GM just announced details on the EV versions of its GMC Sierra. The Sierra is a pickup truck, while the Jeep Wagoneer is a luxury sport wagon; but the Wagoneer was based on the Ram 1500 pickup. The Ram 1500 currently uses the same powertrain as the Wagoneer, too. To be fair, we will include the Wagoneer and the Ram 1500, but not the Ramcharger, whose specs are likely to change between now and its launch.
The Sierra EV series has three battery levels, Standard, Extended, and Max Range; the base EV, the Elevation, has a Standard or Extended battery, while the off-road oriented AT4 has Extended or Max Range, and the top range Denali has all three.
The Elevation starts with a power-operated hood dubbed the eTrunk™, a 17-inch center touch screen, 18-inch wheels, and optional 800VDC fast charging, 7200 watt off-boarding power, and Super Cruise hands-free driving. The AT4 adds two inches of ground clearance, has standard four-wheel steering including CrabWalk, standard Super Cruise, expandable bed, optional 800VDC fast charging, optional 10,200 watt offboard power (in 120V and 240V), a backlit GMC badge, and optional tow package for up to 12,300 pounds.
The Wagoneer’s low output Hurricane generates more power than the 5.7 Hemi, with 420 hp and 468 lb-ft of torque. The Grand Wagoneer’s engine was originally good for 510 hp but is now rated at 540 hp and 521 lb-ft of torque. It can tow up to 9,800 pounds.
The Sierra motors’ power varies by trim and range. The Extended Range battery is rated at 625-645 hp and 765-785 lb-ft of torque, well over the specs for either Hurricane and for that matter any Hemi other than the supercharged Hellcat. The Max Range package is good for 725-760 hp and 775-785 lb-ft of torque.
The Elevation is set at $64,495 including destination charges; the extended range adds $8,200. The ATF starts at $81,395 with max range adding $10,300. The Denali starts at $71,795 with extended range adding $8,000 and max range adding $10,600.
The Wagoneer with gasoline power starts at $61,040 including destination, but has steep rebates, but also has a nearly-$700 charge for any paint color but white. The Grand Wagoneer, which would be more equivalent to the GMC Sierra Denali, starts at $91,945 plus destination. In both cases, these prices are for the short-wheelbase versions.
The Ram 1500 is much cheaper, though probably not as well outfitted as the GMC Sierra EV. The Warlock is the cheapest Ram 1500 with the Hurricane engine, according to Ram’s web site; it can tow up to 8,330 pounds, and runs to $56,660 with destination and required options (including 4×4). That’s well below the Elevation Standard Battery, but of course it’s also a lot less power and towing, and does not have some key features.
The Ram 1500 RHO is about as close as we can get to the Sierra EV’s cheapest “engine,” at $72,090—costing more than the base Elevation and about the same as the Elevation with the bigger battery. The RHO is likely a much better offroad performer than the AT4, though, much less the Elevation.
GMC seems to be pricing its Sierra quite competitively, given the power levels and interior features. Some, especially contractors who mostly drive within a reasonably small area and need access to onboard power—in 120V and 240V—may find the Sierra to be a bargain. Those who want to tow cross country need to wait for the Ramcharger. The Sierra may win a drag race against most un-supercharged Rams, for the moment—though it’s hard to tell, from just power ratings and no idea of weight. Only time will tell, and of course Mopar hasn’t squeezed every ounce of power out of the Hurricane yet.
David Zatz started what was to become the world’s biggest, most comprehensive Mopar site in 1994 as he pursued a career in organizational research and change. After a chemo-induced break, during which he wrote car books covering Vipers, minivans, and Jeeps, he returned with Patrick Rall to create StellPower.com for daily news, and to set up MoTales for mo’ tales.
David Zatz has around 30 years of experience in covering Chrysler/Mopar news and history, and most recently wrote Century of Chrysler, a 100-year retrospective on the Chrysler marque.
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