2021 GMC Sierra 1500

This vehicle comes in Sierra, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. Cabs include crew, double, and regular, while beds comprise short, standard, and long with up to 89.1 cubic feet of cargo space available. Additional accessories consist of cab-mounted cargo lamps, LED headlights and taillights, and a rear bumper step and protection caps. Upgrades range from GMC emblems dotting the front and rear fascias to bumpers and wheel arches with a bold, body-color finish. Other unique upfits include black or chrome assist steps, molded splash guards, a six-function tailgate, and a spray-on bedliner. A tri-folding hard or soft tonneau cover closes out this list of fancy outerwear.

A 4.3-liter EcoTec3 V-6 engine sets the stage with 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque. It mates to a six-speed automatic transmission, plus active fuel management and direct high-pressure fuel injection. A handful of optional units follow, starting with a 2.7-liter turbocharged engine and eight-speed automatic transmission that together generate 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet of torque. A 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 pairs with dynamic fuel management for an output totaling 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. A 3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel six-cylinder engine couples with a 10-speed automatic transmission to produce 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, while a 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V-8 maintains the latter and raises the former to a superior 420.

The GMC Sierra 1500 base trim supports a two-wheel-drive chassis. Four-wheel-drive is standard on the AT4 and available on the remaining models. Additional amenities include all-season blackwall tires, a brake pad wear indicator, and electronic stability control. What's more, the fuel ratings for this pickup are excellent: 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Optional touch-ups range from an automatic locking rear differential to vertical recovery hooks to trailering equipment yielding an 11,800-pound towing capacity. You can also add off-road accessories such as all-terrain or mud-terrain tires, hill descent control, a lifted suspension, monotube shocks, and six traction management modes.

This truck seats between three and six passengers depending on the cab. It also boasts 43.11 inches of front headroom and 44.53 inches of front legroom. The cabin offers rubberized vinyl flooring as well, along with USB ports, a 7-inch color touch screen, Bluetooth audio streaming, and smartphone integration. Higher trims coat the interior with features such as all-weather floor liners, premium Jet Black upholstery, a power sunroof, and ventilated front seats. Digital upgrades settle the score with an 8-inch diagonal infotainment display, a universal home remote, and a wireless charging hub.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 earns five-star praise for overall side crash protection from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It also debuts six air bags, a rearview camera, teen driver monitoring, and roadside assistance for five years or 60,000 miles. Meanwhile, top tiers are available with enhanced systems such as automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, a safety alert seat, and a 15-inch head-up display.