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Poll: GMC Sierra EV Sideburns – Hit Or Miss?

The GMC Sierra EV introduces a fresh all-electric take on the popular pickup nameplate, offering up GM Ultium battery tech and GM Ultium drive motor tech wrapped together in a dedicated EV platform and design. One of the most noteworthy aspects of the new design are the extended “sideburn” body bits running down the outer corners of the fascia, which has us asking – is the look a hit, or a miss?

For those readers who may be unaware, GM has some history when it comes to the sideburn styling motif. GM fans will no doubt recall the sideburns that adorned the front fascia of the ICE-powered, T1-based Chevy Silverado 1500, which were designed to act as air curtains and smooth the pickup’s aerodynamics by redirecting oncoming air around the front wheels and wheel wells, reducing drag and increasing fuel efficiency.

While effective in providing aero benefits, the Silverado’s sideburns were heavily criticized by fans – so much so, in fact, Chevy ended up changing the design for the 2022.5-model-year refresh, eliminating the feature outright.

Now, however, it looks as though the design has returned with the GMC Sierra EV. Following the debut of the 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali late last month, the new all-electric pickup looks to incorporate long, vertical styling elements that run down the outer edges of the front fascia, once again creating a familiar sideburns effect.

Of course, the GMC Sierra EV looks quite a bit different than the pre-refresh Chevy Silverado 1500, but even so, there’s something to be said about that vertical styling element. The real question is – does it work on the GMC Sierra EV, at least visually?

Chevy Silverado 1500

Chevy Silverado 1500

GMC Sierra EV

GMC Sierra EV

For some, the answer may be yes. The front fascia on the GMC Sierra EV is completely new, and incorporates a new lighting layout with L-shaped daytime running light signatures and horizontal lighting strakes, plus headlamps that are placed lower in the bumper to provide the primary forward-facing illumination. The grille is also blocked off for added aero efficiency.

Still, the vertical design elements may continue to be something of a turnoff for some fans. But we want to know your thoughts, so make sure to vote in the poll below, and remember to subscribe to GM Authority for more GMC Sierra news, GMC news, GM electric vehicle news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. Where is the Poll?

    Reply
    1. It’s within the topic right at the bottom of the Silverado and Sierra photos.

      Reply
  2. To be honest never noticed and did not care. They are fine.

    The 70’s trucks had a side marker light in the same place.

    Reply
  3. A great looking truck overall. A nice evolution of the current model.

    Reply
  4. Those “sideburns” are less noticeable on the Sierra Denali EV since there are more body-colored panels surrounding the grille. I’m not a truck guy, so I don’t have an opinion either way.

    Reply
  5. Looks like a wrench… pretty sweet

    Reply
  6. I was a teen in the 70’s everybody had sideburns. I like them.

    Reply
  7. Where is the “I don’t care” option?

    Reply
  8. Elvis may have had a hand in designing this truck….

    Reply
  9. Not a fan of the front!
    I really like the side looks, but the front in all Black with sideburns makes it look like a pug with a flat crunched in face – see first picture.

    Adding to topic:
    Hopefully this Black area is plastic and not paint, I traded in my rare and beautiful 2022 6.2 liter, with Sunroof Trail Boss after only 3 months due to heavy chipping in the front Black Painted metal surfaces (plastic areas were fine)., As a result, I will only buy trucks with Chrome metal surfaces up front. There’s a much larger surface of Black on this visual, so based on my experience, if this is metal Painted Black, this truck will likely wear a messy paint job within a year from impact of rocks and debris.

    Reply
  10. Huge miss, especially the entire front end!

    Reply

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