2026 GMC Sierra EV Test Drive Review: An Electric Truck Done The Right Way

General Motors kicked off its Ultium electric vehicle lineup in the boldest way possible — by resurrecting the Hummer. The move certainly grabbed headlines, but with a $110,295 starting price, it wasn’t exactly accessible to traditional truck buyers. A similar issue plagued GM’s second electric pickup, the Chevrolet Silverado EV, which debuted as a single, range-topping RST First Edition costing $94,500. Despite offering better range, more usable space, and a familiar design, the Silverado EV was hampered by lackluster build quality and a cheap-feeling interior, making it a tough sell.

Fast forward a few years, and GM is back with another entry — the 2026 GMC Sierra EV — this time in the rugged AT4 trim. The question is, has GM finally ironed out the issues that plagued its earlier electric trucks?

The Sierra EV officially joined GM’s full-size electric truck family for the 2025 model year, initially offered only in the upscale Denali trim. For 2026, the lineup expands significantly, now including the Elevation, AT4, and Denali models, each available with three different battery sizes. While the Sierra EV shares its Ultium platform and many mechanical elements with the Silverado EV, a week behind the wheel proved one thing: these are not just badge-engineered twins — one of them stands leaps and bounds ahead of the other.

Exterior Looks: More Familiar

The Chevrolet Silverado EV received its share of criticism for looking nothing like its gas-powered counterpart. In contrast, the GMC Sierra EV strikes a better balance between modern electric design and traditional truck aesthetics. While it doesn’t perfectly mirror the internal combustion model, its more conventional styling should sit well with long-time truck buyers. The chiseled headlights and blacked-out front panel that mimics a grille (except on the Denali) help it maintain the familiar look of a gas truck.

GMC also distinguishes itself by skipping a bare-bones Work Truck variant, instead positioning the Sierra EV as a more premium option. The base Elevation trim comes well-equipped with 18-inch wheels, while buyers seeking a bolder look can opt for the $2,695 Elevation Dark Package, which adds 22-inch black alloy wheels and a more aggressive stance.

Stepping up to the AT4 trim adds a rugged edge to the Sierra EV. It features unique 18-inch wheels wrapped in 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory all-terrain tires, a light-up GMC logo, and red tow hooks on the front bumper for that signature off-road look.

At the top of the lineup, the Denali remains the most luxurious version, equipped with 22-inch wheels or optional massive 24-inch alloys, and distinguished by a body-color grille that sets it apart visually.

As for exterior finishes, GMC offers seven colors in total. Our tester came in Summit White, the only no-cost option, while most other shades add $495 to the price tag. The standout Magnus Matte finish, however, demands a hefty $3,995 premium for those seeking a more exclusive appearance.

Interior & On-Board Technology: Doing It Almost Perfectly

We hate to keep beating this drum, but the Silverado EV seriously missed the mark on interior quality. It never felt like a $50,000 truck—let alone one pushing $94,000. Thankfully, the GMC Sierra EV completely turns things around. It’s hard to believe this truck costs only slightly more than the Silverado because it feels twice as premium inside.

While we wouldn’t go so far as to say the cabin matches the plushness of the Sierra 1500 AT4X or Denali Ultimate, it still ranks among the best interiors in any electric pickup on the market today.

The Sierra EV is also among the most spacious and practical trucks on the market, thanks in part to the available midgate. This clever feature lets you open a passthrough between the bed and cabin, extending usable cargo space from nearly six feet to just under eleven feet when paired with the MultiPro tailgate. Up front, there’s also an 11-cubic-foot frunk, adding even more versatility for everyday storage.

Inside, the Elevation trim comes with After Dark (black) CoreTec leatherette seats, while the AT4 introduces a distinctive Forest Storm theme. The Denali takes things a step further with genuine leather in either After Dark or Desert Dune (brown), featuring a more refined stitch pattern. Even the base model feels well-equipped, offering 10-way heated power seats with lumbar support, a heated steering wheel, and a sliding wireless phone charger. Higher trims build on that with ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a head-up display, and an optional fixed panoramic glass roof.

We do wish GMC offered a way to close off the glass roof, as the only current option is a $150 accessory sunshade that looks a bit too aftermarket. Likewise, some of GMC’s most luxurious features—like massaging seats—remain exclusive to the gas-powered Sierra lineup.

Infotainment: Google Is Good, CarPlay Is Better

Every Sierra EV trim comes equipped with a 16.8-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, a noticeable departure from the landscape display found in the Silverado EV. The system runs Android Automotive with built-in Google technology, providing seamless access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and other integrated apps. Overall, it’s an intuitive and responsive interface, though text messaging remains a weak point—messages are cumbersome to read aloud and interrupt the flow of the experience.

Unfortunately, like all of GM’s latest EVs, the Sierra EV lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, a baffling omission that we strongly disagree with. The camera system, however, is excellent, offering sharp and detailed views around the truck. That said, the turn-signal blind spot camera takes over the entire screen, which can be frustrating when following navigation instructions, and the stretched image can appear slightly blurry on the large display.

The Elevation trim includes a six-speaker sound system, while both the AT4 and Denali upgrade to a seven-speaker Bose setup. Audio quality is decent but nowhere near the 12-speaker Bose system available in the Denali Ultimate gas truck—another reminder that GMC still reserves some of its best tech for internal-combustion models.

Performance: More Choice Than Ever

After debuting its electric trucks in limited, single-trim configurations with massive batteries, GMC has finally broadened the lineup for 2026. The Sierra EV now offers three battery sizes and corresponding power outputs, giving buyers more flexibility depending on their needs and budget. All variants feature dual electric motors delivering standard all-wheel drive, ensuring confident traction in any condition.

Both the AT4 and Denali trims include four-wheel steering with CrabWalk, allowing the truck to move diagonally to simplify tight maneuvers and off-road navigation. The Denali also stands apart as the only trim to feature Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, which automatically adjusts ride height for better comfort or ground clearance when needed.

In terms of performance, the Standard Range models—including the Elevation and Denali—share the same output figures. Stepping up to the Denali Extended Range brings a noticeable boost in torque, while the Denali Max Range tops the lineup with even greater power and torque, delivering the most capability the Sierra EV has to offer.

Performance Impressions

While few truck owners will ever launch their pickup from a dead stop, doing so offers a good indication of how quickly it can get up to speed when towing or hauling heavy loads. In this regard, the GMC Sierra EV AT4 impresses—hitting 60 mph in just 4.37 seconds. That’s only a hair slower than the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST’s 4.30-second sprint, which makes sense given the Chevy’s slightly higher output and more road-oriented tires. To achieve the Sierra’s best time, you’ll need to engage Max Power mode, which unleashes the full potential of its dual electric motors—normally dialed back for efficiency during everyday driving.

Despite its immense power, the Sierra EV delivers its thrust in a remarkably composed manner. It doesn’t struggle for traction like the Silverado, nor does it exhibit the dramatic front lift of the Hummer EV under hard acceleration. As for utility, the Sierra EV can tow up to 10,000 pounds, matching the Ford F-150 Lightning’s maximum rating. Thanks to its larger battery pack, however, the GMC should maintain a longer towing range—an important advantage for those who plan to pull serious loads over extended distances.

Ride and Handling

The Elevation and AT4 trims do not feature Adaptive Air Ride Suspension, which is available only on the Denali Extended Range as part of the $11,580 Denali Reserve Package, or standard on the Denali Max Range. While that may sound like a major omission, we didn’t find the air springs particularly necessary on these lower trims. Thanks to their smaller 18-inch wheels and thicker, higher-profile tires, the ride remains impressively composed. Large bumps are absorbed with ease, and only minor surface imperfections make their way into the cabin.

GM’s air suspension is still excellent, but its benefits are largely offset by the Denali’s massive 24-inch wheels, which tend to crash over uneven pavement and transfer harshness into the cabin. Unfortunately, those wheels can’t be swapped out if you choose the Denali Max Range, which limits ride customization.

Minor complaints aside, the Sierra EV stands out as the most refined Ultium-based truck so far. It’s quieter and smoother than the Silverado EV, though the Cadillac Escalade IQ still holds the edge in long-distance comfort and cabin serenity. Road noise is impressively low, and there’s no intrusive pedestrian warning hum when idling in traffic. Super Cruise comes standard or available on most trims, making full use of the Sierra’s generous range to deliver truly relaxed highway cruising. Meanwhile, four-wheel steering—standard on the AT4 and Denali—makes even tight parking maneuvers surprisingly easy for such a large vehicle.

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Efficiency, Range and Battery Info

The GMC Sierra EV stakes its claim as the king of electric truck range, a title it shares with the Chevrolet Silverado EV. Achieving such distances requires a massive battery, however, which means home charging can take a while. The Standard Range model, equipped with a 119 kWh battery, delivers a respectable 283 miles per charge—solid, though not class-leading. Step up to the 170 kWh Extended Range battery, and the Sierra EV jumps to an impressive 410 miles, or 390 miles in the AT4 trim. At the top of the lineup, the 205 kWh Max Range battery powers both the AT4 and Denali trims to a class-leading 478 miles, surpassing the F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T, with some independent tests even showing ranges exceeding 500 miles.

Charging is equally impressive. Thanks to its 800-volt architecture, the Sierra EV can take on up to 350 kW, adding roughly 100 miles in just 10 minutes at a fast-charging station. Home charging is also remarkably quick, topping out at 19.2 kW—among the fastest of any EV—though it requires the $1,999 GM Energy Powershift Charger plus an 80-amp outlet. This combination allows owners to make the most of the Sierra EV’s extraordinary range without being tethered to slow overnight charging.

Verdict & Pricing: Slowly Getting More Affordable

Previously, the Sierra EV was offered only as the fully-loaded Denali Edition One, but for 2026, GM has made the electric pickup far more accessible with the addition of two new trim levels. The Elevation Standard Range now starts at $64,495. While that’s pricier than a base F-150 Lightning Pro at $54,780, it’s nearly on par with the similarly equipped XLT ($63,345), and it comes with a clear advantage in range—283 miles versus 230 miles. The Standard Range Denali is also available for $71,795, giving buyers more luxury for a reasonable premium.

For those needing extended range, the Extended Range battery is offered across all three trims: Elevation ($72,695), Denali ($79,995), and AT4 ($81,395). The Max Range battery is limited to two trims: AT4 ($91,695) and Denali ($100,695), but it comes loaded with nearly every available feature, eliminating the need for expensive add-ons.

By comparison, the Chevrolet Silverado EV starts at a lower $54,895, but that figure represents the stripped-down Work Truck trim, which isn’t offered on the GMC. When comparing equivalently equipped trucks, the Sierra EV typically commands about a $3,000 premium, varying slightly by trim. Considering its superior interior, range, and refinement, the GMC Sierra EV is well worth the extra investment.

The GMC Sierra EV takes everything that worked on the Silverado EV—impressive range, rapid charging, the versatile midgate, and Super Cruise—and packages it into a far more refined truck. With a nicer interior, superior styling, and thoughtful details, it elevates the electric pickup segment and firmly earns its place as one of our top picks in the EV truck market.