GMC Sierra 1500 Cost to Own
By CarWhere Research · Updated
A 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 costs about $60,535 over 5 years and 75,000 miles in depreciation, fuel and insurance. Depreciation is the biggest share at $34,953 (51.1% of the median new price); fuel $19,172 and national-average insurance $6,410 make up the rest. Scheduled maintenance, repairs and registration fees come on top.
5-year total
$60,535
depreciation + fuel + insurance
Depreciation
$34,953
51.1% of new price
Fuel
$19,172
$3,834/yr
Insurance
$6,410
national average
5-year cost-to-own breakdown
Assumptions: 5 years, 15,000 miles a year (75,000 total), bought new. Every line shows its formula and source.
| Line | 5 years | Per year | How it’s calculated | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depreciation | $34,953 | $6,991 | $68,401 median new price (2026) × 51.1% below new for 5-year-old (2021) listings | CarWhere depreciation study |
| Fuel | $19,172 | $3,834 | 75,000 mi ÷ 17 MPG × $4.153/gal regular, $6.292/gal diesel, $5.158/gal premium (median of 22 EPA versions) | EPA × EIA November 2, 2026 |
| Insurance | $6,410 | $1,282 | U.S. average expenditure per insured car (2023) × 5 years. Not specific to the Sierra 1500. | NAIC, by state |
| Scheduled maintenance | See note | — | GMC First Service Visit (First scheduled service visit for new GMC owners) is included; beyond its terms, the GMC schedule below applies. No manufacturer-published service prices. | GMC schedule |
| Registration and fees | Varies by state | — | State registration, title and taxes. | State title guides |
| Total | $60,535 | $12,107 | Depreciation + fuel + national-average insurance. Maintenance, repairs and fees not included. | |
Depreciation
New Sierra 1500s list for a median $68,401 (61,758 listings). In CarWhere’s used-market study, 2021 models (5 years old) list 51.1% below that, so a Sierra 1500 loses about $34,953 in its first five years.
| Model year | Age | Median listing | Below new | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 | $33,467 | 51.1% | 3,272 |
Fuel
The EPA rates the 2026 Sierra 1500 at 17 MPG combined; 15–25 MPG across 22 EPA-listed versions. At $4.153/gal regular, $6.292/gal diesel, $5.158/gal premium (EIA, week of November 2, 2026), 75,000 miles cost about $19,172, or $3,834 a year.
EPA versions included: Sierra 2WD, Sierra 2WD with Sport Mode, Sierra 4WD, Sierra 4WD (Municipal), Sierra 4WD AT4X, Sierra 4WD AT4X with Sport Mode, Sierra 4WD FFV, Sierra 4WD with Sport Mode, Sierra Mud Terrain Tires 4WD, Sierra Mud Terrain Tires 4WD (Municipal), Sierra Mud Terrain Tires 4WD (Sport Mode), Sierra Mud Terrain Tires 4WD FFV, Sierra Mud Terrain Tires with Sport Mode.
Insurance
Insurance varies by driver, location and coverage. Across all insured cars, U.S. drivers spent an average of $1,282 a year in 2023 (NAIC); see car insurance cost by state for your state’s average.
Is the Sierra 1500 expensive to maintain?
GMC's published oil-change interval: condition-based: GM Engine Oil Life System. GMC First Service Visit: first scheduled service visit for new GMC owners. For the Sierra 1500: spark plugs: 60,000 mi (2.7L Turbo) / 97,500 mi (V8); transfer case fluid: 100,000 mi normal, 50,000 mi severe. We list the schedule rather than a dollar figure because GMC doesn't publish service prices.
For repair patterns owners report, see Sierra 1500 known issues.
GMC First Service Visit
Term: First scheduled service visit for new GMC owners (at a participating dealer); no time window stated on this page
Covers: Oil and oil filter change, four-tire rotation, Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection
Source: GMC Certified Service — Maintenance (first service visit)
Oil changes
Normal: Condition-based: GM Engine Oil Life System. Check oil and oil-life % every 7,500 mi; change oil/filter when CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON appears (within 600 mi). Change at least once a year regardless. If reset accidentally, service within 3,000 mi of last service.
Severe or special conditions: Same system; under severe use the indicator may call for a change before 7,500 mi.
Oil: dexos1-spec oil; SAE 0W-20 for 5.3L and 6.2L V8; SAE 5W-30 for 2.7L Turbo L4
Source: 2026 GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner's Manual — Maintenance Schedule (GM-hosted PDF)
Sierra 1500-specific notes
- 2026 model-year manual (2025 full manual PDF not located; 2025 quick guide only)
- Spark plugs: 60,000 mi (2.7L Turbo) / 97,500 mi (V8)
- Transfer case fluid: 100,000 mi normal, 50,000 mi severe
- Diesel (Duramax) fluids covered in a separate supplement — not collected
Source: 2026 GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner's Manual — Maintenance Schedule (GM-hosted PDF)
More Sierra 1500 research
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to own a GMC Sierra 1500?
A 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 costs about $60,535 over 5 years and 75,000 miles in depreciation, fuel and insurance. Depreciation is the biggest share at $34,953 (51.1% of the median new price); fuel $19,172 and national-average insurance $6,410 make up the rest. Scheduled maintenance, repairs and registration fees come on top.
Is the Sierra 1500 expensive to maintain?
GMC's published oil-change interval: condition-based: GM Engine Oil Life System. GMC First Service Visit: first scheduled service visit for new GMC owners. For the Sierra 1500: spark plugs: 60,000 mi (2.7L Turbo) / 97,500 mi (V8); transfer case fluid: 100,000 mi normal, 50,000 mi severe. We list the schedule rather than a dollar figure because GMC doesn't publish service prices.
Is the Sierra 1500 expensive to insure?
Insurance varies by driver, location and coverage, and CarWhere doesn't publish model-specific premiums. Across all insured cars, U.S. drivers spent an average of $1,282 a year (NAIC, 2023), or $6,410 over 5 years; our state-by-state study shows the average where you live.
How much does a Sierra 1500 depreciate in 5 years?
In CarWhere's used-market study, 5-year-old Sierra 1500s (model year 2021) list for 51.1% below the median new price of $68,401, about $34,953 of lost value.
How much does a Sierra 1500 cost to fuel per year?
About $3,834 a year at 15,000 miles, based on the EPA rating of 17 MPG combined; 15–25 MPG across 22 EPA-listed versions and $4.153/gal regular, $6.292/gal diesel, $5.158/gal premium (EIA, week of November 2, 2026).
Sources and method
Formula: 5-year total = depreciation (median new price × % below new at age 5) + fuel (75,000 mi ÷ EPA combined MPG × EIA national price, or kWh/100 mi × EIA residential rate for EVs) + insurance (NAIC national average expenditure × 5). Lines without a citable source are left blank.
- CarWhere car depreciation by model study — CarWhere Research (data as of 2026-10-25)
- Fuel economy data (vehicles.csv) — U.S. EPA / DOE, fueleconomy.gov
- Weekly U.S. retail gasoline and diesel prices — U.S. Energy Information Administration (week of November 2, 2026)
- Auto Insurance Database Report (average expenditure) — NAIC, via CarWhere state study (2023 data)
- 2026 GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 Owner's Manual — Maintenance Schedule (GM-hosted PDF) — GMC (opened 2026-11-06)
- GMC Certified Service — Maintenance (first service visit) — GMC (opened 2026-11-06)