2021 GMC Sierra 1500 review
GMC Sierra 1500 highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Spacious cabin
- Powerful engine options
- Easy-to-use infotainment system
Cons
- Uninspired interior
- Large center console takes up too much space
- Bumpy ride
Mileage (EPA estimate)
14 city, 19 highway, 17 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
Shop with your budget in mind
A capable pickup with people and cargo space
GMC completely redesigned and mechanically overhauled the Sierra 1500 for the 2019 model year. For 2021, the Sierra 1500 is just as visually unique but offers additional features that make its roomy cabin more comfortable and convenient for up to six people. There's even more tech behind the passenger compartment, including an available carbon-fiber bed and innovative tailgate that can be used in six different ways. Whether you want to minimize your trips to the gas station or maximize how much you can haul and tow, you can do it thanks to the Sierra's multitude of gas and diesel engine options.
All GMC Sierra 1500 years
What is new for the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500?
- Sierra 1500 trims have been upgraded with Long Bed as standard equipment this year.
- Head Up Display features are now available as options on select trims.
- The Elevation trim now comes with Front Seat Heaters, Power Seat(s), Heated Steering Wheel, Bed Liner, Tow Hitch, and Satellite Radio Ready as standard equipment.
- The SLE trim now comes with Rear Defroster, Power Seat(s), Smart Key, Heated Steering Wheel, Remote Start, Front Seat Heaters, Bed Liner, Tow Hitch, and Satellite Radio Ready as standard equipment.
- The SLT trim now comes with Bed Liner and A/C Seat(s) as standard equipment.
- The Base trim now comes with Bed Liner and Power Mirrors as standard equipment.
2021 GMC Sierra 1500 trims
Sierra:
Includes chrome front and rear bumpers, corner-step rear bumper, 40/20/40 front bench seat, hill start assist, GMC infotainment system, and more.
SLE:
Adds 17-inch aluminum wheels; chrome grille, bumpers, and window trim; traction select system with tow/haul mode; heated steering wheel; dual-zone climate control, and more.
Elevation:
Adds 20-inch aluminum wheels, black grille with body-color surround, LED fog lamps, vertical recovery hooks, second-row seatback storage, LED cargo box lighting, and more.
SLT:
Adds 18-inch aluminum wheels, GMC MultiPro tailgate, in-vehicle trailering app, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and more.
AT4:
Adds 18-inch aluminum wheels, all-terrain tires, two-inch lift, off-road suspension with Rancho monotube shocks, two-speed transfer case, and more.
Denali:
Adds 20-inch aluminum wheels, premium perforated leather seats, open-pore ash wood trim, wireless charging, adaptive ride control, and more.
GMC Sierra 1500 photos
5 reasons to buy the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500
1. Room for everyone and everything
The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500's variety of body styles and trim levels enable it to fit three, five, or six passengers and a wide range of lifestyles. Its basic regular cab and eight-foot, two-inch bed configuration is perfect for transporting three people and plenty of tools and gear to a job site. The double cab with the six-foot, seven-inch bed offers a useful combination of passenger space and hauling capacity. The crew cab maximizes passenger space by providing nearly equal amounts of legroom in the first and second rows. Two different bed sizes allow you to select the right length for how much stuff you want to take along with you.
2. Wide array of engine choices
You get plenty of choices for what goes under the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500's hood, too. The 2.7L turbocharged inline-four engine makes up for its smaller size with substantially higher output: 310 hp and 348 lb-ft of torque. The torque-rich 3.0L Duramax turbodiesel inline-six combines slightly higher towing capability with EPA-estimated fuel economy figures as high as 23 city, 30 highway, and 26 combined mpg.
3. Impressive tech
Thanks to the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500's 15-inch head-up display (available on SLT, AT4, and Denali trims), you can keep an eye on your speed and other important readouts while watching the road ahead. If you happen to be pulling a trailer, you don't have to sweat that, either. When equipped with the available HD surround vision, rear camera mirror, and bed view camera technologies, the Sierra 1500 shows your truck and trailer from 15 different camera views. Updates for the 2021 model year enhance existing features and add new ones, including a trailer length indicator for more confident lane changes, cargo bed zoom view, bed hitch guidance, and jack-knife alert.
4. Off-road readiness
There are three basic levels to the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500's capabilities on rough terrain. There's basic 4WD, of course. The X31 Off-Road Package, available on Sierra, SLE, Elevation, and SLT models, adds a heavy-duty air filter, skid plates, hill descent control, an off-road suspension with Rancho shocks, and more. The dedicated AT4 model goes even further with a two-inch suspension lift and chunky all-terrain tires.
5. Trick tailgate
The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500's tailgate can do more than just give you access to the bed. The available GMC MultiPro Tailgate (standard on SLT, AT4, and Denali trims; available on SLE and Elevation trims) can help you get things knocked off of your to-do list in six different ways. Depending on how you fold it and its integrated panels, you can use it as a traditional tailgate, load stop at different heights, full-width step, or means of getting closer to the load floor or work surface. The GMC MultiPro™ tailgate can even serve as a boombox, thanks to the available 100-watt Kicker exterior audio system (standard on Denali and AT4 CarbonPro Edition trims; available on SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, and Denali trims).
Similar vehicles
If you're interested in the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.
From basic functionality to luxurious cabin fixtures, the 2017-2021 GMC Sierra 2500 has something for everyone. The 2017-2021 Sierra 2500 has up to five trim levels, the Base, SLE, SLT, and Denali trims were joined by the off-road specialist AT4 trim, in 2019.
The 2018-2021 Sierra 2500 base trim features:
Automatic locking rear differential
Vinyl upholstery
Cruise control
Work smarter, not harder, with the innovative technology and functionality of the 2017-2019 GMC Canyon. An available 4G LTE W-Fi hotspot lets you turn any job site into an office.
Standard features on the base 2017-2019 GMC Canyon include:
Five-speed manual transmission
Rearview camera
Corner step rear bumper
Power driver's seat
The Chevrolet Silverado is a half-ton full-size pickup truck. The 2014-2018 Silverado 1500 has V6 and V8 engine options and can tow an estimated 12,000 lbs. when properly equipped.
Here's what you'll find on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in model years 2017 and later:
Standard teen driver setting, which limits speed and volume
Estimated towing capacity of 12,500 lbs. when properly equipped (all trims and engines)
Available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
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Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the GMC Sierra 1500 an overall reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks GMC Sierra 1500 4th out of 19 among Fullsize Trucks.
View RepairPal's full rating of the GMC Sierra 1500GMC Sierra 1500 features and specs
Base 2WD 2D Regular Cab
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bed Liner
- Bluetooth Technology
- Long Bed
- Overhead Airbags
- Rear View Camera
- Side Airbags
- Traction Control
- Turbo Charged Engine
- Vinyl Seats
- Alloy Wheels
- Bed Cover
- Bed Liner
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Cloth Seats
- Cruise Control
- Parking Sensors
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Running Boards
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Tow Hitch
Drive Wheels
Rear Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
2.7L
Horsepower
310
Torque (ft-lbs)
348
Engine type
Turbo Gas
Fuel capacity
28
Wheelbase
139.56"
Overall length
229.6"
Width
81.15"
Height
75.6"
Leg room
F 44.53"
Head room
F 43.11"
Front tires
255/70R17
Rear tires
255/70R17
Seating capacity
3
Max towing capacity
790/9900 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2021 GMC Sierra 1500 FAQ
The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- SLT: 23 MPG City and 30 MPG Highway
- SLT: 17 MPG City and 23 MPG Highway
- SLE: 20 MPG City and 23 MPG Highway
- SLE: 23 MPG City and 30 MPG Highway
- Elevation: 23 MPG City and 30 MPG Highway
- Elevation: 20 MPG City and 23 MPG Highway
- Base: 20 MPG City and 23 MPG Highway
- Denali: 23 MPG City and 30 MPG Highway
- Denali: 17 MPG City and 24 MPG Highway
- AT4: 22 MPG City and 26 MPG Highway
- AT4: 16 MPG City and 21 MPG Highway
The GMC Sierra 1500 received a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks the GMC Sierra 1500 as 3 out of 19 among Fullsize Truck
The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 has a maximum towing capacity of between 9200 and 12000 pounds, when properly equipped. Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.
Here is what's new for the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500:
- Long Bed
- Bed Liner
- A/C Seat(s)
- Smart Key
- Rear Defroster
More about the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500
Color options
Exterior colors:
Brownstone Metallic (available on Sierra, SLE, Elevation, and SLT trims)
Cardinal Red (available on Sierra, SLE, Elevation, and SLT trims)
Cayenne Red Tintcoat (available on SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, and Denali trims)
Dark Sky Metallic (available on all trims)
Ebony Twilight Metallic (available on SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, and Denali trims)
Hunter Metallic (available on Denali trim only)
Onyx Black (available on all trims)
Pacific Blue Metallic (available on all trims)
Quicksilver Metallic (available on Sierra, SLE, Elevation, and SLT trims)
Satin Steel Metallic (available on all trims)
Summit White (available on Sierra, SLE, Elevation, SLT, and AT4 trims)
White Frost Tricoat (available on SLT and Denali trims)
Interior details
Seating for three, five, or six
40/20/40 front bench seat (standard on Sierra, SLE, Elevation, and SLT trims)
Eight-inch infotainment system touchscreen (standard on SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, and Denali trims)
Second-row air vents (standard on all Double Cab and Crew Cab trims)
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Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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