2018 GMC Sierra Road Test and Review

2017 gmc sierra denali 1500 frontside ・ Photo by GMC

GMC has been building some of America’s most capable and comfortable trucks since 1912. The acronym stands for General Motor Truck Company and the 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 is one of the best-selling full-size pickups in the United States.

Although many of its major components, including its V8 engine and transmission, were assembled in the United States, our 2018 GMC Sierra Denali 1500 Four-Wheel Drive Crew Cab test vehicle was built at General Motor’s truck plant in Silao, Mexico right alongside the similar Chevy Silverado 1500. After time behind the wheel, both on road and off, it’s clear this is the best half-ton Sierra GMC has ever offered.

GMC offers the 2018 Sierra in a wide variety of configurations with prices ranging from just over $30,000 to about $70,000. It competes with the Ford F-150, the Ram 1500, the Chevy Silverado, the Toyota Tundra, and the Nissan Titan.

Low Starting Price

The 2018 GMC Sierra is offered in three body styles: regular cab, double cab and crew cab, and they are all offered with 4WD. There are also four trim levels to choose from: the base model, SLE, SLT, and luxurious and chromed out Denali. GMC also offers three engines in the 2018 Sierra: a 4.3-liter V6 with 285 hp, a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 hp, and a 420 hp 6.2-liter V8 that the pickup shares with the Cadillac Escalade.

Models with the V6 get a six-speed automatic transmission while the largest V8 works exclusively with an eight-speed automatic. The 5.3-liter is paired with either depending on trim level and body style. 

Prices start at $30,395, including $1,295 for destination and shipping, for a two-wheel drive Regular Cab short bed powered by the V6. Adding four-wheel drive adds about $4,000 to the sticker price.

Our test vehicle, which cost $65,095, was equipped with the Denali Ultimate Package for an additional $7,450. It adds the 6.2-liter V8, which is the most powerful V8 in the class, 22-inch wheels, a power sunroof, trailer brake controller, power retractable running boards, and chrome bumper hooks.

Photo by GMC

Comfortable and Quick

The GMC Sierra's long wheelbase, Magnetic Ride Control and large, well-shaped seats, makes for a very comfortable truck. It doesn’t ride quite as well as a RAM 1500, which uses a unique coil spring rear suspension, but our Sierra Denali 4WD rode smoothly, which was impressive considering our truck’s 22-inch wheels and low profile tires. 

On the highway at 70 mph it cruises along effortlessly at just 2,100 rpm, saving fuel thanks to a cylinder deactivation system, which shuts down four of the V8’s cylinders in light load situations. Around town, the Sierra feels agile and light on its feet, with quick reflexes. This is no lumbering truck despite the fact that it weighs over 5,500 lbs.

It’s also muscle car quick. With the 420 hp 6.2-liter V8 the Sierra can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 5.6 seconds and through the quarter mile 14.0 seconds at 99 mph. That thrust makes the Sierra fun to drive in the city, and passing on the highway even with a full bed, is effortless, thanks in part to the truck’s responsive eight-speed automatic transmission which operates smoothly and delivers quick downshifts.

Photo by GMC

Big Cargo and Towing Capability

If you plan to tow with the 2018 GMC Sierra consider the available NHT Max Trailering Package that features a larger and stronger 9.76-inch rear axle, heavy-duty rear springs, unique shock tuning, better cooling, and an integrated trailer brake controller. With this option, the 2WD Sierra can tow 12,500 lbs. and the 4WD model can pull 11,800 lbs.

Without that package, the Sierra’s tow ratings are very competitive in this class at 9,800 lbs. for the 2WD models, and 9,500 lbs. with 4WD. GMC also offers an optional trailer brake controller and a wide assortment of towing accessories including balls, receivers, and hitches. Every Sierra also comes with a backup camera.

Its payload is also among the highest in the class, ranging between 1,930 lbs. for the Standard Cab 4WD model, and 2,250 lbs. for the Double Cab with 2WD. Our Sierra Denali came standard with a spray-on bed liner, LED lighting in the cargo box, and the GMC’s Cornerstep rear bumper which made bed access much easier.

Photo by GMC

Off-Road Capable

With its two-speed transfer case, auto locking rear differential and Hill Descent Control, our test truck was also quite off-road capable. Although held back by its low hanging front spoiler, the 2018 Sierra Denali was fun to play with at our local off-road park. With about nine-inches of ground clearance below its differentials, the Sierra had no problem on rocky trails and rutted washes. We were careful, however, as its faux skidplates were made out of plastic.

In four-wheel-drive low, the torque of the big V8 and the GMC’s automatic locking rear differential made quick work of climbs, but in 2WD wheel hop was an issue in deep sand.

If you’re looking for a more serious off-road plaything, GMC offers the All-Terrain Package on SLT 4WD models that includes 18-inch wheels, Z71 Off Road suspension with Rancho shocks, and underbody protection. Then there’s the All Terrain X Package, which is mostly an appearance package, but also adds a cat-back performance exhaust system and Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires.

Regardless, it’s the Ford Raptor that still owns off-road capability in the full-size pickup class.

Photo by General Motors

Fair Fuel Economy

The good news is that all of the GMC Sierra’s engines, including the 6.2-liter V8, run on 87-octane regular grade fuel to keep operating costs down. The V6 and the 5.3 liter V8 are also FlexFuel capable, so they’ll run on E85.

Our 4WD Crew Cab 6.2-liter V8 was rated 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. After a week of mixed driving around Los Angeles, including a morning of off-road play, and several hundred miles on the highway, we averaged 18.1 mpg.

The most fuel-efficient Sierra is the 2WD V6 powered models, which are rated 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. Models with the 5.3-liter V8 max out at 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. However, GMC does offer e-assist with the 5.3-liter V8 which ups the fuel economy a couple of points.

Photo by GMC

Sweet Exterior Design

Just walking up to 2018 GMC Sierra Denali makes you stand a little taller.  Suddenly your shoulders are back and your biceps are flexing. This is a truck to be proud of. It’s slathered in chrome, cool and attitude, and its wheel wells are flared like the nostrils of a charging bull.

It’s sort of like The Rock when he’s walking the red carpet in a Hugo Boss tuxedo, muscular and menacing but also purposeful, approachable and more than a little sexy. Every Sierra gets an abundance of chrome trim, but the Denali wears enough bling to be in The Hall of Mirrors.

Its tailgate movement is damped so it doesn’t slam open, which is a cool touch, and LED taillights, headlamps and fog lights give the Sierra a modern signature at night. The Denali also comes standard with power retractable chrome side steps that tuck themselves under the rocker panels when not in use.

Photo by GMC

Comfortable and Functional Interior

You should expect nice materials, impressive fit, finish, and comfort features in a $65,000 truck and the GMC Sierra Denali gets it done. With its column mounted shifter the overall interior design is a little traditional compared to the Ford F-150, but the GMC’s interior is comfortable, attractive and extremely functional with a giant center console, extremely comfortable seats, and power adjustable pedals.

Although the GMC Sierra’s interior is properly ergonomic and perfectly functional, it doesn’t feel pedestrian. There’s an abundance of wood trim and chrome, and the gauges would look at home in a high-performance sedan.

Standard features on our Sierra Denali included Bluetooth, an onboard 4G Wifi Hotspot, Apple Carplay and Android Auto capability, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, an eight-inch color touchscreen, and remote vehicle start. Also included were navigation, a Bose audio system, a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled front seats, and a power sliding rear window.

Photo by GMC

High Tech Driver Aids

Our Sierra Denali was also packed with high tech driver aids and safety system. GMC offers the Enhanced Driver Alert Package on the Sierra SLE and SLT, while it is standard on the Denali.

The package includes Forward Collision Alert, IntelliBeam headlamps with automatic high-beam control, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Front and Rear Park Assist, Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking, and Safety Alert Driver Seat, which vibrates the seat to warn the driver of danger.

The Enhanced Driver Alert Package costs an additional $945 and it’s worth it, although the Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking system is a bit over sensitive and applies the brakes abruptly. Oddly adaptive cruise control is not available.

Photo by GMC

Final Thoughts

We’re sold on the 2018 GMC Sierra, but the Denali trim level would not be our first choice. Just too much chrome for our taste. We prefer the more subdued look and lower price of the Sierra SLT which we would then spec out with 4WD, the 6.2-liter V8, the All-Terrain Package and the Enhanced Driver Alert Package, as well as the Preferred Package, to include those parking sensors.

Although its off-road capability was sabotaged by its low front spoiler, this is an extremely capable and comfortable truck. Plus, GMC pays for the truck’s first two oil changes and 24-hour roadside assistance.

If you’re in the market for a full-size pickup, the 2018 GMC Sierra is a very desirable choice.

Photo by GMC