Overview & Reviews

The pickup truck has long been a mainstay of American byways and highways, and GMC has been there from day one. Originally used and respected by farmers, construction workers and small-business owners, GMC's hauler was a basic workhorse known for its reliability and longevity. More recent times have seen GMC's full-size truck adopt the name Sierra. And thanks to a variety of body styles, powertrains and trim levels, the Sierra is as adept at serving as the weekday family car as it is at transporting home-improvement supplies or towing a boat on the weekends.

Older versions of the GMC Sierra 1500 pickup have been praised for their strong work ethic, but soundly criticized for their bland, cheap cabins. With the newer generations, however, fit and finish is notably better. Of course, there are other choices in the full-size pickup truck market, but the Sierra 1500 remains a solid pick no matter what the intended use.

Current GMC Sierra 1500
Redesigned for 2014, the latest GMC Sierra 1500 is both trimmer and stronger than before. The V6-powered regular cab truck, for example, is about 250 pounds lighter this year while the engine lineup, particularly the V6, benefits from higher output and efficiency. Other changes for the new Sierra 1500 include revised suspension tuning for a smoother ride, forward-hinged rear doors on extended cab models and newly available safety features.

This full-size pickup is offered in regular cab, extended (double) cab and crew cab body styles with various bed lengths. Trim levels consist of base, well-equipped SLE, luxurious SLT and off-road-oriented Z71, and there is a choice of either two- or four-wheel drive.

All but the SLT come standard with a 4.3-liter V6 that makes 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque, enough muscle to tow up to 7,200 pounds. The 5.3-liter V8 (standard on the SLT and optional on other Sierras) makes 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. Both engines come matched to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The new V6 is vastly superior to the old V6, not only in terms of power and performance but also refinement. Of course, the 5.3-liter V8 delivers strong acceleration as long as you're not shy about laying onto the gas pedal when needed -- it has a rather lazy response otherwise. The six-speed automatic provides smooth and timely shifts and the Sierra 1500's towing performance is commendable.

Overall ride and handling dynamics are solid, as the GMC Sierra 1500 feels robust structurally, yet compliant and comfortable over broken pavement. Models fitted with the Max Trailering package, however, have a noticeably stiffer ride that can grow tiresome. The newest Sierra is also very quiet, even at higher freeway speeds. On serpentine roads, the GMC goes around turns in a confident manner and its steering is well-weighted. Off road, the Sierra similarly feels composed.

Used GMC Sierra 1500 Models
The previous-generation GMC Sierra 1500 was produced from 2007 through 2013. There were three body styles (regular, extended and crew cabs), and trim levels ranged from no-frills "Work Truck" to ultra-plush Denali.

Powertrain choices through these years encompassed everything from an anemic 4.3-liter 195-hp V6 to a muscular 6.2-liter V8 with 403 hp. Most Sierras, however, were fitted with either a 295-hp 4.8-liter V8 or a 315-hp 5.3-liter V8. A four-speed automatic was initially standard across the board except on the Denali's 6.2-liter V8, which came with a six-speed unit. Eventually, the six-speed was fitted to the 5.3-liter V8 as well. Either rear- or four-wheel drive could be specified.

Calling cards of this GMC Sierra 1500 include strong performance, a refined and quiet ride (even with the heavy-duty towing package) and a comfortable, sensible cabin. The Denali was certainly plush, though it still didn't have the same space or high-end ambience of its Ford and Ram top-of-the-line rivals. Other potential downsides included minor ergonomic missteps and the hesitant downshifts of the four-speed automatic transmission. We had no such gripe with the excellent six-speed automatic, however, thanks to its smooth and on-point performance.

Potential buyers should be aware of the significant changes made throughout the years. For 2009, the Denali's 6.2-liter, 403-hp V8 with its excellent six-speed automatic became optional on select other trims. That year also saw the debut of Bluetooth, a back-up camera option that didn't require the optional navigation system, and the "XFE" (extra fuel economy) package for the crew cab. The following year, 2010, saw the 5.3-liter V8 get the six-speed transmission and variable valve timing, which both improved fuel economy slightly. The 6.0-liter V8 (367 hp and 375 lb-ft) that had been offered since 2007 was dropped that year while side curtain airbags, front seat side airbags and stability control all became standard across the board. Lastly, USB connectivity (standard on Denali) became optional on the SLE and SLT. For 2012, the navigation system was updated (now hard-drive-based) and trailer sway control joined the safety features list.

Before this was the popular 1999-2006 generation of the Sierra. Underneath the conservatively handsome styling, a family of new V8s debuted, ranging in size from 4.8 to 6.0 liters. They offered output ranging from 255 hp with the smallest 4.8-liter, to 345 hp from the high-output 6.0-liter V8 in the Sierra Denali. A base V6 was also available, but as expected, most Sierras came fitted with one of the V8s. A unique four-wheel-steering option (called QuadraSteer), debuted about midway through this generation and cut the truck's turning circle down significantly to 37.4 feet -- around 10 feet less than a typical full-size pickup – making U-turns and maneuvering in tight spots much easier . Unfortunately, QuadraSteer was discontinued for 2006 due to a low take rate, as buyers were put off by the high cost of this option.

Consumers more interested in function than flash should be happy with a half-ton Sierra from this era. The truck offered plenty of performance and work capacity, but was hampered by a dated cabin design fraught with cheap materials and below-average fit and finish.

The previous generation of GMC Sierra 1500 pickups ran from 1988-'98. Standard cab and extended cab body styles were offered, as was a crew cab, though the latter was actually from the previous 1981-'87 generation. Although six-cylinder and diesel V8s were offered, chances are strong that most GMC trucks from these years will have either a 5.0- or 5.7-liter V8 mated to a four-speed automatic. In keeping with tradition, one could choose either rear-wheel drive (indicated by a "C", e.g. "C1500") or four-wheel drive (indicated by a "K"). Trim levels for these C/K1500 trucks include the bare-bones Special, base SL, midlevel SLE and top-line SLT. Strengths of these trucks include powerful, durable powertrains, while weaknesses center on sketchy build quality and subpar materials within the cabin.

For more information on older GMC pickups, go to our GMC Sierra 1500 history page.

User Reviews:

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  Great Truck - 2001 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Windwalker 1 - February 5 - 10:00 am

  Bought this truck, to have fun driving and fixing it up to scream. So far so good, it screams. Cold air intake, flowmaster, Jet stage 1 and Jet shift. The 5.3 now breaths better. 16mpg in town, 20+on the hwy.[if I keep the pedal off the floor]

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  Built to last - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Big Lek - February 3 - 6:20 am

  I never owned a GMC. Everyone i talked to said GMC was just a high priced Chevrolet, now i know the diference. The styling, the ride quality, and low cabin noise are just a couple things that i noticed that were a lot diferent. I also like the fact that this truck is almost all US made. This truck is great.

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  2007 Sierra SLT - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By mYSIERRA - January 24 - 8:53 pm

  Vehicle has exceeded my expectations. Kinda wish the Denali had been available at time of purchase. Really enjoy the quiet interior. Interior component fit and finish is the best I have ever seen in a new model from GM. Cargo capacity best in class or this size vehicle. Rear legroom more than meets my needs, adults can feel comfortable in second row. Engine performance is just as good with the 5.3L versus the 6.0L (6 liter probably is a better engine for towing). Overall, Id recommend this vehicle and have to all people whove inquired.

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  Great Truck - 2005 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Montanatruck - January 19 - 10:13 pm

  This Truck is amazing. It has great acceleration, and power. I drove from Los Angeles to Bozeman, Montana in 2 days, around 1400 miles, and it didnt even have a hiccup and hadnt lost any oil. We had a snow storm the other day and truck drove like it was on dry pavement. When I was shopping for a new truck I was looking for a truck with plenty of torque, so the japanesse trucks were no in question. I had to decide wheather to choose ford or GM, but i eventually decided on the GMC because I liked the style, and had everything I wanted.

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  Nice truck! - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By KD - January 17 - 12:23 am

  I just purchased an 07 Sierra and I absolutely love it! There is no comparison between this truck and the 99 Sierra that I traded. The stealth gray is awesome, and the build quality is superb. I have the work truck with the preferred package, SL package and towing package. I just cant get over how nice this truck is and nice the ride is compared to the old body style that I owned. I have the 4.8l and am getting 17-18 mpg mixed driving.

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  Love It - 2007 GMC Sierra 1500
  By maternut - January 16 - 8:46 pm

  The only thing I dont like is fuel mileage. Traded a 2002 in on this one and got a little better mileage. Both had the same engine 4800. This is crew cab and the other one was a ext. cab. Bigger wheels and a little more weight may be part of the mileage problem. Getting about 2 miles per gal. less maybe it will improve with a few more miles.

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  GMC SIERRA - 2001 GMC Sierra 1500
  By ted1955 - January 13 - 10:00 am

  If GM built cars as good as their trucks they would put a lot of people out of business.

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  Excellent Truck - 2008 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Bryan2008 - January 5 - 8:03 pm

  GMC really did a great job with this truck. I really love the power of the engine and the comfort. I do not drive it much trying to keep those miles off of it. But when I do it is a treat and makes me appreciate life more. It definitely is deserving of much kudos. Thanks again GMC for a really great vehicle.

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  Damn Good Truck - 2001 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Brunswick Hobo - December 12 - 2:00 am

  My personal all-round vehicle... Use it for everything from going to church to hauling my boat in my charter- fishing business.... Very roomy and comfortable...

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  very satisified Sierra owner - 2016 GMC Sierra 1500
  By Dave Nelson - December 10 - 8:46 am

  I have researched lots of pickups, and the best one out there is the GMC Sierra. The ride, quality of all of the equipment and the quietness is second to none. I am getting far better gas mileage than the window sticker shows. Why would anyone even consider any other brand.