A bare-bones 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab with 2WD could cost about $1,000 less than a similar 2019 model. But if you go for a decked-out Denali Crew Cab, the 2019 model will likely cost an entire $6,000 more than a comparable 2018 Denali model.

The history of the GMC Sierra goes back to the original GMC and Chevy C/K trucks, first manufactured for the 1960 model year. The Sierra name was used to designate different trim levels, but the entire model line name was eventually changed to “Sierra” in 1988. The 2019 model year marked the beginning of the current fifth generation.

Anytime a new generation is introduced in a model line, you’re bound to see a lot of differences. If you’re trying to decide between a 2018 or 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 model, this guide is here to help you determine which is better for you. Let’s dive in!

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2018 GMC Sierra 1500 vs. 2019 GMC Sierra 1500: what’s the difference?

Looks and size are the most obvious change from 2018 to 2019 for the GMC Sierra 1500. First off, the 2019 model was designed more intentionally to differentiate itself from the

Chevrolet Silverado

The all-new platform for the 2019 Sierra 1500 means it’s a bit bigger. This is a

longer GMC Sierra

with more interior space, although the new chassis manages to be lighter than the 2018 model. Along with the 2019 model came two new trim levels: the

Sierra Elevation

and

AT4

But these features only begin to touch the surface of the overall difference between these two Sierra 1500 generations. Let’s dig deeper.

Pricing

Starting MSRP didn’t change much between the 2018 and 2019 models. For 2019, the base 2WD model with a regular cab and long bed started at the lowest possible price of $29,600, only $300 more than the 2018 version. If you had newly purchased the most expensive model—a 4WD Denali Crew Cab with a standard-length bed—you would have paid $2,000 more for a 2019 model, a total of $58,300 MSRP.

Of course, these values have depreciated a bit over the past few years. Since each trim was available with various combinations of cabs and beds—options that changed between the two model years—it’s impossible to make direct comparisons. In the following table, we compare the cheapest version of each trim level between the two years based on MotorTrend’s clean retail price listings.

Model	2018 Clean Retail Price	2019 Clean Retail Price
GMC Sierra 1500 Base	$25,629	$26,439
GMC Sierra 1500 SLE	$28,954	$34,539
GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation	N/A	$39,064
GMC Sierra 1500 SLT	$36,579	$40,114
GMC Sierra 1500 AT4	N/A	$47,589
GMC Sierra 1500 Denali	$43,004	$49,789

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General specs

The available engines from the 2018 model carried over to 2019, but a new version of the 5.3-liter V8 with Dynamic Fuel Management and 8-speed automatic transmission was standard on the 2019 SLT, AT4, and Denali models. The Elevation trim came with a unique 2.7-liter turbo-4 engine. Dynamic Fuel Management was added to the 6.2-liter engine in place of the previously standard Active Fuel Management system on all 2018 models.

Here’s a comparison of the powertrains between the two models:

	2018 GMC Sierra 1500	2019 GMC Sierra 1500
Base engine	4.3-liter V6 (285 horsepower) w/ 6-speed automatic	4.3-liter V6 (285 horsepower) w/ 6-speed automatic
Upgraded engine	5.3-liter V8 (355 horsepower) w/ 6-speed automatic or 8-speed automatic (SLE and Denali)	5.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (355 horsepower) w/ Active Fuel Management and 6-speed (Base, SLE) or Dynamic Fuel Management and 8-speed automatic (SLT, AT4, and Denali)
Upgraded V8	6.2-liter V8 (420 horsepower) w/ 8-speed automatic	6.2-liter V8 (420 horsepower) w/ Dynamic Fuel Management and 10-speed automatic
Elevation engine	N/A	2.7-liter turbocharged inline-4 (310 horsepower) w/ 8-speed automatic
Drivetrain	2WD or 4WD	2WD or 4WD
Maximum towing capacity	12,500 lbs	12,200 lbs

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Fuel economy

Due to the increase in size, the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 lost some marks in the fuel economy category, although 2WD models with Dynamic Fuel Management were able to more closely match the Active Fuel Management powertrains on the 2018 model. The turbo-four added for the Elevation trim was designed for higher fuel efficiency

Here’s a breakdown on the different EPA fuel economy ratings of the various powertrain configurations.

	2018 GMC Sierra 1500	2019 GMC Sierra 1500
Elevation engine w/2WD	N/A	20/23 mpg (city/highway)
Elevation engine w/4WD	N/A	19/22 mpg
V6 engine w/2WD	18/24 mpg	16/21 mpg
V6 engine w/4WD	17/22 mpg	15/20 mpg
5.3-liter V8 engine w/2WD	16/23 mpg	15/22 mpg
5.3-liter V8 engine w/4WD	16/22 mpg	15/21 mpg
5.3-liter V8 Dynamic Fuel Management engine w/2WD	N/A	17/23 mpg
5.3-liter V8 Dynamic Fuel Management engine w/4WD	N/A	15/21 mpg
5.3-liter V8 Dynamic Fuel Management engine w/4WD (AT4)	N/A	15/20 mpg
6.2-liter V8 engine w/2WD	15/21 mpg	N/A
6.2-liter V8 engine w/4WD	15/20 mpg	15/20 mpg
6.2-liter V8 engine w/4WD (AT4)	N/A	15/19 mpg

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Safety ratings

Both the 2018 and 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 received identical five-star overall safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Neither got any particular praise from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Driver assistance safety features that we expect to be standard issues on most new vehicle models nowadays were optional for both model years.

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Styling and interior changes

Since the 2019 GMC Sierra was an all-new design, a lot changed between the two models. The exterior looks between 2018 and 2019 are quite distinct. There was a new grilled design, larger, more distinct, C-shaped headlights, and a more modern aesthetic overall. The 2019 Sierra 1500 also added a MultiPro tailgate feature, allowing you to have the tailgate rest at two different heights or even fold it to create a cutout for easier access to the back of the bed.

As the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 got bigger, the interior got a bit more spacious. Plus, more high-end options were added to set the 2019 Sierra apart from the cheaper Chevrolet Silverado.

Here are some interior feature highlights available for the 2019 model:

Heated/ventilated front seats

10-way power driver seat

360-degree camera system

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Head-up display

Trailering App to aid in towing

Trailer tire pressure monitoring system

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Elevation trim

The GMC Sierra Elevation was an all-new trim that debuted for the 2019 model year. It came standard with that fuel-saving turbo-four engine that we discussed earlier, but it also could be outfitted with upgraded engines.

On top of this mechanical difference, it distinguished itself with custom exterior highlights. These included monochrome accents around the grille, bumpers, and door handles, as well as black accents on its 20-inch aluminum wheels, tow hooks, window trims, grille insert, and antenna.

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2018 GMC Sierra 1500 vs. 2019 GMC Sierra 1500: which should you buy?

Since there were so many options offered for each model, you’ll want to buy based on your needs and the availability of used models. Ask yourself what kind of cab you need, what size bed you need, and what sort of engine would suit you best. Remember that you’ll likely save thousands on a 2018 model, most of which are functionally very similar to the 2019 version.

However, if you’re looking for a truck that is fuel efficient, the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation is the truck for you. You’ll be surprised by how capable the turbo-four engine is, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a more fuel-efficient truck in this class and model year.

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