The GMC Sierra EV is one of the newer options in the segment, having come out in 2024, but it managed to carve out a special part of the segment with some unique features. Special features, though, only go so far, which is why GMC has focused on something more tangible for the 2026 model year: affordability.
For 2026, GMC has expanded the Sierra EV lineup with a new entry-level Elevation trim and a more rugged AT4 model. The new Elevation trim may be the cheapest way to get into a Sierra EV, but it still has to separate itself from the more affordable Chevrolet Silverado EV, which is its similar corporate cousin.
To some extent, the 2026 GMC Sierra EV Elevation works. It lowers the electric truck’s starting price tag, drawing in new shoppers and making the Sierra EV more competitive. But for being the affordable choice in the Sierra EV lineup, it’s still incredibly expensive.
What the 2026 GMC Sierra EV Gets Right
The 2026 GMC Sierra EV checks all of the right boxes for shoppers in the market for an electric pickup truck. It’s powerful, filled with tech features, highly capable, luxurious, and available with an impressive amount of range. Not to mention, the Sierra EV has a few party trucks that could sway shoppers on their own.
Unique, Yet Useful Features
Every 2026 GMC Sierra EV, including the base Elevation, comes with GMC’s innovative Midgate and MultiPro Tailgate. These two features are special enough to lure shoppers away from competitors and into a GMC dealership. The Elevation trim that GMC let us borrow for a week had a broken rear seat, so we weren’t able to try out the Midgate in its entirety, but the half that worked worked well. It takes some time to get used to the special order in which you have to do things to get the Midgate to work – you’ll want to bookmark a handy YouTube video for the first year of ownership – but once you get the hang of it, it only takes a few seconds to open up the cabin to the bed.
GMC isn’t the only automaker to offer its electric truck with a multi-function tailgate, but the MultiPro Tailgate seems to be one of the more well-thought-out options. Like a Transformer, it can be converted into a bed extender with a stop, a ladder, and a work surface. The MultiPro Tailgate doesn’t have the same flash as the Midgate, but it’s arguably more usable.
Zippy All-Electric Performance
Output for the 2026 GMC Sierra EV ranges from 605 horsepower to 760 horsepower depending on the configuration. All Sierra EVs come with dual electric motors and four-wheel drive. In the Elevation Extended Range model we tested, the Sierra EV makes 645 hp and 765 lb-ft of torque.
It’s not the most powerful version of the Sierra EV available, but even the Elevation Extended Range packs a punch. It feels deceptively quick in a straight line for a vehicle of this size. The Sierra EV also has balanced handling for such a large pickup truck and its suspension doesn’t have the floaty ride without any cargo in the bed that you’ll find with other electric pickup trucks.
Surprisingly Upscale Cabin
GMC and Chevrolet are corporate twins that share an alarming amount of components, but the Sierra EV creates some much-needed space from it and the Silverado EV with a nicer cabin and more standard features. Even with the base Elevation trim, most Sierra EV shoppers won’t complain about the interior, as the cabin has a nice mix of quality materials and upscale convenience features.
Going The Distance
The 2026 GMC Sierra EV has an impressive amount of range for an electric pickup truck. In the right configuration, the pickup truck can travel up to 410 miles on a single charge. That was the range figure for the Elevation Extended Range trim we tested. Unless you plan on exclusively using the Sierra EV as a towing vehicle or long-distance hauler, you’ll be impressed with the pickup truck’s range figure.
What The 2026 GMC Sierra EV Doesn’t Do Well
As a latecomer to the all-electric segment, the 2026 GMC Sierra EV has to, at least in my eyes, go above and beyond to draw shoppers away from other competitors. I’m not sure if it does that. It’s not a bad electric pickup and I would recommend it to people, but it’s not a class-leading option in my book. Here’s why.
What Happened To Affordability?
The whole point of coming out with a new Elevation trim for the 2026 GMC Sierra EV was to bring the price of the SUV down. Unfortunately, if you want a Sierra EV Elevation that has the tech, convenience features, performance, and range that drew you to the model, it’s not exactly affordable. The base Elevation Standard Range starts at $64,995, which isn’t bad, but the Elevation Extended Range we tested starts at $72,695. It was then equipped with $13,550 in options. That brought the pickup truck’s price up to $86,245.
That’s not affordable and it doesn’t make a lot of sense for a version of GMC’s entry-level pickup truck to get close to $90,000. Not everyone made millions off of Bitcoin.
Missing Apple CarPlay And Android Auto
The 2026 GMC Sierra EV is available with some impressive tech. The pickup truck’s central 16.8-inch touchscreen is gorgeous, but infuriating to use. In a Tesla-like move, GMC requires owners to utilize the central display to control most features, which is annoying. Then, there’s the fact that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren’t available on the Sierra EV. On a pickup truck that’s approaching $90,000, GMC thinks it’s best to force owners into using Google built-in, regardless of how you feel. It’s an absurd decision that could push shoppers toward rivals like the F-150 Lightning.
For me, this would be my main reason for going with another option.
What’s Wrong With The Chevy?
The 2026 GMC Sierra EV’s greatest drawback is that the Silverado EV exists. The Chevrolet comes with similar features, has similar performance, and is available with more range. It’s also cheaper. While some shoppers will naturally gravitate away from the Silverado EV because of its design, I’m not sure if the Sierra EV’s looks, extra features, and more premium cabin make it worth an extra $10,000.
Verdict
With a few years under its belt, the 2026 GMC Sierra EV attempts to address its pricing issue with a new Elevation trim. The Elevation still delivers great performance, usability, range, tech, and luxury, but at a more affordable price. Unfortunately, that price isn’t as small as GMC would want you to believe once you add on packages that make the Sierra EV the Sierra EV.
For shoppers with the budget, the Sierra EV is a quick, comfortable, quiet, luxurious, and high-tech pickup truck that will help you flaunt your status as the head honcho on sight, as long as you’re willing to pay for that privilege.
