West Ranch, Alberta - GMC Sierra is the last truck of the Detroit 3 to undergo rejuvenation. A new look, a shuffling of options and packages, as well as new styling cues will bring a grin to the driver's face and lend new meaning to the term “Work Truck.”
What is the GMC Sierra?
The
GMC Sierra 1500 is the light duty version of a full range of trucks offered by GMC. The brand image of Sierra is that of a work truck, with equipment often only available in an executive office.
2014 GMC Sierra Price and Specs
Duratec is out and Ecotec is in. The 285-horsepower 4.3L V6, as well as the 355-horsepower 5.3L V8, and the mega 6.2L 420-horsepower V8 all have the latest developments to improve fuel economy and keep power levels up. Cylinder deactivation, along with variable valve timing, meet up with an adaptive 6-speed automatic transmission that learns your driving patterns to provide the best fuel economy possible without dropping power levels. The 6-speed automatic with hill decent and hill hold is the only transmission offered in the Sierra lineup.
Towing capacities are on the rise, as well. The new V6 is rated at 3,266 kg (7,200 lb) while the 5.3L V8 comes in at a healthy 5,216 kg (11,500 lb). When it becomes available later this year, the 6.2L V8 will be rated to haul up to 5,443 kg (12,000 lb).
At present the Sierra, Sierra SLE, and Sierra SLT are the only models available as the Denali model will only be available later in the year. Pricing covers quite a range as the equipment list is pages long. Prices start at $31,615 for the Standard Sierra 2WD and can rise up to $48,515 for the Sierra SLT 4X4. A price for the Denali trim level is not available at the moment. According to GMC, the 2014 GMC Sierra qualifies for a buyer's credit of up to $2,500 (at the time of this writing).
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| All Ecotec3 engines have the latest developments to improve fuel economy and keep power levels up. (Photo: Charles Renny) |
Driving the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
The precision in the steering system of the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 is so well done that you would never guess the system is electrically assisted. You can get in and out of some pretty tight spaces with this very large truck.
Hooking up a trailer is no big deal. In fact, the hardest part there seems to be winding up the front support and hooking up the load levelers. Mirrors, and the rear view camera, on the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 are excellent (as long as you remember to get out and wipe off the camera lens when it gets dirty).
Once underway, the trailer stays put and the electronic sway control does an excellent job of keeping everything in line. The only recommendation is: If you tow regularly, make sure you order the trailer towing package.
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| Hooking up a trailer is no big deal. In fact, the hardest part there seems to be winding up the front support and hooking up the load levelers. (Photo: Charles Renny) |
Inside and Out of the 2014 GMC Sierra
First impressions count for a lot, and when you walk up to the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500, you notice little things, like how the grille seems to be different for each trim level..The 2014 GMC Sierra 1500's sides are still large, but the door pillar on the Crew Cab model was moved ahead a few centimetres to make getting in and out of the dance hall referred to as a back seat much easier.
Once inside, with the motor running and trying to figure out what to do next, try pairing your phone to the MyLink system then put it in drive and enjoy the solitude that comes with having very little external noise and very comfortable seating in both front and rear.
If you need to work on the road or on the job site, the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 has a centre console set up to hold hanging files, complete with a couple USB ports and 12V and 110V outlets. “Stay comfortable, stay in touch, and stay charged” could well be the work motto of the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 this year.
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| The door pillar on the Crew Cab model was moved ahead a few centimetres to make getting in and out of the dance hall referred to as a back seat much easier. (Photo: Charles Renny) |
Comparing the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
The most obvious comparison is with the
Chevrolet Silverado since they are essentially the same truck, however, there are enough differences between the two to make sure that both are distinctive. When cross-shopping, the main competition lays with the
Ford F-150 and
Ram 1500. Toyota would love to have the
Tundra on that comparison list more often than it is, and the
Nissan Titan, which is getting a bit long in the tooth, also shows up occasionally.
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