If you're looking to get a truck at your local GMC dealer near Iuka, come to visit us at Crossroads GMC. Whether you're looking for a powerful workhorse, an off-road adventurer, or just a means of tailgating, you can find something that fits the bill. But you need to pick the right model and trim for your needs, or you might end up either not having the features you need or overpaying for features you'll never use.
To help you understand your options, we'll examine the entire GMC truck lineup, what each model can tow and haul, and what you should keep in mind when making a decision.
The Midsize Canyon
The midsize Canyon is the smallest truck in GMC's lineup, making it the best for maneuvering in tight spaces, like parking lots and narrow off-road trails. The trade-off is that it also has some of the lowest capacities in the lineup, able to tow up to 7,700 lbs or carry up to 1,640 lbs of payload when properly configured. The fact that it's the only model with only a single powertrain option (a 310-hp 2.7L TurboMax I-4 that produces 430 lb-ft of torque) can be either a pro or a con, depending on how susceptible you are to decision fatigue.
While it only offers one engine (as well as a sole cab and bed configuration), the Canyon does have three trim levels to choose from. The Elevation comes standard with the towing package, a modern infotainment system featuring large screens and wireless smartphone connectivity, and driver assistance features like a blind zone steering assist function designed to work with a trailer in tow.
Upgrading to the AT4 gets you a variety of features that make the truck more capable off-road, like a two-speed transfer case, 4WD, an automatic locking rear differential, and an off-road driving mode. The AT4X package unlocks more rugged goodies, though it also brings down the towing capacity. At the top of the lineup, the Denali trim comes with a special interior design (jet black with teak accents), wireless device charging, and a head-up display that projects onto the lower windshield, among other features. If you want to go all-in on tech, style, and comfort, this is the one to get.
The Full-Size Sierra 1500
A full-size, light-duty truck, the Sierra 1500 is the most popular model in the lineup, which explains why it offers the most variety of the bunch. Not only does it have eight trim levels that range from the affordable Pro to the luxurious Denali Ultimate, but it also has four available powertrains, three cab styles, and three bed lengths. While not all of these options can be mixed and matched freely, they do ensure that most Iuka drivers will be able to put together a truck that suits their needs. While we won't be able to cover every option here, we'll take a look at some of the major ones.
The same 2.7L TurboMax I-4 that powers the Canyon is the base engine on the Sierra 1500, though when placed under the hood of the larger truck, it has better stats: a towing capacity of 9,400 lbs and a payload capacity of 2,240 lbs. The SLT and Denali trims come standard with a 355-hp 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine capable of cranking out 383 lb-ft of torque, towing up to 11,200 lbs, and carrying up to 2,150 lbs of payload. The top-tier Denali Ultimate comes standard with an even more powerful 420-hp 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 that produces 460 lb-ft of torque and can tow up to 13,000 lbs or carry up to 1,820 lbs of payload.
Finally, the AT4 and AT4X trims come standard with the only diesel option in the lineup: a 305-hp 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I-6 that produces 495 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to tow up to 13,200 lbs and carry up to 1,890 lbs of payload. While we've mentioned the trims that come standard with these engines, you should know that you can switch things up by opting for an available engine instead of the standard fare.
The Pro trim has the most affordable starting MSRP in GMC's lineup, beating out the Canyon Elevation by just $100. That price comes with trade-offs like smaller infotainment screens and a manually adjustable driver's seat rather than a powered one, but it is still plenty capable and has the widest variety of cab and bed options in the lineup. In fact, it's the only trim that can be had with a Regular Cab and, therefore, the only trim that can be paired with the 8.2-foot long bed. It can also be had with a standard bed that pairs with the Double and Crew Cabs or a short bed that pairs only with the Crew Cab.
Upgrading to the SLE gets you tech upgrades and more standard comfort features, like a heated, power-adjustable driver's seat. Spring for the Elevation, and you get all that plus extra styling touches like gloss-black wheels and a gloss-black mesh insert in the grille. At the SLT level, you get a V8 engine plus a power-adjustable front passenger seat, among other features. The AT4 has all of the benefits of the SLT, plus off-road-oriented features like a 2-inch factory lift, a special suspension system with Rancho monotube shocks, the diesel engine, and more.
The AT4X takes things even further with front and rear electronic locking differentials, stamped steel skid plates, and Multimatic DSSV dampers, among other perks. The Denali trim has exclusive styling touches inside and out and some bonus comfort and convenience features. At the top of the pecking order, the Denali Ultimate comes standard with just about every available extra, like a 12-speaker Bose surround sound system, 16-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, and Super Cruise (GM's hands-free highway driving tool).
The Heavy-Duty Sierra Duo
If the Sierra 1500 can't handle enough weight for you to take care of business, then you'll want to opt for a heavy-duty model instead. The Sierra 2500 HD and Sierra 3500 HD have the same duo of V8 powertrain options: a gas-powered 6.6L V8 that produces up to 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque and a diesel-powered 6.6L Duramax Turbo V8 that produces up to 470 hp and 975 lb-ft of torque. However, the max towing capacity varies depending on which powertrain and model you opt for.
With the gas option, the Sierra 2500 can tow up to 18,700 lbs or carry up to 3,759 lbs of payload, while the Sierra 3500 can tow up to 19,150 lbs or carry up to 7,290 lbs of payload. With the diesel option, the Sierra 2500 can tow up to 22,500 lbs or carry up to 3,850 lbs of payload, while the Sierra 3500 can tow up to 36,000 lbs or carry up to 6,644 lbs of payload. Of course, that extra power comes at a higher price.
The Sierra 2500 has a similar trim lineup to the Sierra 1500, going from Pro to Denali Ultimate, with only the Elevation option missing. While these trims aren't necessarily exactly the same as their light-duty equivalent, they have the same basic perks as you move up the ladder. The stronger Sierra 3500 has essentially the same trim options as the Sierra 2500 but without the ultra-rugged AT4X. Both models offer either 2WD or 4WD, either a Regular, Double, or Crew Cab, and either a standard or long bed.
The Electric Sierra EV & Hummer EV Pickup
If you want to go green, you can consider the all-electric options in GMC's lineup. The Sierra EV comes exclusively in the top-tier Denali trim and can tow up to 10,500 lbs or carry up to 1,450 lbs of payload. While it comes exclusively with a short bed, it does provide an extra 11 cu.ft. of storage space via the front truck. Paired with the extended range battery, it delivers up to 390 miles of range; paired with the max range battery, this gets bumped up to an estimated 460 miles; both batteries pair with a dual-motor AWD system.
If you have some cash to burn and want to drive something truly unique, there's always the Hummer EV Pickup. This big, bold electric truck can drive diagonally and is available with removable roof panels that can be stored in the front trunk. With the dual-motor setup, you can tow up to 12,000 lbs or carry up to 1,485 lbs of payload and get a range of 318 miles. The tri-motor setup brings those figures down to an 8,500-lb towing capacity, 1,300-lb payload capacity, and 312-mile range but boosts output to 1,000 hp and 11,500 lb-ft of torque for more thrilling driving dynamics, which will be especially useful with the available Extreme Off-Road Package.
How to Choose Your GMC Truck
When deciding on a model perfect for getting around Iuka, it's best to start with your basic needs before considering things you want but can live without. Determine the value of your trade-in, too, so you can figure out what your budget is, and do some math to calculate how much towing and hauling power you expect to need. Once you have these numbers, you can figure out which models come in under budget and suit your needs. If multiple trucks or trims fit the bill, that's when you can start playing around with your favorite comfort features or styling touches. At Crossroads GMC, we're here to help you determine which GMC truck is right for you, will help you determine your budget, and can value your trade-in. We're here to help with whatever it is you need.
