Full-size trucks have come a long way from being work-only tools. Back then, the cab was sparse by design, with a long bench seat that ran from door to door. AM and FM radio stations were the main sources of infotainment, most of which were country if you grew up in the Midwest. The dashboard was a collection of analog gauges and a few knobs. You did not need to consult a YouTube video to turn up the heat or reset the trip odometer.
That started to change in the mid- to late 1990s and into the early 2000s, as automakers realized truck buyers would pay more for “creature comfort” features borrowed from passenger cars and SUVs. One of the prime examples comes from GMC, its Denali name arriving in 1998 on the Yukon, followed by the Sierra in 1999. Back then, heated leather seats were a big deal.
The early Sierra Denali helped shape the reputation many trucks have today, namely that they are expensive crew cabs that rival most traditional luxury vehicles in features and comfort.
But even by that standard, the 2027 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate stands apart. Its cabin is built around more than 60 combined inches of digital displays, a 16-speaker Bose audio system with speakers mounted in the front headrests, and a hands-free highway driving system that works on more than 600,000 miles of compatible roads, including while towing a trailer.
It is, by any reasonable measure, one of the most technology-loaded vehicles ever sold in America, in any category.
- Base Trim Engine
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2.7-L TurboMax inline-4
- Base Trim Transmission
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10-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
From one radio knob to five displays
What each screen does and why it is there
The 2027 GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate comes standard with five separate displays, totaling more than 60 combined diagonal inches. No other truck comes close to that number in terms of screen real estate.
The 16.3-inch infotainment screen is the centerpiece, positioned in the middle of the dashboard. It handles navigation, audio, phone integration, and the truck’s various settings. What sets it apart from most large automotive touchscreens is the articulating mount, which allows the screen to physically tilt toward the driver or front passenger, depending on who needs it. There is also a hidden storage area behind the display.
Quiz
GMC Sierra
Read on and test your knowledge
From work truck to luxury hauler—how well do you really know the GMC Sierra?
HistoryPerformanceFeaturesTrim LevelsTowing
In what year did GMC introduce the Sierra as a standalone nameplate, separating it
from the C/K series?
Correct! The Sierra officially became its own distinct model name with
the third generation in 1999, replacing the long-running C/K designation. This helped GMC differentiate
itself more clearly from its Chevrolet Silverado sibling.
Not quite. The Sierra name became a standalone model in 1999 with the
third-generation trucks. Before that, GMC used the C/K naming convention shared with Chevrolet.
What is the maximum towing capacity of the 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 when properly
equipped?
Correct! The 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 can tow up to 13,200 lbs when properly
equipped, making it one of the most capable half-ton trucks on the market. This figure is achieved with
the available 6.2L V8 engine and the right towing package.
Not quite. The 2024 Sierra 1500 has a maximum towing capacity of 13,200
lbs when properly equipped. That figure puts it in strong competition with rivals like the Ford F-150
and Ram 1500.
Which GMC Sierra trim level represents the brand’s top-tier luxury offering,
featuring premium materials and exclusive features?
Correct! The Denali trim is GMC’s flagship luxury package and has become
so iconic that it’s often considered almost a sub-brand of its own. It features exclusive styling,
premium interior materials, and advanced technology not found on lower trims.
Not quite. The Denali is GMC’s top luxury trim for the Sierra. It’s so
well-regarded that many buyers specifically seek out a ‘Sierra Denali’ rather than just a Sierra, making
it one of the most successful premium truck packages in the segment.
What innovative cargo bed feature did GMC introduce on the Sierra in 2019, designed
to improve bed access and storage?
Correct! GMC debuted the innovative MultiPro tailgate on the 2019
Sierra, offering six different configurations for loading, hauling, and accessing the bed. It was a
major differentiator for the Sierra and was widely praised as a genuinely useful innovation.
Not quite. The answer is the MultiPro tailgate, which GMC introduced on
the 2019 Sierra. This six-function tailgate was a segment first and gave the Sierra a practical edge
over competitors, though rivals have since developed their own multi-function tailgate solutions.
The GMC Sierra shares its platform and most of its engineering with which Chevrolet
truck?
Correct! The GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado are ‘twins’ built on the
same platform under General Motors. While they share mechanicals, powertrains, and cab structures, GMC
differentiates the Sierra with distinct styling, trim offerings, and features like the MultiPro
tailgate.
Not quite. The Sierra’s platform twin is the Chevrolet Silverado. Both
trucks are produced by General Motors and share underpinnings, but GMC positions the Sierra as a more
premium alternative with unique styling and exclusive features.
Which diesel engine option has been offered in the GMC Sierra 1500, catering to
drivers who prioritize fuel efficiency and torque?
Correct! The 3.0L Duramax inline-six diesel has been available in the
Sierra 1500, delivering impressive torque for towing and strong highway fuel economy. This engine option
appeals to buyers who do a lot of highway driving or light towing and want diesel efficiency in a
half-ton package.
Not quite. The correct answer is the 3.0L Duramax inline-six diesel. The
6.6L Duramax is reserved for the heavy-duty Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD, while the Power Stroke is a Ford
engine. The 2.8L Duramax appears in the midsize Canyon truck.
What does the ‘AT4’ designation stand for in the GMC Sierra AT4 trim, which targets
off-road-oriented buyers?
Correct! AT4 stands for All-Terrain, 4-wheel drive, reflecting the
trim’s focus on off-road capability. The AT4 comes with features like a two-inch factory lift, skid
plates, off-road Rancho shocks, and hill descent control to make it a genuine trail-capable truck.
Not quite. AT4 stands for All-Terrain, 4-wheel drive. GMC introduced
this trim to compete with off-road-focused packages like the Ford F-150 Raptor and Ram 1500 Rebel, and
later added the more extreme AT4X for even more serious off-road performance.
Which generation of the GMC Sierra first introduced a fully aluminum truck bed,
reducing weight and improving corrosion resistance?
Correct! The fifth-generation Sierra, launched for 2019, was the first
to feature a mixed-material construction that included an aluminum cargo bed. This helped reduce overall
vehicle weight while offering better resistance to rust and corrosion compared to traditional steel
beds.
Not quite. It was the fifth-generation Sierra starting in 2019 that
introduced the aluminum cargo bed. While Ford famously went all-aluminum on the F-150 body in 2015, GMC
took a mixed-material approach, keeping some steel elements while using aluminum for the bed.
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Beneficial for long road trips, the 11.5-inch front passenger screen sits to the right and operates independently of the driver’s display. Passengers can stream their own content, including a favorite podcast or show from any streaming service, without affecting what the driver sees. An articulating cover folds over the screen when not needed, keeping the dashboard looking clean and sleek.
GMC’s new dedicated passenger screen, where occupants can stream their own content, is more common in luxury SUVs like the Mercedes-Benz GLS or Audi Q9 than in a full-size truck. The articulating cover also helps address one of the recurring criticisms of bigger screens, being that they dominate the interior even when nobody is using them.
The 12.2-inch information center sits directly in the driver’s line of sight and displays configurable vehicle data, including speed, fuel level, and driver assistance alerts. Meanwhile, the 15-inch multicolor heads-up display projects key information onto the windshield.
And finally, the 8.5-inch rear camera mirror replaces the conventional rearview mirror with a live feed from a camera mounted at the back of the truck. When the bed is loaded or rear passengers are blocking the view, the camera gives a wider, cleaner sightline than a traditional mirror can.
Don’t buy a Toyota Tundra until you see GM’s new 2027 V8 trucks
Does it make sense to buy the Tundra now, or hold off until the new Silverado and Sierra arrive?
More screens = more problems
Infotainment quality continues to drop
The JD Power 2026 U.S. Initial Quality Study, released in June 2026 and based on responses from more than 78,000 new vehicle buyers in their first 90 days of ownership, found that overall new-vehicle quality improved across nine of 10 categories. The one exception was infotainment.
According to the study, problems with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were the largest single contributor to the year-over-year decline in infotainment quality. Among owners who reported a distracted driving problem, 46% said the source was the infotainment or touchscreen display.
“The biggest gains in quality come from features that are easy to use—simple controls, less-intrusive driver assistance and software that works the way customers expect,” said Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at JD Power. “When technology becomes too complicated, the likelihood of customers experiencing a problem rises considerably.”
It is a tension the industry has been wrestling with for some time. An earlier era of dashboard design prioritized simplicity over screen size, when automakers found a better balance between digital displays and physical controls. Bigger displays (and more of them) do not always translate to usability, as many large touchscreens today can be overwhelming to use while parked, let alone while driving.
The 56-inch Hyperscreen found in some Mercedes-Benz vehicles is the largest production display currently, but owners have found it difficult to operate while on the move. SUVs like the 2026 Lincoln Navigator are not far behind with a 48-inch panoramic screen that spans the entire width of the instrument panel. GMC is now entering this conversation with five screens for its flagship truck, totaling more than 60 diagonal inches.
The Denali Ultimate in context
The 2027 Sierra and Silverado share the same platform and the same new V8 engines from GM, a 5.7-liter and a 6.6-liter. The 2027 Sierra Denali Ultimate is standard with the 6.6-liter V8, also the largest naturally aspirated V8 in the half-ton truck segment.
Pricing for the 2027 GMC Sierra has not been announced yet, but expect the Denali Ultimate to land in the mid- to high-$80,000 range (the 2026 Sierra Denali Ultimate starts at $84,400 for comparison purposes).
The question buyers will have to evaluate is whether GMC’s technology suite is suitable for everyday use or if it simply adds up to the kind of complexity that has frustrated owners of other screen-heavy vehicles. The JD Power data suggests the industry still has work to do on that front. Whether GMC has done that work for the 2027 model-year Sierra will become clear once the trucks are actually on the road.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
