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2021 GMC Sierra 1500 review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
6 photos

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)

6 photos
Price
Year

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

Curious how GMC Sierra 1500 trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

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.

View all GMC Sierra 1500s in stock

GMC Sierra 1500 photos

5 reasons to buy the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500

1. Room for everyone and everything

2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Review: Exterior | CarMax

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

2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Review: Engine | CarMax

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.

 If you just have to have a V8 in your truck, don't worry – the Sierra 1500 is available with two options. The smaller is a 5.3L power plant with nearly 400 lb-ft of torque. Its larger sibling is a 6.2L V8 with a whopping 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque.

3. Impressive tech

2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Review: Dashboard | CarMax

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

2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Review: Front seats | CarMax

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

2021 GMC Sierra 1500 Review: Trunk | CarMax

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.

Image of GMC Sierra 2500

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

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

3
1
2
Above Average

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 1500

GMC 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

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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