Are you in the market for a pickup truck? It seems more and more drivers are interested in the benefits of driving capable trucks, and we can’t help but admire the enthusiasm. As your GMC dealer near Wayzata, we have first-hand knowledge of what drivers in our part of Minnesota do and don’t like, and we think a lot of drivers will find a lot to like about the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500.
In fact, the first thing to like about the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 is the sheer number of choices you have. There are eight different trim levels, five possible cab/bed configurations, and a total of four engine options. That means it’s very likely you’ll fall in love with a Sierra 1500—but first, you’ll have to decide which one is most deserving of your attention. Let’s take a look at the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 trim lineup to get a feel for what each trim brings to the roadways and which might fit your driving, hauling, and adventuring needs.
What Is the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500?
Here on the northern shores of Lake Minnetonka, we typically encounter two types of people: those who are perpetually ready for some form of outdoor adventure and those who are not. Neither party is wrong or right—they just have different needs from their trucks!
For the 2025 model year, the GMC Sierra 1500 lineup consists of the Pro, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, AT4X, Denali, and Denali Ultimate trims. The AT4 and AT4X options are equipped with off-road chops, which can also be helpful for drivers living in an area that experiences annual snowfall of over 50 inches. The Denali and Denali Ultimate trims represent the highest levels of luxury for Sierra 1500 drivers.
The 2025 Sierra 1500 is also offered with a regular cab accompanied by a standard or long bed, a double cab with a standard bed, or a crew cab with a short or standard bed, depending on the trim you select. For example, the regular cab is limited to the Pro trim, while the Denali and AT4 trims are crew cab only. Both four-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive are offered across the lineup. The maximum towing capacity is 13,200 lbs for appropriately equipped vehicles.
A few features are standard across the lineup. GMC Pro Safety technology includes driver assistance features like Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator, Automatic Emergency Braking, and IntelliBeam automated high beam lights. And, while the budget-friendly Pro trim is equipped with a seven-inch touchscreen that operates the GMC Infotainment System, all other trims receive a 13.4-inch touchscreen for the GMC Premium Infotainment System with Google Built-in and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
The 2025 Sierra 1500 Pro, SLE, Elevation, and SLT
The GMC Sierra 1500 Pro, SLE, Elevation, and SLT trims are designed for drivers who are looking for a fun, functional pickup truck without the off-road trappings of the AT4 and AT4X or the top-shelf features of the Denali and Denali Ultimate. If you’re looking for an all-around partner for work and play, these trims are the most budget-friendly but definitely not short on standard features.
For example, the standard engine on the Pro, SLE, and Elevation trims is the TurboMax, which supplies an impressive 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. This is more than enough power to handle all your basic tasks, but it’s just the starting point for the Sierra 1500. The SLT trim includes a standard 5.3L EcoTec V8 that takes the thrills up a notch with 355 hp and an upgraded 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine can also be optioned for Pro, SLE, and Elevation trims.
Also optional on the SLE, Elevation, and SLT trims is the mighty 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel engine, which offers an unparalleled 495 lb-ft of torque. Drivers who are looking for top levels of performance may trend towards the SLT trim, which can be had with a 6.2L V8 engine producing 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque.
But what about the “good stuff”—the stuff that makes one truck more enjoyable than another? In addition to the larger infotainment touchscreen, the SLE trim and above add standard 10-way power-adjustable seats with lumbar control, a 12.3-inch driver information display, heated driver and front passenger seats, a heated steering wheel, and remote start.
The Elevation trim allows drivers to do more with their Sierra 1500. There are additional optional packages, like the Elevation Premium Package, which adds wireless charging, rear under-seat storage, and a leather interior. This package also adds driver assistance tech like HD Surround Vision and Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert, which is particularly helpful for drivers who need their trucks to work hard.
The SLT is the most well-dressed of the non-specialized trims. Not only does it receive upgraded engine options, but GMC also adds driver memory settings, a power-adjustable passenger seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and the option to add the ProGrade Trailering System.
Go Off-Road in the AT4 and AT4X
Both the AT4 and AT4X trims are designed with challenging terrain in mind, but while the AT4 is mighty and capable, the AT4X takes overall capability and interior luxury to the next level. While we typically associate these trims with off-roading in rocky or muddy conditions, we can’t ignore the classic Wayzata seasons of Snow, More Snow, Very Wet, and Potholes. In these situations, AT4 additions like a two-inch factory lift and a specially tuned suspension system with Rancho shocks sound like a great way to smooth things out. The peace of mind provided by underbody skid plates doesn’t hurt, either.
But if you’re the type of driver who enjoys dropping off the pavement now and then to enjoy the great outdoors that surrounds us on the Eastern side of the state, then perhaps the AT4X has exactly what you need. With front and rear electronic-locking differentials, Multimatic DSSV spool valve dampers, and the available AEV Edition upgrades, this is the trim that gets going when the going gets rough.
The AT4 and AT4X are both equipped with your choice of the 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel engine or the 6.2L EcoTec V8 engine, giving you plenty of power to work with. The AT4 plays your favorite tunes through a premium Bose audio system, while the AT4X perfects the harmony with a 12-speaker Bose system with CenterPoint audio enhancement technology. The AT4X even includes 16-way power heated and ventilated front seats with a massage feature for relief after a long day of hiking, fishing, or boating.
Top-Shelf Luxury in the Denali and Denali Ultimate
For drivers who are looking for a pickup truck with suave good looks and an opulent interior that includes all of the creature comforts, the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali and Denali Ultimate trims offer it all. It may seem a bit over the top to have a vehicle more luxurious than the top-shelf Denali, but the Denali Ultimate does exactly that.
Both trims feature their own signature chrome grille, with bright chrome for the Denali and dark Vader chrome for the Denali Ultimate. The Denali trim is equipped with the 5.3L EcoTec V8 engine, but the 6.2L V8 and 3.0L Duramax are available options. It is also outfitted with features that help drivers relax in style, like plush carpeting, open-pore wood trim, and patterned aluminum details. Forge-perforated heated and ventilated seats are the perfect blend of style and comfort.
The Denali Ultimate trim, however, includes the 6.2L V8 or 3.0L Duramax engine as standard equipment. A Bose Premium Series 12-speaker audio system with Centerpoint technology is on board. Functional goodies like Super Cruise hands-free driving, a head-up display, and a rear camera mirror are also part of the Denali Ultimate’s draw. Super Cruise is an available option for the Denali as part of the Denali Reserve Package, which also adds a sunroof, MultiPro power steps, and 22-inch wheels.
Which 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Trim Is Right for You?
Choosing the right pickup truck for life in Wayzata often comes down to just a handful of decisions. First, what is your budget? Next, how do you plan to use your truck—will you need a larger cabin, more room in the bed, off-road features, or a higher towing capacity? Then, it’s time to consider all of the details, like engine performance and cabin features you can’t compromise on. Whether your interests lie in seeing how much of Minnesota you can explore by pickup truck or discovering exactly how comfortable driving a truck can be, there is a trim that’s right for you in the 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 lineup.
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