GMC SIERRA EV DENALI MAX RANGE – LONG DISTANCE RUNAROUND? YES.

GMC SIERRA EV DENALI MAX RANGE

LONG DISTANCE RUNAROUND? YES.

The number of all-electric vehicles seems to be proliferating, with no (apparent) end in sight.  Up until a couple of years ago, if you wanted to go all-electric you settled for a car or a smaller crossover.  Well, all of us Texans that love our pickups can relax; full-size pickup trucks are now fully electric, also.  First, Ford came out with the F-150 Lightning, and now General Motors has introduced an all-electric Chevrolet Silverado EV and a GMC Sierra EV.  

I had the opportunity to drive a Summit White 2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali Max Range that arrived with an eye-popping $101,590 MSRP price tag.  That’s right, a pickup that costs over a hun$red grand.  With that window sticker, I doubt many of these are destined to visit construction sites on a daily basis. But it wouldn’t be singled out as an odd duck if parked next to a white fleet truck on most sites. 

It has to be pointed out that although the Sierra EV shares its model name with the gasoline-powered Sierra, this is not a body-on-frame truck.  The Sierra EV shares its underpinnings with the Hummer EV, which debuted back in model year 2022.  Both EVs are built on a dedicated platform that is narrower than the gasoline-powered models.  The Sierra EV is powered by two electric motors and generates 760 horsepower and 785 lb-ft of torque in Max Power mode with the ability to tow 10,500 pounds.  GM says it’s capable of getting from zero to 60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds and I believe it.  It’s kinda’ scary fast, especially for a pickup.  

The Max Range version that I drove advertises 460 miles of GM-estimated range.  The GMC press release claims that the Sierra EV is 800 Volt DC public fast charging-capable at up to 350kW, enabling up to 100 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes, a claim I was not able to verify.  The Sierra EV is only available in a crew cab configuration with a profile that is very reminiscent of the Chevrolet Avalanche.  

The Sierra EV features Air Ride Adaptive Suspension, which provides the ability to raise or lower the truck by about two inches, while also offering a more comfortable ride.  It also has the MultiPro MidGate expandable bed, which offers room for hauling items nearly 11 feet in length, while still leaving room for a rear seat passenger.  It takes a little time to figure out how to use it but it’s a handy feature to have in a pickup.

Another feature that I find both useful and amusing is the 4-Wheel Steer with CrabWalk.  Yes, you can still parallel park like a normal person. But why do it the old-fashioned way when you can amaze bystanders with the CrabWalk. You’ll never EVER have to hang your head in embarrassment when/if you get your turning radius wrong and have to start all over after hitting the curb. I made complete strangers smile and nod their heads in approval.

The Sierra EV Denali comes with everything you expect from the Denali name (soon to be McKinley? – ed.) including grain-matched open-pore wood, dark aluminum accents and etched stainless steel speaker covers.  It also had a panoramic fixed glass roof, a feature you won’t find in a gasoline-powered pickup.  So, if this truck doesn’t work for the construction sites, it certainly works for date nights and looking at the stars, deep in the heart of Texas. Yes.