  GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado, 2007-2013. Click image to enlarge |
Review by Justin Pritchard
Vehicle Type: Full-size Pickup
History/Description: The all-new, direct-injected and high-tech GM pickups, the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado are hitting dealer lots across the country for model year 2014 – which has moved the last-generation model fully into used-truck territory, and under our microscope for this week’s used vehicle feature. Here we cover the GMC Sierra trims, but all the mechanical bits are the same for both trucks and vary more by trim and configuration than by brand.
Available from 2007 to 2013, the last-generation Sierra offered up numerous trim levels, driveline configurations, body styles and options packages to allow fine-tuning to a huge array of tastes and budgets. Shoppers can expect to find plenty of selection in the used market, and should expect no difficulty tracking down a model that precisely fits their needs.
Competitors included the Nissan Titan, Dodge Ram, Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra.
Engines / Trim: There’s a plethora of Sierra variations available. Models wearing the ‘WT’ badge are ‘work trucks’, namely simple, basically equipped and likely powered by GM’s 4.3L V6 engine.
An SLT model features common equipment upgrades bundled into a high-value package. Look for goodies like a locking rear differential, heavy-duty trailering package, upgraded wheels, chrome accents and heavy-duty cooling system provisions.
All-Terrain models got skid plates, a high-capacity air intake system, specially designed shocks and a variety of cosmetic upgrades. The Sierra Denali gave owners a taste of the motoring high-life with luxury features including Bose audio, leather seating, wood trim, climate-controlled seats and a touring-focused suspension calibration.
Across the lineup, look for available premium features like a power sliding rear window, heated leather seating, a sunroof, and a universal home remote. Remote start, power adjustable pedals, Bluetooth and automatic dual-zone climate control can be had as well.
Heavy-Duty and Hybrid model variants of the Sierra were also available, but we’ll cover those in another review.
Engines included the standard 4.3L V6, which was cheap and little else. Next up? A 4.8L V8 with 295 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque. Most owners say this engine turns in adequate power and decent fuel consumption during most tasks.
    GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado, 2007-2013. Click image to enlarge |
A 5.3L V8, which uses the same block and architecture as the 4.8L engine, made 315 horsepower and saved fuel via cylinder-deactivation technology called ‘Active Fuel Management’ (AFM). This was likely the most popular Sierra engine, and the one said by many owners to deliver strongly on both power and fuel mileage.
Select models got a 6.2L V8 with over 400 hp, which is badass and an ideal candidate for muffler removal if you like blasting V8 noises off nearby buildings and people.
On the driveline front, Sierra could be had as a two-wheel drive, 4×4 with transfer case, or automatic one-speed 4×4 system that operated like AWD. Transmission choices included a four or six-speed automatic depending on the year, and GM made some powertrain tweaks later in the Sierra’s life to help improve fuel economy.
From 2011 and on, an upgraded OnStar 9.0 system as also specified to help drivers connect more easily with their Smartphones.
What Owners Like: Seems like GM got the Sierra dialed in nicely, according to owners. Many of these rave about comfortable seats, a comfortable ride, good relative fuel mileage, great styling, and an underlying feel of toughness and strength to the Sierra’s platform and chassis. Words like ‘tough’, ‘dependable’, ‘solid’ and ‘comfortable’ tend to come up often in owner reviews. Luxurious touches are highly rated by owners of the Denali models, too. Finally, performance is rated very highly on models with the 6.2L V8, not surprisingly.
What Owners Dislike: Common complaints included a low-budget feel to some of the Sierra’s interior paneling and switchgear, excessive road noise on some models, weak air conditioning and high up-front initial pricing for the model. Limited rear-seat space on certain models, as well as difficulty parking, round out the typical complaints.
Here’s a list of owner reviews of the GMC Sierra
Owner Reviews (autoTRADER.ca)
Owner Reviews (autos.yahoo.com)
