2024 GMC Sierra 1500
GMC had a fantastic 2023. Deliveries of the Sierra pickup lineup jumped 22 percent from the year before, with the 1500 experiencing a greater rise of over 32 percent. Combined, all Sierra pickups became the seventh best-selling vehicle in the U.S.A.
The GMC Sierra is a huge success story for General Motors. After years of being seen as a duplicate of the Chevrolet full-size pickup lineup, the Sierra has established its own personality. Something that goes beyond “Professional Grade,” but a more premium experience inviting truck owners to own one for both work and play.
In 2023, the half-ton Sierra 1500 was given a facelift. The result is a more premium pickup truck offering a better experience whenever you’re tailgating, taking home the summer’s home project, or towing a camper deep into the woods.
Recently, we drove a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 to see how this premium pickup truck has progressed.
The Sierra 1500 sported a much bolder grille with a smaller LED headlamp unit. The front clip alone creates a defined style that speaks to GMC’s intentions among full-size pickup trucks. The profile is as tall as the truck itself, including the Crew Cab’s glass area. Out back is a 5-1/2 foot box with maximum usable space inside of it.
Our Elevation model’s grille is finished in black, as well as the 20-inch alloy wheels. The black trim enhances our tester’s “Downpour” blue color.
Inside the Sierra 1500 is a superb dashboard housing a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a configurable set of screens. Alongside of the instrument cluster is a 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen that is driven by Google. You will find that all of the controls have great feel and logic – most of which is within reach.
Comfortable cloth seating welcomes you. Our tester can be configured into a six-seater with the front center armrest folding up for the middle passenger. Rear seat room is good for many bodies and the seats are thick enough for comfort.
Our tester came with the 310-horsepower 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine now wearing the name Turbomax. This engine also puts down 430 pound-feet of torque. This engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission attached to a two-speed four-wheel-drive system. This driveline is rated for a maximum payload of 2,120 pounds with a maximum towing rating of 9,200 pounds.
The Turbomax driveline puts down serious power. Passing and cruising are done with ease and quiet. You may not think this powerful truck has only a four-cylinder engine with a turbocharger underneath the hood. In turn, the Environmental Protection Agency rates this driveline to achieve a combined fuel economy average of 17 MPG.
With a standard suspension set-up, the ride quality was very good. It absorbed rougher road surfaces extremely well without transmitting them into the cabin. Handling is good, as maneuverability was easy yielding minimal roll and lean.
The steering is fine, with decent on-center feel despite a larger turning radius. Braking power was really good for this class of pickup truck. Pedal feel was fine, and stops were actually solid in normal, panic, and wet situations.
The Sierra 1500 is offered in five cab/box configurations with eight trim levels and four engine choices to choose from. Pricing starts from $39,695. Our Elevation 4WD Crew Cab model with the five-and-a-half-foot box came with a sticker price of $58,660.
Though GMC sees themselves as “Professional Grade,” there is an image of them being more upscale in the truck market. However, the Sierra 1500 still matches up against the Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150, Ram 1500, Toyota Tundra, and Nissan Titan.
The truth is that General Motors makes a very good pickup truck. The GMC Sierra 1500 may seem like a cut above the competition, but you can find a great value by choosing the right configuration that works for your needs and wants. You certainly can’t go wrong with a GMC Sierra 1500.
Credits: CarSoup Editors
