2014 GMC Sierra drive review

What Is It? It's a Chevy Silverado with its own wheel arch moldings. OK, that's a vast oversimplification of the Chevy/GMC truck differences. But it's pretty much true. In addition to wheel arch moldings, the GMC version of the Chevy Silverado gets its own body-color bumper caps on the base trim level; real aluminum interior trim; and bright window belt moldings. That's pretty significant stuff, isn't it? Also, there are various standard features on the GMC Sierra that are optional on the Silverado: four upper tie-downs in the bed; chrome bumpers on the base trim level; and… uh… hang on a second, it's here somewhere… oh yeah, cloth seats standard. From there you can pick apart features on various trim levels till your eyes bleed.

Suffice it to say the GMC shares all the important stuff with the mighty Chevrolet Silverado, such as engines, transmission and sturdy, fully boxed frame. As you may recall from the Silverado introduction a few weeks ago, the new GM full-size pickups are re-schmoozed to be smoother, quieter and better connected. There are all-new so-called EcoTec3 engines, the 3 meaning 1. Direct injection; 2. Continuously variable valve timing; and 3. Active Fuel Management which shuts off four of the eight or two of the six cylinders for better fuel economy.

Specifically those engines are:

An all-new 4.3-liter normally aspirated V6 that makes 285 hp and 305 lb ft of torque and can tow 7,200 pounds

A 5.3-liter 355-hp 383-lb-ft V8 that'll tow 11,500 (!) pounds

And coming soon a 6.2-liter V8 making 420 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque and capable of hauling 12,000 pounds on the trailer.

Transmission is a carryover six-speed automatic with tow mode and manual mode, the latter operated by clicking the lever down one notch and then toggling a button on the shifter.

Inside there is enough connectivity to get you to Pluto on pump gas. The same semi-ridiculous five USB ports ride inside, along with Pandora, Bluetooth and optional IntelliLink connectivity. It's a thoroughly modern cab.

What's It Like To Drive? We spent most of our two GMC days in a 1500 4WD Crew Cab SLT towing a blindingly shiny 28-foot Airstream trailer from Airstreams2Go. The 5.3-liter V8 had no trouble hauling this sleek space ship on land and even accelerated up freeway onramps like it really meant it. We never felt that nagging trailer sway the Good Sams dread. The tow/haul mode kept the six-speed in the right gear every time. We got between 11 and 13 mpg instant mpg while hauling the aluminum beast, but unfettered you'll get an EPA 18 mpg combined.

Launching off the line in a somewhat though not strictly scientific acceleration run without the trailer we got 6.9 seconds 0-60 with the V8. In a less scientific run with a 4.3-liter V6 rwd we got somewhere around eight seconds 0-60.

Inside the cavernous cab the feeling was generally comfortable, cozy and connected the whole time. The backseat was nice and quiet, too. Often engineers just give up on back seat quiet, but the Sierra (and Silverado) manage to remain remarkably noise-free for such big rigs.

Do I Want It? The first body styles in showrooms will be the four-door crew cabs we drove and those should be in dealerships now. That's the one we'd buy if we were in a buyin' mood -- they're the most practical for the suburban lifestyles most GMC truck buyers probably lead and they seat five adults easily and with no whining from anybody front or back. GMC expects 60 percent of buyers will choose the crew cab configuration.

The crew cab is the only body style available at launch and it starts at $33,210. Our SLT model stickered at $50,620.Base price for the regular cab, which comes out soon, is $25,085. The double cab will start at $29,110. Those are within the ballpark of the competition. The Silverado/Sierra duo sounded the quietest of the competition and met the performance parameters almost any truck buyer seeks. Critics have lambasted the styling as being both too blocky and too much like the previous body style. Don't you listen to those critics. If you want a capable, quiet and comfortable truck, give one of these a spin around the ranch.

2014 GMC Sierra

On Sale: Now, crew cab only

By Mark Vaughn