Which 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 trim is best for you?
- 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 base - GMC builds this truck for buyers who need a basic, no-frills work truck.
- 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE - Buyers wanting a few more creature comforts than provided on the base truck will appreciate extras like cruise control, carpeted floors, and remote keyless entry.
- 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation - Buyers who want a touch of sportiness and a big dose of capability will appreciate the Elevation.
- 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT - To this point, the grades have been more about basic function and convenience. With the SLT, buyers who are more specific about towing will come running. The SLT also has some cabin upgrades like leather seats, a heated steering wheel, and so forth only increases the appeal.
- 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 - GMC caters to off-road enthusiasts with the AT4. It’s all about going where other 4WD Sierra models don’t dare to go.
- 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali - Buyers wanting all the Sierra has to offer will appreciate the Sierra Denali.
2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Overview - Along with its General Motors sibling, the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 is totally redesigned. Its longer wheelbase allows for a longer Crew Cab body with more rear legroom. Its unique 6-function trick tailgate (MultiPro Tailgate) isn’t available on Ram, Ford, Nissan, or Toyota rivals. GMC makes other pickup-truck-industry firsts available as you climb the trim-level ladder, including a 7-inch head-up display, a carbon-fiber cargo box, and a digital rearview mirror. We like the GMC Sierra for its bold styling, available MultiPro tailgate, easy-to-use infotainment system, and smooth ride. GMC offers the Sierra in six trim levels: Sierra, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, and Denali.
Most Sierra grades (SLE, Elevation, SLT, and AT4) come standard with the Double Cab and 6-foot-6-inch cargo box. The Crew Cab is an upgrade. The base Sierra is the only trim with a regular cab and comes with an 8-foot-2-inch box. However, GMC offers the Double Cab and Crew Cab as base Sierra upgrades. The Denali comes standard with the Crew Cab and the 5-foot-8-inch box. A 6-foot-6-inch box is an option. Pick the SLE, SLT, or AT4, and you can upgrade to the Crew Cab with either the 5-foot-8-inch or the 6-foot-6-inch box. Depending on the trim level and cab configuration, you can arm your GMC with one of five engines. There are actually six engines if you count the two versions of the 5.3-liter V8 separately. They are:
- A 4.3-liter V6 with a 6-speed automatic transmission
- A 5.3-liter V8 with a 6-speed automatic transmission
- A 5.3-liter V8 with Dynamic Fuel Management and an 8-speed automatic transmission
- A 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission (new for 2019)
- A 6.2-liter V8 with Dynamic Fuel Management and a 10-speed automatic transmission (new for 2019)
- A 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder turbodiesel and a 10-speed automatic transmission (new for 2019)
All the trim levels, except the AT4, are standard with rear-wheel drive (RWD), but 4-wheel drive (4WD) is standard on the AT4 and optional on the others. Author:
Russ Heaps.
What is the best 2019 GMC Sierra trim? - If you want a fairly basic, affordable pickup, the SLE delivers that for less than $40,000 (when new). If towing is your thing, then move up to the SLT. Claiming the title of most proficient off-roader among the Sierra grade lineup is the AT4. At the top of the heap is the Denali, delivering the premium Sierra experience.
How many mpg does the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 get? - For the best Sierra fuel economy, you need to pick the SLE, Elevation SLT, AT4, or Denali and opt for the 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder turbodiesel. With RWD its estimated mileage is 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg. Opting for 4WD has some impact at 22 mpg/26 mpg/24 mpg. The standard engine on the SLT, AT4 and Denali is the 5.3-liter V8 with DFM. The numbers for it with RWD are 17 mpg/23 mpg/19 mpg. With 4WD they’re 16 mpg/22 mpg/18 mpg. In its role as the base engine in the SLE and Elevation, the 2.7-liter turbo gets 20 mpg/23 mpg/21 mpg. Opting for 4WD barely moves the needle to 19 mpg/22 mpg/20 mpg.
Which 2019 GMC Sierra trim level is the safest? - The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) didn’t really test Sierra Double Cab models. However, it did put the Crew Cab through its battery of six test scenarios. It awarded its highest score of Good in five of the six tests. Sierra scored a Marginal in the new Small overlap front: passenger-side crash test. For the most part, obtaining advanced driver-assistance/safety features requires checking some option boxes. Available advanced features include forward collision warning with low-speed emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-departure warning. Lane-keep assist, high-beam assist, and a surround-view camera are also available.
2019 GMC Sierra 1500 base model - It’s V6 engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Its government-estimated combined city and highway mileage is 17 mpg, whether with RWD or 4WD. The base Sierra is a work truck with few convenience features. For example, the windows and door locks operate manually. Standard features include: 17-inch steel wheels, LED headlights, LED taillights, rear corner steps, a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, one USB port, AppleCarPlay, and Android Auto. Every Sierra model comes with GM’s Teen Driver system.
Like all full-size pickup trucks, Sierra offers loads of options on all trim levels. Key features of the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 base model include:
- LED exterior lighting – This includes headlights and taillights. LEDs illuminate a broader and longer area than regular incandescent or halogen lights. Consequently, they are also easier for other drivers to see.
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – Allow your smartphone to interface with your vehicle. Not only can you access the music on your phone, but you can also send messages, receive messages, make calls, and so forth through your vehicle’s media system.
- Teen Driver – Using the key fob, it allows parents to incorporate several restrictions for their teen drivers.
2019 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE - The estimated combined mileage with RWD is 21 mpg. Opting for 4WD drops the number by 1 mpg. You can also opt for the 355-hp 5.3-liter V8 with Dynamic Fuel Management and the 8-speed automatic transmission. RWD combined mileage is 19 mpg. Stepping up to 4WD doesn’t affect the combined mileage. Beginning with the SLE, GMC offers the new-for-2019 277-hp 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder turbodiesel. Its combined mileage is 26 mpg with RWD and 24 mpg with 4WD. To the base Sierra, the SLE adds 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, power windows and door locks, carpeted floors, a driver information display, and remote keyless entry. Also standard are an 8-inch touchscreen, a 6-speaker audio system, more USB ports, chrome bumpers, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. Key features of the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE include:
- Remote keyless entry – You can unlock and lock the vehicle remotely when in range using the fob.
- Wi-Fi hot spot – A 4G LTE hotspot allows passengers to stream and share online on their smartphones.
- Cruise control – This is also called speed control. When you reach the desired speed, you can lock the system to that speed. The vehicle will maintain that speed until you engage the brakes.
2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation - GMC uses the Elevation trim to add a bit of sportiness to the Sierra. The Elevation features a monochromatic appearance package with a black grille and 20-inch black rims and LED fog lights. Otherwise, the Elevation is very similar to the SLE. However, beginning with the Elevation, some driver aids join the options list. They are blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-rear park assist.
2019 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT - GMC also makes available the upgrade to the 420-hp 6.2-liter V8 for SLT, AT4, and Denali versions with 4WD. Its estimated combined mileage is 17 mpg. All of the other engine options listed for the SLE are also available. The SLT builds on the SLE. It adds HID headlights, a traction-select system, and the ProGrade Trailering System. Also standard are an integrated trailer-brake controller, leather seats, heated 10-way power-adjustable front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Among the grocery list of options is the MultPro Tailgate.
- Traction select – These are preset drive modes from which the driver may select the mode engineered for certain surface conditions like mud, snow, and so forth.
- ProGrade Trailering System – This includes Hitch Guidance with a Hitch View rear camera, auto electric parking brake assist, and a tailgate-mounted light for easy night-time trailer hook-ups.
- Leather seating – For an added touch of luxury, the front seat are also heated and provide 10-way power adjustments.
2019 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 - The Sierra AT4 is the first member in, what is to be, a GMC off-road-intensive sub-brand. It’s not a hair-on-fire off-road racer like the Ford F-150 Raptor, but GMC goes all out to engineer off-road capability. It includes the MultiPro Tailgate, an AutoTrac 2-speed transfer case, a 2-inch lift kit, Rancho off-road monotube shocks, skid plates, and an electronic locking rear differential. Also standard are black leather seats with Kalahari accents, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and red tow hooks. Hill-descent assist is standard, too. Key features of the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 include:
- MultiPro Tailgate – This first-of-its-kind tailgate provides six distinct position configurations offering more efficient loading, ease of climbing into the cargo box, tailgating, and more.
- AutoTrac 2-speed transfer case – This provides a 4-Lo gear that can be accessed electronically for more intense off-roading.
- Electronic limited-slip rear differential – Sensors monitoring the drive wheels on the same axle send more torque to the wheel with grip when the other wheel is slipping.
2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali - Building on the SLT, the Denali adds 20-inch aluminum wheels, LED fog lights, ventilated front seats, and a 7-speaker Bose audio system. It also includes the electronic locking rear differential, the AutoTrac 2-speed transfer case, the ProGrade Advanced Trailering Package, and a spray-on bedliner. Other standard features are a navigation system, remote start, and keyless entry with push-button start. Available options include the Technology Package with a surround-view camera, a head-up display, and a digital rearview mirror. The Driver Alert Package II gains you forward-collision warning with low-speed emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and high-beam assist. Key features of the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali include:
- Remote start – When within range, you can start the vehicle from outside it with the key fob. It’s handy for precooling the vehicle in summer and preheating it in winter.
- Available driver aids – They include forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and more.
- Keyless entry – If the key fob is on your person, the doors automatically unlock when you touch the door handle. Push-button start is paired with keyless entry.
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