2012 GMC Sierra 1500: What's New, Specs & Features

Last updated August 4, 2026

The 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 received a light update led by trailer sway control, which was added to the stability system on most models. The basic truck, engine lineup, and trim structure otherwise carried over from 2011.

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About the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500

GMT900 Sierra 1500 generation (2007-2013), late-cycle year before the 2014 redesign.

GMC marketed the Sierra as a "Professional Grade" full-size pickup: a truck built to do real work but with a quieter, more comfortable feel than many rivals. Its identity in 2012 was breadth and flexibility—multiple cab and bed layouts, several V6/V8 choices, a fuel-saving Hybrid, and upscale SLT and Denali trims—so buyers could get anything from a basic job truck to a luxury pickup without leaving the Sierra range.

The 2012 lineup stretches from the job-focused Work Truck and mainstream SLE to the leather-lined SLT and Denali. Denali stands out with a 6.2-liter V8, heated and cooled front seats, and a heated steering wheel, while the Hybrid and XFE models focus on using less fuel.

What changed, by category

Safety

Trailer sway control was added through the stability system on Sierra 1500 models, helping the truck respond when a trailer begins moving side to side. The Hybrid did not receive this feature. Denali’s rearview camera also changed from optional to standard.

Tech and equipment

Trucks equipped with navigation switched from a DVD-based system to a newer hard-drive-based setup. On Denali, cooled front seats and the heated steering wheel changed from optional to standard.

2012 GMC Sierra 1500 specs and features by trim

Feature	2012 GMC Sierra 1500SL0 in stock	2012 GMC Sierra 1500SLE0 in stock	2012 GMC Sierra 1500SLT0 in stock	2012 GMC Sierra 1500XFE0 in stock	2012 GMC Sierra 1500Denali0 in stock	2012 GMC Sierra 1500Hybrid0 in stock	2012 GMC Sierra 1500Work Truck0 in stock
Engine	V8, Flex Fuel, 4.8 Liter	V8, Flex Fuel, 4.8 Liter / V8, Flex Fuel, 5.3 Liter / V8, Flex Fuel, 6.2 Liter	V8, Flex Fuel, 5.3 Liter / V8, Flex Fuel, 6.2 Liter	V8, Flex Fuel, 5.3 Liter	V8, Flex Fuel, 6.2 Liter	V8, Hybrid, 6.0 Liter	V6, 4.3 Liter / V8, Flex Fuel, 4.8 Liter / V8, Flex Fuel, 5.3 Liter
Transmission	Automatic, 4-Spd w/Overdrive	Automatic, 4-Spd w/Overdrive / Automatic, 6-Spd HD	Automatic, 6-Spd HD	Automatic, 6-Spd HD	Automatic, 6-Spd HD	Automatic, EVT	Automatic, 4-Spd w/Overdrive / Automatic, 6-Spd HD
Drivetrain	4WD / 2WD	2WD / 4WD	4WD / 2WD	2WD	AWD	4WD	2WD / 4WD
Fuel Type	Flexible Fuel	Flexible Fuel	Flexible Fuel	Flexible Fuel	Flexible Fuel	Hybrid	Gas / Flexible Fuel
MPG City	14 mpg	13–15 mpg	13–15 mpg	15 mpg	13 mpg	20 mpg	14–15 mpg
MPG Highway	19 mpg	18–21 mpg	18–21 mpg	22 mpg	18 mpg	23 mpg	19–22 mpg
Horsepower	302 hp	302–403 hp	315–403 hp	315 hp	403 hp		195–315 hp
Torque	305 lb-ft	305–417 lb-ft	335–417 lb-ft	335 lb-ft	417 lb-ft	367 lb-ft	260–335 lb-ft
Max Towing	5500–6700 lb	9100–10400 lb	9300–10700 lb	7000 lb	9400 lb	6100 lb	9300–10000 lb
Rear Legroom	34.3–38.7 in	34.3–38.7 in	34.3–38.7 in	38.7 in	38.7 in	38.7 in	34.3–38.7 in
Seats	6	3–6	5	6	5	6	3–6
Doors	4	2–4	4	4	4	4	2–4
Safety & Security
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
Alarm System
Hill Start Assist
Rear Parking Sensors
Rear View Camera
Exterior Features
Alloy Wheels
Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors
Fog Lights
Heated Mirrors
Power Moonroof
Power Folding Exterior Mirrors
Power Mirrors
Privacy Glass
Side Steps
Tow Hooks
Entertainment & Electronics
Bluetooth
Front DVD Entertainment System
Navigation System
Rear DVD Entertainment System
Satellite Radio
Subwoofer
USB Ports
Comfort & Convenience
Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror
Cooled Seats
Dual Power Front Seats
Dual-Zone Climate Control
Heated Front Seats
Heated Steering Wheel
Integrated Garage Door Opener
Leather Seats
Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
Memory Driver's Seat
Power Adjustable Pedals
Power Windows
Remote Start
Tilt Wheel

How the 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 compares

The 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 is mostly a carryover. Its main change is automatic grade braking in normal transmission mode for trucks pairing the 5.3L or 6.2L V8 with the six-speed automatic.

See the full 2013 changes

Frequently asked questions

Was the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 redesigned?

No. The 2012 Sierra 1500 was a light update within the generation sold from 2007 through 2013, not a full redesign. Its basic design, trim structure, engines, and transmissions largely carried over from 2011.

What was the biggest change to the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500?

Trailer sway control was the biggest change for 2012. It was added to the stability system on most Sierra 1500 models to help manage side-to-side trailer movement.

Did the 2012 Sierra 1500 Hybrid get trailer sway control?

No. The 2012 Sierra 1500 Hybrid did not receive the trailer sway control added to the rest of the lineup.

What changed on the 2012 Sierra 1500 Denali?

The 2012 Denali made its rearview camera, cooled front seats, and heated steering wheel standard rather than optional. It also received trailer sway control as part of the stability system.

How does the 2012 Sierra 1500 differ from the 2011 model?

The 2012 Sierra 1500 mainly adds trailer sway control, a hard-drive-based navigation system on navigation-equipped trucks, and more standard equipment on Denali. Otherwise, the two model years are broadly similar.