The 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 is a capable all-around pickup. We like that has offers lots of available technology features, an available diesel engine and an upscale cabin in the Denali versions. Outward visibility isn't the best, however, and you can find better value overall from other light-duty trucks.Read full review
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.
Jonathan Elfalan has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. As a director of vehicle testing at Edmunds, Jonathan has tested and reviewed thousands of cars and written thousands of car-related articles over the course of his career. Jonathan got his start testing cars for Road & Track magazine as a newly minted mechanical engineer grad from University of California, Irvine, and has also contributed to Motor Trend and the Associated Press. He likes to say he learned to drive a manual transmission in a rear-wheel-drive mid-engine vehicle but often omits it was his family's 1991 Toyota Previa minivan.
Pros
Broad range of powertrains for towing and hauling needs
Long cabin provides excellent rear legroom
Massive bed capacity and a bounty of in-bed tie-down points
Touchscreen display is attractive and easy to use
Cons
Rides rougher than primary rivals
Higher trims can get pricey
Broad hood and thick roof pillars inhibit visibility
What's new
Super Cruise is now standard on the Denali Ultimate
Part of the fourth Sierra 1500 generation introduced for 2019
Overview
The 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 is a terrific full-size pickup that offers excellent working capabilities alongside a spacious interior for passengers. There are multiple powertrains to choose from, so no job is too tough for this truck. In addition, there are three cab configurations offered and three bed lengths available, depending on cab choice. Overall, the Sierra is a competent and worthy light-duty pickup for everyday use.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Pro 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.42 per gallon for regular unleaded in Illinois.
The GMC Sierra comes with great technology that is easy to use and effective. There's an available 13.4-inch touchscreen that is high-resolution and responsive. The helpful Google-powered voice recognition system allows you to do things like adjust the cabin's temperature and control media with your voice. Just say the word, literally. Driver aids in the Sierra are largely effective and make driving this large truck easier.
Competitors to consider
America loves its trucks. And perhaps to the GMC's dismay, we think there are several choices you'll also want to check out. The ever-popular Ford F-150 is our top-ranked alternative. With a seemingly endless number of available configurations and class-leading towing and payload capacities, it's no wonder why the F-150 rules the segment. There's also the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (a twin of the Sierra), the updated 2025 Ram 1500 and the well-regarded Toyota Tundra. Check our test team's Expert Rating below to see if the Sierra is the best workhorse for your needs.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our Verdict
The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Average
7.6
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 is a capable all-around pickup. We like that has offers lots of available technology features, an available diesel engine and an upscale cabin in the Denali versions. Outward visibility isn't the best, however, and you can find better value overall from other light-duty trucks.
How does the Sierra 1500 drive? Our test truck came as a crew cab with four-wheel drive and the optional 6.2-liter V8. At our test track, it accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, which is quick for a full-size truck. The 10-speed transmission shifts quickly and promptly. Maximum braking performance is also impressive, though a lack of brake pedal feel can make it hard to come to smooth stops in routine driving.
We're less fond of the Sierra's handling capability. It leans over a lot and generally feels ponderous as you drive around turns. The feel from the steering wheel is also a bit numb. Off-road capability is average for a full-size truck. There's also a Traction Select system, which allows additional wheelspin and smoother initial throttle response in low-traction scenarios.
Comfort
7.5/10
How comfortable is the Sierra 1500? The Sierra's front seats aren't quite as plush as those in the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500, but they're comfortable and good for long trips. The ride is relatively smooth on the highway, and the truck absorbs most small impacts well. But the truck can get bouncy when you drive on roads that have a lot of bumps and dips.
The climate system can easily heat and cool the cabin, but operating it can be a little tricky because a lot of the control buttons are small. We really like the heated split front seats — offering separate settings for the seatback and seat cushion — a GM-exclusive feature. Engine noise is nicely muted until you get hard on the throttle, and if you have the big V8 under the hood you won't mind that one bit.
Interior
7.5/10
How’s the interior? Front headroom, shoulder room and legroom are plentiful. The back seat of the crew-cab Sierra is absolutely massive too. Three full-size adults can easily fit shoulder to shoulder back there. Both the driver's seat and the steering wheel have a wide range of adjustments, and dialing in a pleasing driving position wasn't an issue for drivers tall or short.
We like the Sierra's latest interior control layout. Knobs, buttons and switches are easy to find and satisfying to press, click or turn. The touchscreen boots up quickly and is responsive to commands. But visibility can be a challenge in full-size trucks, and the Sierra's styling does it no favors. Shorter drivers will have a hard time seeing over the truck's hood, and thick side pillars can also impede your sight lines. It's a good thing an excellent surround-view camera system is available.
Save as much as $5,815 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $5,815 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the Pro trim.
2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab pricing in Midlothian, IL
How’s the tech? Technology is a strong point in the Sierra. An available 13.4-inch touchscreen offers a wide range of capability without confusing the user, and the high-resolution screen responds quickly to presses or swipes. The maps are clear, and navigation finds addresses and points of interest quickly. Plus, the Google-powered voice recognition system understands natural language and reads your commands back to you on the screen. With your voice, you can change the station, adjust the climate control and more.
Our test truck came with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, both with wireless connectivity. CarPlay looked great on the massive screen. There's a dedicated storage space for your smartphone, and some models include a wireless charger. Driver aids are abundant, with several available exterior cameras that help when parking this behemoth of a truck. The rear cross-traffic warning system and its helpful buzzes in the seat bottom are effective too.
Adaptive cruise control generally works well, particularly for such a large vehicle. However, we did experience some aggressive and abrupt braking in our test truck when driving in stop-and-go traffic. GM's hands-free driver assist technology, Super Cruise, is available, but only on the range-topping Denali versions. In contrast, Ford offers its similar BlueCruise system on several F-150 trims.
Towing and Storage
8/10
How are the towing and storage? The GMC's bed is big, with tie-downs galore, and the bed steps are useful. On top of that, it has an exclusive MultiPro tailgate, which opens in six different configurations. Top Sierra trims come standard with a brake controller, trailer camera angles that help you get hitched, and memory settings for various trailer configurations. Maximum tow ratings are not best in class but are very respectable.
Inside, the large center console provides sufficient space for your small items, though it does take up a lot of room between the seats. There are copious cupholders too. Accommodating just about any child safety seat should be easy thanks to the crew cab's massive back seat.
How’s the fuel economy? The EPA says a Sierra 1500 with the big V8 and 4WD, which is what we tested, should get 17 mpg in combined city/highway driving. This is respectable, and GMC offers a diesel for even better fuel economy (up to an estimated 26 mpg combined). On our real-world evaluation route, our test truck posted 17.6 mpg, indicating that the EPA estimates are realistic.
Value
7.5/10
Is the Sierra 1500 a good value? Value is the Sierra's main weakness, especially when you're looking at the pricier trim levels. The interior is well built and sturdy, and the quality of materials feels much nicer than in years past. But other than the split-and-folding MultiPro tailgate, there's not a whole lot in truck terms that can justify the big price premium.
GMC's three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty are standard for the segment. Scheduled maintenance (oil change and tire rotation) is included for the first visit in the first year — Ram and Ford can't match that.
Wildcard
7.5/10
These days, a truck has to do much more than the basics. Styling plays a role, as does drivability. The Sierra has merit in those areas, with plenty of visual bravado and towing and hauling capability, and it's certainly a competent rig. But its competitors do many of those things just a fraction better and often at less expense.
Which Sierra 1500 does Edmunds recommend?
We think the SLE trim offers the best value. It avoids the lofty prices of the upper trims but still gives you a core set of important features, including cruise control, carpeting, heated seats and the useful MultiPro tailgate.
F-150 vs. Ram 1500 vs. Tundra vs. Silverado vs. Sierra: The Ultimate Full-Size Truck Comparison Test
Despite their massive size and growing price tags, full-size pickup trucks remain some of the best-selling vehicles in America — so we put together the ultimate comparison test. In this video, join Edmunds’ Brian Wong as he pits the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, GMC Sierra, Chevy Silverado and Toyota Tundra against one another.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
5 / 5
Driver
5 / 5
Passenger
5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Rating
Overall
5 / 5
Driver
5 / 5
Passenger
Not Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Rating
Front Seat
5 / 5
Back Seat
Not Rated
Rollover
Rating
Rollover
4 / 5
Dynamic Test Result
No Tip
Risk Of Rollover
19.1%
FAQ
Is the GMC Sierra 1500 a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 Sierra 1500 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.6 out of 10. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a GMC Sierra 1500. Learn more
What's new in the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500:
Super Cruise is now standard on the Denali Ultimate
Part of the fourth Sierra 1500 generation introduced for 2019
To determine whether the GMC Sierra 1500 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Sierra 1500. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Sierra 1500's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2025 Sierra 1500 and gave it a 7.6 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2025 Sierra 1500 is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2025 GMC Sierra 1500?
The least-expensive 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 is the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Pro 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $38,300.
Other versions include:
Pro 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $38,300
Pro 2dr Regular Cab LB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $38,500
Pro 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $42,900
Pro 2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $43,100
If you're interested in the GMC Sierra 1500, the next question is, which Sierra 1500 model is right for you? Sierra 1500 variants include Pro 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A), Pro 2dr Regular Cab LB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A), Pro 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A), and Pro 2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A). For a full list of Sierra 1500 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
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