GMC Sierra 1500 Review

2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Work Truck Regular Cab Pickup

New Models

Used Models

  • 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 Work Truck Crew Cab Pickup View photos
    2010 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Used TMV from $24,789 Find Used Inventory
  • 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 Work Truck Extended Cab Pickup View photos
    2010 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $21,426 Find Used Inventory
  • 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 Work Truck Regular Cab Pickup View photos
    2010 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $17,515 Find Used Inventory
  • 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 Work Truck Crew Cab View photos
    2009 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Used TMV from $22,247 Find Used Inventory
  • 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 Work Truck Extended Cab View photos
    2009 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $18,865 Find Used Inventory
  • 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 Work Truck Regular Cab View photos
    2009 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $15,548 Find Used Inventory
  • 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 Exterior View photos
    2008 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Used TMV from $17,769 Find Used Inventory
  • 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 Exterior View photos
    2008 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $14,586 Find Used Inventory
  • 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 Exterior View photos
    2008 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $11,635 Find Used Inventory
  • 2007 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT Crew Cab View photos
    2007 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Used TMV from $15,893 Find Used Inventory
  • 2007 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE Extended Cab View photos
    2007 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $13,899 Find Used Inventory
  • 2007 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE1 Regular Cab View photos
    2007 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $11,068 Find Used Inventory
  • 2006 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Shown View photos
    2006 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Used TMV from $13,230 Find Used Inventory
  • 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 4dr Extended Cab SLT 4WD LB View photos
    2006 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $11,121 Find Used Inventory
  • 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB View photos
    2006 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $8,737 Find Used Inventory
  • 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 4dr Crew Cab SLT 4WD SB View photos
    2005 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Used TMV from $13,053 Find Used Inventory
  • 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 Exterior View photos
    2005 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $9,961 Find Used Inventory
  • 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 4dr Extended Cab SLT 4WD LB View photos
    2005 GMC Sierra 1500 Hybrid Used TMV from $16,672 Find Used Inventory
  • 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 Exterior View photos
    2005 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $7,629 Find Used Inventory
  • 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 4dr Crew Cab SLT 4WD SB View photos
    2004 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Used TMV from $11,105 Find Used Inventory
  • 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 Exterior View photos
    2004 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $8,788 Find Used Inventory
  • 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 Exterior View photos
    2004 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $6,617 Find Used Inventory
  • 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Exterior View photos
    2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $7,500 Find Used Inventory
  • 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Exterior View photos
    2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $5,743 Find Used Inventory
  • 1999 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr SLT 4WD Extended Cab SB View photos
    2002 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $7,034 Find Used Inventory
  • 1999 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr SL Standard Cab LB View photos
    2002 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $4,871 Find Used Inventory
  • 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab SLT 4WD View photos
    2001 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $5,971 Find Used Inventory
  • 2000 GMC Sierra 2500 2 Dr SL 4WD Standard Cab LB HD View photos
    2001 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $4,228 Find Used Inventory
  • 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr SLE 4WD Extended Cab SB View photos
    2000 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $5,308 Find Used Inventory
  • 1999 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr SL Standard Cab LB View photos
    2000 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $3,858 Find Used Inventory
  • 1999 GMC Sierra 3500 Extended Cab View photos
    1999 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $4,849 Find Used Inventory
  • 1999 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr SLE 4WD Standard Cab LB View photos
    1999 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $3,565 Find Used Inventory
  • 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr K1500 SLT 4WD Extended Cab SB View photos
    1998 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $3,754 Find Used Inventory
  • 1998 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr K1500 SL 4WD Standard Cab LB View photos
    1998 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $3,079 Find Used Inventory
  • 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr C1500 SLT Extended Cab SB View photos
    1997 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $3,300 Find Used Inventory
  • 1997 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr C1500 SLE Standard Cab LB View photos
    1997 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $2,697 Find Used Inventory
  • 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr K1500 SLT 4WD Extended Cab SB View photos
    1996 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $2,961 Find Used Inventory
  • 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr C1500 SLT Standard Cab SB View photos
    1996 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $2,395 Find Used Inventory
  • 1995 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr C1500 SLT Extended Cab SB View photos
    1995 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $2,666 Find Used Inventory
  • 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr C1500 SLT Standard Cab SB View photos
    1995 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $2,134 Find Used Inventory
  • 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr K1500 SLE Extended Cab LB Shown View photos
    1994 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $2,256 Find Used Inventory
  • 1996 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr C1500 SLT Standard Cab SB View photos
    1994 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $1,726 Find Used Inventory
  • 1993 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $1,551 Find Used Inventory
  • 1990 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr C1500 SLE Standard Cab LB View photos
    1993 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $1,370 Find Used Inventory
  • 1992 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $1,286 Find Used Inventory
  • 1990 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr C1500 SLE Standard Cab LB View photos
    1992 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $1,081 Find Used Inventory
  • 1991 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $1,119 Find Used Inventory
  • 1990 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr C1500 SLE Standard Cab LB View photos
    1991 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $1,000 Find Used Inventory
  • 1990 GMC Sierra 1500 Extended Cab Used TMV from $1,096 Find Used Inventory
  • 1990 GMC Sierra 1500 2 Dr C1500 SLE Standard Cab LB View photos
    1990 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab Used TMV from $896 Find Used Inventory

The pickup truck has long been a mainstay of American byways and highways, and GMC has been there from day one. Originally used and respected by farmers, construction workers and small-business owners, GMC's hauler was a basic workhorse known for its reliability and longevity. More recent times have seen GMC's full-size truck adopt the name Sierra, which was previously an upscale trim level.

As with its rivals, the modern-day GMC Sierra 1500 full-size pickup is available with a wide variety of body styles, powertrains and trim levels. Thanks to this flexibility, the half-ton Sierra pickup is nearly as adept at serving as the weekday family car as it is at transporting home-improvement supplies or towing a boat on the weekends.

Older versions of the GMC Sierra 1500 pickup have been praised for their strong work ethic, but soundly criticized for their bland, cheap cabins. With the current model, fit and finish has improved to the point where the Sierra now stands proud in that area. Of course, there are other choices in the full-size pickup truck market, but the Sierra 1500 remains a solid pick no matter what the intended use.

Current GMC Sierra 1500

The GMC Sierra 1500 offers three body styles (regular, extended and crew cabs) and trim levels ranging from no-frills "Work Truck" to ultra-plush Denali. The most popular trim is the midlevel SLE, which provides desirable standard features like air-conditioning, full power accessories and a CD player.

Powertrain choices, traditionally a strong point, encompass everything from a frugal 4.3-liter 195-horsepower V6 to a muscular 6.2-liter V8 with 403 hp. Most Sierras, however, will be fitted with either a 295-hp 4.8-liter V8 or a 315-hp 5.3-liter V8. A four-speed automatic is standard on the 4.3 and 4.8, while a six-speed is fitted to the 5.3 and 6.2. Either rear- or four-wheel drive can be specified.

Calling cards of the GMC Sierra 1500 include strong performance, a refined and quiet ride (even with the heavy-duty towing package) and a comfortable, well-finished cabin. The few downsides we've noted in reviews include minor interior ergonomic issues and the hesitant downshifts of the four-speed automatic transmission. We have no quarrel with the excellent six-speed automatic, as it is smooth and spot-on in its performance.

Used GMC Sierra 1500 Models

The current GMC Sierra debuted for 2007 and there have been some powertrain changes since then. There was originally a 367-hp 6.0-liter V8 available, but that was dropped for 2010. The 6.2-liter V8 option for non-Denali models had arrived the previous year along with its six-speed automatic transmission. For 2009, that transmission was fitted to 5.3-liter-equipped models with the XFE package only -- otherwise, that engine was equipped with a four-speed auto prior to 2010.

There were some notable feature changes as well. Satellite radio joined the standard equipment roster in '08, and optional Bluetooth arrived the next year. Most importantly, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and stability control became standard for 2010.

Many GMC pickup trucks considered by used-vehicle shoppers will be the previous-generation truck, which was sold for the 1999-2006 model years. Underneath the conservatively handsome styling, a family of new V8s debuted, ranging in size from 4.8 to 6.0 liters. They offered output ranging from 255 hp with the smallest 4.8-liter, to 345 hp from the high-output 6.0-liter V8 in the Sierra Denali. A base V6 was also available, but as expected, most Sierras came fitted with one of the V8s. (Buyers looking at the heavy-duty series Sierra 2500HD and 3500 of this generation could also get a 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 or an 8.1-liter gasoline V8.)

A unique four-wheel-steering option (called QuadraSteer), came on-line about midway through this generation and cut the truck's turning circle down to 37.4 feet -- around 10 feet less than a typical full-size pickup. Unfortunately, QuadraSteer was discontinued for 2006, as buyers were put off by the high cost of this option.

Consumers more interested in function than flash should be happy with a half-ton Sierra from this era. The truck offered plenty of performance and work capacity, but was hampered by a dated cabin design fraught with cheap materials and below-average fit and finish.

The previous generation of GMC Sierra 1500 pickups ran from 1988-'98. Standard cab and extended cab body styles were offered, as was a crew cab, though the latter was actually from the previous 1981-'87 generation. Although six-cylinder and diesel V8s were offered, chances are strong that most GMC trucks from these years will have either a 5.0- or 5.7-liter V8 mated to a four-speed automatic. In keeping with tradition, one could choose either rear-wheel drive (indicated by a "C", e.g. "C1500") or four-wheel drive (indicated by a "K"). Trim levels for these C/K1500 trucks include the bare-bones Special, base SL, midlevel SLE and top-line SLT. Strengths of these trucks include powerful, durable powertrains while weaknesses center on sketchy build quality and subpar materials within the cabin.

For more information on older GMC pickups, go to our GMC Sierra 1500 history page.

For more on Past GMC Sierra 1500 models, view our GMC Sierra 1500 History page

Read the most recent review for 2011 GMC Sierra 1500

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