2014 GMC Sierra

SPECIFICATIONS

1. Three new engines are offered, a 4.3L V6, a 5.3L V8 and a 6.2L V8 all with direct injection, cylinder deactivation and variable valve timing. 2. The volume 5.3L makes 355 and 383 lb-ft of torque with a 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway rating on 4x4 models. 3. Starting at $25,085 the Sierra can be optioned out to north of $50,000.

PREVIEW

General Motors is the only Detroit brand that sells its pickup trucks with two different badges on them. Chevrolet peddles the Silverado, while GMC sells the Sierra, virtually the same truck except for some style tweaks and packaging differences. This strategy allows the General to sell the Sierra for a higher starting price, and offer customers more choices across a wide range of configurations on both trucks.

But it seems that the packaging incentives meant to draw customers into the Sierra only catch a few prospective buyers, as Sierra sales only represent around 20 percent or less of the brand’s truck sales. But why? Does is have to do with value, or are ‘truck guys’ truly not into the added exterior bits that make the Sierra look a whole lot fancier than the Silverado.

INTERIOR

Interior upgrades for 2014 include a full redesign of the center stack, which features large redundant controls, rubberized toggle switches that feel great in hand and the addition of an all new infotainment system that puts an eight-inch touch screen in the center with a four-inch screen in the info cluster. If there was any one area where the previous generation of GM trucks was truly outdated, it was the interior. Finally, this issue has been solved.

Connectivity is easier now than ever before, with a total of five USB ports, three 12-volt power points, and a new 110-volt three-prong outlet. Storage abounds inside, and the center console even features file hangers, as well as two spots set aside specifically for cell phones and tablets.

Along with that, the 2014 Sierra has more legroom than ever before, with 40.9 inches of total rear legroom in the crew cab equipped trucks.

UNDER THE HOOD

To accent the new 2014 engine lineup, a revised coil-over-shock front suspension along with revised twin-tube shock absorbers with new valving are now equipped. Add in the new electric power steering and this new Sierra is smooth riding and easy to handle while cruising over many miles.

Steering-wheel weighting is variable and changes based on input and road conditions. At speed it’s heavy enough to feel connected, while in a parking lot situation it lightens and makes the truck easier to maneuver. This blend offers just enough feedback, but errs on the light side of things that allows miles to melt away without any unneeded driver fatigue.

Those dynamics mostly transfer over once some weight is hooked up to the Sierra and powertrain selection must be done carefully if towing is a full-time requirement. It comes down to a decision by GM to favor fuel economy over low-end torque in its new trucks, and it shows.

The largest rear-end differential ratio offered is a 3.73, falling short of what every other half-ton manufacturer offers. While a 5.3-liter V8 paired with a 3.08 rear end is rated at 6,800 lbs of towing capacity, actually sticking that much weight on the back of this rig doesn't feel so good. Yes, the Sierra can pull the weight, but the 383 lb-ft feels like significantly less once that much trailer is hitched up.