The Best Used GMC Sierra 1500 Years to Buy

July 8th, 2022 by

A black 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 is shown from the front at an angle while in the forest.

If you are an Atlanta resident in the market for a used pickup that won’t let you down and surpasses your expectations, visiting a used GMC dealership in Atlanta would be a wise choice. A wiser choice would be visiting us here at Rick Hendrick Buick GMC Duluth, your premier used GMC dealership, located conveniently in Duluth, GA, and allowing us to show you the amazing GMC Sierra 1500 half-ton pickup.

Mention the name GMC in casual conversation, and the topics of rugged dependability and earth-moving muscle will most likely be discussed in conjunction with it. GMC, the extension of GM that caters to the aficionados of finely crafted trucks, has certainly cornered the market in balancing peak performance and creature comforts to make a vehicle that works hard, plays hard, and can also handle any other task that happens to exist between the two, and the Sierra 1500 is no exception. Let’s take a look at some of the best model years for the Sierra so that you have a better idea of what years to look for when shopping used.

2019 GMC Sierra 1500

By many accounts, 2019 was a banner year for GMC, with their fleet being excellent across the board and gaining accolades from a variety of critics and consumers alike. While any discussion of the GMC Sierra usually involves its counterpart, the Chevy Silverado, many believe that this was the year the Sierra forged its own identity.

One of the biggest changes with the 2019 GMC Sierra was its multi-functional tailgate, and while it’s certainly considered an industry standard now, a few years ago, it was a move that changed the game as far as versatility was concerned. The Sierra was now also considered lighter than it had been in previous years, thanks to using mixed materials during manufacturing. The “diet” made the Sierra drop around 360 lbs. Most notable for that year was the AT4 trim, which provided a higher ground clearance and a 5.3L V-8 to compete with off-road trucks such as the Ford Raptor.

A grey 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 is shown from the front at an angle after leaving a 'used GMC dealership in Atlanta'.

2017 GMC Sierra 1500

For those who enjoy a truck with style and flair, the 2017 version of the GMC Sierra 1500 benefited from the redesign that occurred during the 2016 model year. The higher-up trim lines such as the Denali and SLT received high-grade LED headlights and a redesigned front grille that helped build upon the aesthetic of the Sierra as a formidable force in the truck world.

2017 was most notable for being the year where the Sierra got in touch with its tech-savviness. This year, the Sierra was equipped with GM’s Teen Driver program. This allowed parents to keep a close eye on the driving habits of their children and make sure that they were properly adhering to not only the rules of the road but the rules that their parents set for them as they learned responsible driving. Perhaps, for this reason, the 2017 Sierra would make a good choice for a younger driver’s first truck. It should also be noted that many insiders felt that the 2017 Sierra remains one of the best options for buying used.

The technology didn’t end there, as all GMC and Buick models were also outfitted with the IntelliLink driving assistance program, all controlled from the available 8” infotainment screen. However, one of the most impressive things about 2017 was the Sierra’s crash-test safety rating conducted by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). The government-mandated testing gave the 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 a five-star safety rating, the highest honor available.

2020 GMC Sierra 1500

For GMC, 2020 was a year where they would place more of an emphasis on variety, giving their customers a series of powertrain options that were as plentiful as they were versatile. For starters, the base offering was a V-6 with a horsepower rating of 285 and bolted onto a six-speed automatic transmission. For those hungry for a little bit more, a 5.3L V-8 with a horsepower rating of 355 was available with the base six or a more refined eight-speed automatic transmission. Of course, for those who were only satisfied with the very best in terms of performance, either a 6.2L V-8 capable of 420 horsepower or the much-celebrated Duramax Turbo Diesel could be had along with GM’s ten-speed automatic transmission for performance that left the competition far behind. Besides, the ability to easily two 12,200 lbs when the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 is properly equipped was quite appealing to the trailing types.

A red 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 is shown from the front on a lakeside while the owner unloads a bike from the bed.

2021 GMC Sierra 1500

This 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 had a slew of new features, and a bold and handsome interior design brought the truck to a new level of sophistication. While some have described current truck designs as the “new Cadillacs” in terms of size, luxury, and comfort, GMC seemed to embrace this sentiment and made it a part of the design of the Sierra’s interior cabin.

Symmetrical and anchored by its infotainment screen, the 2021 Sierra 1500 managed to achieve that much sought-after balance of sensibility, style, and ruggedness that many adventurers attempt to achieve on their outings. Speaking of which, GMC placed a considerable amount of detail in equipping their flagship truck with some of the best towing features for their drivers who were on board for the long haul. Towing features such as the jackknife alert and trailer-length indicator that gave drivers an extra set of eyes on traffic patterns and how they might hinder the towing process made the activity much easier, not to mention safer for towers and the vehicles they shared the road with.

For those who enjoyed traveling off the beaten path, active dampers and the further development of the AT4 off-road package helped further the individual identity of the GMC Sierra 1500 from its close relative, the Chevy Silverado 1500.

The World Is Yours With a Used GMC Sierra 1500

If you’re in the market for a used truck that won’t let you down and give you the absolute best in performance and versatility, then a used GMC Sierra 1500 can check all the boxes with relative ease. With so many makes and models to be found all around, only GMC is a brand that ages like a well-made vintage wine. With a variety of features, exquisite interior, and dominating powertrains, there’s very little that GMC can’t do for you. Visiting a dealer such as Rick Hendrick Buick GMC can provide you with the right vintage GMC to afford you the quality of life that many of us strive for. Contact us today to set up a test drive.