Over the past four model years, the fourth-generation GMC Sierra 1500 has experienced a significant uptick in pricing, with the base prices for most Sierra 1500 trims up by roughly 20 percent. The increase can be attributed to a variety of different factors, from global supply chain volatility, to labor negotiations, to inflation, to ongoing trade uncertainties. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like this trend will reverse any time soon.
The Sierra 1500 Pro trim, GMC’s entry-level offering, saw the biggest price increase, rising from $31,295 in 2021 to $40,495 in 2025, a 22.7-percent uptick overall. The Elevation and SLE trims posted similar gains, with the Elevation rising from $42,095 to $52,695, a 20.1-percent increase, and the SLE rising from $41,995 to $50,995, or 17.6 percent. The SLT trim showed a slightly lower price rise, increasing from $48,595 to $57,095, an increase of 14.9 percent over four model years.
More premium-oriented models weren’t spared from the upward trend, either. The off-road-focused Sierra AT4 climbed from $56,390 to $68,995, an 18.3-percent jump, while the Denali rose from $56,795 to $67,595, marking a 16-percent increase.
It’s also worth noting that GMC added two new top-tier trims with the 2022-model-year refresh, namely the AT4X and Denali Ultimate. Interestingly, these trims don’t shown the same sharp price bump as the rest of the lineup, due in part to their more recent introduction. The AT4X, which debuted at $74,995 for 2022, now sits at $81,595, reflecting an 8.1-percent rise. The Denali Ultimate has increased by only 5.3 percent since its introduction, rising from $80,395 to $84,895.
| Trim Level | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Increase 2025 vs. 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro | $31,295 | $32,495 | $40,020 | $39,595 | $40,495 | 22.7% |
| SLE | $41,995 | $44,095 | $50,995 | $50,995 | $50,995 | 17.6% |
| Elevation | $42,095 | $45,495 | $52,595 | $52,695 | $52,695 | 20.1% |
| SLT | $48,595 | $50,195 | $56,495 | $56,695 | $57,095 | 14.9% |
| AT4 | $56,390 | $58,495 | $67,100 | $67,995 | $68,995 | 18.3% |
| AT4X | - | $74,995 | $80,200 | $81,095 | $81,595 | 8.1% |
| Denali | $56,795 | $58,990 | $66,500 | $68,495 | $67,595 | 16.0% |
| Denali Ultimate | - | $80,395 | $82,195 | $82,895 | $84,895 | 5.3% |
Part of this pricing trend is also tied to higher destination freight charges, which rose from $1,695 in 2021 to $2,195 in 2025, affecting every GMC Sierra trim level with a $500 base price increase.
Looking forward, there’s growing concern that new trade and tariff policies enacted by the Trump administration could drive up vehicle pricing even further. Even though some Sierra 1500 units are built in the U.S., even these models are subject to new tariffs as they incorporate a healthy amount of parts content sourced from overseas.
With all this in mind, we’re have to ask – do you think the GMC Sierra 1500’s pricing jump between 2021 and 2025 is reasonable, or are these increases simply too steep? Let us know what you think by posting in the comments below.
Comments
Great info, though starting in 2019 (pre-COVID) may have been more telling. One thing not mentioned, is the fact that large discounts were the rule when purchasing a new truck prior to 2020. 15% off MSRP could be had without a lot of work. The average discount should be part of this comparison, adding significantly to this price surge.
Glad I ordered my Sierra regular cab in Dec ’20. Have since racked up 3400 miles on her. Vehicle prices seem to have mirrored housing prices. This is not sustainable. There needs to be a “reversion to the mean”. Trump may very well engineer a recession that will aid in getting the pricing reset.
Removing 10% of the buyers who were not part of normal planned population growth will significantly rebalance supply vs demand.
Employee pricing over at ford plus discounts. Gm better wake up. I purchased a 22 Colorado because of the prices of the Silverado. I’ll probably keep until my last days. V-6 and a 6 ft bed. Had a double cab Silverado 02 for 21 yrs but Gm is all about profits to pay for evs. Maybe the article should investigate how profits didn’t go to share holders, but lousy management.
Ya prices have gotten out of control and people have “impulsively” bought out of their means. The auto industry is in deep trouble with the amount of negative debt floating out in loans. I saw a video other day that showed a gentlemen paid $77k for a fully loaded SLT and 18 months later it was worth $42k. He is so far upside down it made me sick!!!! Things have to be reset. Plain and simple.
Ridiculous increases. Bought my 2021 with baby duramax fully loaded SLT (everything but Denali grille) for $54k thankfully prior to covid increases but no way would I buy another at this pricing. GM and all manufacturers are pricing trucks for folks who need, and use trucks, out of reach…these are great trucks, but don’t need all the extra electronics. Time for a reset!!!
People like this crack me up, you didn’t pony up for the higher model, so you tell everyone (while trying to convince yourself) the only difference is one minor item when that is not at all the truth. There are multiple items missing from your SLT as well as material quality. Just tell everyone you have an SLT, not big deal, no need to make false statements like you have EVERYTHING a Denali has minus the grille, because that is not true. Box check buyers are hilarious!
Easy answer: GM significantly raised prices on these models to be able to concurrently launch EVs and sell them at a significant loss. I don’t think it’s really complicated. Every Sierra buyer is also paying for a part of someone else’s Lyriq which actually should cost more than it does.
And funding Tesla through carbon credits
Interesting that the cheapest Sierra (PRO) saw biggest price increase. That doesn’t seem right?
This is basic economic 101, capitalism. Have sales dwindled down (for GM trucks) from 2020 to today like, lets say… Ram? No! So why a for-profit business like GM will lower prices when in their eyes they see fools buys their products at price gouging prices? Granted, raising interest rates helps slowing the consumer purchasing power which the low interest rates contributed to the ridiculous price increase we saw.
GM had recorded profits last year.