2019 GMC Sierra Road Test And Review: Innovative From Back To Front
Jason Fogelson Contributor
I cover luxury automotive, motorcycles and related topics.
Pickup trucks are more than tools for work. They are daily transportation for millions of users, and a lifestyle accessory for many. They currently represent the second-biggest segment in the automotive industry (behind crossover vehicles), so when a new version is released, it's big news. GMC's Sierra will be all-new for the coming model year, riding on a new platform (T1) like its GM sibling, the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado. Sierra gets a new exterior, new interior, new engines, new trim level, new technologies – new everything. Ford has owned the top sales position in the pickup world for decades with the F-150, and they made big waves by changing to an all-aluminum body in its latest generation. GM has been fighting a marketing battle in the waning years of the outgoing style of Sierra, and now they've launched a full-out design and technology war for the 2019 model year.
Gallery: 2019 GMC Sierra
Sierra has been a nameplate for GMC since 1987, first as a trim level and then as the model name beginning in 1999. The latest Sierra marks the beginning of the pickup's fourth generation.
The revolutionary feature of the 2019 GMC Sierra is the new MultPro Tailgate. Standard on Denali, SLT, AND AT4 trim levels, the MultiPro Tailgate is a six-function unit that is so smart and useful that you'll wonder why nobody thought of it before. It opens in the traditional fashion, hinged at the bottom and counter-weighted with dampers for a smooth, gravity-powered descent, triggered by the key fob's power release or by a button on the gate. A section at the top of the gate, about nine inches tall, can flip up to be a primary gate load stop.
With the MultiPro Tailgate open, the inner section of the gate folds down to let you get closer to the bed for easy loading. A full-width step folds out from the inner section, and a handle folds out from the driver's side bed wall to help you step up into the bed. You can also fold the inner section of the bed out with the gate latched up, which creates a standing-height work surface and enables second-tier loading in the bed. Finally, you can fold the load stop up while the inner gate is folded down, helping to keep second-tier cargo from sliding out.
Meet the 2019 GMC Sierra.
Photo (c) GMC
The aftermarket has dozens of bed-extenders and load stops, but none approaches the elegance of the MultiPro solution. GMC promises further innovation, including a set of weatherproof accessory tailgate speakers that can be inset into the inner gate (there's a row of cutouts visible already) that will hook up to the truck's sound system – great for tailgating.
Three bed lengths are available for Sierra: Eight feet (Regular Cab only); five feet, eight inches (Crew Cab only); and six feet, six inches (Double Cab and Crew Cab). Each bed size comes with 12 fixed cargo tie-downs rated at 500 lbs per corner, and is built with a higher-strength standard steel floor or a rolled-steel high-strength steel floor. Later in the model year, an optional carbon fiber box will be available (price to be announced), an industry first. The carbon fiber box will be lighter, stronger, and more resistant to scratching and cracking than any steel or aluminum bed.
Sierra profile left.
The bed shapes have been reconfigured to be wider at the wheel wells and at the walls than before, increasing capacity significantly. Grooves in the side walls for second-tier loading support are positioned to line up with the MultiPro Tailgate. Additionally, bigger and deeper bed steps have been worked in to the rear bumpers, and the power fold-out running boards (standard on Denali) can be pushed back to provide easier access to the front of the bed. All in all, it's a thorough reworking of the truck bed.
Sierra's design, both interior and exterior, uses a repeated beveled arch shape as a design motif that unifies the truck's look. You can see it on the wheel arches, in the signature LED daytime running lights, in the taillights, grille, tailpipes, on the dash, in the door handles – it's everywhere, but never in a way that intrudes. It just acts as a subtle reminder that Sierra was designed as a whole.
Sierra's MultiPro Tailgate.
One of the benefits of the new T1 platform is that the cabin is roomier, because the wheels have been moved forward. Storage options are plentiful throughout the cabin, including a big center console, seat back pockets, door bins, two glove compartments, convenient underseat bins in the rear, and storage compartments behind the seat back cushions in the second row, too. Denali models feature luxury appointments, including leather seating surfaces, real wood and metal trim, and a high level of fit and finish.
Six engine/transmission combinations will be available for Sierra in 2019: a 4.3-liter V6 with a six-speed automatic; a 5.3-liter V8 with a six-speed automatic; a new 2.7-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder with an eight-speed transmission; a new 5.3-liter V8 with Dynamic Fuel Management and an eight-speed automatic; a new 6.2-liter V8 with Dynamic Fuel Management and a 10-speed automatic; and a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel with a 10-speed automatic. The diesel engine will be available later in the model year. Both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations will be available in all trim levels, except Denali and AT4, which will be four-wheel drive only.
Sierra's driver's dash.
A big technological innovation is Dynamic Fuel Management. It uses 17 cylinder-activation combinations, and is said to optimize fuel efficiency without compromising performance. The new 5.3-liter V8 and 6.2-liter V8 engines are the first GM engines to use this system in production.
Sierra uses an electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion system for steering, a tried and true option. The front suspension is independent, using coil-over shocks with twin-tube shock absorbers. The rear suspension gets a solid axle with semi-elliptical, variable-rate, two-stage multi-leaf springs and splayed twin-tube shock absorbers. An X31 package uses Rancho monotube shocks front and rear. Denali gets an exclusive version of Adaptive Ride Control, the same system that Chevrolet calls Magnetic Ride Control. Adaptive Ride Control adjusts damping in milliseconds in response to road conditions and driver input for greater ride comfort.
Sierra is up to 360 lbs lighter for 2019 than 2018, with a fully-boxed steel frame that is 88 lbs lighter than previous versions with 10 percent greater torsional rigidity. Weight and stiffness both contribute greatly to handling characteristics.
Sierra's front cabin.
Buyers who tow will appreciate the new ProGrade Trailering System. Hitch Guidance with Hitch View uses Sierra's Rear Vision Camera, incorporating not only dynamic guidance lines for the truck, but also for the trailer hitch. You can zoom in on the hitch for those final inches of alignment, and you can also catch a quick view while in motion to make sure your hitch is still connected. There are Side View Cameras that face rear from the side mirrors to sight down the side of the truck and trailer while backing, and you can also buy a hard-wired Auxiliary Accessory Camera to mount on the rear of the trailer for a view of the road behind. Wireless trailer tire pressure monitoring is also available for the first time.
Sierra is bigger, longer and wider than before, but it doesn't feel that way on the road. My test drives took place in Crew Cab models in Denali trim, equipped with the new 6.2-liter V8, along with a brief spin the off-road-targeted AT4. The power from the new engine (420 hp/460 lb-ft of torque) came on seamlessly, and the Dynamic Fuel Management system operated undetectably in the background. A full day of driving invoked little fatigue, a tribute to the comfort of the front row.
Sierra's second row.
Sierra will be available in six trim levels for 2019: Sierra; SLE; Elevation; SLT; AT4; and Denali. Elevation and AT4 are new trim levels. Elevation is a Double Cab model only, with monochromatic door handles, bumpers, and grille surround, with black grille insert, tow hooks, and side window trim. AT4 is the off-roader of the bunch, with a two-inch lift kit, standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, locking rear differential, skid plates, Rancho monotube shocks, 18-inch wheels, Hill Descent Control, Traction Select System, and more. Pricing will start at $47,900.
2019 will be a monster year for full-size pickup trucks. Along with the returning leader, the Ford F-150, and the new Chevy Silverado, there will be a refreshed RAM 1500. Lurking in the background, the Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan offer compelling alternatives.
I suspect that once buyers get a look at the MultiPro Tailgate, the 2019 GMC Sierra will roll off of dealership lots like thunder.
Sierra rear 3/4 left.
Disclaimer: The manufacturer provided the vehicle used to conduct this test drive and review.
Jason Fogelson
I have reviewed hundreds of cars, trucks, SUVs, crossovers, minivans and motorcycles for a wide assortment of magazines and websites. If it's got wheels and an engine, I...