2026 GMC Sierra EV Elevation Extended Range
It feels strange saying this, but the GMC Sierra EV has already been around for almost three years. GMC first rolled out its fully electric pickup in late 2023, and at the time, it showed up late to the electric truck party. Still, it arrived with headline grabbing numbers. Up to 460 miles of range. Nearly 760 horsepower. Dual electric motors. Denali trim only. And a price that sailed well past the 100000 dollar mark.
That last part mattered. A lot.
For 2026, GMC finally decided to widen the net. Two new trims join the lineup, and the most important one is the Sierra EV Elevation. This is the version meant to pull the Sierra EV back down to earth, at least a little.
The promise is simple. Almost 400 miles of range. Over 600 horsepower. And a starting price roughly 40000 dollars lower than the Denali. On paper, that already sounds like a better deal.
The real question is whether it works in the real world.
What Changed With the Sierra EV Elevation
The Elevation trim is now the entry point into the Sierra EV range. It sits below the Denali and AT4, and it drops some high end hardware to make the price easier to digest.
You still get serious electric truck numbers.
Nearly 400 miles of range depending on battery choice
More than 600 horsepower
Dual motor setup with electronic four wheel drive
One speed reduction gear transmission
This is not a stripped down electric pickup. It just stops short of luxury overload.
Battery Options and Powertrain Details
GMC offers three battery sizes across the Sierra EV lineup.
Standard range battery at around 130 kilowatt hours
Extended range battery at around 170 kilowatt hours
Max range battery at about 205 kilowatt hours
The Elevation trim shown here uses the extended range battery. It pairs that pack with dual electric motors and electronic all wheel drive with torque vectoring.
In max power mode, output reaches about 645 horsepower and roughly 750 pound feet of torque. That is around 120 horsepower less than the Denali with the max range battery, but it hardly feels weak.
Without max power mode, output drops closer to 605 horsepower. Even then, it remains more power than most gas powered half ton trucks ever see.
GMC claims a zero to sixty time of around 4.5 seconds. Real world runs land right in that zone. Top speed sits near 112 miles per hour.
This truck weighs about 8200 pounds. That sounds massive, and it is. Still, it is roughly 800 pounds lighter than a max range Sierra EV. You feel that difference from behind the wheel.
Towing and Payload Numbers
Despite the smaller battery, capability stays solid.
Maximum towing capacity up to 12500 pounds
Payload rating around 1700 pounds
Those figures place the Sierra EV Elevation right in the heart of the electric truck segment. It is not the strongest hauler here, but it holds its own.
Frunk and Practicality Up Front
Pop the hood and you will not find an engine. Instead, you get a powered frunk with about 11 cubic feet of storage.
The frunk is flat and usable. There are cup holders, a drain plug, and a power outlet. You can load groceries, gear, or even use it as a cooler.
Compared to the Ford F 150 Lightning, frunk space is slightly smaller, but still generous. The power opening and closing hood comes standard, even on this base trim.
Exterior Design and Dimensions
The Sierra EV continues to be one of the best looking electric trucks on sale. It simply looks more like a GMC truck than its Silverado EV sibling.
This Elevation trim keeps the modern, squared off styling with fewer luxury touches.
Illuminated GMC badge up front
LED daytime running lights with separate headlamp units
Black exterior accents
Optional dark appearance package
The truck rides on a unibody platform built on GM Ultium architecture. There is no traditional cab to bed cut line. It looks clean and modern.
Key Dimensions
Crew cab only body style
Bed length just under six feet
Wheelbase around 146 inches
Overall length about 233 inches
Width over 83 inches
This is full size in every sense. Parking garages will remind you of that.
Wheels, Suspension, and Ground Clearance
The Elevation trim skips adaptive air suspension and rear wheel steering. Those remain Denali only features.
Standard ground clearance about eight inches
Optional twenty two inch wheels available
Eighteen inch wheels offered for better ride comfort
The lack of rear wheel steering makes the truck feel large at low speeds. Tight parking lots demand patience. Ride quality remains agreeable, especially on the smaller wheels.
Charging Hardware and Real World Charging
The Sierra EV Elevation uses a CCS charging port with J1772 compatibility.
Level two charging with the eleven kilowatt onboard charger takes around eighteen and a half hours from empty
Max range versions get a nineteen point five kilowatt onboard charger
DC fast charging supports up to 300 kilowatts
This truck operates at roughly 697 volts rather than a full 800 volt setup. Even so, GMC claims up to 106 miles of range added in ten minutes on a fast charger.
The Elevation does not use the Tesla NACS plug from the factory. GMC sells an adapter for access to Superchargers.
Interior Layout and Materials
Inside, the Elevation trim keeps things simple and dark. The interior color is called After Dark, which translates to mostly black.
Seats use a CoreTex material blending synthetic leather with fabric
White contrast stitching adds visual interest
Twelve way power driver seat with memory
Heated seats and heated steering wheel standard
Ventilated seats arrive with the optional premium package. Massaging seats do not appear anywhere in the lineup.
Material quality feels solid. Soft touch surfaces appear where your hands rest. Hard plastics show up lower down, which feels appropriate for the price.
Screens and Infotainment
The cabin centers around two large displays.
Twelve inch digital driver cluster
Sixteen point eight inch vertical center touchscreen
The system runs Google built in software. Navigation, music apps, and vehicle controls live inside the screen.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not supported. That will annoy some buyers. Others will not care.
Physical controls remain for climate functions, which helps usability.
Storage and Center Console Space
Storage is a strong point.
Large center console with deep bin
Sliding tray with wireless phone charging
Multiple USB C ports front and rear
Power outlets in cabin and bed
This truck clearly expects you to bring devices.
Rear Seat Space and Comfort
Rear seat room is massive.
Legroom measures around forty four inches
Flat floor design
Heated rear seats with premium package
Rear vents and charging ports
The wide cabin easily fits three adults across. Headroom is decent, though not class leading due to roof structure for the midgate system.
The MultiPro Midgate Advantage
This remains one of the Sierra EV best features.
Midgate folds down to extend cargo length into the cabin
Items up to ten feet ten inches can fit
Works with the MultiPro tailgate system
For real world hauling, this setup beats most rivals.
Driving Experience on the Road
From the driver seat, the Elevation feels heavy but controlled. The extended range battery makes the truck feel noticeably lighter than the max range versions.
Acceleration remains strong. In max power mode, launches can overwhelm traction on damp pavement.
One pedal driving is available. Normal mode already uses strong regen. High mode feels excessive for most drivers.
Ride quality strikes a good balance between comfort and control. The fixed suspension works well for daily use.
Real World Range Results
On a full charge, the display shows around 395 miles.
In cold weather testing, real world range settled near 350 miles. That is roughly sixty miles less than the max range version, but still excellent for an electric truck.
This battery feels like the sweet spot. Enough range for road trips without adding excessive weight.
Pricing and Where It Makes Sense
Pricing defines the Sierra EV Elevation story.
Base Elevation with standard range battery starts around 62000 dollars
Extended range battery adds about 8000 dollars
As tested models with premium options can reach 85000 dollars
At that point, stepping up to the Denali begins to make sense. You gain Super Cruise, air suspension, rear wheel steering, and a panoramic roof.
The smarter buy is the Elevation with the standard range battery. That version lands close to a similarly equipped gas powered Sierra Elevation with a V8.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 GMC Sierra EV Elevation finally makes the Sierra EV feel attainable. It keeps the range, power, and practicality that define the truck while trimming excess cost.
The extended range battery version feels like the ideal balance, though it pushes the price uncomfortably close to Denali territory.
If you value the midgate, strong real world range, and a modern electric driving experience, this truck deserves a serious look. Just make sure it fits your garage before you commit.
2026 GMC Sierra EV Elevation FAQs
What is the 2026 GMC Sierra EV Elevation?
The 2026 GMC Sierra EV Elevation is the new base trim of the all electric Sierra EV lineup. It sits below the Denali and AT4 trims and is designed to make the Sierra EV more affordable while still offering strong range, power, and features.
How much range does the Sierra EV Elevation offer?
The Sierra EV Elevation with the extended range battery offers up to about 410 miles of estimated range. In real world cold weather testing, it delivered around 350 miles on a full charge.
How many battery options are available for the Sierra EV?
GMC offers three battery options for the Sierra EV. These include a standard range battery, an extended range battery around 170 kilowatt hours, and a max range battery around 205 kilowatt hours.
How powerful is the Sierra EV Elevation?
With the extended range battery, the Sierra EV Elevation produces up to 645 horsepower and around 750 pound feet of torque in max power mode. Without max power mode, output drops to roughly 605 horsepower.
What is the zero to sixty time of the Sierra EV Elevation?
GMC claims a zero to sixty time of about 4.5 seconds. Real world testing showed times between 4.4 and 4.8 seconds depending on drive mode and traction conditions.
How much can the Sierra EV Elevation tow?
The Sierra EV Elevation with the extended range battery is rated to tow up to 12,500 pounds. Payload capacity is rated at around 1,700 pounds.
Does the Sierra EV Elevation have a frunk?
Yes, the Sierra EV Elevation has a powered front trunk with roughly 11 cubic feet of storage. It includes cup holders, a drain, and a power outlet, making it usable for storage or as a cooler.
Does the Sierra EV Elevation support fast charging?
The Sierra EV Elevation supports DC fast charging up to 300 kilowatts. GMC states it can add around 106 miles of range in about 10 minutes under ideal conditions.
Does the Sierra EV Elevation have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto?
No, the Sierra EV Elevation does not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. It uses Google built in software with downloadable apps through the Google Play Store.
How much does the 2026 GMC Sierra EV Elevation cost?
The Sierra EV Elevation starts at around 62,000 dollars with the standard range battery. Adding the extended range battery increases the price by about 8,000 dollars. Fully optioned models can reach around 85,000 dollars.
