The 2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali arrives as a bold statement in the electric pickup truck market, boasting a hefty $100,000 price tag, an impressive 750 horsepower, and a lineup of innovative features that set it apart from the competition. Created by automotive reviewer Doug DeMuro, this truck blends luxury, utility, and cutting-edge electric technology in a package that aims to satisfy both truck enthusiasts and EV fans alike.
Unveiling the Folding Midgate: A Game-Changer for Cargo Space
One of the standout quirks of the Sierra EV Denali is the folding midgate, a feature that dramatically expands cargo versatility. The rear seats fold down in two parts — first the bottom cushion and then the backrest — creating a large flat space that protects the leather seats while allowing for bulky items.
But it gets better: the midgate itself folds down, opening a passage from the truck bed directly into the cabin, perfect for hauling long items like lumber. Both sides of the midgate fold down, and the rear window can be completely removed to accommodate even larger or wider cargo.
This feature is not just practical but also offers a unique way to enjoy airflow through the cabin by opening the midgate without folding the seats down. While it’s exclusive to the Denali trim, the folding midgate underscores GMC’s focus on blending traditional truck functionality with modern innovation.
The Basics: Power, Range, and Pricing
The Sierra EV Denali is fully electric, offering an impressive 440 miles of range on a single charge — one of the longest ranges available among electric vehicles today. Powered by front and rear electric motors, it delivers four-wheel drive with a whopping 755 horsepower and 785 pound-feet of torque. This enables a 0-60 mph sprint in the low four-second range, remarkable for a truck weighing around 8,800 pounds.
In terms of utility, it can tow up to 10,000 pounds, a solid figure in the electric truck segment. Currently, the only available version is the high-end Denali Edition One, starting near $100,000. However, GMC plans to expand the lineup by next summer with more affordable base models starting around $70,000, covering a broad spectrum of buyers.
How the Sierra EV Fits Within GM’s Electric Truck Trio
The Sierra EV is part of General Motors’ trio of electric pickups, alongside the Chevy Silverado EV and the GMC Hummer EV. While the Hummer EV is more of an over-the-top lifestyle vehicle with extreme power and removable convertible tops, the Sierra EV Denali positions itself as a traditional, real pickup truck with an electric heart.
Interestingly, the Sierra EV shares only its rear doors with the Silverado EV, with significant exterior styling differences that make each truck distinct. The Sierra EV’s design leans toward a sleek, modern look that balances futuristic aesthetics with truck-like ruggedness.
Innovative Storage Solutions: The Front Trunk and Tailgate Features
Without a traditional engine, the Sierra EV Denali offers a large front trunk (“frunk”) that opens with the key fob and provides lockable storage space similar to a car’s trunk. This compartment even includes a power outlet, allowing you to run devices directly from the truck’s front storage.
The tailgate is equally impressive with multiple opening options. You can open it halfway for quick access or fully drop it down to access the entire bed. A unique extendable panel at the back of the tailgate increases bed length, working in tandem with the folding midgate to handle longer cargo.
Additionally, a built-in step folds out from beneath the tailgate, making it easier to climb into the high truck bed—a thoughtful touch for a vehicle of this size.
The Truck Bed: Practicality Meets Technology
The truck bed comes with a cover to protect cargo from the elements, easily foldable when full access is needed. On the right side of the bed, multiple panels hide a variety of electrical outlets, including household plugs and a 240-volt outlet capable of powering appliances such as a washing machine. This level of utility expands the truck’s usefulness beyond traditional hauling.
Exterior Styling and Size: Big, Bold, and Modern
The Sierra EV Denali’s exterior is a departure from the traditional Sierra look, opting for a more flowing, futuristic design that remains unmistakably truck-like. The Denali model sports massive 24-inch wheels that dominate the visual profile.
At around 233 inches in length, it’s notably larger than competitors like the Rivian R1T and even bigger than large midsize SUVs such as the Ford Explorer. Despite its size, the truck is surprisingly maneuverable thanks to four-wheel steering, which allows the rear wheels to turn opposite the front wheels for a tighter turning radius in city environments.
It also features a “crab walk” mode, where all four wheels turn in the same direction at low speeds, enabling sideways movement — a fun and practical ability shared with the Hummer EV.
Inside the Sierra EV: Luxury and Clever Design
The Denali trim elevates the interior with high-quality materials, including perforated leather seats with contrast stitching and wood trim on the dashboard. The cabin feels luxurious, rivaling the upscale feel of Rivian’s interiors and surpassing the Silverado EV in refinement.
A neat touch is found on the door sill, which displays the word “Denali” alongside coordinates that point to the peak of Denali mountain in Alaska, the namesake of the truck — a fun and subtle nod to the vehicle’s rugged inspiration.
Hidden storage compartments abound, including a secret center console space revealed by folding back the cup holders and sliding forward the storage tray. This hidden compartment also houses additional charging ports.
Another clever feature is the hidden climate control vents for the driver, offering both upper and lower airflow options discreetly integrated into the dash.
Tech Highlights: Screens, Controls, and Driver Assistance
The Sierra EV Denali is packed with technology, starting with a rearview mirror that doubles as a screen displaying a rear camera feed—ideal when rear visibility is blocked by passengers or cargo.
The centerpiece is a massive vertically oriented infotainment screen that integrates Google Maps and Google Assistant, replacing the need for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The interface is intuitive, responsive, and consolidates maps, music, and climate controls into one accessible display.
Physical buttons remain for essential functions like headlight control and climate fan speed, blending touchscreen convenience with tactile feedback.
The truck’s camera system offers high-resolution views from multiple angles, enhancing safety and maneuverability.
Performance enthusiasts will appreciate the “max power mode” accessible through the infotainment system, unlocking the full 750 horsepower for exhilarating acceleration.
Additionally, the elusive crab walk mode can be activated via the digital controls, adding a playful yet practical feature to the truck’s capabilities.
The gauge cluster behind the steering wheel is equally impressive, offering configurable displays including a full-screen navigation map. A heads-up display projects vital information onto the windshield, keeping drivers informed without diverting their attention from the road.
One of the Sierra EV’s crown jewels is GM’s Super Cruise driver-assist system. This advanced technology allows hands-free driving on mapped highways, including automatic lane changes and adaptive speed control. A camera monitors driver attention, ensuring safety while providing a near-autonomous driving experience.
Rear Seating: Spacious and Comfortable
The back seat in the Sierra EV Denali is surprisingly roomy, with ample legroom and headroom thanks to the dual motor setup that eliminates the traditional driveshaft hump. Passengers in the middle seat enjoy generous foot space, a rarity in full-size pickups.
Rear amenities include USB-C charging ports, a household power outlet, and heated seats, adding a layer of comfort and convenience. The same high-quality leather and stitching from the front continue in the back, underscoring the Denali’s luxury credentials.
For drink holders, rear passengers are well catered to with multiple cup holders located in the center console, door panels, and a fold-down armrest.
Finally, a giant fixed glass roof floods the cabin with natural light, making the interior feel open and airy and counteracting any claustrophobic feelings one might have inside a large truck.
Driving the 2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali
The electric pickup truck market is heating up, with options from the Hummer EV to the Silverado EV, Rivian, Ford Lightning, and Tesla Cybertruck. Despite being one of the lesser-discussed models, the Sierra EV Denali stands out as a compelling choice, especially for those seeking a traditional truck experience with the benefits of electric power.
Its 750 horsepower delivers thrilling acceleration, easily propelling this massive vehicle with confidence. The Super Cruise system shines in heavy traffic, allowing for extended hands-free driving with minimal disengagements, including seamless lane changes.
However, the Sierra EV does retain some traditional truck road manners, which means the ride can feel a bit rougher compared to rivals like the Rivian. This makes it less ideal for buyers looking for a smooth SUV-like ride and more attractive to those who prioritize genuine truck capability.
At a price around $100,000, the Sierra EV Denali is certainly an investment, but it fits well within the current market for full-size luxury pickups and SUVs. It delivers an excellent blend of range, technology, performance, and interior space.
Final Thoughts: A Unique but Impressive Electric Truck
The GMC Sierra EV Denali is a fascinating vehicle that combines luxury, performance, and traditional truck utility in an electric package. While its high price and large size may limit its appeal to a niche audience, it offers some of the best attributes among GM’s electric truck lineup.
Compared to the Rivian, it may feel a bit less premium to some, but it makes up for that with size, towing capacity, and classic truck features like the folding midgate. For those who find the Hummer EV too extravagant, the Sierra EV Denali offers a more grounded yet still impressive alternative.
Overall, it scores a 65 out of 100 on the DOUG score scale, reflecting its strong capabilities but also acknowledging its unique position in the market where few buyers overlap between pickup truck traditionalists and luxury EV enthusiasts.
For more detailed reviews and automotive insights, be sure to visit Doug DeMuro’s YouTube channel.
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