10 Things You Need to Know About the 2019 GMC Sierra

The 2019 GMC Sierra is all-new this year with a full redesign that touches pretty much every part of this full-size truck. It has a new look along with new features including a unique multifunction tailgate, carbon fiber cargo box, tow-assist technologies, and more cargo capacity.

The trim range is also expanded with the addition of the mid-range Elevation and the rugged AT4, which kicks off the new off-road AT4 lineup from GMC. Here are 10 things you need to know about the 2019 GMC Sierra.

There’s a choice of six trim levels. Base models are the Sierra and SLE, followed by the new Elevation. This trim is exclusively available as a double cab with monochromatic door handles, bumpers, and grille surround; black exterior accents; and standard 20-inch wheels. Next up is the SLT followed by the AT4, which is the trim you want if you’re planning on going off-road. The AT4 includes a 2-inch suspension lift, standard four-wheel drive, and skid plates, along with additional features that make it the perfect choice for off-road adventures.

Sitting at the top of the trim range is the luxurious Denali. GMC reserves this badge for its most well-equipped models with upgraded interiors and extra features.

The Denali badge is found only on the most fully-featured, luxurious GMC vehicles, and the Sierra Denali is no exception. It offers a segment-first multi-color head-up display and a rear camera mirror that shows a better view than a traditional rearview mirror. There are also unique design cues inside and out that differentiate the Denali from the rest of the lineup.

The Denali has a smoother ride than other Sierra models, too, thanks to an adaptive ride suspension system. It uses sensors to monitor road conditions and chassis response as you drive, adjusting the active dampers every two milliseconds. The Denali also has a wide range of standard safety gear, including blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian detection, and low-speed forward automatic braking.

Much like the Denali denotes upscale trims in the GMC lineup, the AT4 denotes trims with an off-road focus. The Sierra AT4 is the first vehicle to bear this special badge, and it includes various features to make off-roading easier and more fun. It also has more rugged styling, with black exterior finishes and bold red accents.

Enhancements on the AT4 start with a 2-inch suspension lift, standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, locking rear differential, and skid plates for extra protection over rough terrain. There are also Rancho monotube shock absorbers, 19-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, hill-descent control, a traction select system, a MultiPro tailgate, and a 5.3-liter V8 engine.

The Sierra comes with a selection of cab and box configuration to suit most every need. There are regular, double, and crew cabs, so whether you’re planning on just a few passengers or a whole family, there’s a Sierra that has you covered. It also offers three box options depending on the cab you choose.

All regular cab models come with an 8-foot box, while double cab models feature a 6-foot 6-inch box. If you choose a crew cab, then you have your choice of either a 5-foot 8-inch box or a 6-foot 6-inch box. In addition, those beds provide best-in-class volume along with additional tie-downs and an available 110-volt power outlet.

The available MultiPro tailgate is unlike what’s offered on other pickup trucks, as it features six functions worked into a single tailgate design. This is the standard tailgate on the SLT, AT4, and Denali. The primary tailgate opens by pressing a button or with the key fob. Once you've opened it, flip up the built-in load stop to keep items from sliding. If you need to access something deeper into in the bed, then there’s an inner gate that flips down to let you reach back farther, rather than needing to lean across the open tailgate. 

You can also drop the inner gate alone to create a second tier for cargo with a load stop or keep the load stop closed to create a work surface. Finally, the inner gate morphs into a step that can support 375 pounds.

The cargo box is the workhorse of a pickup truck and it can face a lot of abuse. Things get dropped and pushed across the bed, which can lead to all kinds of damage to the surface. The 2019 GMC Sierra solves that problem with an optional CarbonPro carbon fiber box.

This option replaces the standard steel inner panels and floor with a specially designed carbon fiber composite. It makes the box of the Sierra more durable with better dent, scratch, and corrosion resistance and removes the worry of accidentally damaging the bed when you’re loading cargo or happen to drop something heavy.

The 2019 GMC Sierra has features that make it easier to tow whether you’re a novice or expert. There’s hitch guidance with hitch view to help you see how well you’re lined up right on the infotainment screen, along with an automatic electric park brake to make sure you stay lined up when you put the truck in park.

The ProGrade Trailering System, which is standard on the Denali and SLT, combines a whole suite of features to make towing easy. It includes a pre-departure checklist to make sure you’re hooked up correctly and ready to go, maintenance reminders, a trailer light test that eliminates the need for a second person, trailer electrical diagnostics, and trailer tire pressure and temperature monitoring.

The average rearview mirror never really shows an unobstructed view of what’s behind your truck. The rear headrests, passengers, and any cargo inside the cab block the view and force you to rely solely on the side-view mirrors. The GMC Sierra has a solution to that problem with a segment-first rear camera mirror.

In addition to the usual reflection, the rear camera mirror has the option of using a high-resolution camera located outside the vehicle to show you what you might otherwise miss. You can even tilt and zoom the view, so you have a full picture of what’s happening behind you regardless of what you're carrying in your truck.

There are plenty of choices when it comes to powertrains, with six available options from which to choose. First, there’s the carryover 4.3-liter V6 and 5.3-liter V8 engines with active fuel management paired to six-speed automatic transmissions. The remaining four engines are all new.

There’s a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder paired to an eight-speed automatic and two V8 options, which both feature dynamic fuel management to optimize fuel efficiency in any driving condition. The 5.3-liter V8 uses an eight-speed automatic while the 6.2-liter V8 gets a 10-speed automatic. Finally, there’s a new 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder turbodiesel paired to a 10-speed automatic. If you want the diesel, however, be prepared to wait — it’s slated for late availability.

An all-new Traction Select System lets you instantly tailor the drive for different road and weather conditions. These preset modes adjust transmission shift points, throttle mapping, and electronic stability control programming with a simple rotary dial.

Tour mode is the default setting, which is ideal for everyday use on city streets and highways. Sport mode provides a more aggressive drive, including reduced power steering assist for a more connected steering feel. Tow/Haul mode initiates higher shift points and downshifts earlier as well as allowing trailer sway control to respond more quickly. Snow mode makes handling winter weather a breeze. Lastly, four-wheel drive Sierras have Terrain mode for rugged driving conditions, or Off-Road mode in models with the 2-speed transfer case.