2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Adds 8-Speed Automatic, OnStar 4G Connectivity

2015 gmc sierra

Picking up on a definite industry trend, the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 will feature some fairly substantial enhancements for the new model year, even though it was just introduced as a brand-new entry during the previous one. That kind of attention to continuous improvement has become more important than ever in the current sales environment, with automakers having to constantly up their game to hold consumers' attention.

For example, a strong connectivity package has become a "must have" for all but the most basic vehicles today, so the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 will have one of the strongest: the new 4G LTE service from GM's OnStar division, which comes with a 3-gigabyte/3-month trial data plan in the Sierra and also helps improve performance of the truck's IntelliLink infotainment setup. And that system also benefits from some specific upgrades of its own, including Text Message Alerts and Siri Eyes Free functionality (with compatible iDevices). As a further infotainment bonus, the Sierra 1500 SLE, featuring a 40/20/40 bench seat without a traditional center console, will add a USB port to its upper glove box.

The engineering team also has fitted a new eight-speed automatic transmission as standard content with the Sierra's available 6.2-liter V8 engine, and while it doesn't move the needle in terms of EPA grades, GMC does tout it as "enhancing efficiency and refinement while maintaining capability." In other words, while the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 will still post an EPA line of 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway/17 mpg with its premium powerplant, it also will still boast a 12,000-lb. max trailer rating. And yes, that mark has been certified using the latest guidelines from the Society of Automotive Engineers.

Then, at the top of the range, the 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali becomes the first full-size pickup to offer magnetic ride control for split-second real-time damping andespecially sophisticated driving dynamics.

Also new for 2015:

• Two more exterior colors--Emerald Green Metallic and Stone Blue Metallic
• Available premium trailiering mirrors that include LED rear-guidance lamps
• Increased availability for the factory spray-on bedliner, now on the options list for all models

The 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 will be priced from $26,605, marking an advance of $530 over the starting point of the 2014 trucks.