GMC's Sierra 1500 pick-up shares its chassis and powertrains with the Chevrolet Silverado, but it presents itself as a more premium but still more heavy-duty version of the same truck. While under the skin the siblings are the same, the Sierra offers some differences to set it above. There are the bold "C" shaped LED accent lights and a bolder grille with more chrome. The tail lights have more LED lighting as well. GMC also gets the more premium Denali trim at the top of the range, which is still somewhat more luxurious than Chevy's High Country. The Sierra is also a more rare truck if you want a GM pickup that stands out a little bit more.
Otherwise, the Sierra gives you all of the full-size-truck-goodness the Silverado does. The dash is better than the competition and the truck is quiet inside. It's not as tall as the competition, which makes it easier to get in and out. The truck also weighs in quite close to the Ford F-150, despite lacking Ford's aluminum construction. The Sierra was facelifted for 2016, so there aren't many changes this year. The MyLink system adds Android Auto, teen driver mode is new, and the fuel filler is now capless.
There is a wide range of cab choices: regular, the small rear-door Double cab, and full four-door Crew cab. Regular cab models come with short (6'6")or long (8') box, Double cab comes with the short box, and Crew cab models get either the short box or an even shorter (5'8") box. The trim levels start with cloth seat and vinyl floor Sierra, and progress up through SLE, SLT, All Terrain, and end with leather everything Denali. Sierra and SLE are available in all cabs, with SLT and All Terrain in double or crew. Denali is crew cab only.
The base engine is a 4.3L V6 that produces 285 hp and 305 lb-ft. That engine comes with a six-speed automatic. Next up is a 5.3L V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft. That engine gets the six-speed auto, and is standard on SLT, All Terrain and Denali (which gets it with an eight-speed). Top engine is a 6.2L V8 with 420 hp. It's optional on SLT, All Terrain and Denali, and comes with the eight-speed auto.
Base Sierra trim gets cloth manual seats and a vinyl floor. This is the one that's intended to be a real work truck. Carpeted floors are an option though. It has power locks, air conditioning and cruise control, but the windows are manual, as are the mirrors. It also comes with chrome bumpers front and rear.
SLE adds LED lights under the bed rails to light up the box. The mirrors are now power, as are the windows. Keyless entry is present, and the floor is carpet. The radio upgrades from the 4.2-inch screen of the base to an 8.0-inch touchscreen. A rear-view camera is standard.
SLT adds telescoping adjustment to the leather wrapped wheel. The seats are leather with 10-way adjustment. 4x4 SLT models get a locking rear differential.
All Terrain gets body-coloured bumpers, door handles, and grille. The four-wheel drive system adds automatic control, with low range. The suspension gains Rancho shocks and there are underbody skid plates to improve off-road performance. There are unique 20-inch wheels, hill descent control, and an off-road inclinometer to tell you how far you're tipping on the trail.
Top of the line Denali has LED headlights, and heated and ventilated leather seats. They have 12-way adjustment and embroidered Denali logos. The rear window is power sliding with defrost. Safety features include GMC's enhanced driver alert package which adds lane guidance, forward collision alert, automatic high beams, park assist, and automatic braking. The stereo is a Bose system and includes navigation.
As with most trucks, there are a large number of special trims that will come and go throughout the year. Some are appearance only, with different bumpers or wheels, but some will add features like power seats or windows to the lower trims.
Sierra models with the 4.3L V6 are rated for 13.4 L/100 km city, 10.0 highway with two-wheel drive, and 14.1/10.6 with four-wheel drive. 5.3L V8 models are rated for 14.6/10.3 and 15.0/10.7 (two-wheel and four-wheel drive) with the six-speed and 15.2/10.7 and 15.9/11.5 with the eight-speed. 6.2L trucks are rated at 15.9/11.2 and 16.0/11.7.
