The GMC Sierra EV marks a yet another major electrification milestone for Big Red, bringing zero-emissions driving to one of the brand’s most important nameplates. However, despite the naming similarities, the all-electric Sierra joins GMC’s lineup with its own unique styling cues. This is particularly noticeable up front, where the GMC Sierra EV Denali appears to break from the oversized and muscular grille treatments seen just about everywhere else in the lineup.
GM Authority reader Mike N. recently wrote in to point out exactly that:
“With all the bold and oversized grilles on the GMC pickups, Yukon and other models, isn’t it odd that the Sierra EV doesn’t get one, even if it’s non-functional? The panel makes it look weird, kinda cheap, almost like a temporary solution.”
A closer look at the Sierra EV lineup confirms Mike’s observation. The GMC Sierra EV Denali trim in particular takes a clean approach with regard to the front fascia design, incorporating a solid body-color panel where a traditional grille would be located. The fascia is framed by signature L-shaped LED lighting and a sculpted front bumper. There’s also minimal texturing, giving the nose a sleek, high-tech look.
GMC Sierra EV Denali
GMC Sierra EV AT4
By contrast, the AT4 and Elevation trims incorporate a more traditional-looking faux grille. Though non-functional, the blacked-out panel provides similar proportions as GMC’s ICE-based grille designs, lending the battery-drive pickup a more familiar look overall and aligning more closely with the ICE-based Sierra 1500 and heavy-duty Sierra HD.
Nevertheless, this styling inconsistency raises an interesting question: should the GMC Sierra EV Denali also adopt a faux grille to help it fit in with the rest of the GMC family? Or is the clean, body-colored look a better fit for the trim’s futuristic luxury character? We’re curious to hear what our readers think, so make sure to vote in the poll below!
Comments
Hmm. Perhaps its because its…an EV?
They can use body colored “panels” as the mailbag author suggests to mimic the shape and area of a grille as EVs are designed to be aerodynamic and have airflow openings down low for cooling inlets. Its quite clear in both the Denali and AT4 above that the “panel” area would 110% be the grille if it was ICE.
Look at past and current EVs. Bolt, Equinox, Blazer, Mach-E, F150 Lightning, etc. They all have the same approach of a grille-less grille to give it some commonality to ICE cars in how they look up front. Even Teslas you can still see in the front clip where a faux grille would be placed in its design even though Tesla doesn’t use a faux grille.
No need to complicate the design of EVs further IMO.
I hope he doesn’t mean a real grille, which would destroy its aerodynamics. Since the EV doesn’t have a radiator, there is no need for one.
If you ever buy an EV, you’re going to be disappointed when you discover that they do indeed have radiators.
Cooling the batteries is absolutely critical.
It still looks terrible. Cheaply done front end. The nose does NOT look sleek or high tec.
It needs something that won’t be a big ugly bug catcher.
Even a non-functioning faux grille, just anything that won’t show off the bugs and rock chips.
either this or you just get into a habit of wiping the bugs
Easier cleaning bugs off a flat surface than bugs stuck in a grill!
That flat surface is still going to show every bug chip and ding, esp. on the Denali.
If I wanted a $100k+ baby that needs washing every day I’d get a BMW.
BMW’s are even more horrendous to look at than the GMC. BMW has lost their minds and forgot how to design a car!
It will just get chipped by road debris.
Any change to the grill would be an improvement.
As an owner of a Denali Sierra EV, I love that front panel, especially when illuminated.
Don’t need the fake grille to pretend I have an inferior truck, just because people got used to that view. Most cars and trucks looked all the same and super boring for the last 20 years, I’m glad to see some manufacturers finally dare to do something different.
This thing looks way too much like the old Lordstown Motors truck.
The absence of the grill on my white model is immediately noticeable and was part of my purchase decision. I have never had so many compliments on a truck’s appearance throughout my 50+ years experience. No more bugs stuck in the grill and radiator fins. Different strokes for different folks.