We have already spilled ink praising GM for the impressive range of its newest fullsize electric pickup trucks, the GMC Sierra EV and Chevrolet Silverado EV. With their ability to approach 500 miles between charges, the decision to take a road trip or rely on them for all your daily errands is a no-brainer. They were designed to appeal to the traditional truck buyer, as opposed to the GMC Hummer EV with looks, features, and performance befitting its supertruck status. The Sierra EV looks like a legacy truck from the future, with modern, clean, aerodynamic surfaces, such as solid metal instead of a grille.
For 2025, the only Sierra EV trim offered is the Denali with its high-gloss black accents, 24-inch wheels, and 35-inch tires. Performance is now 760 horsepower and 785 lb-ft of torque, along with the ability to tow up to 10,500 pounds utilizing its dual motors and huge battery. Range is rated at 460 miles with the larger Max Range battery and 390 miles with the smaller Extended Range battery. For comparison, the Silverado is rated at 492 miles with the Max Range battery. The figures are higher than GMC initially cited for the 2024 model year.
With all that seat time between charges, we wanted to know what it is like to ride in the Sierra EV, taking a closer look at the cabin, pickup bed features, and adding a few drive impressions after spending time in the GMC Sierra EV Denali. For a deeper dive into the driving dynamics and our MotorTrend testing results, read our 2024 GMC Sierra EV first test here.
Is It Really Different This Time?
In the past we have criticized GMC for not differentiating enough from the more affordable Chevrolet brand offerings. The automaker said elevating the Sierra EV was a priority, and it shows. The interior stands on its own, with far less parts sharing than we have come to expect.
Interior Design Manager Phil Kucera states the obvious: they had a lot of space to work with. The team went for a more linear design, with a simple look that achieves elegance. The result is more premium than the Silverado, stopping just short of the premium materials we have come to expect from luxury marques like Cadillac and Lincoln.
The truck we evaluated while driving around San Francisco had a black interior with a mix of leather, wood, chrome, and glossy black trim, with piping and stitching throughout. A dark open-pore wood with a striped grain adorned the dash with a matching veneer encircling the center console. The black leather seats have a quilted pattern, white contrast stitching, and a speckled black and white piping. They are heated and ventilated, with lumbar support but no massage. The seat adjustment only goes so high, so shorter people might strain slightly to see over the massive hood. The doors are black leather with chrome accents and gloss black trim. The headliner is a durable-looking black textured material.
Standout Screen
The cabin centerpiece is a 16.8-inch infotainment screen arranged portrait-style on the dash.Neither the Silverado EV nor the regular Sierra pickup have this screen. There is a large volume button imbedded in the glass, and below the touchscreen is a row of hard buttons that control functions that are constantly displayed on the screen.
Glossy black trim around the HVAC controls is a nice contrast to the thin, precise brightwork around the screen and the center console, as well as the ornate stainless steel speaker covers. Attention to detail includes a knurling pattern to adjust the air vents and the Mount Denali map coordinates etched into the dash on the passenger side.
Like the Silverado and other EVs from GM, the Sierra EV foregoes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, relying on built-in Google systems for navigation, voice commands and general connectivity. The Sierra EV makes it complimentary for a full eight years, before a subscription is required to continue. This differs from the Silverado EV’s complimentary period of only three years. The Sierra EV also comes with three years of complimentary Super Cruise and some other OnStar features.
There is wireless charging for the phone but surprisingly few USB outlets, especially up front. With so much real estate to work with, the Sierra EV has a deep storage bin in the center console. The cover with side-by-side cupholders slides rearward to reveal more hidden storage room and a shelf for easy- to-grab items.
The steering wheel is also heated. And there is a grab handle for the front passenger to get in, but there is not one on the driver’s side. Fortunately, there are also running boards to make it easier to clamber inside.
There are gobs of leg and head room in the second row, which has the same quality seats as up front. There are two USB outlets and air vents but no HVAC controls for rear seat passengers. There is a power outlet and a tray for glasses or a wallet. The pulldown armrest in the center seating position has cupholders.
Overhead is a panoramic fixed glass roof with a coating to reflect infrared rays. GMC also uses more acoustic glass throughout for a quieter cabin than you will experience in the Chevy.
Cargo Room Front and Back
The truck has an impressive amount of cargo room. There is a large 11.0-cubic inch frunk in front that is deep and waterproof, with two drains, a power outlet, and cupholders as well as hooks for tie-downs and available accessories.
