My Biggest Hesitation With the GMC Sierra EV Denali Was Whether the Tech Would Live Up to My Two Teslas, But in My Opinion It’s Even Better

It's thrilling getting into a brand-new electric truck for the first time that fills you with both excitement and skepticism, especially if you’re coming from a world-class benchmark like Tesla. You start wondering: Will the tech measure up? Will the software feel smooth? Will the app actually work when I need it most? For Omi Saddai, a dual-Tesla owner, those were the exact thoughts going through his mind when he took delivery of his new GMC Sierra EV Denali. But after putting the truck to the test through scenic drives, road trips, and even off-road terrain, his impression of the Sierra EV might surprise you. Here’s what he had to say in the “GMC Sierra EV Group” on Facebook: 

“I absolutely love this truck. I own two Teslas, so my biggest hesitation was whether the tech would live up to what I’m used to — but in my opinion, it’s even better. The infotainment system is intuitive, responsive, and doesn’t require any adapters. It comes with a built-in multi-system charging capacity, which makes it easy to use Tesla, EVgo, Electrify America, and more. We’ve already taken it on a few adventures — from the sand dunes at Yuba State Park all the way down to San Diego from Salt Lake City — and it’s been such a fun and comfortable ride.

Only a couple of downsides so far:

1. Because the truck is so new, it’s hard to find aftermarket gadgets and accessories (like screen protectors or custom upgrades).
2. Switching between the radio and Spotify seems clunky. I can’t easily access regular radio stations or switch inputs unless the vehicle is parked.

Still, these are small trade-offs for what’s otherwise an incredible vehicle. I highly recommend it!”

A Truck That Redefines Expectations

That kind of enthusiasm coming from a long-time Tesla owner is worth paying attention to, especially in a time when buyers are looking for alternatives that match or surpass the tech-forward experience of a Model 3, Y, or X. GMC’s Sierra EV Denali doesn’t just promise luxury and capability, but it brings a surprising level of refinement and functional tech that even skeptical early adopters like Omi have come to appreciate.

The fact that Omi is already racking up miles through adventurous terrain and cross-state road trips only reinforces the growing reputation of the Sierra EV as a versatile powerhouse. Another owner even dubbed it an “engineering marvel” after it powered an entire mobile setup during a 10-hour flood cleanup, still having range left to drive home.

The Tech Debate: Not Everyone’s Convinced

However, not everyone in the comment section agreed with Omi’s take on the tech superiority. That’s where the story gets even more interesting.

Matt Mojeski jumped in with a counterpoint that was direct but fair: “I thoroughly disagree. Software is lacking Tesla by a large margin. With that being said though, the fit and finish is better and they underpromised and over delivered on the range. If this truck had the same software as a Tesla it would be unstoppable.”

And that’s an understandable take. Tesla’s software dominance didn’t happen overnight, and many argue it still hasn’t been matched, especially when it comes to real-time over-the-air updates, navigation smarts, and seamless app integration. The GMC app, while improving, still has catching up to do when compared to what Tesla offers through its long-polished phone app experience.

James Seeliger echoed a similar sentiment: “Better tech than a Tesla? Hardly. I own both and even though I love my truck, it's not even close to being on par with my wife's Model X technology. Especially the phone app.”

Finding the Accessories and the Perspective

And yet, that doesn’t seem to be a dealbreaker for Sierra EV owners. Because when you factor in things like build quality, road presence, and charging flexibility, the conversation becomes much broader than just software comparisons.

Plus, when it comes to Omi’s complaint about the lack of accessories, Irv Parke was quick to offer some helpful perspective. “Put your truck in the search on Amazon... all kinds of accessories. This is the third model year of it so there is stuff. I have a ‘24 First Edition and lots of stuff to take your money. Trust me.”

Many new owners might not immediately realize that even if your truck feels brand new, there’s already a growing aftermarket world ready to cater to it. Accessories may not be as widely discussed as with Ford’s F-150 Lightning or Tesla’s Model 3, but they’re out there. You just have to know where to look.

Still Room for Improvement

For buyers who are cross-shopping this truck with other options, stories like this one from a former 3500HD diesel driver who switched to a GMC Sierra EV Max Range are becoming increasingly common. With solar charging options, savings on fuel, and surprising towing confidence for an EV, the Sierra EV is reshaping what it means to own a full-size electric truck.

But it hasn’t all been perfect. Some early adopters of the Edition 1 model have reported frustrations around missing features and delivery confusion, issues that GMC still needs to iron out as more trims hit the market. One such story captured attention after a buyer documented how they ended up swapping their problematic Edition 1 for a Sierra 2500 HD after being misled about what features their EV truck would include. It’s a reminder that the growing pains of a new EV platform aren’t fully behind us yet.

But from my perspective, I think what’s unfolding here is less about a direct tech showdown between GMC and Tesla, and more about how different brands are redefining what tech should feel like. Tesla’s brilliance has always been in delivering minimalist and software-first innovation, while GMC seems to be focusing on real-world usability and traditional ergonomics enhanced by EV smarts. 

You might not get something like Sentry Mode in the Sierra EV—although we don't know what the future holds—but what you do get is a truck that feels well-built, thoughtfully designed, and capable in many different ways.

Key Takeaways

• If you’re coming from Tesla, don’t be surprised if the GMC Sierra EV Denali’s infotainment system and real-world tech features impress you more than expected.

• While Tesla still holds the crown when it comes to software integration and phone app utility, GMC has proven that it can also offer a complete driving and charging experience across multiple networks.

• Complaints about limited accessories may be overstated, especially with more third-party vendors catching up to support the growing Sierra EV lineup.

• Range, ride quality, and adventure-readiness are quickly becoming top reasons why some truck owners are going electric with GMC.

• However, some early Edition 1 buyers face delivery letdowns and missing features, reminding us that GMC still has room to refine its rollout strategy.

Your Turn to Share

Do you think the tech in traditional automakers is finally catching up? Or are they still playing catch-up in key areas with automakers like Tesla?

And if you've looked into owning the Sierra EV, what has been the factor stopping you from making your decision? 

Your insights always bring us a fresh perspective, so I’d love to hear what you have to say in the comments below.

Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.

Image Sources: The “GMC Sierra EV Group” public Facebook group and GMC’s gallery, respectively.