GMC Electrifies Its Most Popular Premium Pickup
I will do my best to convey how the 2025 GMC Sierra Denali EV Max Range (with a price tag of our tester $105,585) is the best all-electric luxury pickup. But this one requires you to drive it for yourself.
What’s not to like about a premium full-size pickup that uses no gasoline or diesel, can go up-to 478 miles on an electric charge and ensconces the occupants in an elegant and spacious interior? The only negative we came-up with is the curious lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone projection. If these are the only knocks, then the 2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali Max Range gets a high 9-out-of-10 rating.
Debuting in 2024, the GMC Sierra Denali EV is a stand-out in how high-luxury appointments can enhance, of all things, a pickup truck. If riding the open range or taking that multi-hundred-mile family road trip are your thing, have confidence being transported in the 2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali will be a pretty darn-tootin’ good experience.
Clean Fleet Report had the opportunity recently to drive the top trim Sierra Denali EV, the first full-size electric pickup truck from GMC. To get started, here a few key elements.
Developed from the ground-up as a fully electric truck on the General Motors Ultium platform [Ed note: terminology at GM has changed and they now describe the Sierra EV as part of the BT1 platform, which is shared with the Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Hummer EV and Cadillac Escalade IQ]
Dedicated platform not shared with a gasoline-powered truck
Built at Factory Zero at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center
All-wheel drive with CrabWalk
All-wheel steering
Seven trims. See list below.
Towing capacity: Up-to 12,300 pounds maximum
1,350 pounds to 1,500 pounds of payload, depending on trim
Available only as a four door crew cab
Carbwalk set up
Power and Range
Dual electric motors
Horsepower: Extended Range: 645; Max Range: 760. Both with 785 lb.-ft. of torque
212 kWh Ultium cells battery
19.2 kW onboard charger
350 kW, 800-volt DC charging capability
Curb Weight: 8,987 pounds
Driving Range: Max Range: 460; Extended Range: 390; Elevation Standard Range: 283 miles
Charging
Level 1 (120V) – Long and slow
Level 2 (240V) – 34 miles per hour or about 11.5 hours for a full charge
DC Fast Charging – 100 miles can be added in 10 minutes, when charging at 350 kW
Charging compatible with the Combined Charging System (CCS) and the North American Charging Standard (NACS) or Tesla Supercharger network
Features
Seating for five adults
Power, heated and cooled seats
Wireless phone charging
Wi-Fi hot spot
Google Built-in
No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
Instrument display – 11.0-inch driver configurable
Head-up display – 14-inch driver configurable
Infotainment Screen – 16.8-inches, multi-color, tablet style
Super Cruise offers hands-free driving and, among other features, the ability to automatically change lanes
Automatic adaptive air suspension with a 2-inch range for raising or lowering the ride height: 4-inches total
Large and deep center console storage area that can hold a lunch cooler
Rear under-seat storage
eTrunk – A lockable front trunk (frunk) with a power hood
Fixed glass roof over the front and rear passengers; no sunshade
Rear bumper steps
Multi-flex tailgate
Mid-gate that allows access from the bed into the interior. With the rear seat folded flat, there is 10-feet of storage area. Perfect for a kayak, surfboard or SUP
Walk-up and walk-away lighting sequences on the front and rear
10.2kW of external charging capability with up to 10 outlets, to power a worksite, home or campsite
How It Drives
Clean Fleet Report was in the GMC Sierra EV Denali Max Range that is rated at 460 all-electric miles. We spent our time mostly on Southern California freeways and over 322 miles we averaged a very respectable 2.3 miles per kilowatt hour (kWh).
The steering wheel mounted paddle shifters aren’t there to change gears (there are none because there isn’t a transmission), but regulate the strength of the regenerative braking force. The GMC system is one of our favorites as it made accelerating, slowing and stopping using our fingers a more controlled and relaxing way to drive.
When driving, charging is accomplished through regenerative braking that converts kinetic energy into electric energy when applying the brakes or coasting, and stores it in the battery. The strength of the regeneration can also be set in the center screen.
The Sierra EV benefitted, as do all EVs, from strong, instant acceleration and torque at any speed. The ride with the automatic air suspension, adaptive dampers and the front and rear independent suspension made for comfortable freeway cruising. There was little-to-no body roll when cornering, it felt solid, tracks straight. With no drivetrain vibrations it is more comfortable to drive long distances versus a gasoline- or diesel-powered pickup.
However, the standard 24-inch wheels, mounted with 275/50 Michelin Primacy tires, kept it from being considered a plush ride. These massive tires filled to 65 psi did produce some road noise. An option is going with smaller wheels that would help the ride.
Freeway time can be much more enjoyable, and relaxing, by activating Super Cruise (demonstrated here on the GMC Hummer EV) that allows the driver to travel more than 750,000 miles on compatible roads across the U.S. and Canada. This technology is a feature you will want on your Sierra EV if taking to the highway. Super Cruise even works when towing, which is a very handy and unique feature.
The Sierra EV comes standard with all-wheel drive, but is best suited for non-rock climbing off-road adventures. The GMC Hummer EV is built for that use and, from our experience, is very good at it. One thing both share is rear wheel steering, which makes parking in tight places easy, as well as taking city or freeway corners with little effort.
The Sierra EV feels heavy, because it is at more than 8,000 pounds, but not cumbersome or clumsy. The all-wheel steering goes a long way making it drive far lighter than it is. With that said, do not over-drive the Sierra EV on corners and always respect its mass.
Max Power
The 2025 Sierra EV is the most powerful and fastest Sierra pickup ever to come off the assembly line. For a bit of fun and something to show-off, take your friends out for a demonstration of Max Power explained here and demonstrated here. This temporary blast of electrons pushes the 4.5 tons 0-to-60 mph in about 4.5 seconds. When launching from a stop, the front end lifts a bit, the steering gets light and you get pushed back in the seat. This is a great way to win a bar bet, but not too practical as all that extra electricity cuts into the overall driving range.
Riding High
Visibility is excellent with a seating position higher than almost all other pickups or SUVs. It would be nice to have a ceiling-mounted grab handle for the driver, but the running board helps hoist the driver into the high seating position. Once inside, the level of premium and near-luxury look, tone and feel becomes clear. The fabrics and materials are a step-up with all expected creature comforts present.
The driver and passenger bucket seats are trimmed in leather, have contrasting top stitching and adjust eight ways with 4-way lumbar power adjustments. The floors are carpeted but have front and rear floor mats, which are much appreciated as this is a truck after all!
The multi-function heated steering wheel has a power tilt and telescoping column. The seat thigh cushion bolstering is thick and supportive for long road trips and the door openings are large. There is a B-pillar-mounted grab handle that, along with the running board, makes ascending the Sierra EV easy.
The 16.8-inch LCD display has a Bose 7-speaker sound system with Google built-in compatibility. Infotainment includes AM/FM/HD radio with SiriusXM (trial subscription), connected apps and navigation. Additional technology for the front of cabin includes 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi hot spot, wireless phone charging, two USB-C data ports, a USB charge-only port and a 12-volt power outlet.
Rear seat head and leg room is impressive. Three adults easily fit on the 60:40 folding rear seat that also lifts forward for storage. Rear passengers have heat and A/C vents, cup holders, a fold-down arm rest and reading lamps. Connectivity is through a 3-prong household-style outlet, 4 USB-C ports.
Versatility and Functionality
Cabin storage is plentiful—under the rear seat, the doors, the glovebox or the 7-gallon space in the padded center console. But, when it comes to functionality, the real eye-poppers are the MultiPro Tailgate and MultiPro MidGate. When fully optimized the latter bumps the 5-foot-11-inch bed to 10-feet-10-inches of load floor, providing enough space for long items like a kayak, surfboard, paddle board or lumber.
Up front, where an engine might be found in the gas Sierra, a lockable and waterproof power eTrunk (frunk) can safely store valuables that otherwise would be visible the bed or the cabin. For convenience the frunk also has a 120-volt power outlet.
Open for business
V2H
V2H stands for Vehicle-2-Home, which allows Sierra EV owners with a full battery to power their home for several days in an emergency. Through the GM Energy V2H Bundle, once installed, the bi-directional power flow can take power from the Sierra EV into a home at a maximum of 7.2kW. For anyone who lives where weather can knock-out the power and might be considering installing a diesel back-up generator, the GM system will be worth investigating. Here is how it works.
Safety
The Sierra Denali EV comes with standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist departure warning and forward collision alert. The blind zone steering assist and rear cross-traffic braking also work when pulling a trailer.
As with all General Motors vehicles, the Sierra Denali EV is equipped with OnStar, which comes with an eight-year basic service plan. A simple push of a button connects to a friendly representative to handle emergencies, directions and general assistance to make your driving experience safer and more enjoyable.
Adaptible storage
Warranties
Bumper To Bumper – Three years/36,000miles
Propulsion Battery – Eight years/100,000 miles
Pricing
The 2025 Sierra EV comes in seven trims with these prices, including the $2,095 Destination Charge.
Elevation – Standard Range $64,495
Elevation – Extended Range $72,695
AT4 – Extended Range $81,395
AT4 – Max Range $91,695
Denali – Standard Range $71,795
Denali – Extended Range $79,995
Denali – Max Range $100,695
Observations: 2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali Max Range
General Motors is on a roll having launched several EVs in the past few years. Chevrolet has the Blazer, Equinox, Silverado and Brightdrop commercial van. Cadillac has the Celestiq, Escalade IQ, Lyriq, Optiq and Vistiq, while GMC offers the Hummer in both a pickup and SUV, along with the Sierra EV. Soon, the company will reintroduce the Chevrolet Bolt. GM is a major player in electric vehicles and is almost daring you to find excuses not to try one of the models, which span many vehicle types and use cases.
Our take, after driving the 2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali Max Range, is it is the best overall premium electric pickup you can buy. The caveat is the price.
Clean Fleet Report spent an enjoyable and satisfying week driving through Southern California in the highly optioned Sierra Denali Max Range trim with a base price of $98,400. After adding $5,090 in options and the $2,095 destination charge, the grand total came to $105,585.
It isn’t our place to suggest where you spend your money, but we have a suggestion that will result in the same high-quality vehicle but for about a third fewer dollars than our test rig.
If you are looking for a premium EV pickup, but really don’t see needing the 460 miles of all-electric driving range (AER) delivered by the Sierra Denali Max Range, these are a couple options. The Extended Range trim at 390 AER for $79,995 before options, or the Standard Range at 283 AER for a base price of $71,695 before options.
The high-quality build and all the other features of the Max Range are on these trims, but at a lower price. The Extended and Standard charge at the same rapid speed as the Max and offer the same performance, so the only thing being sacrificed would be a few minutes for an additional charging stop on a long road trip.
GMC-loyal truck owners and first-time electric truck buyers should be intrigued. The size, driving range, charging speed, cargo versatility and storage options make the Sierra EV appealing.
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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and GMC.
Disclosure
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and other efficient powertrains. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com or by commenting on any of our stories. We answer every comment!
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