caused by sharper bumps.

　　

Noise & vibration

7.5

　　Depending on the road surface, the main source of noise will come from either the tires or wind. Grainy road surfaces tend to be the noisiest. On smoother roads, wind noise is never loud enough to be offensive. Most will find the sound from the 6.2-liter V8 to be pleasing to the ear.

　　

Climate control

8.0

　　Dual-zone automatic climate control system uses well-marked knobs and buttons for control and works well. We wish the buttons were bigger, especially the seat heating and ventilation controls, though we appreciate the ability to adjust the heat for the seatback separately from the bottom.

　　

Interior

7.5

　　Purposeful and without frills, the Sierra Denali is designed for ease of use. It's roomy and easy to get in and out of. Shorter drivers may not like the tall hood and the relationship between the steering wheel and the seat when the seat is raised.

　　

Ease of use

7.5

　　Previous Sierra owners will feel right at home since there's hasn't been much innovation inside the cabin. We like the switches, and all the knobs are well-sized. Oddly, the Traction Select knob is unlabeled, and most of the push buttons are just a little smaller than we'd expect from a full-size pickup.

　　

Getting in/getting out

8.0

　　The grab handles and large door openings make getting in and out a cinch, even when parked in tight quarters. Our Denali test truck came with power-retractable side steps. Shorter drivers and passengers will like them, but taller drivers might find them getting in the way.

　　

Driving position

6.5

　　Both the seat and steering wheel have a wide range of adjustment, but the positioning of both puts the driver in an awkward position. Raising the seat draws your legs closer to the wheel. Taller drivers won't notice, but shorter drivers will struggle to balance visibility with ergonomics.

　　

Roominess

8.0

　　Front headroom, shoulder room, and legroom are plentiful; the cabin suits taller drivers well. The back seat of the crew-cab Sierra is absolutely massive and has significant legroom. Three full-size adults can easily fit shoulder to shoulder back there.

　　

Visibility

7.0

　　Forward visibility is restricted by a tall and broad hood. The windshield pillars are thick, making it hard to see where the corners are. Side visibility is acceptable, and the side mirrors are large. At slow speeds, the HD surround-vision camera system is effective and offers multiple views.

　　

Quality

6.5

　　The interior is well-built and sturdy. The leather seat material is firm, while the soft-touch areas feel thinner but acceptable. There is still a lot of hard plastic in the interior, and we question the use of fake wood trim on the door and center console.

　　

Utility

8.0

　　The GMC's bed is quite useful and convenient. It's big, with plenty of tie-downs. On top of that, it has useful bed steps and an exclusive MultiPro tailgate. The tow and payload ratings aren't sky-high, but that's not a major concern. The back half of the large crew cab has lots of room for cargo, and it is easy to fit just about any child safety seat.

　　

Small-item storage

8.0

　　There's a place for everything inside the Sierra. There's a large and deep center console, big door pockets, two gloveboxes, and a small pocket on each side of the center console. Plus, the outer rear seatbacks open up to hold more of your stuff.

　　

Cargo space

8.0

　　Inside, the 60/40-split rear bench folds up with no fuss. The floor isn't flat, but the area under the seats is partitioned so your stuff doesn't go flying around. It's not the biggest backseat area of the bunch, but it's more than satisfactory.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

8.5

　　There are enough LATCH points to put child seats in any of the three rear seat positions, and the corresponding top tethers are obvious straps that make it unnecessary to tip the rear seatback forward for access. The rear of the crew cab is quite large, so even the bulkiest of rear-facing seats will fit without trouble.

　　

Towing

8.0

　　The Denali comes standard with a brake controller, trailer camera angles that help you get hitched, and memory settings for various trailer configurations. An available smartphone app expedites your vehicle-to-trailer connection.

　　

Hauling

8.5

　　The GMC pickup has a very broad bed with 12 fixed tie-downs. The SLE, Denali and AT4 come standard with the useful MultiPro tailgate. Because of it, however, you'll have to get into the habit of removing the tow ball when you're not towing. Both ends of the rear bumper have prominent steps, and the Denali's power running boards have a kick-switch that swings them back to become a front corner bed step.

　　

Technology

7.5

　　Even if the screen is a little small, the infotainment system and driver aids work well and are easy to use. The head-up display can show speed limit info through a handy bar graph. Otherwise, the story is about incremental improvement with this generation truck.

　　

Audio & navigation

8.0

　　GM's infotainment system has crisp graphics and responsive touchscreen buttons. The simple menu structure and quick command responses make using the system easy. It's not a very large touchscreen, but it gets the job done. The premium audio system has excellent bass and mids but lacks crisp highs.

　　

Smartphone integration

8.0

　　Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. Our smartphones connected to Bluetooth and indexed our music quickly. There are USB ports on the dash, in the center console and in the rear seat area. The charging pad is in a convenient location and can hold large phones.

　　

Driver aids

6.5

　　Our truck had automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, front and rear parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. All but the lane keep system worked satisfactorily, so we kept it off. Adaptive cruise control is conspicuously unavailable.

　　

Voice control

7.5

　　The merely competent voice recognition system understands basic commands such as "Play artist Bob Dylan" but is less able to interpret natural language. Connect your smartphone and you can use Siri and Google voice; those systems work better, particularly if you're using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

　　

Which Sierra 1500 does zzdcar recommend?

　　While the Denali trim is popular, we recommend first taking a hard look at the SLT. The SLT is available with a long list of options and can be optioned with the same 6.2-liter V8 that's available in the Denali. We also recommend sticking with the SLT's 18- or 20-inch wheels rather than the optional 22-inch wheels in the interests of ride quality.

　　

2019 GMC Sierra 1500 models

　　The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 is available in six trim levels: base, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4 and Denali. They are available in various cab and bed configurations. The base is relatively sparsely equipped, though a few options are available. For the typical truck buyer, we recommend buyers look to the SLE trim level at a minimum because it has features beyond what you'd find in a work-only truck.

　　The version that strikes the best balance between amenities and functionality is the SLT trim level, while the Elevation is a cosmetic package available only in a double-cab configuration. Meanwhile, the AT4 offers an edge in off-road capability, and the range-topping Denali packs on the luxury-oriented features.

　　Configurations are as follows: Regular cabs are offered with a standard bed (6 feet 7 inches) or an extended bed (8 feet); double cabs come only with the standard bed; and crew cabs are available with a standard bed or a short bed (5 feet 9 inches). Be aware that not all trim levels are available with all configurations. All cab configurations are available with four-wheel drive.

　　The base Sierra comes with a 4.3-liter V6 (285 horsepower, 305 pound-feet of torque), a six-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch steel wheels, automatic xenon headlamps, power locks, a locking tailgate, power windows, air conditioning, cruise control, a rearview camera, a tilt-only steering wheel, Bluetooth, a 7-inch touchscreen interface, USB connectivity, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, and a six-speaker sound system.

　　The Sierra Convenience package adds remote keyless entry, a remote-locking tailgate, heated power mirrors, a 110-volt AC outlet and LED cargo box lighting. The Elevation trim includes those items plus special 20-inch black alloy wheels, LED foglights and body-colored exterior trim.

　　The SLE trim level adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a damped tailgate, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen.

　　Many more options are available on the SLE. A new turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder (310 hp, 348 lb-ft of torque) is an option. The SLE's Convenience package adds a rear window defogger, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an upgraded infotainment system, and second-row USB charge ports.

　　Other options include leather upholstery, a full center console, a power-adjustable front passenger seat and wireless smartphone charging.

　　Stepping up to the SLT, our trim level of choice, nets you much of the above plus a standard 5.3-liter V8 (355 hp, 383 lb-ft of torque), a locking rear differential, a MultiPro configurable tailgate, a trailer brake controller and trailering package, power-folding and heated mirrors, and driver-seat memory settings. A 6.2-liter V8 (420 hp, 460 lb-ft) with a 10-speed automatic is optional.

　　GMC offers a Driver Alert 1 package for SLE and higher trims. It includes driver assistance features such as parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. There's also the Driver Alert 2 package that further adds forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist.

　　GMC gives the AT4 trim similar features to the SLT but with a 2-inch suspension lift, standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, a skid plates, Rancho shock absorbers, 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires (20-inch wheels available), hill descent control and a terrain-selectable traction control system.

　　At the top of the range is the Denali, which comes with most of the features available on lower trim levels and has all of the available driver assistance features. It also adds a head-up display, a rear camera mirror, exclusive adaptive suspension dampers, 20-inch wheels and unique interior appointments. The MultiPro power assist steps are only available on the Denali.

　　Jump to:Related 2019 Sierra 1500 articles

　　

2019 Sierra 1500 Highlights

Type: Crew CabRegular CabDouble CabCrew Cab

　　Trim: BaseSLESLTAT4DenaliBase

　　

Base MSRP	$35,900
Engine Type	Flex-fuel (ffv)
Combined MPG	17 MPG
Cost to Drive	$208/month
Seating	6 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	9,800 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles