2018 Best Half-Ton Truck Challenge Preview: 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT

Posted by Mark Williams | November 7, 2018

By Brian Normile

For our third preview of the five competitors in our upcoming 2018 Best Half-Ton Truck Challenge, we'll take you through the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT. We've already shown you both the 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat and the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country, but the GMC Sierra 1500 has several unique features that separate it from the class.

Although the Sierra 1500 SLT is similar in many ways to its Chevrolet Silverado 1500 sibling (mostly under the skin), this new version is probably as different than ever before. You can read about many of those new details and technologies in Challenge judge and reviewer Aaron Bragman's full First Drive, where he breaks down everything that's changed on the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500.

Much like the F-150 Lariat, astute readers will be quick to note that this isn't the top of the line trim for GMC's half-ton truck. We won't speculate on the reasoning behind GMC's choice of an SLT trim instead of the popular, fully loaded Denali since we were happy the truckmaker accepted our invitation to send what it considered to be its "best" truck. We simply invite automakers to send their trucks, then we test whatever we get. Still, there were a lot of special features on this SLT.

This Sierra featured the stalwart 6.2-liter V-8 ($2,495), now equipped with GM's all-new Dynamic Fuel Management system (a multicylinder shutoff system), mated to the new 10-speed automatic transmission. Among the more significant changes in this new Sierra 1500 is an all-new platform, retuned suspension, a host of upgraded and brand-new powertrains, a new interior layout and a thoroughly redesigned bed, all leading to about 400 pounds of weight savings.

On top of our SLT trim, the Sierra 1500 came equipped with the SLT Premium Plus Package at $6,760 (before $1,000 discount) that included blind spot warning, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, front and rear park assist, 20-inch polished aluminum wheels, rear cross-traffic alert, a spray-in bedliner, automatic forward emergency braking and pedestrian detection. The package also added lots of interior nice-to-haves like the Bose Premium Audio system, front heated and ventilated bucket seats, smart headlights, sliding rear window and wireless charging.

The final option packages on our GMC was the Max Trailering Package at $850, the White Frost Tricoat at $950, the power sunroof at $995 and the Trailer Camera Package (embedded in the sideview mirrors) for $250. The Max Trailering Package gives the Sierra 1500 the taller 3.42:1 gear ratio, stronger retuned shock absorbers, heavier-duty rear springs, a heavier-duty alternator, a larger radiator, bigger gross vehicle weight and gross combined weight ratings, and a higher payload capacity.

One standard feature that deserves to be called out separately is the all-new MulitiPro Tailgate. While some may be skeptical of its functional intent, we found plenty of ways to make it work for us — although, without giving too much away, we did find a few problems with the setup as well.

A base model 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT crew-cab 4x4 like our tester has a starting price of $51,495, including $1,495 in destination fees. However, once all the options were totaled and the $1,000 discount applied, our 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT came to $63,040. That's $2,010 more than the F-150 Lariat and $4,380 less than the Silverado 1500 High Country.

Since these previews are running alphabetically, next up will be the 2019 Nissan Titan Pro-4X.

Cars.com photos by Christian Lantry