2016 GMC Sierra 1500 Review

Overview:

General Motors has introduced a similar technology under the banner of the two manufacturers. The GMC and the Chevrolet, they both have a similar vehicle, in terms of everything. All that differs is the company logos printed on the trucks.

The series is launched with the title Sierra under the banner of GMC. While in the Chevrolet, it is launched as Silverado. The GMC Sierra 1500 is considered to be the successor of GMC C/K. However, both the trucks, the Silverado and Sierra, series do not totally resemble each other. There are slight differences available in the design, powertrain, and interior.

The Sierra series was launched in 1987 to succeed the C/K. While the General Motors kept on using the C/K banner since 1930. The series Sierra 1500 holds four models in the range. Well, these are differentiated on the basis of their performance, design, trim, and interior. Though there is not much drastic difference available in the design trim and the interior, yet the performance schedules of each truck are certainly heavily differentiated. The range includes Sierra 1500, Sierra 1500 SLE, Sierra 1500 SLT and Sierra 1500 Denali. However, there are 26 sub-trims, which are differentiated on the basis of cab design.

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Technology is one of the major aspects in the cars and trucks today. Today’s GMC Sierra series share the high-tech features. Precisely, it is the requirement of the market, as the competition nowadays is not just judged on the basis of the performance. It even requires high tech features. The GMC Sierra 1500 is priced as low as $27,900.

Specifications:

Engine	Transmission	HP	Torque
4.3 – 6.2 L	6 – speed automatic 8 – speed automatic	285 – 420 hp	305 – 460 lb – ft
0 – 62 MPH	Top Speed	Body Style	MPG
6.6 seconds	100 mph	Truck	18 city/ 24 highway

Performance:

The powertrain of Sierra 1500 has three different engines. The 4.3 L V6 engine with 285 horses and 305 lb – ft of torque. The 5.3 L V8 engine with 355 horses and 383 lb – ft of torque. And 6.2 L V8 engine with 420 horses and 460 lb – ft of torque.

As per the specifications of GMC, Sierra 1500 has a limit of 5,000 to 9,400 lbs of towing. But the practiced example showed that it can tow 12,000 lbs of weight. The performance schedules further include a 4 × 4 driving motor for beneficial off road driving.

Sierra is available in all – wheel drive format. While the basic offer is for the front – wheel – drive only.

The gear box for the 4.3 L V6 is same for a long time. The engine is added with a 6 – speed automatic transmission. This transmission line is not much effective and responsive as the one added to the powerful engines. The 5.3 and 6.2 L V8s get an 8 – speed automatic transmission. The acceleration response has gone better with this inclusion.

While when the same transmission of six – speed was added to the 6.2 L V8, the performance was different. The engine with 6 – speed reached 62 mph with 5.4 seconds. And the engine with the new 8 – speed automatic took 5.6 seconds to reach there.

The present day Sierra 1500 has a capacity to tow more amount of weight. And the beauty is that it is even an eco – friendly truck. The EcoTec3 engines save the fuel. The test drives reveal that Sierra 1500 is almost 3 mpg better in EPA than the previous models.

Sierra 1500 is now a fun to drive. The steer wheel is smoother. There is no roughness while steering the truck over country roads.

Exterior:

Though there are not much differences available in the Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Sierra 1500. Especially in the terms of looks.

But we get some differences in the shape of the grille, LEDs, and aerodynamic cuts. Indeed the heavy vehicles slightly differ each other.

The cab types include the regular cab, double cab and crew cab. The regular cab offers the long – box and standard box in its trim. In rest of the designs, the short – box and standard – box are offered. There is no more long – box model.

Some truckers found it as a catch in the GMC Sierra 1500. As they were looking for a long – box in the crew cab model. But it is not available there.

The grille is different in every model of the series. The Sierra 1500 gets the advanced GMC signature LEDs in the headlight and the taillight.

Interior:

Theoretically, there is much space in the Sierra 1500 cabs. And no doubt the front row has practically subtle space. Even driving Sierra 1500 is a fun.

But when we go back in the standard – box cabs, there is certainly less space then. The increased size of the box reduced the space in the back row of the cab.

Well, that’s just the size when we come across the quietness in the truck, then it’s remarkable. The doors and windshields are looped with seals which help in reducing the outside noise. And when it comes to the seating, then they are pretty comfortable. Precisely Sierra 1500 is a comfortable companion for long distances.

Features:

GMC Sierra 1500 comes with a number of advanced trucking features. Among them, the notable feature of Sierra 1500 is the Cylinder Deactivation. This allows the cab to save as much fuel as possible. Furthermore, the trucking features like the trailer sway controls and Towing cruise controls are present in Sierra 1500.

The infotainment system of Sierra 1500 has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Phone. It is provided with an 8” touchscreen for display. Further, it has the 4G LTE support and internet radio connectivity features.

Safety:

The trucks and SUVs have much to do with the safety. As such vehicles are to be mainly used for off – road destinations, hence they require more safety. The GMC Sierra 1500 follows the exactly prescribed safety scripture. But it even allows some more safety packages. They include the Hill Indicators which help in breaking, Forward Collision Alert and IntelliBeam headlamp automatic power.

Competitors:

2016-gmc-sierra-1500-competitor — Ram 1500

We have the Ram 1500 as the competitor of our GMC Sierra 1500. The performance schedules of Ram 1500 are a bit lower than GMC Sierra 1500. Still, we find a close competition between the both.

In short, GMC Sierra 1500 is relatively a heavier product for the roads. But the advanced technology makes it a fuel saving monster.