2023 GMC Sierra 1500 Overview:
- 2023 Sierra 1500 – $37,100 – $80,500
- Best New Award – Popular Science
- Pros: excellent off-road capabilities, smooth ride, good interior
- Cons: poor fuel economy, limited visibility, prices go up quickly
- Score: 8.4 out of 10
A strong redesign in 2022 puts the GMC Sierra 1500 back on the map as a serious contender. It’s similar to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 but has more luxurious features to enhance work, play, and everyday commute.
He has a tremendous amount of power on tap. The standard 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine starts with 310 hp and 348 lb-ft of torque. You can upgrade to a 5.3-liter V8 that makes 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque.
We tested the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six diesel with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque and the 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The V8 is faster, but the diesel runs better on fuel.
The four-cylinder, 5.3-liter engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Other engines get a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Overall, the Sierra 1500 has smooth power delivery with quick gear shifting and confident braking. However, at lower speeds, the brakes can provide more feedback. It takes a little practice to master stopping smoothly.
With its 6.2-liter V8, the Sierra 1500 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.4 seconds, which is pretty exciting. You may notice a little heft around sharp curves, depending on the trim level. But it’s good angles. The Ultimatemate Denali engine makes more than the AT4X.
The turning radius ranges from 22.35 to 25.35 feet, depending on your machine. The truck is smart and easy to park.
Multiple camera views and a 360-degree panoramic view camera make it easy to maneuver in tight areas. However, the AT4X swings wider than expected, but it doesn’t take long to get used to.
Can the 2023 GMC Sierra go off-road?
Yes, the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 is a tough off-roader. We’ve taken the Denali Ultimate, the AT4X to the tracks, and the AT4X has notable upgrades to consider. However, the Denali Ultimate is still an excellent driving option.
There may not be a super off-road model like the Ford F-150 Raptor R and Ram 1500 TRX in the lineup, but the Sierra is quite capable of climbing obstacles and overcoming mud and ruts.
The AT4X model features 11.8 inches of ground clearance and rides on 18-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac Mud-Terrain tires. The suspension includes chassis and off-road calibrations.
Unique off-road-tuned springs are paired with Multmatic DSSV spool valve dampers to increase suspension travel by 50mm and 25mm compared to the AT4 model. Steel fenders feature lifting capabilities and red retrieve hooks.
A larger steel transfer case shield protects the chassis, and you’ll find electronic safes front and rear.
We enjoyed Off-Raod mode more than Terrian mode. The terrain mode is a bit more rigid but good for casual adventures. Off-road mode is more comfortable, with stronger brake response. Most trucks offer different snow or mud modes, but these options are effective.
In the mud, mud, and snow, the Sierra felt confident and in control. It was skid and slip resistant, with plenty of traction for climbing slippery slopes. We slipped more than the truck did as we went out to take shots.
Use the one-pedal rock-crawling mode to take some of the work out of the process. You don’t have to worry about keeping your foot on the brake.
Is the GMC Sierra 1500 Comfortable?
Yes, the 2023 model is very comfortable, though it may not be as smooth as the Ram 1500. The Denali Ultimate trim glides over the pavement with a silky smoothness, but the AT4X’s trim is a little more rugged.
It’s impressive over gravel, dirt, and trails through the woods. Large impacts are quickly settled without sending vibrations through the cabin. The interior is also very quiet, but the AT4X’s larger tires contribute to wind and road noise at higher speeds.
You don’t have to raise your voice to cover the noise, and the audio system covers it up nicely. The diesel engine and 6.2-liter V8 also deliver a low, engine growl under hard acceleration.
The 16-way power front seats are large, well-padded and have plenty of adjustment controls. They provide hours of comfort on and off the pavement. Heated and ventilated seats are powerful and effective, and automatic climate controls automatically adapt to temperature fluctuations.
The back seats are a little firmer but provide plenty of comfort for adults to stretch out and relax on. They have a comfortable incline level with plenty of knee room and head room. The center seat isn’t affected by a large bump in the middle of the floor like you’ll find in the Toyota Tundra.
Is the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500’s Interior Nice?
Yes, the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 features a rugged, well-made interior full of quality materials like full-grain leather upholstery and pops of original Vanta Ash wood trim pieces.
The two-tone, aluminum, and shiny stitching designs catch the eye. Plus, the suede upper lining and plush carpeting add a sense of luxury. However, the AT4X has rubber weather mats with carpet inserts that attract mud. They add a little extra to the cleaning process.
In general, the design is well-planned and comfortable. Everything you need is conveniently located inside each. Shorter people might have a hard time itching on the edge of the massive touchscreen, but there are buttons on the steering wheel and physical controls within easy reach.
The Sierra has a smaller sunroof than its competitors, but it still lets plenty of natural light into the cabin. Also, the panel housing and thick C-pillars limit visibility, but the camera views make up for the difference.
Optional running boards and rock sliders help make up for the higher entry level, and there are plenty of handles to grab on the climb. The doors open wide to help make installing child seats and loading cargo easier.
How is the GMC Sierra 1500 technology?
The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 can be a little distracting at first because the buttons are everywhere! There’s plenty to choose from around the steering wheel and 13.4-inch infotainment screen.
It is powered by Google and works very fast. The built-in navigation is robust and never loses connection in areas without mobile coverage. Also, the built-in Wi-fi hotspot has a speed dial.
The head-up display provides important driver information without being distracting, and you can adjust its height and stats. You can remove these options if you don’t want to see the speed limit or compass.
It took a while to figure out the digital gauge cluster, but it provides a lot of useful information, such as pitch and roll, directions, and fuel economy.
We’re fans of the optional premium sound systems from Bose that deliver clear, high-quality sound. It’s easy to connect your phone to wireless Apple CarPlay / Android Auto. In addition, the wireless phone charging pad is located in a convenient and secure location where your phone stays put.
There is an optional speaker system built into the tailgate with Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port, and an auxiliary port for playing your favorite tunes at the construction site or tailgate.
Does the Sierra 1500 have good fuel economy?
The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 is a little thirsty. It gets an EPA-estimated 15 mpg in the city and up to 20 mpg highway with all-wheel drive. We were hovering around 16 mpg while on the highway and around town. Off-road driving brought fuel economy down to about 11.6 mpg.
You can do better with the diesel, which gets 23 mpg EPA in the city and up to 33 mpg highway. Still, we got about 22 mpg on the highway and 16 mpg while driving off-road.
How does the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 handle cargo space and towing?
The 2023 car can tow up to 13,200 pounds and carry a payload of up to 2,270 pounds. Features like in-bed camera view, trailer hitch view, trailer blind spot monitoring, and an integrated trailer brake controller come in handy.
The optional carbon fiber bed is extremely durable. And getting into bed is easy thanks to the integrated corner bumper steps. The bed has plenty of straps and a 120v outlet to power appliances.
You can do a lot more with the MultiPro tailgate. Converts to a degree with a handle that can hold up to 375 lbs. It extends to make the truck bed taller and becomes a useful tool rack.
Storage is one area where Sierra really shines. There are tons of trays, storage cups, and cup holders to make use of. The glove box is huge, and there is a bonus box above the glove box.
The floor in the back is mostly flat, and it only takes a second to fold the seats up. Some trims include an organization tray under the rear seats.
HOW SAFE IS THE 2023 GMC SIERRA 1500?
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 is very safe. The hull and movable cage could use some improvement, but the roof’s strength got a “good” grade, the highest possible.
It earned a “Good” score on most safety crash tests, but only a few “Fair,” “Marginal,” and “Poor” ratings. Child seats get a “fringe” score because the tethers are located very deep in the seats and can be mistaken for other devices.
Sierra’s security features never seem overly sensitive or intrusive. But it does cause the bottom of your seat to vibrate, which can be surprising at times.
Standard security features include:
- Forward collision warning
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure warning
- lane keeping assistance,
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
How reliable is the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500?
According to JDPower, JDPower gave the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 a reliability rating of 86 out of 100. This is an above average score. Anything between 91 and 100 is best, but scores between 81 and 90 are great. Scores are between 70 to 80 on average.
The GMC Sierra 1500 can be expected to reach 250,000 miles before it needs expensive repairs. Some models easily exceed 300,000 miles, and some examples are still going with over 400,000 miles on the odometer. It’s a tough truck that’s meant to last.
It costs about $744 to maintain a GMC Sierra 1500 annually. This is slightly above the industry average cost of $652.
MotorBiscuit gives the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 a score of 8.4 out of 10
Experts awarded the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 with a score of 8.4 out of 10. While the GMC Sierra 1500 is comfortable, rugged, and has excellent off-road chops, the Ram 1500 is still more comfortable.
The transition to trim levels provides access to a luxurious, well-made interior. However, prices jump very quickly. Sierra has a huge amount of luggage space to make use of for easy access.
Also, the technology is quite innovative, but the dashboard is full of buttons. The camera systems and off-road driving modes are handy, but a digital gauge cluster could be even more intuitive. Additionally, SuperCruise technology is limited to the Denali Ultimate cabin.
The upgrades from 2022 provide big improvements to consider, and we hope to take the AT4X AEV for a spin through the woods soon.
