PREVIEW
Modern pickup trucks serve not just as hauling and towing workhorses, but daily drivers and family shuttles as well. Of course, the grunt work requires some muscle, so it's no surprise that in the past buyers usually passed on the base V6 engines and opted for substantially stronger (but thirstier) V8s. But with the increased emphasis on fuel economy lately, manufacturers have been beefing up their trucks' six-cylinder engines, and the redesigned 2014 GMC Sierra has joined the party. Among its many improvements, this all-new Sierra has a competitive V6 engine that will meet the needs of a great many truck buyers.
Of course, the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 still offers V8 power in the form of burly 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter mills, which now benefit from direct fuel injection and cylinder deactivation for better power and efficiency. However, if you like the Sierra's generous passenger/cargo space but don't have massive hauling/towing requirements, the new 4.3-liter V6 should more than suffice. It makes 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque and can tow up to 7,200 pounds when properly equipped. Fuel economy ratings are impressive as well, with an estimated 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway on two-wheel-drive models.
In addition to getting a stronger base V6 engine, the GMC Sierra has shed some pounds in this redesign, so there's not quite so much truck to move around in the first place. A regular cab model with the V6 and a 6.5-foot pickup bed, for example, weighs 250 fewer pounds than its predecessor. This year also brings revised suspension tuning for a smoother ride, forward-hinged rear doors on extended cab models (in place of the awkward, reverse-opening half doors on the old Sierra) and newly available safety features such as a forward collision-alert system, a lane-departure warning system and trailer sway control.
Although the new Sierra retains the boxy, all-business look of previous GMC Sierras, the automaker's designers have modernized the styling a bit. Among the updates are a massive new grille, revised bumpers and more sculpted sheet metal around the wheelwells. Those who regularly haul a lot of people and cargo will be pleased to know that the Sierra 1500 crew cab now offers a 6.5-foot cargo box in addition to the previous 5.75-foot box. Inside, GMC has upgraded the Sierra's upholstery, dash and door-panel materials, and you can now get an 8-inch touchscreen display with the brand's IntelliLink infotainment interface (the GMC equivalent of Chevy's MyLink) and smartphone integration.
All told, the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 is fully competitive with its long-time and similarly capable rivals, the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 as well as the Toyota Tundra. This is especially true now that GMC offers a V6 engine that promises ample performance along with good fuel economy. With such a strong group of choices, your pick for a full-size pickup may come down to feature availability or even styling preference.
FEATURES
The 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 is a full-size pickup offered in a variety of cab/cargo-bed configurations in both two- and four-wheel drive. Body styles include regular cab, extended (double) cab and crew cab. Regular cabs can be had with either a 6.5-foot standard bed or an 8-foot bed. Extended cabs come with the 6.5-foot standard bed, while crew cabs can be had with either a 5.75-foot short bed or the 6.5-foot standard bed.
Regular cabs can be had in base or midlevel SLE trims. Double cabs and crew cabs are available in base, SLE, well-appointed SLT and off-road-oriented Z71 trims.
The base Sierra comes with 17-inch steel wheels, chrome bumpers and grille, air-conditioning, cruise control, power windows and door locks, a tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, rubber floor covering, a 40/20/40-split front bench seat and a four-speaker AM/FM sound system with a 4-inch color display and USB and auxiliary inputs.
The SLE adds stainless steel finish wheels, deep-tint glass, an "E-Z" lift/lower tailgate, LED cargo box lighting, power/heated mirrors, keyless entry, a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, adjustable driver lumbar support, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, OnStar telematics, a color driver information display and an upgraded IntelliLink audio system (with an 8-inch color display, satellite radio, HD radio, Pandora radio, a CD player and voice control functionality).
Stepping up to the SLT adds chrome trim, 18-inch alloy wheels, remote starting, power folding mirrors, a trailer towing package, universal garage opener, an anti-theft system, a rear window defroster, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, power-adjustable pedals, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 110-volt power outlet, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated eight-way power driver and passenger front seats and driver-seat memory settings.
The Z71 trim, which is added atop the SLE or SLT, features off-road-oriented hardware such as special shock absorbers, a heavy-duty air cleaner, hill-descent control, underbody shields, recovery hooks and a few unique exterior and interior styling tweaks.
Many of the items on the upper trim levels are offered on the lower ones as options, while other available features (depending on trim level and configuration) include various axle ratios, a power sliding rear window, a power sunroof, side steps, parking sensors, ventilated front seats, a Bose audio system, a navigation system and a rear-seat entertainment system with a Blu-Ray player. Notably, the Max Trailering package features an integrated trailer brake controller, heavier-duty suspension calibration and a higher-capacity radiator.
Another key option group is the Driver Alert package, which features a lane-departure warning system, a forward collision-alert system, a safety alert seat, and front and rear parking sensors. There are a few other packages available as well -- highlights include 20-inch wheels, side steps, front and rear parking sensors and a power sliding rear window.
INTERIOR
With this redesign, all-new cab structures bring improved structural stiffness and crashworthiness to the 2014 model. GMC also improved the cabin quality on lower trims, on which materials and build quality are noticeably better. There are also more bins and cubbies than before, and SLT trims have up to five USB ports to keep all your devices charged and happy. The IntelliLink system deserves special mention for its available 8-inch touchscreen that features clear, intuitive controls; redundant knobs and buttons; and a very effective voice command interface. You'll use this interface to take care of most navigation, audio and phone functions in the GMC Sierra.
With a choice of bench or buckets (depending on trim level) up front, as well as available heating, ventilation and adjustable lumbar support, the Sierra's thickly padded seats promise plenty of long-trip comfort. Although the cabs' basic dimensions are unchanged from those of last year, there is a smidge more rear legroom than before, and front occupants have more fore/aft seat adjustment range.
Gone are the awkward reverse-opening rear doors of the previous extended cab, as the newly minted double cab has traditional forward-hinged doors that make it much easier to get in and out of the backseat. The new cabin also rides on improved body mounts for reduced noise and vibration, while clambering into the bed is made easier by clever steps and handholds built into each rear corner.
UNDER THE HOOD
Standard on all but the SLT trim is a 4.3-liter V6 with 285 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque. As with all other Sierra 1500 engines, it comes matched to a six-speed automatic transmission and either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. Maximum towing capacity, when properly equipped, is fairly generous at 7,200 pounds. GMC estimates fuel economy to be 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway for rear-wheel drive. With 4WD, it drops to 17/22.
The 5.3-liter V8, which is standard on the SLT and optional on other Sierras, makes 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. Properly equipped, trucks with this engine can tow up to 11,400 pounds. With rear-wheel drive, Sierras with the 5.3-liter V8 will achieve 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined (16/22/18 for 4WD), the EPA says.
Optional on the SLT is a 6.2-liter V8 (late availability). GMC has yet to release its power, fuel economy and towing numbers.
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