2007 GMC Sierra First Drive

GMC Sierra – First Drive: The whispers started probably two years ago. You remember: Ahhh. Nothing says professional grade like rumors about your demise. Then again, nothing says “I told you so” like a good run of new vehicles, which is exactly what happened. The new Sierra full-size pickup aims to continue the run, and it offers a big advantage over its mechanical twin, the Chevrolet Silverado: A model with a six-speed automatic transmission and a whopping 400 horsepower. Ouch. Now that’s a professional grade smack upside the chops if we’ve ever felt one.

The Basics: Origins

According to , and GM, General Motors purchased GMC in 1909, and they didn’t get around to swallowing up Chevrolet until around 1916. Given seniority, it’s fair to say that the Silverado is junior to the Sierra. Add to that questionable logic the fact that GMC has the one thing Chevrolet doesn’t: a Denali trim, a 6.2-liter V8 and a – gasp – six-speed automatic. Other than that, the trucks are identical save for the front ends, and trace their lineage back to GM’s GMT900 line of vehicles, which includes a bunch of SUVs. Hey – it all winds up in the same corporate pie in the end, right?

The Basics: Model Mix – Configurations

The Sierra has three cab configurations – regular, extended, crew – and five trims – Work Truck (WT), SLE1, SLE2, SLT and Denali. All come with either two-wheel-drive (2WD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD), and bed choices range from short (5 ft. 8 in.) to standard (6 ft. 6 in.) and long (8 ft.). There are two interiors. Pure Pickup in WT and both SLE trims features larger knobs and handles; Luxury for the SLT, the same as what's found inside GM SUVs. Cloth seats are standard on WT/SLE models with leather available on SLT trims. Sierra SLTs come with a chrome front bumper and a heated, 12-way, power leather driver’s seat. A lockable in-seat storage bin built into the new 40/20/40-split rear bench is large enough to store a laptop.

The Basics: Model Mix – Powertrains

All Sierras except the Denali come with a four-speed automatic transmission. What changes is the engine. Choices start with a 4.3-liter V6, standard on the WT Regular Cab/2WD Extended Cab models. One step up is a 4.8-liter V8, standard on WT 4WD Extended Cabs, SLE Regular Cabs and Extended Cabs, and WT/SLE Crew Cab models; that’s followed by a 5.3-liter FlexFuel V8, available on all; a 5.3-liter V8 standard on SLE and SLT models but available on all, and a 5.3-liter V8 with Active Fuel Management (AFM) on 4WD Crew Cab models. A 6.0-liter V8 with AFM is part of the SLE/SLT Extended and Crew Cab towing package. The Denali Sierra gets a 6.2-liter V8, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Basics: Model Mix – WT, SLE1

The Sierra Work Truck includes few frills. Standard features include a stereo, two power outlets, a heater, a rubber floor and a dual glove box. You get an overhead console, tilt-steering and a year's worth of OnStar. Options include air conditioning, cruise control, and power windows and door locks. The WT Convenience Package includes power door locks, remote keyless entry and stereo with a CD player. Moving up to the SLE1 nets WT options plus an auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass/temperature display, leather-wrapped steering wheel and extendable sun visors. SLE1 options include a power sliding rear window on Extended and Crew Cabs, a sunroof, steering wheel-mounted controls, a remote vehicle starter system, adjustable pedals, dual-zone climate control, and side curtain airbags.

The Basics: Model Mix – SLE2, SLT

The SLE2 trim makes dual-zone climate control standard, along with a center console that swallows 20 liters of storage with two power outlets and two cupholders. Options available on the SLE2 trim include a DVD entertainment system for Crew Cabs, and an SLE2 Convenience Package which cobbles together a remote vehicle starter system, universal home remote, heated windshield washer fluid, and power-adjustable, folding and heated outside rearview mirrors. The SLT trim adds the universal home remote transmitter as standard, along with a sunroof and the remote vehicle starter. GM's safety package is an option on the SLT trim, as are side-impact curtain airbags, DVD entertainment for Crew Cabs, adjustable pedals, and a power sliding rear window.

The Basics: Model Mix – Denali

The Denali could very easily be the Cadillac of pickups. Standard features include roof-mounted side curtain air bags, power-adjustable pedals, electrochromic (auto-dimming) inside mirror, dual-zone automatic climate control, rain-sensing automatic windshield wipers, remote vehicle starter system, EZ Lift tailgate, and rear parking assist. Interior features include leather seats, 12-way power and heated driver’s seat and a six-CD stereo with MP3 capability, Bose speakers, and XM satellite radio. Options include a cargo management system, power sliding rear window, roof rack, navigation system, power sunroof, and a DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system.

The Basics: Pricing

For 2007, you get an all-new Sierra pickup with a new five-year/100,000 warranty for pretty much the same price as the outgoing 2006 model. Buyers interested in a Sierra without the trimmings – including the 4.3-liter V6 engine in lieu of the V8 – pay $18,760 for a Work Truck Regular Cab, including a $900 destination charge. Work Truck Extended Cabs with the 4.8-liter V8 engine start at $23,605, moving up to $27,000 for Crew Cabs. The same vehicle in the SLE1 trim has a starting sticker of $26,565; the SLE2 trim with the 5.3-liter V8 engine begins at $28,295 and the SLT trim goes for $32,105. Denali prices start at $38,995. All prices apply to 2WD models; there’s a $3,100 premium for 4WD/AWD.

What's New: Outside

One look and it’s easy to see the difference a complete redesign makes: More pronounced, yet subdued fender blisters front and back, a strong new grille and headlight casings that make the Sierra more muscular and more uptown. Gone is the GMC face, replaced by a bolder chromed front assembly that looks as if it’s been molded to the truck. The most significant changes made, however, are harder to detect but speak of GM’s renewed mandate of quality construction. Exterior gaps on the new model, especially between the cab and the bed, have been significantly reduced, and the hood now fits flush inside the fenders instead of capping fender and grille.

What’s New: Outside – Denali

Shout out to your friends, associates and neighbors that you bought more than a truck – you purchased a . The striking chrome grille says it all, as do the additional chrome trim and body-color bumpers. Available in three exterior colors including Onyx Black, Summit White, and Silver Birch Metallic, the Denali is about style that starts with its unique 18-inch alloy wheels.

What's New: Inside

What’s new about the Sierra depends on what you buy: The SLT trim gets the same interior as the new Yukon, while WT and SLE trims feature a “Pure Pickup” interior. The Pure Pickup variant seems able to hide scuffs and dirt better than the SLT trim and offers bigger control switches, door handles and a dual glove box. Other additions include a lockable in-seat storage bin built into the 40/20/40-split bench. All Sierra models enjoy more room inside, including more storage capacity. Design changes include what GM refers to as a “low and forward” instrument panel, which really did improve visibility and usability during our test drive. Entry to the rear seat of Extended Cab models is eased with doors that open 170 degrees.