The 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 Pickup Truck Cab
Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008Pickup trucks have 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 pickup 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, power trains and trim levels. Thanks to this flexibility, the half-ton Sierra pickup is just 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, often overly plastic-endowed 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 half-ton GMC Sierra remains a solid pick no matter what the intended use.
The current GMC Sierra 1500, introduced for 2007, is much improved over the past version in terms of cabin materials and build quality. Where there was once an abundance of lackluster design, hard plastic and uneven panel gaps, there’s now richly grained upholstery, softer materials and precise fitments. The lineup 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 mid level SLE, which provides most features people want as standard. A recent addition to the lineup is the rugged “All Terrain,” which is essentially a fancier version of the Z-71 Off-Road package. Power train 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 across the board (except for the GMC Denali, which gets a six-speed unit) and one may choose either rear- or a 4×4 pickup truck.
Calling cards of the GMC Sierra 1500 include strong performance, a refined and quiet ride and a comfortable, well-finished cabin. The few downsides we’ve noted in reviews include minor interior ergonomic issues and the hesitant response of the four-speed automatic transmission in downshift situations. We have no quibble with GM’s excellent six-speed automatic in the Denali, as it is smooth and spot-on in its performance. 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 or four-wheel drive. Trim levels for these 4×4 pickup trucks include the bare-bones Special, base SL, mid level SLE and top-line SLT. Strengths of these trucks include powerful, durable power trains while weaknesses center on sketchy build quality and sub par materials within the cabin.
