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GMC
2007 Sierra (22-3)
By Garth W. Cane
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GMC¡¯s Sierra is Upscale Inside and Delivers Plenty of
Power.
General Motor's
new Sierra delivers a solid tow rating of 10,500 pounds
(4,763 kg) and a payload capacity of 2,160 pounds (980
kg). During a ride and drive segment starting in Phoenix
Arizona, I had the opportunity to take several variations
of the new truck on desert roads and interstate highways.
The truck comes in three cab styles, with three different
cargo box lengths, and in trim levels from standard
work truck up to the SLT in both 2WD and 4WD options.
Five different suspension packages provide just the
truck that you need for your particular boating lifestyle.
The Z83 package delivers a solid smooth ride with monotube
shocks and twin-tube rear shocks. The Z85 delivers enhanced
handling and trailer towing with monotube front and
rear shocks. The Z71 delivers enhanced off-road capability
and the Z60 is designed for maximum street performance
on 20-inch wheels. For boaters towing significant loads,
the Sierra has NHT suspension for maximum capacity towing.
Driver control dynamics are enhanced by wider front
and rear tracks, as well as a new coil-over-shock front
suspension design and rack-and-pinion steering.
General Motor's sophisticated StabiliTrak electronic
stability control system helps prevent roll-overs. This
is standard on crew cabs, and available on extended
cab models. With a high capacity brake system and four-channel,
four-sensor electronic brake controls, it provides more
precise control of the ABS system, as well as enhanced
traction and yaw stability.
(The Sierra has roof-mounted head curtain side air bags,
which are integrated to provide better passenger protection.)
The trucks are powered by a variety of engine types
with all but the 4.3 L possessing Active Fuel Management
and variable-valve timing for better fuel economy. Available
engines include the 195 hp 4.3L V6, which is standard
on work trucks and 2WD extended cab models. The 4.8L
295 hp V8 is standard on 4WD extended cabs and on work
trucks that have a crew cab. The 315 hp 5.3L V8 with
Flex Fuel option allows the driver to use up to a blend
of 85 percent ethanol fuel and is available on all models.
The standard style 5.3L V8 is available on crew cab
4WD trucks. The 6.0L V8 with aluminum block, variable-valve
timing and Active Fuel Management, which is rated at
367 hp, is available on SLE and SLT extended or crew
cab models with the enhanced trailer package. Exclusively
for buyers of the Denali series, the new 6.2L 400 hp
engine delivers 400 hp and 417 pounds-feet of torque.
These engines are connected to the Hydra-Matic, electronically
controlled automatic transmission, including the 4L60
four-speed automatic, the high-capacity 4L70 four-speed
automatic, and the new 4L80 six-speed for the Denali
6.2L engine. This new transmission delivers a balance
of performance and fuel economy. It also has a tap-up/tap-down
capability that allows the driver to manually select
up and down shifts with a button on the column lever.
The work truck version has standard cloth seats, larger
controls and handles that are easier to use when wearing
gloves. The Sierra cab is more upscale, featuring more
spacious storage and improved comfort and convenience.
SLE1 models on regular, extended and crew cabs have
a new 40/20/40 split front bench seat that features
a fold-down armrest and storage compartment. The SLE2
equipped vehicles have leather seats and add six-way
power adjustments for the driver. SLT models have a
luxury-inspired interior with a unique instrument panel,
door panels, larger capacity storage center console,
and distinctive trim. Heated 12-way adjustable seats
with six-disc CD/MP3 audio system and heated windshield
washer system come standard on the SLT. Crew cab SLT
models come with rain-sensing windshield wipers and
a rear-seat audio system.
(The Denali Crew Cab leaves you plenty of space in the
back to stretch out your legs.)
The rear seat on crew cab models is a new stadium-style
seating with a 40/60 split design. It can be folded
up to provide additional loading on the floor. On extended
cab models the rear door opens to 170 degrees to make
loading and entry simpler. The Sierra has a stronger
frame and body structure that is designed to provide
increased compatibility with other vehicles, not to
mention roof-mounted head curtain side air bags, which
are integrated to provide better passenger protection.
The head curtain side air bags are available in SLE
and SLT models. The Sierra also comes with factory-installed
remote starting, AutoTrac active transfer case to assist
in slippery driving conditions, Ultrasonic Rear Parking
Assist, and an easier-to-use tire pressure monitoring
system.
All retail models come with the On-Star Generation 7
system, including a one-year subscription to the Safe
& Sound Plan. This includes the Advanced Crash Notification
system that makes crash data available to emergency
services, and can potentially dispatch the appropriate
life-saving personnel and equipment. If the air bag
is activated, On-Star automatically notifies an advisor
who will check on the occupants, or summon emergency
help if necessary. On-Star can also be used to locate
a vehicle if it is stolen or provide remote door-unlocking
service.
(From the driver's seat you'll appreciate the effort
GM put into the Sierra's attractive interior.)
At the General Motors proving grounds in Phoenix, we
had the opportunity to use several vehicles to tow horse
trailers with electric brakes loaded to 9,000 pounds.
The weight in the trailers consisted of several sheets
of steel fastened to the floor. This kept the centre
of gravity much lower than if we had actually loaded
four horses in the trailers. We used the GMC Sierras,
Chevrolet Silverados, a Ford, a Nissan, and a Dodge
Ram. Each vehicle was equipped with the factory trailer
towing package and a Reese equalizing hitch. The course
we used had acceleration lanes, tight curves, undulating
pavement, sudden lane changes, and a deceleration lane.
The GMC and Chevrolet models with the StabiliTrak system
proved to handle the sudden lane changes without diving
or leaning into the corners much easier than the others,
and had plenty of power to accelerate from a dead stop.
The brakes on the GM products did a great job of stopping
the combination of the truck and trailer without fear
of overrunning the stop signs.
During our time at the proving grounds, we saw many
accessories that could be either factory installed or
added later by the dealer. Some of these included a
chrome appearance grill, outside door handles, tow hooks,
docking station and portable DVD player, bed liners,
cargo management systems, soft-top tonneau covers, bed
extenders, Cat Back Exhaust systems, sliding tie-down
brackets, and several styles of wheels.
General Motors has a winner in both the GMC Sierra and
the Chevrolet Silverado. The Sierra is more upscale
than the Silverado, but both will do an admirable job
of towing. (Page
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