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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $34,340–$45,607 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.4/10, the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 earns a Good rating among the trucks we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.7/10, while Technology at 6.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional truck — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We rate reliability at 6.7/10 — below the segment average in our scoring. Budget for potentially higher maintenance costs and check the recall record below before buying. On safety it earns 7.9/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.7/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.5/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $34,340–$45,607, 16 MPG, seating 5, the GMC Sierra 1500 sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. The 8.7/10 value score is the headline: relative to what it costs, this truck delivers more than most of the class. At 7 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500, but it needs the right buyer. Its reliability and performance and technology scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 ranks #251 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 51% of the segment. Its 7.4/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $34,340 starting price sits close to the segment's median of $35,138.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking → · Best Trucks under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 scores 7.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2019's 7.4 — and starts roughly $3,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.6/10 | $41,612 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.5/10 | $40,400 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.5/10 | $39,188 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.5/10 | $37,976 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.4/10 | $36,764 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.3/10 | $35,552 | Read review → |
| 2019 (this review) | 7.4/10 | $34,340 | |
| 2018 | 7.2/10 | $33,128 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.2/10 | $31,916 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.1/10 | $30,704 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.2/10 | $29,492 | Read review → |
| 2014 | 6.8/10 | $22,400 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Tires 25/02/2021 · 21V115000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC… |
|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip / Abs warning light 12/12/2019 · 19V889000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Cadillac CT6, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. Due to an Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) software error, the vehicle's Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Antilock Brake… |
| Electrical system / 12v/24v/48v battery / Cables 12/12/2019 · 19V888000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks. The battery positive (B+) cable rings may have been manufactured with excessive glue, potentially causing an intermittent electrical connection… |
| Seat belts 17/12/2020 · 20V792000 | General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt… |
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Power assist 30/01/2020 · 20V055000 | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. These vehicles received updated software for the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM). This software has an error, and as a result, the vehicle's… |
Showing 5 of 10 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500's reliability 6.7/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 10 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
10 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.4/10 overall, ranking #251 of 515 trucks in our database (better than 51% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 starts at $34,340 and ranges up to $45,607 across trims (MSRP when new). At 16 MPG, expect roughly $3,281/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other trucks at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of GMC models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
