I Test Drove the 2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali: Here's the Real Verdict

Electrifying the luxury truck segment

The 2025 GMC Sierra EV is the newest kid on the block, emerging as the brand’s most compelling bid to woo traditional truck buyers with a blend of brawn, brains, and luxury. With up to 460 anxiety-free miles of range and 760 horsepower on tap, the electric behemoth aims to dethrone the likes of Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning. All this is yours for $100,495, though you’ll sacrifice Apple CarPlay for GM’s glitchy infotainment and pray those slick 24-inch rims survive a pothole.

The evolution of Sierra

GM has been building trucks since nearly the dawn of time, but the ‘Sierra’ nameplate didn’t appear until 1988. Think of it as the Silverado’s slightly fancier cousin – the one who wore a tie to the family barbecue. For years, the Sierra was all about that classic American truck recipe: big V8s, enough chrome to blind oncoming traffic, and a general ‘get out of my way’ presence. Over time, it evolved from an upscale workhorse into a genuine luxury hauler, especially with the arrival of the Denali trim, which essentially popularized the idea of the luxury truck. With electric trucks hitting the scene like the F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, and Tesla’s angular doorstop, GMC found itself needing an answer.

To build the Sierra EV, GMC adopted GM’s Ultium platform — a highly flexible, modular architecture featuring stackable pouch battery cells. This is the same foundation underpinning a growing range of GM EVs, including the resurrected Hummer EV, the Cadillac Lyriq, and the Chevy Blazer EV. It’s the tech behind those claims of powering your house and outrunning supercars (we’ll reserve judgment on that). The result? An electric Sierra built on this versatile base, promising big range and capability without ditching that signature ‘look at me’ swagger.

Newton’s Law meets a midlife crisis

Under the hood (well, figuratively speaking), the Sierra EV Denali packs a serious punch. We’re talking dual electric motors unleashing a staggering 760 horsepower and 785 lb-ft of torque when you engage ‘Max Power’ mode. That’s enough juice to hurl this nearly 9,000-pound behemoth from 0 to 60 mph in under 4.5 seconds – genuinely startling performance for something this big. But the real star might be the massive 205 kWh Ultium battery pack, delivering an impressive estimated range of up to 460 miles. And when you do need a top-up, hooking it to a 350-kW DC fast charger can reportedly add 100 miles of range in about 10 minutes.

Of course, physics isn’t exactly thrilled about a 9,000-pound truck trying to defy its laws. Stomp the accelerator, and you can feel those all-season tires fighting for traction against the sheer mass and instant torque. Flick it into Dynamic Mode, however, and the big Sierra gets its act together. The steering gains some welcome weight, and the adaptive air suspension does an admirable job keeping body roll in check through corners. Thankfully, four-wheel steering is standard, making parking lot maneuvers less of a wrestling match than you’d expect. And just for good measure, GMC threw in the ‘Crab Walk’ feature, allowing this land yacht to move diagonally at low speeds – a neat party trick, if nothing else.

Denali DNA

Inside, the Sierra EV Denali aims high, trying to blend traditional truck luxury with a heavy dose of digital modernism. You’ll find the expected Denali touches – premium materials like open-pore wood trim, quilted leather seats, and satisfyingly solid knobs. Taking center stage is a massive 16.8-inch portrait-style touchscreen, handling infotainment duties with crisp graphics and customizable widgets. Mercifully, GMC included a row of honest-to-goodness tactile switches beneath it for core functions, giving it a rugged feel and saving you from having to dive into endless menus. However, look ahead, and the 11-inch driver display feels disappointingly small for a truck this massive and expensive.

Thankfully, that small driver display is supplemented by a large heads-up display, projecting key info right into your line of sight – a genuinely useful feature. Elsewhere, the cabin offers plenty of Denali luxury: heated and ventilated seats are available, ambient lighting sets the mood, and a massive panoramic glass roof (treated with UV and infrared coatings) keeps things feeling airy, even on sunny days. GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving tech is also on the options list for effortless highway cruising.

While the Sierra EV Denali’s interior isn’t perfect, it feels like a genuinely premium space to be in. When you stack it up against other trucks playing the ‘luxury’ game like the Rivian R1T (very cool in its own right), Tesla Cybertruck, and Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum, the Denali EV just feels more cohesive, more thoughtfully put together. The large tactile switches are a welcome touch of ruggedness, and the overall design avoids feeling like a random collection of screens and plastic. Compared to the competition, the Sierra EV Denali’s cabin feels like it understands the assignment: build a luxurious truck interior that still feels like a truck, just a really nice one.

Stormtrooper chic

The Sierra EV Denali’s exterior makes no apologies; it’s unapologetically bold, a rolling statement of intent that, I think works brilliantly. Forget smooth lines; this is about sharp creases and a muscular stance that gives it serious road command. Up front, the massive, grille-less fascia dominated by the proud G-M-C lettering and flanked by distinct vertical LED headlamps is pure futuristic truck – especially in white, which channels a Star Wars Stormtrooper vibe. Pop the hood, and you get a surprisingly useful 11-cubic-foot frunk, suitable for charging gear or hiding snacks from the kids. Those standard 24-inch wheels are enormous, adding to the imposing look, though they might not be the best choice for pothole-ridden roads. Around back, the ever-clever MultiPro tailgate returns with its multi-configurable party tricks, and the ace up its sleeve is the MultiPro MidGate, letting you drop the rear cabin wall to haul items nearly 11 feet long. It’s a design that’s both imposing and surprisingly functional.

Final thoughts

The 2025 Sierra EV Denali arrives fully charged and aiming to rewrite the rules for premium electric trucks. It’s not flawless – that near-9,000-pound weight makes itself known in tighter corners, the price tag requires deep pockets, and the tech isn’t without its occasional hiccup. And let’s be real, it might not win the ‘coolest truck at the charging station’ award against a Rivian R1T or a Cybertruck. But here’s the crucial difference: the Sierra EV Denali excels at doing truck things better than those trendier options. We’re talking serious towing capability coming in at 10,500 pounds, and that impressive 460-mile range. Inside, it’s remarkably quiet, a serene escape from the outside world, and that adaptive air suspension works overtime, delivering a surprisingly smooth ride even on those massive 24-inch wheels. Ultimately, the Denali DNA shines through, offering a blend of comfort, space, and genuine capability that its flashier rivals often compromise. It’s a compelling package for those who want an electric truck that’s more substance than science project.