2010 GMC Sierra 1500 Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

by the zzdcar Experts

　　

What’s new

　　The 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 with the 5.3-liter V8 receives tweaks that yield incrementally better fuel economy, including a standard six-speed transmission and variable valve timing. The 6.2-liter V8 also gets a standard six-speed. The 6.0-liter V8 has been dropped, but all remaining V8s can now run on E85 as well as gasoline. Side curtain airbags, seat-mounted side airbags and stability control are standard on all models, and USB connectivity is optional on SLE and SLT (standard on Denali).

　　

zzdcar says

　　Powerful, comfortable and offered in a wide array of body styles and configurations, the 2010 GMC Sierra is a prime choice for a full-size pickup.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 Work Truck 2dr Regular Cab 6.5 ft. SB (4.3L 6cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$220/mo  for Sierra 1500 Work Truck

　　Sierra 1500 Work Truck

　　Work Truck 2dr Regular Cab 6.5 ft. SB (4.3L 6cyl 4A) - $20,850 MSRPWork Truck 2dr Regular Cab 8 ft. LB (4.3L 6cyl 4A) - $21,240 MSRPWork Truck 2dr Regular Cab 4WD 6.5 ft. SB (4.3L 6cyl 4A) - $24,090 MSRPWork Truck 2dr Regular Cab 4WD 8 ft. LB (4.3L 6cyl 4A) - $24,390 MSRPWork Truck 4dr Extended Cab 6.5 ft. SB (4.3L 6cyl 4A) - $25,395 MSRPWork Truck 4dr Extended Cab 8 ft. LB (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $27,435 MSRPWork Truck 4dr Crew Cab 5.8 ft. SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A) - $29,375 MSRPWork Truck 4dr Extended Cab 4WD 6.5 ft. SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A) - $29,475 MSRPWork Truck 4dr Extended Cab 4WD 8 ft. LB (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $30,585 MSRPWork Truck 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A) - $32,525 MSRPSLE 2dr Regular Cab 6.5 ft. SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A) - $27,225 MSRPSLE 2dr Regular Cab 8 ft. LB (4.8L 8cyl 4A) - $27,345 MSRPSLE 4dr Extended Cab 6.5 ft. SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A) (Most Popular) - $29,595 MSRPSLE 2dr Regular Cab 4WD 6.5 ft. SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A) - $30,195 MSRPSLE 2dr Regular Cab 4WD 8 ft. LB (4.8L 8cyl 4A) - $30,495 MSRPSLE 4dr Extended Cab 8 ft. LB (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $30,645 MSRPSLE 4dr Crew Cab 5.8 ft. SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A) - $31,835 MSRPSLE 4dr Extended Cab 4WD 6.5 ft. SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A) - $32,685 MSRPSLE 4dr Extended Cab 4WD 8 ft. LB (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $33,795 MSRPSLE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A) - $35,025 MSRPSL 4dr Extended Cab 6.5 ft. SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A) - $28,340 MSRPSL 4dr Crew Cab 5.8 ft. SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A) - $30,565 MSRPSL 4dr Extended Cab 4WD 6.5 ft. SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A) - $31,490 MSRPSL 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A) - $33,715 MSRPXFE 4dr Crew Cab 5.8 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $33,595 MSRPSLT 4dr Extended Cab 6.5 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $35,780 MSRPSLT 4dr Extended Cab 8 ft. LB (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $36,080 MSRPSLT 4dr Extended Cab 4WD 6.5 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $38,930 MSRPSLT 4dr Crew Cab 5.8 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $39,125 MSRPSLT 4dr Extended Cab 4WD 8 ft. LB (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $39,230 MSRPSLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. SB (5.3L 8cyl 6A) - $42,275 MSRPDenali 4dr Crew Cab 5.8 ft. SB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $43,285 MSRPDenali 4dr Crew Cab AWD 5.8 ft. SB (6.2L 8cyl 6A) - $46,435 MSRP

　　vs

　　$233/mo

　　Avg. Large Truck

　　

Vehicle overview

　　"Sierra" is the rare automotive name that isn't completely inscrutable. It means "mountain range" in Spanish, and a mountain range has a lot in common with a good pickup truck. Rugged. Tough. Unyielding. See? Every now and again, automakers pick a name that actually makes some sense. And in this case, the vehicle lives up to its billing -- the 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 is one of the best full-size trucks you can buy.

　　As ever, the 2010 Sierra is a robust specimen. There are no fewer than three optional V8 engines, and towing and hauling ratings are top-notch. However, drivers are demanding a lot more from their trucks these days than just the ability to do grunt work. To this end, the Sierra offers plenty of standard and available features, including luxuries like a navigation system and a USB jack that are generally associated with passenger cars and SUVs. There are also two interiors, the more upscale of which (SLT and Denali trims only) is sourced from GM's full-size luxury SUVs and features a full center console and good-quality materials.

　　The base interior, however, which is the interior most Sierras are stuck with, is about as spartan as it gets in this segment. It offers plenty of functionality, but hardly anything in the way of visual interest. Rivals like the Dodge Ram and Toyota Tundra have nicer interiors even in base trim. Other demerits include a lackluster base V6 and a rather cumbersome turning circle.

　　Competition is stiff in this segment, as evidenced by our latest full-size truck comparison test -- the Ram and Tundra both beat out the Sierra's twin, the Chevy Silverado, even though the GM trucks are still a fairly new design. But the entrants were closely bunched in the scoring column, and we still have a lot of respect for the GM twins. The 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 shares enough characteristics with its namesake that we don't hesitate to recommend it alongside its capable full-size peers.

　　

Performance & mpg

　　There are four different engines available for the 2010 GMC Sierra 1500. Work trucks have a 4.3-liter V6 (195 horsepower, 260 pound-feet of torque) as standard. This can be upgraded to a 4.8-liter V8 (295 hp, 305 lb-ft) or a 5.3-liter V8 (315 hp, 338 lb-ft). The SLE trims will have one of the two V8s as standard, depending on style, while the SLT has the 5.3-liter engine as standard.

　　Available on select models is a 6.2-liter V8 (403 hp and 417 lb-ft). The 6.2 comes standard on the Denali. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard on the two big V8s, while the 4.8-liter V8 and the V6 come only with a four-speed automatic. In 0-60-mph testing, we clocked the related Silverado with the 6.2-liter V8 in a very quick 6.6 seconds. Properly equipped, a Sierra 1500 can tow up to 10,600 pounds.

　　Buyers have a choice of two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive or, in the case of the Denali, all-wheel drive. The Work and LS trims with 4WD have a traditional floor-mounted selector for the transfer case. All other 4WD trims have Autotrac, which features an automatic setting that shifts into 4WD when wheel slippage is detected.

　　Fuel economy estimates range from 15 mpg city/22 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined for a crew cab XFE down to 12/19/14 mpg for the Denali AWD.

　　

Safety

　　Antilock brakes (front disc, rear drum) are standard, with an all-disc setup available via the Max Trailering package on the Denali trim. A stability control system with roll-mitigating technology is also standard across the lineup, as are front-seat-mounted side airbags and side curtain airbags.

　　In government crash tests, the 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 earns top five-star ratings for frontal collisions. As of this writing, neither the government nor the independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety had subjected the newly side airbag-equipped 2010 Sierra to side-impact crash testing.

　　

Driving

　　The 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 is part of the new breed of big trucks that are actually pleasant to drive. The steering is light but reasonably precise, and the truck's comfortable seats and smooth, quiet ride make long road trips enjoyable. However, the Sierra's turning circle is a little larger than that of most other trucks. Acceleration is sluggish with the base V6 but just fine with even the modest 4.8-liter V8. The 5.3-liter V8 feels brawny, and the 6.2-liter V8 turns the Sierra into a veritable muscle truck. We much prefer the six-speed automatic that comes standard with the two bigger V8s; the four-speed feels past its prime.

　　

Interior

　　The Sierra's base interior is a little dull relative to the competition. However, the Sierra SLT and Denali feature a unique upscale dash and door panel treatment with a full center console and attractive wood grain and metallic accents, although you'll pay a stiff entry price for this privilege. The rear seat in crew cab models is quite comfortable, and the seat cushions can be folded upward for a nearly flat load floor. Interior storage is adequate, but some might take issue with the smallish cupholders and the haphazard organization of the center console box.

　　

2010 GMC Sierra 1500 models

　　The 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 is a half-ton full-size pickup that's available in three body styles: standard cab, extended cab and crew cab. Standard cabs can be had with a standard bed (6-foot, 6-inch) or long bed (8-foot). Extended cabs can have a short (5-foot, 8-inch), standard or long bed. In the interest of maneuverability, crew cabs come only with the short bed.

　　Regular cabs can be had in base Work or nicely equipped SLE trims, while the extended and crew cabs are also available in the plush SLT trim. There's also an SL trim and a top-of-the-line Denali trim for crew cabs only. The Work trim comes with the basics, including air-conditioning (extended- and crew-cab versions), a trip computer, OnStar, vinyl seating, a tilt steering wheel, a 40/20/40-split front bench seat, a CD/MP3 player with an auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio. The SL adds full power accessories, keyless entry, cruise control and adjustable lumbar support for the driver.

　　Moving up, the SLE also offers premium cloth seating (with a lockable compartment and a power outlet built into the center cushion of the split front seat), an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The premium SLT adds a premium interior design with a full center console and upgraded materials, rain-sensing wipers (with heated washer fluid), a Bose audio system with a six-CD changer, leather seating, remote engine start, an exclusive dash design with wood and metallic accents, 12-way power/heated front seats and rear audio controls. Sierra Denali models trump the SLT with a unique powertrain, on-road-biased suspension tuning, special wheels, exterior styling enhancements, a heated steering wheel, a turn-by-turn navigation feature for OnStar and USB connectivity (optional on SLE and SLT).

　　Depending on the Sierra ordered, notable available options include a variety of towing packages, the Z71 Off-Road package (skid plates, an off-road suspension and a locking rear differential), the All-Terrain package (similar to the Z71 but with special interior and exterior enhancements) and the XFE (extra fuel economy) trim variant for the two-wheel-drive 5.3-liter V8 crew cab (which features aerodynamic enhancements and lightweight aluminum components that improve fuel economy).

　　Other options include 20- and 22-inch wheels, a rear back-up camera, upgraded audio systems, Bluetooth, a navigation system with real-time traffic reports, a rear-seat entertainment system, heated power-folding outside mirrors, a sunroof, a power-sliding rear window, a cargo management system, rear park assist and the "EZ Lift" tailgate that requires only about half the effort (compared to the standard tailgate) to open and close.

　　

2010 Sierra 1500 Highlights

Type: Crew CabRegular CabExtended CabExtended Cab

　　Trim: Work TruckSLSLESLTWork Truck

　　

Base MSRP	$25,395
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	17 MPG
Cost to Drive	$220/month
Seating	6 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	9,700 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles