Taking care of business
There was a time, and not that long ago, when the entire lineup of Chevrolet or GMC pickups could have been printed on a single page.
You'd have been given your choice of inline six or V8 engines, automatic or manual transmissions and either a short or long box. That'd be about it. Optional extras may have included an AM radio — so you could hear the latest Elvis hit — a sliding rear window, lockable glove box and heavy duty axle ratio.
The cab would have seated three abreast on a vinyl-covered bench.
Power windows? Air conditioning? Leather upholstery? Disc brakes? Hey, buddy, you want a truck or a Cadillac?
Today, however, the available styles and options for full-size GM pickups is more extensive than for any of the company's cars.
The catchword is choice, and from all the permutations of cabs, boxes, powertrains and drive systems available for model-year 2008, the one GM chose to give us for this road test was a GMC Sierra SLE 1500 Extended Cab 4WD. That's quite a mouthful.
It's also quite a truck.
Sierras come in regular, extended cab or crew cab configurations. Regular cab models give the buyer a choice of either a standard box or long box. Choose an extended cab and the choice is between short, standard or long boxes. The crew cab comes only with a short box.
Base engine in the Sierra lineup is a 4.8-litre Vortec V8. A 4.3-litre V6 is optional on regular cab trucks and either a 5.3-litre V8 or 6.0-litre V8 is optional on extended cab and crew cab models. A flex-fuel version of the 5.3-litre V8 is available, which will run on a blend of up to 85% ethanol for lower CO2 emissions.
Our test truck came with the most powerful engine, the 6.0-litre Vortec V8 producing 367 hp and 375 lb.-ft. of torque. It features GM's Active Fuel Management system, which allows the engine to operate in V4 mode in light load situations for improved fuel economy. Switching between V4 and V8 modes is seamless.
The cab, especially for those riding in the twin bucket seats up front, offers a comfortable, spacious environment. There are tons of places to stow stuff including a two-tier glove box, a giant bin under the wide centre armrest that would swallow a small dog, two big open bins in the centre console and a pair of cupholders that will hold man-sized takeout coffees.
Cloth seating trim is standard on Sierra SLE and our test truck came with premium cloth as part of an optional preferred equipment group. However, it showed every piece of dust, pet hair or lint and was difficult to clean. The Sierra helped us move to a new house and the interior collected its share of dirt. To clean it, I went to a car wash with the most powerful vacuum I know of. It worked fine on the carpets and mats, but the cloth is so clingy, especially the type used on the seat bolsters, that I had to rub off the accumulated fluff using a moistened finger. The vacuum wouldn't touch it. If they'll let you, try and order the vinyl fabric that's standard on Sierra WT models. If they won't, I'd advise upgrading to the leather trim that's standard on SLT and available on SLE.
Conversely, the pickup bed is dead easy to clean, thanks to a scuff-free liner on the box and tailgate. Strong enough to stand on, the ribbed plastic floor also makes it easy to slide heavy objects in and out and also helps keep rainwater off the bottom of whatever it is you're carrying. The rear step bumper features a sturdy plastic cover as well.
Getting into the rear seats is easier than ever thanks to clamshell doors that open at a 90-degree angle. This also helps when loading bulky items onto the fold-up back seat.
Wife Connie, however, wants a grab handle on the driver's side to give small people like her easier access. There's one on the A-pillar on the passenger side, so why not give shorter drivers a break, too? (Running boards — now called tubular assist steps — are a dealer-installed accessory.)
Connie also didn't like the placement of the door handle under the armrest, and I must confess that I kept hitting the power window controls until I got used to the handle's rather awkward placement.
The cabin is quiet and the sound was excellent from the SLE's standard AM-FM stereo with six-disc CD changer and MP3 capability.
The ride is excellent too, and there's lots of power when you mash the electronic throttle. (Just don't watch the instant fuel readout on the driver's information centre when you do it. Scary.)
Also scary was our tester's $46,580 price tag — which included $9,040 in options. Check out the details in the accompanying data box. Standard equipment on Sierra SLE is on a par with most mid-level family sedans, and if you're on a budget you probably can live without a lot of the extra comfort and convenience items.
Gotta have stuff like trailer brake control ($250) and a skid plate package ($140) for off-roading are relatively inexpensive.
Speaking of off-roading, the Sierra is quite capable with its rugged suspension, high ground clearance and a 4x4 system that operates at the twist of a knob on the instrument panel. In normal situations you'll operate in 2WD mode, with 4WD high available for bad weather and 4WD low for traction in serious mud, snow or sand.
Like most big trucks these days, Sierra is equally adept at being a "Professional Grade" workhorse and a functional — and fun — family hauler.
It may be the only vehicle your family requires. Anyhow, that's a good way of rationalizing its rather high sticker price.
Fact File
2008 GMC SIERRA SLE 1500 EXT. CAB 4WD
As tested, before taxes: $45,280
Configuration: front engine/4WD
Engine/transmission: 6.0L V8/4-speed automatic
Horsepower: 367 @ 5,500 rpm
Torque: 375 lb.-ft. @ 4,300 rpm
Options on test car: Preferred Equipment Group includes reclining front bucket seats with 6-way power seat adjusters, automatic dual zone climate control, steering wheel audio controls, deluxe aluminum wheels, premium cloth seat trim, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass and outside temperature display, lighted visor mirrors, rear window defogger, $2,970; Vortex Max Performance Package includes Vortec 6.0L V8 with active fuel management, 4-speed super duty automatic transmission, Stabilitrak electronic stability program with proactive roll avoidance, locking rear differential, 9.5-in. heavy duty rear axle, heavy duty engine oil cooler, heavy duty trailering package, 4-wheel disc brakes, P265/70R on-off road tires, $3,090; Safety Package includes ultrasonic parking assist, head curtain side impact airbags, $1,270; Convenience Package includes remote vehicle start, power folding outside mirrors with integrated turn signals and driver's side auto dimming, heated windshield washer fluid system, universal home remote, $880; XM satellite radio, 260; trailer brake control, $250; skid plate package, $140; EZ lift tailgate with lock, $125; trailer wiring, $55;
Freight: $1,300
Fuel required: premium unleaded
EnerGuide ratings (L/100 km): 16.6 city; 11.7 highway
Observed economy (L/100 km): 15.3 (18.5 mpg) combined
Basic warranty: 3 years/60,000 km comprehensive, 5 years/160,000 km powertrain with roadside assistance and courtesy transportation
Model price range: $36,240-$50,000
Engines available: 4.8-litre Vortec V8; 4.3-litre V6; 5.3-litre V8; 6.0-litre V8
Transmissions available: 4-speed automatic
Competitors: Ford F150, Dodge Ram, Toyota Tundra
Strengths: Spacious interior, powerful V8, trailering ability
Weaknesses: Hard-to-clean cloth seats, no driver's side assist handle, fuel economy
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