2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation Edition: First Drive
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There’s no shortage of buyers out there clamoring to replace chrome with color on their pickup trucks. The easiest target has long been the GMC brand, with grilles and wheels seemingly bolder and shinier than the rest. The brand has even played on that fact in previous marketing efforts. However, with automotive accessories being a bull market right now, it’s incentivized General Motors to create in-house accessories packages for its vehicles. Trucks in particular. One such package is the 2015 GMC Sierra Elevation Edition. And it’s the far opposite of glimmering.
Our 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation Edition tester is probably something that Batman would drive if he had to haul lumber back to the Bat Cave. Where he would make Alfred finish whatever project was in store. Bruce Wayne doesn’t have time to build a new closet. But I digress. The Sierra Elevation Edition is dark as the garb of The Dark Knight, and plays to the desires of GMC truck customers who would otherwise immediately fit their Sierra with third party, non-warranty-backed accessories. And therein lays the business case for a truck like this.
You could buy a stripped down GMC Sierra 1500 for less, and outfit it with cheaper accessories outside the official ones to get a similar look. But for the nominal premium, the Sierra Elevation gift-wraps the entire appearance package from the OEM at a convenience, with assured quality thanks to its factory warranty. On the road, the half-ton Sierra turned a lot of heads, especially those of other truck drivers. Even the ones that decked their machines out beyond showroom stock. After a week with the Sierra Elevation, we understood the appeal, as well. But don’t take our word for it. Just have a look at our gallery with photos done by the expertise of Steven Pham.
After all, looking at this truck is what it’s all about.
Perhaps the best part of the accessorized appearance of the 2015 Sierra Elevation is that buyers don’t have to go for the fully loaded model in order for the package to be available. For instance, the tester you see in the photos is in Double Cab configuration with a 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 and featured cloth seats. Bench seat, too. No cruise control, no 4WD, no XM radio, no touch screen… no problem. Though, at a starting MSRP of $34,865, the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation Edition isn’t the deal of the century. Full sized trucks will continue to escalate in price as people continue to buy them, and as they continue to fill with technology (and stuff).
Still, this is a no-hassle way to get the blacked out style on a pickup truck, from the factory, with a warranty. Something that is fairly new to this segment.
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Holy s**t Batman…35 grand and no cruise control?? That is nuts! Definitely looks good though.
My 2015 Silverado LTZ.. too much chrome…
Would like to see the chrome headlamp bezels dismissed in favor or black bezels. I’d like to see the GMC front & rear badging in black also for a true no-chrome appearance.
I am a huge fan of “blackout” trucks. I have a 2014 SLT and even after changing the mirror caps, door handles and window molding, it still has too much chrome. I agree with Jon that black bezels around the Headlights and black logos (like Chevy offers) would be great.
In its infinite Professional-Grade wisdom, GMC did no such thing, instead delivering a near-clone of the monochrome Custom Sport package called the Elevation Edition.