2007 GMC Sierra
Fraternal twin looks to make a name for itself
By Mark Williams
Where the Chevy is all about width and horizontal lines, the GMC headlight stack is more vertical and the grille has a gaping look. All GMCs have a different set of body panels where the fender arches over the wheels for a softer, rounded, more sculpted appearance. The image is sleeker and more upscale, but doesn't the stamped-steel design of the Chevy Silverado project a stronger professional-grade feel?
Yet the GMC Sierra Denali, the most expensive package in the portfolio, includes the powerful 6.2-liter V-8/six-speed automatic option that gives the GMC pickup something the Chevy trucks don't have: an all-wheel-drive powertrain pumping out 400 horsepower. Our Sierra TOTY contender came in crew cab configuration with center seat and armrest storage boxes, 40/20/40 bench front seats, dual gloveboxes, and a simpler, flatter "Pure Pickup" dash layout. Compared with the fully loaded Silverado, our GMC saved over 200 pounds, directly translating into a higher payload (in fact, the highest payload in our test).
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But when challenged to separate the two brands, beyond the single powertrain offering, there isn't much distinction between the two. GM has always positioned GMC as a slightly more upbranded property than Chevrolet so it's been able to charge slightly higher base and package prices at the upper end of the model range; however, the fact that there are fewer GMC dealerships always meant their numbers were lower than those of Chevrolet, making the Silverado the big volume player. As to our testing criteria, all these factors make the Sierra a strong player in value and superiority (sharing many of the same traits as the Silverado), but in the case of market significance, the scales tip in favor of the less expensive and bigger competitive player. Regardless, you can still expect just as much quality and performance from the Sierra pickup, whether or not you buy the "professional grade" look.
| 2007 GMC Sierra Crew Cab |
| Base Price | $33,055 |
| Price as Tested | $36,034 |
| Vehicle Layout | Front engine, 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door pickup |
| Engine | 5.3L/315-hp*/338-lb-ft* OHV, 16-valve V-8 |
| Transmission | 4-speed auto |
| Curb Weight (F/R Dist) | 5353 lb (58/42%) |
| Wheelbase | 143.5 in |
| Length x Width x Height | 230.2 x 80.0 x 73.7 in |
| Actual Payload Capacity | 1647 lb |
| Max Towing Capacity | 8500 lb |
| 0-60 mph | 8.1/10.1 sec‡ |
| Quarter Mile | 16.2 sec @ 88.1 mph/17.4 sec @ 82.8 mph‡ |
| Braking 60-0 mpg | 150/156 ft‡ |
| Lateral Acceleration | 0.69 g (avg)†† |
| MT Figure Eight | 29.8 sec @ 0.52 g (avg)†† |
| EPA City/Hwy Fuel Econ | 16/21 mpg |
| Sum Up | Strong player in the segment for buyers looking to get upmarket, without the premium label price tag. |
| Bet you didn't know | The Sierra offers little difference from the Silverado in powertrain, chassis, and interior options. |
| ‡ unloaded/loaded †† unloaded, *SAE certified |