GMC Just Made Its Electric Truck Way More Affordable Than a Cybertruck

GMC slashed over $25,000 from the Sierra EV’s starting price, making it one of the best deals in electric trucks right now. The base model now costs $64,495, which puts it about $18,000 under the Tesla Cybertruck. That’s a huge change from last year when the Sierra EV only came loaded with a six-figure price tag.

• The 2026 Sierra EV starts at $64,495 with the new Elevation trim, nearly $18,000 less than the base Cybertruck at $82,235.
• The AT4 off-road trim costs $81,395, undercutting the Cybertruck by $840 while adding features like rear-axle steering and CrabWalk.
• With the Max Range battery, the Sierra EV delivers up to 478 miles of range, beating nearly every electric truck on the market.

What Changed for 2026

Last year’s Sierra EV was a tough sell. GM only offered the luxury Denali trim with a starting price stretching past $100,000. That limited the truck to buyers who wanted all the bells and whistles. The 2026 model fixes this problem by adding two new trims and a smaller Standard Range battery option.

The base Elevation trim gets you into an electric pickup for less than what many gas trucks cost these days. You still get features like Super Cruise hands-free driving, an 18-inch touchscreen, and enough power outlets in the bed to run your tools. The Standard Range battery delivers 283 miles of driving range, which works for most daily driving and weekend trips.

The off-road AT4 trim brings serious capability. It rides two inches higher than other Sierra EVs, sits on 35-inch all-terrain tires, and includes a special Terrain Mode. The rear-axle steering system makes tight trails easier to handle, while the CrabWalk feature lets the truck move diagonally in cramped spaces. You can tow up to 12,300 pounds with the AT4, which beats the Cybertruck’s 11,000-pound rating by a solid margin.

How the GMC Truck Stacks Up Against Tesla

The pricing gap between these trucks tells an interesting story. Even the loaded Denali trim with the Standard Range battery starts at $71,795, saving buyers over $10,000 compared to a base Cybertruck. The AT4 comes in at $81,395, just $840 under the Tesla. But here’s what makes that comparison interesting: the Sierra EV gives you more towing capacity, longer range with the right battery, and a traditional truck design that won’t turn heads at every stoplight.

Range separates these trucks in a big way. The Sierra EV with the Max Range battery goes up to 478 miles on a charge. The Cybertruck tops out at 366 miles, but only if you add the optional soft tonneau cover. The Sierra EV’s Extended Range battery still delivers 410 miles, which beats the Cybertruck comfortably.

Payload capacity favors Tesla. The Cybertruck handles 2,500 pounds in the bed. The Sierra EV manages 2,250 pounds on Elevation and Denali trims, dropping to 1,950 on the AT4. But the Sierra EV makes up ground with its MultiPro midgate. Drop that midgate and you extend the 5-foot-10-inch bed into a 9-foot-1-inch cargo space. Lower the tailgate too and you get a full 10-foot-10-inch platform for long materials.

What GMC Learned From Its Other Electric Trucks

GMC learned from the Hummer EV’s launch. That truck attracted attention with its massive power and off-road chops, but the steep price kept it as a niche product. The new Sierra EV pricing brings electric truck capability to a much wider group of buyers. You can get into one for less than a loaded gas-powered Sierra 1500. This pricing strategy shows how GMC electric vehicles are becoming more accessible to regular truck buyers instead of just early adopters with deep pockets.

The Sierra EV shares its platform with the Chevrolet Silverado EV, which starts even lower at $52,800. But the GMC adds more standard luxury features, acoustic glass for a quieter ride, and a more upscale interior. Some buyers will prefer the Sierra EV’s look and feel, while others might save money with the Silverado.

Charging happens through a standard CCS port rather than Tesla’s NACS connector. GM will include adapters for Tesla Superchargers, giving Sierra EV owners access to the biggest fast-charging network. On a 350-kW DC fast charger, the truck can add 100 miles of range in about 10 minutes.

What This Means for Truck Buyers

The electric truck market keeps getting tougher. Ford sells the F-150 Lightning starting at $62,995, Rivian offers the R1T with up to 420 miles of range, and now the Sierra EV combines solid range numbers with serious towing capability at a reasonable price.

The Cybertruck still has its fans. Its stainless steel body, futuristic styling, and Tesla’s software appeal to buyers who want something different. But for someone who needs a truck that can tow a boat, haul materials, and drive 450 miles without charging, the Sierra EV makes more sense at this price point.

GM’s timing works well too. Federal EV tax credits remain available for eligible buyers, which could knock another $7,500 off the purchase price. That would put the base Sierra EV under $57,000 after incentives. The Cybertruck qualifies for the same credit, but its higher starting price still leaves it thousands more expensive.

Making Your Decision

The 2026 Sierra EV delivers strong value for buyers who want electric truck capability without the Cybertruck’s polarizing design. The new Elevation trim makes it accessible, the AT4 adds serious off-road ability, and the Denali keeps the luxury angle for those who want it. Add in class-leading range and towing capacity, and the Sierra EV becomes hard to ignore at these prices.