Competition in the light-duty pickup segment is fierce, but the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 fights tooth and nail thanks to its clever technology and unique features. One example is the Sierra’s MultiPro tailgate, which offers multiple positions for enhanced usability and practicality. In addition, the latest Sierra 1500 comes with a bevy of advanced safety tech features, with expanded availability compared to the preceding 2020 model year, as seen in the following GM Authority Comparison.
As GM Authority has covered previously, GMC is revamping and rebranding its safety technology offerings with the new GMC Pro Safety and GMC Pro Safety Plus Packages, which are currently offered only on the 2021 GMC Terrain, 2021 GMC Acadia, and 2021 GMC Yukon. Meanwhile, the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 currently does not offer the new packages, although the pickup nameplate is expected to offer them sometime in the future as the automaker expands the availability of the new GMC Pro Safety packages across its lineup.
Nevertheless, the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 does come with several noteworthy changes to its advanced safety features lineup when compared to the preceding 2020 model year, as seen in the following tables.
| Sierra | SLE | Elevation | SLT | AT4 | Denali | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control2 | - | - | - | A4,5 | A4 | A6 |
| Automatic Emergency Braking2 | - | - | - | A4,5 | A4 | A6 |
| Automatic Parking Assist | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Following Distance Indicator2 | - | - | - | A4,5 | A4 | A6 |
| Forward Collision Alert2 | - | - | - | A4,5 | A4 | A6 |
| Front Park Assist1 | A7 | A8 | A | A | A | S |
| Front Pedestrian Braking2 | - | - | - | A4,5 | A4 | A6 |
| HD Rear Vision Camera | - | A9 | A9 | S | S | S |
| HD Surround Vision3 | - | - | - | A10 | A10 | A6,10 |
| Intelllibeam Auto High Beams2 | - | - | - | A4,5 | A4 | A6 |
| Lane Change Alert1 | A7 | A8 | A | A | A | S |
| Lane Departure Warning2 | - | - | - | A4,5 | A4 | A6 |
| Lane Keep Assist2 | - | - | - | A4,5 | A4 | A6 |
| Rear Camera Mirror3 | - | - | - | A10 | A10 | A6,10 |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert1 | A7 | A8 | A | A | A | S |
| Rear Park Assist1 | A7 | A8 | A | A | A | S |
| Rear Pedestrian Alert | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Rear Seat Reminder | S11 | S | S | S | S | S |
| Rear Vision Camera | S | S | S | - | - | - |
| Safety Alert Seat2 | - | - | - | A4,5 | A4 | S |
| Side Blind Zone Alert1 | A7 | A8 | A | A | A | S |
| Teen Driver | S | S | S | S | S | S |
- Included With Driver Alert Package I
- Included With Driver Alert Package II
- Included With Technology Package
- Requires Driver Alert Package I
- Included with SLT Premium Plus Package
- Included With Denali Ultimate Package
- Requires Convenience Or Sierra Value Package
- Requires SLE Convenience Package
- Included With Preferred Package
- Requires Driver Alert Package II
- Requires Double Cab Or Crew Cab Model
| Sierra | SLE | Elevation | SLT | AT4 | Denali | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control2 | A | A5 | - | A5,7 | A | A6 |
| Automatic Emergency Braking2,3 | A | A5 | - | A5,7 | A | A6 |
| Automatic Parking Assist | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Following Distance Indicator2 | - | A5 | - | A5,7 | A | A6 |
| Forward Collision Alert2,3 | A | A5 | - | A5,7 | A | A6 |
| Front Park Assist1 | A | A | A | A7 | A8 | S |
| Front Pedestrian Braking2,3 | A | A5 | - | A5,7 | A | A6 |
| HD Rear Vision Camera | - | A9 | A9 | S | S | S |
| HD Surround Vision4 | - | - | - | A10 | A10 | A6,10 |
| Intelllibeam Auto High Beams2 | A | A5 | - | A5,7 | A | A6 |
| Lane Change Alert1 | A | A | A | A7 | A8 | S |
| Lane Departure Warning2 | A | A5 | - | A5,7 | A | A6 |
| Lane Keep Assist2 | A | A5 | - | A5,7 | A | A6 |
| Rear Camera Mirror4 | - | - | - | A10 | A10 | A6,10 |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert1 | A | A | A | A7 | A8 | S |
| Rear Park Assist1 | A | A | A | A7 | A8 | S |
| Rear Pedestrian Alert | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Rear Seat Reminder | S11 | S | S | S | S | S |
| Rear Vision Camera | S | S | S | - | - | - |
| Safety Alert Seat2 | - | - | - | A5,7 | A | S |
| Side Blind Zone Alert1 | A | A | A | A7 | A8 | S |
| Teen Driver | S | S | S | S | S | S |
- Included With Driver Alert Package I
- Included With Driver Alert Package II
- Included With Safety Confidence Package
- Included With Technology Package
- Requires Driver Alert Package I
- Included With Denali Ultimate Package
- Included With SLT Premium Plus Package
- Included With AT4 Premium Package
- Included With Preferred Package
- Requires Driver Alert Package II
- Requires Double Cab Or Crew Cab Model
According to the tables seen here, the latest 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offers expanded availability for Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Following Distance Indicator, and Forward Collision Alert when compared to the preceding 2020 model year. Intellibeam Auto High Beams, Lane Departure Warning, and Lane Keep Assist also get expanded availability, although many of these features require certain packages and configurations to equip.
We’ll have more info on GMC’s advanced safety features and availability posted soon, so stay tuned. In the meantime, subscribe to GM Authority for more GMC Sierra news, GMC news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Please fix the wheel wells, that looks terrible.
Pride yourself on safety yet you have to spend 60000+ on a truck with some safety feaitres. Bought a 2020 gmc sierra elevation and has zero features that all other manufacturers have its a joke
Beautiful truck!