The electrical GMC Sierra pickup lineup is selecting up.
Battery-powered car gross sales development has slowed to a crawl in the USA, however Basic Motors Co. is full-speed forward on its transition to an all-EV maker — particularly in premium segments. Cadillac has accomplished its full EV lineup from Optiq to Escalade IQ, and now GMC is increasing its electrical truck lineup past the $92k Denali mannequin launched final yr to cheaper trims.
With deliveries this summer time, the 2026 GMC Sierra EV will likely be out there in entry-level $64,495 Elevation trim and as an $81,395 AT4 off-road mannequin. The Denali sub-brand alone bought 1,788 models in 2024 and can broaden its choices for the brand new mannequin yr.
The Sierra EV lineup is aimed toward upscale truck patrons and its mannequin stroll parallels trims out there for the internal-combustion-engine Sierra lineup. Nonetheless, Sierra EV doesn’t embrace entry-level work truck grades Professional and SLE, which begin at $39k with ICE powertrains. Typical of electrics, the well-contented Elevation EV trim will begin about $13k above the comparable Elevation ICE product.
“With these further trims and buyer choices, the Sierra EV is positioned proper within the coronary heart of the premium truck market,” stated GMC/Buick International Vice President Jaclyn McQuaid. “The mix of Elevation, AT4 and Denali symbolize the most well-liked expressions of Sierra, accounting for greater than two-out-of-three of all Sierra light-duty gross sales.”
GMC sits above Chevrolet because the Basic’s premium truck model and it was first to leap on the electrical pickup bandwagon with the 2022 Hummer EV.
Chevy adopted with a 2024 Silverado EV earlier than the Sierra Denali EV was rolled out. All three vans are primarily based on the identical Ultium battery platform. Like Sierra, the Silverado EV lineup expanded final yr, constructing on its entry-level $57,095 Work Truck and top-line $97,896 RST.
GM’s bullish strikes on EVs come as crosstown rival Ford Motor Co. has pulled again on manufacturing of its Lightning EV pickup within the face of cooling demand. Even EV pioneer Tesla Inc. — which anticipated manufacturing of 250,000 models a yr of its Cybertruck pickup – has seen gross sales fall brief at 38,965 models delivered in 2024.
Sierra ICE pickups provide a number of drivetrains, and the expanded Sierra EV lineup will characteristic three battery choices: Customary Vary, Prolonged Vary, and Max Vary battery.
The Elevation trim will likely be out there with a Customary or Prolonged Vary battery, whereas the off-road oriented AT4 presents Prolonged or Max Vary battery. The Denali trim will provide all three battery choices. GMC stated vary estimates could be introduced nearer to launch, however anticipate vary to trace that of the Silverado EV collection, which boasts 408 miles for the Prolonged Vary 170 kWh battery and as much as 496 miles for the 205 kWh Max battery.
The 2026 Sierra EV Elevation begins with signature GMC options together with a 16.8-inch console touchscreen, entrance trunk (so-called eTrunk), versatile MultiPro Tailgate and 18-inch wheels. Choices embrace hands-free Tremendous Cruise drive help and a detachable MultiPro MidGate, which allows hauling, say, boards as much as 11 toes lengthy.
Like its Canyon and Sierra ICE siblings, Sierra EV provides a dirt-kicking AT4 mannequin to its tree-hugging resume.
The large, off-road centered EV builds on Elevation trim specs with a lifted (by two inches) coil suspension and 35-inch all-terrain tires. It’s going to additionally characteristic a trim-exclusive Terrain Mode, designed, GMC says, “to offer most maneuverability, torque, and exact management off-road, and built-in with one-pedal drive and computerized braking.”
Key to that maneuverability are instruments seen on the Hummer like four-wheel-steer and Crab Stroll mode that assist the truck navigate tight spots.
AT4 will come normal with Tremendous Cruise driving-assist functionality and may tow as much as 12,300 kilos. Checks by TFLTruck.com point out the Ultium platform can tow with a couple of 50% vary loss that’s similar to gas-powered vans — although the Sierra EV’s charging achieve of 100 miles in 10 minutes pales in comparison with a gasoline pump.
AT4 choices embrace a ten.2 kW onboard energy system that feeds 240-volt and 120-volt mattress shops.
Outfitted with the Customary battery, the top-drawer Sierra EV Denali begins at $71,795 — considerably beneath the $92k 2025 mannequin that was solely out there with a Max battery.
True to the Denali’s repute, the inside will get the royal therapy with normal heated/ventilated seats and Tremendous Cruise. Extras embrace four-wheel steer, pillow-soft air suspension and a panoramic sunroof.
Sierra EV coloration selections develop, too, together with Summit White, Glacier White, Coastal Dune, Deep Bronze, Magnus Matte, Onyx Black, Deep Ocean, Darkish Ember, and Thunderstorm Grey. You’ll know the AT4 by its illuminated purple entrance badge.
Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit Information. Discover him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or @HenryEPayne.
