The fourth-generation Sierra debuted in 2012 and was released in 2014. It was a complete redesign of the pickup, and GMC offered it in several configurations, including a short 2-door cabin called Regular Cab.
In a tough market, where Ford and Dodge were charging ahead with their F-150s and Rams, respectively, GMC needed to find a way to get more people interested in buying a Sierra. To do that, it had to make sure the cabin and the bed could offer what its customers wanted and needed. As a result, GMC made the fourth generation of the Sierra with a few load ratings and a couple of bed lengths. The Regular Cab configuration was the entry-level version for the Sierra pickup and was great for those who needed more space in the back so they could load up their stuff, and a cabin fit for up to three occupants. The improved engine lineup and transmissions, as well as the chassis and suspension, were also important arguments GMC's sales team could use to draw buyers in.
The Regular Cab version of the 2014 GMC Sierra featured black bumpers and white color for the lower grades, while the upper ones got chromed trims on the grille and bumpers. From its profile, the Sierra’s most distinctive feature was on the flared wheel fenders that sported straight cutaways for the wheel arches on both axles, while all other pickup trucks on the market had rounded ones. Since the cabin was short, GMC could install a standard 6.6-ft. (3-meter) bed in the back with an option for an 8-ft. (3.4-meter) one. Both versions featured a built-in step in the rear bumper and a grab-handle on top of the rear quarter panels to ease access inside the cargo area.
The automaker provided customers with the option to choose between bench seating or individual seating in the front and bench seating in the rear, allowing the Sierra Regular Cab to seat up to three people inside. In front of the driver, GMC installed a wide instrument cluster filled with all the gauges and dials someone would need from a pickup. In addition, the center stack housed a new infotainment unit with a touchscreen that the driver could operate without removing their gloves, but that was not standard in all grades. Another significant argument that favored the Sierra was for the improved safety systems that included forward collision alert and lane departure warning, which were on the options list.
GMC offered the Sierra Regular Cab with a choice of two engines: a 4.3-liter V6 and a 5.3-liter V8 that could provide up to 297 hp (302 PS) and 380 hp (385 PS), respectively, when it used E85 gasoline. Both versions were paired to a standard Hydra-Matic GL80 six-speed automatic transmission that sent the power to the rear or in all corners, depending on the version. Maximum payload varied between 2,053 lbs. (931 kg.) and 2,108 lbs. (956 kg.), depending on the engine and transmission configuration. Furthermore, the heaviest-pulling version (5.3-liter, 2WD, 8-ft box) could tow up to 10,200 lbs. (4,626 kg.).