Trailer towing is the focus of several new technologies coming to the 2021 GMC Sierra pickup, with the new features available on both the Sierra 1500 and Sierra HD. The Sierra 2021 also sees greater availability of GMC’s MultiPro tailgate, a price cut for the available 3.0-liter Duramax turbo diesel six, and a new Black Diamond Edition of the Sierra HD.
Pickup manufacturers are engaged in an arms race with trailers. The GMC Sierra offers all of its ProGrade Trailering package with a “Transparent Trailer” virtual camera view and a Rear Trailer View that uses an additional camera mounted on the rear of the trailer. GMC is adding a trailer length indicator that can warn drivers of another vehicle in the adjacent lane during a signaled lane change. A new Jack-Knife Alert warns the driver when the front of the trailer approaches the rear of the towing vehicle. The warning appears on the center screen and may also cause seat vibration. The previous split-screen rear side view now also works when reversing and adapts to the angle of the trailer. The Cargo Bed View now includes a zoom function and pull guide for coupling gooseneck trailers. Finally, the previous Rear Trailer View adds a trailer angle indicator and dynamic guides.
Other equipment news: The six-position MultiPro tailgate is available new on the Sierra 1500 SEL and Elevation trims and standard on the Sierra HD SLE. The chic Sierra HD Denali adds Surround Vision and Bed View cameras to the list of standard equipment.
The standard and optional engine choices for the Sierra are unchanged for 2021, but the price of the optional 3.0-liter turbo diesel engine in the Sierra 1500 will be reduced by $ 1,500. For 2021, on models where the 5.3-liter V8 is standard (SLT, AT4 and Denali), the additional cost will be $ 995. For the SLE and Elevation, where the 2.7-liter V6 is standard, the cost to upgrade to the diesel is now $ 2,390, down again from $ 1,500.
Finally, the Sierra HD adds a Denali Black Diamond Edition. It includes 20-inch gloss black wheels, electrically retractable running boards, premium audio from Kicker, an additional trailer camera, sensors for the trailer tire pressure monitor, and premium floor mats with removable carpet inserts. It is available in any color you want as long as it is Ebony Twilight Metallic. The Black Diamond Edition is pictured above.
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