While raw power was once the end-all, be-all in the pickup segment, technology features have become increasingly important as of late. A new generation of modern, tech-savvy drivers aren’t content to settle for the reliable pickups of yesteryear, and are increasingly demanding all the bells and whistles that have made their way into other popular segments. From advanced safety features to futuristic heads-up displays, trailering tech, and even autonomous driving systems, today’s pickups are a far cry from the bare-bones work trucks many of us grew up with.
Some are a little more attuned to this trend than others in the full-size pickup segment, and the 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 provides an ideal example of just how cutting-edge a pickup can be, integrating many of these advanced features without sacrificing the legendary performance and reliability that’s made the pickup such a mainstay since it was introduced almost 25 years ago.
From a network of cameras that provide 14 distinct points-of-view to an in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot and a host of advanced driver assistance systems, GMC’s marquee pickup is leading the way for tech-laden trucks. It’s tough to pinpoint one tech offering as the true standout, which is why we’ve decided to rank some of our favorite tech features on its most recent iteration. Read on as we detail what the 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 has to offer and learn how this truck is raising the bar for tech-focused pickups.
4) Digital Displays
If you’re seeking a little screen time, the 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 has you covered with more than 40 inches of displays spread throughout its interior. It all starts with the pickup’s 13.4-inch infotainment display, which easily ranks among the segment’s largest. Standard on every Sierra 1500 except for the Pro model, the 13.4-inch display is your one-stop shop for connectivity apps, entertainment services, and navigation.
From wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility to hands-free calling and more, GMC’s infotainment system is one of the more well-rounded offerings on the market—but it’s the available built-in Google features that really allow the Sierra 1500 to stand out. Drivers can access everything from Google Assistant and Google Maps, call up their favorite media on Google Play, get traffic updates, control apps, and even change the interior temperature simply by saying “Hey Google.”
Next up is the 12.3-inch Driver Information Center, which is GMC’s name for its digital gauge cluster. This screen replaces the analog gauge cluster of old, opening the door to endless customization and allowing every driver to make their Sierra 1500 distinctly their own. Not only can you choose what information is displayed on this screen, but you can also adjust the very theme of the display itself with options like Classic, Progressive, Digital, and Clean. Into off-roading? This display can be configured to track your pickup’s pitch, yaw, and degrees of steepness—information that can be vital when you’re trying to make it through the trail in one piece.
Lastly, there’s the 15.0-inch Heads-Up Display, which easily takes the cake for the most futuristic of the three screens; well, “screen” might not be entirely accurate as this display is projected directly onto the inner windshield itself, but you get the idea. Ripped from the pages of our favorite sci-fi stories, this multicolor display projects relevant driving info and warnings onto the lower windshield, leaving plenty of room to see the road ahead. Users can scroll through multiple pages of info, adjust the brightness, and even change its position on the windshield. While much of this information is replicated on some of the pickup’s other screens, the fact that it’s projected onto the windshield gives drivers a chance to keep an eye on important vehicle metrics without straying from the road.
3) ProGrade Trailering System
With a towing capacity between 8,700 and 9,500 lbs, the Sierra 1500 is more than ready to haul your boat, camper, or trailer. Of course, power isn’t the only consideration when it comes to towing and hauling, which is why it’s nice to see GMC offer an available ProGrade Trailer System.
This three-tiered approach starts with GMC’s In-Vehicle Trailering App, which can be accessed through the truck’s 13.4-inch infotainment interface. Here, drivers can create five custom trailer profiles for different equipment and towing duties, monitor trailer tire pressure, test their trailer’s lighting, and complete a step-by-step pre-departure checklist. The In-Vehicle Trailering App also includes maintenance reminders to ensure your Sierra 1500 is always getting the care it deserves—but that’s just part of the equation.
The myGMC Mobile App allows drivers to access a number of towing- and hauling-related metrics right from their phone, from improving safety with the Trailering Health function to a Trailering Glossary that will help them brush up on vital towing-related jargon before they hitch up and set off on a long trip. The app’s most useful function might be the Trailer Load Calculator, which allows drivers to review the combined weight of the truck and trailer weight to ensure they’re not exceeding the Sierra 1500’s limits.
The Smart Trailer Integration feature is the last piece of the puzzle, giving drivers the ability to control a number of important RV-related functions thanks to the ASA Electronics iN∙Command Control System with Global Connect. From monitoring water tank levels to controlling HVAC systems, deploying an RV’s power slide-outs, and more, the Sierra 1500 is the perfect partner for the RV lifestyle.
2) MultiPro Tailgate
A tailgate might seem like a bit of an underwhelming inclusion on the list, but you haven’t seen GMC’s MultiPro tailgate. Offered standard on the SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, Denali, AT4X, and Denali Ultimate trims, the MultiPro tailgate is much more than a way to access the Sierra 1500’s bed. With six functions, the MultiPro tailgate can double as a clever way to extend your truck’s carrying capacity, provide a handy work surface, or even help you get the party started with an integrated audio system.
Multifunction tailgates have been popping up across the full-truck pickup segment as of late, but GMC’s easily ranks among the best. This tailgate can be raised or lowered at the touch of one of three buttons: one on the remote key fob, one on the dashboard instrument panel, and one on the tailgate itself. Your knees will thank you for the MultiPro tailgate’s full-width, 48-inch-wide step, which will make climbing in and out of the bed a whole lot easier. Rated for 375 lbs, this tailgate is also paired with a convenient hand grab that can fold out from the cargo box.
Speaking of ease of access, the MultiPro tailgate makes it easy to access the bed thanks to a fold-down inner gate that allows drivers to stand seven to nine inches closer to the truck floor. When deployed in this way, the MultiPro tailgate doubles as a work surface, allowing drivers to process paperwork, consult building plans, or enjoy a quick bite right from the comfort of their tailgate. GMC even threw in two load stops that give drivers the ability to safely accommodate larger items in the bed without having to worry about anything falling out of the back.
The primary gate load stop not only improves safety but also gives drivers an additional 12 to 16 inches of bed length with the MultiPro tailgate folded down. The Sierra 1500’s unique, two-tiered cargo box lets drivers divide the bed into two distinct levels, with an inner gate laid stop performing a similar function to the primary gate laid stop for the upper level of cargo.
All these features go a long way in cementing the GMC “Professional Grade” motto, but you know what they say about all work and no play. In a bid to up the fun factor, GMC has included one of the most novel tailgate features in recent memory: a 100-watt exterior audio system built right into the MultiPro.
Offered standard on the Sierra 1500 AT4X and Denali Ultimate, this audio system features two four-inch coaxial drivers, a compact amplifier and controls, a USB port for device charging, and full Bluetooth streaming compatibility. Built with weather resistance in mind, this audio system can even be used when the truck is turned off, making it a must-have at your next barbecue, camping trip, tailgate, or beach party.
1) Super Cruise
From factories and software coding to agriculture and even health care, automation has become a real buzzword in the tech sphere. The transportation sector is no different, with a new era of autonomous driving technology set to transform the industry in the coming years and decades. Regarding personal transportation, autonomous driving systems are separated into six tiers ranging from Level 0 to Level 5. Currently, Level 2 automation marks the high point for consumer-grade vehicles, making GMC’s Super Cruise autonomous driving system one of the industry’s leading technologies.
Available on the Sierra 1500 Denali and Denali Ultimate, Super Cruise allows drivers to traverse over 400,000 miles of roads across the US and Canada without ever letting their hands touch the wheel. This system maximizes safety by constantly monitoring the driver to ensure they’re paying attention to the road—so this isn’t an excuse to catch up on that thriller you’ve been reading while on a long family road trip, but it does go a long way in upping your pickup’s convenience factor.
Super Cruise doesn’t only keep you centered in your lane and moving at the correct speed limit; it can perform automatic lane changes using two different approaches. With Automatic Lane Change, an alert will be displayed on the gauge cluster when the system detects the opportunity for a lane change and then seamlessly slides you over into the next lane. When using Lane Change on Demand, the driver can signal the desire for a lane change by flicking the turn signal; Super Cruise will scan the road for a good lane-changing opportunity and perform the maneuver when it detects its opening.
The Super Cruise system can even pass other vehicles, alert you to hazards, and tow a trailer, making it one of the most exciting additions to the Sierra 1500’s technology playbook in recent memory.
Top-Tier Truck Tech for 2024
With the 2024 Sierra 1500, GMC has pushed the envelope to integrate the latest and greatest in in-vehicle tech.
With over 40 inches of combined displays spread throughout the cabin, you’ll always have the information—or entertainment—you need right at your fingertips. The Sierra 1500’s ProGrade Trailering system allows drivers to make the most of the truck’s considerable towing prowess, while the MultiPro tailgate improves the useability and ease-of-access of the cargo area while even doubling as an extension of your vehicle’s entertainment system. Super Cruise speaks for itself, allowing drivers to enjoy some of the most advanced driver automation on the market on more than 400,000 miles of compatible roads.
These tech features might rank as some of our favorites, but they’re really just scratching the surface of what this pickup has to offer. If you’re the type of driver who expects more than just pure power out of your pickup, the 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 is worth a closer look.
