2026 GMC Sierra EV Denali Max Range Review: Advantages and Disadvantages of My Favorite Electric Vehicle to Date

      Andrew P. Collins

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      This summer, I took a 2026 GMC Sierra EV to my friend’s farm in Maine. He owns a diesel, manual, classic Ford dump truck and remarked what many might comment on below this article: “That ain’t a real truck.” This $100,000 luxury vehicle feels a bit too refined for hauling sheep, but the cargo bed is large, it has strong towing capacity, and offers a commanding view from the driver’s seat. While it's not truly built as a heavy-duty agricultural vehicle, it serves well for those looking to travel in style while occasionally transporting hefty loads.

      I had intended to tow a rundown International Scout on a U-Haul trailer across New England, but when that plan fell through, I ended up using it to haul moving boxes and other bulky items. It excelled in that role, and with a range exceeding 400 miles and rapid charging capabilities, I didn’t feel any significant road-trip inconvenience by opting for electric. Even if towing had halved my range, having to make a couple of additional fast-charging stops wouldn’t have been a major issue.

      Nowadays, six-figure prices for high-end trucks are nothing surprising; it doesn’t seem shocking anymore. If you’re genuinely considering a luxury truck, you owe it to yourself to closely examine this one. It is truly massive, which can deter some. The air-suspension model provided particularly comfortable driving dynamics, a premium interior, and ample headroom for towing and hauling as needed.

      Something like this won’t make sense for those who need to move livestock daily and perform all their own maintenance. However, for someone seeking a genuinely comfortable, modern daily driver that can double as a truck when necessary, the Sierra EV is outstanding.

      Pros

      - Excellent power delivery; it feels strong without being excessively fast, which isn’t needed.

      - Ride quality is superb, staying smooth over bumps.

      - The heads-up display is ideal for this truck, featuring navigation, speed, and cruise control settings that are clear yet unobtrusive, including a permanently shown arrival time, which is a nice touch.

      - The Google Maps integration runs natively and is well-optimized for the vehicle, showing expected battery levels at the destination and charging options along the way, making me forget about Apple CarPlay.

      - The truck features a “midgate,” allowing for the rear seats and window to fold away, significantly extending the cargo bed or providing an open-air driving experience. This is a substantial benefit of having the cargo bed and cab connected.

      - The interior design is attractive, with excellent lighting.

      - Touchpoints, including leather upholstery and hard buttons, feel excellent.

      - The ingress grab handles (located on the A-pillar) are perfectly positioned—my shorter wife could easily get into the large truck, which many vehicles overlook.

      - Interior storage is impressive, including a spacious center console and sliding cup holders.

      - The front trunk is surprisingly ample and equipped with charging options.

      - The gauge cluster effectively balances good design with a modern appearance without being overrun with pointless animations, utilizing pixels wisely without cluttering the screen unnecessarily.

      - The column shifter may require some adjustment but is quite intuitive, and its position is convenient.

      - The large central tablet infotainment display somehow integrates seamlessly and appears to belong, despite being essentially just a flat slab.

      - The buttons below the tablet are satisfying, as is the volume knob.

      - This truck manages to combine the essence of a heavy-duty vehicle with luxury better than many high-end gas trucks I’ve experienced. It feels substantial yet swift and upscale.

      - Rear-wheel steering facilitates easier maneuvering.

      - The bed is low enough for easy cargo loading and sufficiently deep to provide a large area when the tonneau cover is on and an even larger space when it’s off.

      - The rear seat offers an abundance of room, contributing to significant interior cargo capacity.

      Cons

      - Interacting with the infotainment system invariably triggered the “pay attention to the road” alert, suggesting it’s too distracting to use.

      - The wood trim is somewhat disappointing, looking mediocre and feeling cheap upon touch.

      - The tonneau cover is incredibly cumbersome—both heavy and awkward. It’s manageable if only partially retracted, but removing it entirely is exceedingly difficult.

      - The sunroof is inadequate; as someone who enjoys overhead glass, it lets in excessive heat, forcing me to wear a hat while driving to shield my face from the sun.

      - You can't fully turn off the central tablet; you can, but it just leaves an illuminated display saying “the screen is off.” Why is that the case?

      - I wish for more customization options on the home screen; being able to add a cargo-bed monitor camera would be convenient while viewing the map.

      - There’s no battery temperature or motor temperature gauge, which seems like a simple addition for a truck designed for towing and heavy hauling.

      - Public charging didn’t seem