Why the 2026 Sierra EV Denali Max Range Will Be Your Next Obsession

When I was offered the opportunity to drive and write on the GMC 2026 Sierra EV Denali Max Range, I said no at first. The truck is a beast, at 19.5 feet long from the front grille to back tailgate, and 78.7 inches high, not including the lift with Air Ride suspension. You try navigating the streets of Toronto in a vehicle that size. Plus it’s a pick up truck. Is that suitable for a luxury news platform? Maybe an article on a large SUV, but a pickup truck was a leap.

Then I got it out on the highway for a drive to Niagara Falls, and it all started to make sense.

Is the Sierra EV Denali a Luxury Vehicle?

The Denali Max Range proves electric doesn’t mean sacrificing soul. It’s got that rugged GMC heritage wrapped in sustainable silk. It’s pricey up front, but when you factor in lifetime fuel savings by taking the electricity route, as opposed to fossil fuel, it feels like a steal for this level of refinement.

It’s not just transportation in a pickup truck; it’s an experience. Luxury, electric-style, delivered with Denali swagger-smooth, powerful, and utterly indulgent – 760 HP and 785 lb-ft of torque. Is it a luxury vehicle? I didn’t think so walking up to it for the first time. After a week I said yes, it is.

Sierra EV Denali Range

Robust, for the range anxiety people, of which I am one – 478 miles on a full charge, or 769 kilometres. As I’ve said many times with electric vehicles, if you have the situation, get a fast charger for the home. Don’t open yourself up to public fast charge stations, to possible delays, especially during the winter months.

Best fast charge stations for the home

In the Toronto area, it’s Tesla, Flo, and ChargePoint, for setting up a home charging station. This is the best way to go, if you have the space, or if your condo corporation allows it. Tesla offers seamless integration with their app and ecosystem, especially if you’ve got a Tesla. Flo, a Canadian company, has user-friendly chargers with great network connectivity. ChargePoint provides high-quality, fast-charging units with strong customer service and widespread availability in Toronto.

A ChargePoint hard-wired EV charger systems cost around $650-$700, while one that plugs into a DC outlet is around $700. Flo’s plug-ins or hardwired systems also run around $700.

Sierra Denali EV Specs

Power-wise, luxury isn’t just comfort; it’s capability without compromise. This beast packs a dual-motor setup hits zero to sixty in under four seconds. No turbo lag here since it’s all electric. The Max Range badge isn’t hype; with an estimated 478-plus miles on a single charge, thanks to a ninety-kilowatt-hour battery pack.

Regenerative braking feels seamless, recapturing energy like a pro. The ride with four us driving from Toronto to Niagara Falls was plush, with adaptive air suspension that adjusts on the fly-soft for city jaunts, firm for towing. Tow up to twelve thousand pounds while sipping electrons, and the trailer assist tech makes hitching a breeze.

More specifically, with the Sierra EV Denali:

• BATTERY, MAX RANGE
• 2 MOTOR PERFORMANCE E4WD
• ENERGY TRANSFER PRO AND 19.2KW AC CHARGE CAPABLE
• 7 TOTAL POWER OUTLETS (6) 120V & (1) 240V
• E-TRUNK WITH POWER HOOD
• MULTIPRO MIDGATE
• MULTIPRO TAILGATE
• AIR RIDE ADAPTIVE SUSPENSION
• 4WHEEL STEER W/ CRABWALK
• TIRE, ALL-SEASON BLACKWALL
• WHEELS, 24″ ALUMINUM

What About the Interior?

Slide into the cabin, and it’s like stepping into a high-end lounge. The seats, upholstered in quilted leather with perforated cooling and heating, hug you like they were custom-made-which, honestly, feels like they were. In terms of seat adjustment, for the driver and passenger, there’s 8-way power including 4-way lumbar. Massage functions? There’s ten-point kneading to melt away stress after a long day. The wood trim isn’t fake; it’s open-pore walnut, warm and genuine under your fingers.

A massive seventeen-inch vertical touchscreen dominates the dash, running a slick infotainment system with Google built in that’s smooth, with intuitive voice commands. Ambient lighting shifts colors to match your mood, cycling through soft purples or energizing blues. There’s also a 14-inch head-up display.

Exterior

Outside, the Denali vibe screams opulence. That blacked-out chrome grille and massive twenty-two-inch wheels aren’t subtle; they’re statement pieces. LED headlights with adaptive beams light up the road, and the power-retracting running boards deploy with a satisfying whirr, helping you climb in without scraping your heels.

Cargo space? The bed’s got a powered tonneau cover that seals tighter than a vault, keeping your gear dry. And for the eco-luxury crowd, bidirectional charging lets you power your campsite or even your neighbor’s grill during a blackout.

Safety Features

The safety features, particularly the 360-degree camera set up, letting you see around the truck from multiple angles, is what made driving this beast do-able in downtown Toronto traffic, and parking it underground in a tight condominium space. Leading the way with the media vehicle I drove was rear cross traffic braking, reverse automatic braking, front pedestrian and bicyclist braking, forward collision alert, enhanced automatic braking and rear pedestrian alert.

Price in Canada

Standard vehicle price for the Sierra EV Denali is CAD $119,999, and the total price for the one I tested, including the Thunderstorm Grey paint job, options, destination charge, dealer fee, took it to CAD $124,093.