Is the GMC Elevation Package Worth it?

The GMC Elevation package is an optional appearance package for the full-sized Sierra. While it’s an upgrade, is it as luxurious as you want? Check the details here!
Written by Jessica Gibson
Reviewed by Brittni Brinn
For an extra $1,200 to $4,600, you can add an aesthetic Elevation package to the Elevation trim of the GMC Sierra. You’ll get floor liners, fancier details, and stylish assist steps with the basic package. Splurge on the bigger Elevation package to get leather seats, storage, features from additional packages, and more.
GMC designed the
Elevation
trim level as a stepping stone from the entry-level Pro to the range-topping
Denali
. At two trim levels above Pro, Elevation balances affordability with the modern creature comforts you’ve come to expect from GMC. But, if you want to splurge on safety features, driver assist technology, and a few stylish upgrades, add an Elevation package to your truck.
In this article, we’ll break down everything you get with the optional Elevation packages, so you’re prepared before you even step foot in a dealership.
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What is the GMC Elevation package?

GMC
offers the Elevation package as an option for the 2022 and 2023
Sierra Elevation
. The all-new Sierra Elevation is a mid-level model and the only trim to offer the Elevation package. The model starts at $52,000
Since this is an appearance package, don’t expect to get performance upgrades if you splurge. Instead, you’ll get more creature comforts and luxurious bragging rights.

What’s included

When you select the Sierra Elevation, you’ll get two Elevation package options: the Elevation Black package and the Elevation Premium package. Here’s what comes with each option.
Elevation Black package:
  • All-weather floor liners
  • Six-inch black rectangular assist steps
  • Front and rear black GMC emblems
Elevation Premium package:
  • Includes all the features of the Preferred package
  • Includes the Sierra Safety Plus package features
  • Jet-black leather interior
  • Up-level rear seat with storage
  • Wireless charging (only available on 2022 models)
  • Spray-on bedliner

What it does

The Elevation Black package doesn’t offer huge upgrades, but there are some nice features. Instead of factory floor mats, you’ll get textured mats with an anti-slip pattern that protects the carpet and traps debris. 
If you want a little help getting into the Sierra, you’ll appreciate the six-inch black rectangular assist steps that run wheel to wheel. They’ve even got textured grip pads and a black powder-coat finish to give you secure footing. 
The last upgrade is purely aesthetic. Your Sierra will have front and rear Black GMC emblems, which look pretty striking.
If you go for the Elevation Premium package, you’ll get a lot more perks. You’ll enjoy all the safety features from the optional Sierra Safety Plus package and the Preferred package! With the Safety package, you’ll get black mirror caps, trailer camera input, perimeter lighting, pedestrian and traffic alerts, and more. 
The Preferred package helps maintain your Sierra by including rear wheelhouse liners and hitch guidance. You’ll love the modern conveniences like a universal home remote, rear sliding power window with defogger, and adaptive cruise control.
Remember, you get additional features with the Elevation Premium package! The interior gets a stylish upgrade with jet black, leather-appointed front seat trim and a full-length rear bench seat
You won’t be short on storage since the package delivers seatback space on the left and right sides. Plus, if you get the full cab, the underseat provides even more cargo space. 
GMC didn’t forget about the exterior. In addition to the black emblems, black mirror caps, and lighting, the truck bed gets an upgraded spray-on bedliner.

How much is a 2023 Sierra Elevation package?

Now that you know a little more about what you’ll get, how much will it cost you?
The Elevation Black package costs $1,195 to add to the Elevation trim. If you want to splash out on the Elevation Premium package, it usually costs $4,630, although GMC is offering it at a discounted $3,880. Keep in mind that that’s in addition to the base Elevation price. 
If you’re a visual learner, here’s a quick comparison of the base price with the optional Elevation packages:

2023 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation package pricing

Trim
Starting price
With Elevation Black package
With Elevation Premium package
$52,000
$53,195
$56,630
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Is the Elevation package worth it?

Reviews are mixed, so it comes down to what you’re looking for in a truck. Edmunds argues that the SLE trim level is the perfect balance between affordability and additional features. If you’re looking for a reliable work truck or something to take the family out in, the SLE will do just fine—no Elevation trim or package is necessary.
Car and Driver prefers the Elevation trim level because it’s a solid mid-level offering that looks more stylish than the base or SLE levels. The Elevation package is just icing on the cake that offers all the modern conveniences and technological features that you have to add to lower trim levels.
When it comes down to it, your budget will probably dictate the trim level or package that’s best for you. After all, the Sierra lineup ranges from $37,200 to $82,800—quite a span! You’ll also have to consider which features are the most important to you. 

Elevation package vs. Graphite Edition

New to the 2023 Sierra is the optional Graphite Edition for the Pro trim level (the base of the lineup). It’s probably worth it to compare adding this package to the base trim versus the Elevation package on the mid-level Elevation trim. 
Although you’ll have fewer standard features on the Pro trim level, here’s what the Graphite Edition package adds:
  • The Connectivity and Entertainment package
  • Body-color front and rear bumper
  • GMC MultiPro Tailgate
  • Color-keyed carpeting
  • Remote start
  • Content theft alarm
  • 20” six-spoke high-gloss black painted aluminum wheels
  • All-season tires
  • Body-color upper grille
  • Recovery hooks (on 2WD models)
As you can tell, these are mainly aesthetic upgrades, just like with the Elevation package. To decide which option is better for you, you’ll have to weigh the costs. The Pro trim level starts at $48,295, while the Graphite Edition adds $4,175 to the price tag for a total of $52,470
That’s just shy of what it costs to get the upgraded Elevation trim with the Elevation Black package (not the Elevation Premium package). We’d probably say that it’s worth it to spring for the upgraded trim with the minor package.

The bottom line

You won’t get upgraded performance with the Elevation trim, but you’ll get the modern conveniences, safety features, and nicer interior elements that you’ve come to enjoy. Many of these elements come standard with the top-of-the-line Denali, but adding the Elevation package to the Elevation trim is a much more affordable option.
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Jerry
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