Pros
- Instruments/controls
- Towing/Hauling
- Quietness
- Passenger room
- Build quality
Cons
- Fuel economy
- Maneuverability
Acceleration
4/10
Adequate with either V8 and light loads, but turbodiesel gets the nod for towing and heavy hauling thanks to its massive 660 lb-ft of torque. Smooth, alert automatic transmissions rival those in many cars. Their tow/haul mode adjusts shift points for best performance with heavy loads. GM claims best-in-class towing capacities at up to 13,000 lb with external hitch, 16,700 with in-bed "5th-wheel" hitch.
Fuel Economy
2/10
No chance to measure yet, but test results for previous models suggest overall averages of 14-16 mpg for turbodiesel versions, 10-12 mpg for gas models.
Ride Quality
6/10
Still tops for comfort among heavy-duty trucks. As usual, rippled surfaces and large bumps cause some jiggle and tail hop with light bed loads, but ride is otherwise composed, absorbent in any model.
Steering/Handling/Braking
4/10
Surprisingly pleasant, easy to drive except when maneuvering in tight spaces. Hefty size and weight limit cornering speed, as does expected big-truck body lean, but excellent straightline stability. Brakes furnish stable, relatively short stops with fine pedal feel. Optional trailer-brake controller is a safety plus for towing.
Quietness
7/10
Highway wind noise impressively low for tall, blocky big rigs. Tire thrum modest except on coarsest pavement. Engine noice intrudes only under full throttle. Smooth, refined turbodiesel V8 has virtually no detectable diesel clatter or smoke.
Controls
7/10
Clear, legible gauges, but wiper switch still on turn-signal stalk, which some testers dislike. Pure-Pickup interior puts audio and climate controls high on dashboard. Luxury version mounts them lower, but still within easy reach. Optional navigation system absorbs most audio functions, but higher trim levels offer redundant controls on steering wheel. Cabin materials and assembly are worthy of some cars. Even the basic Work-Truck trim has a quality look and feel, despite abundant hard plastic.
Details
6/10
Cabin materials and assembly are worthy of some cars. Even the basic Work Truck trim has a quality look and feel, despite abundant hard plastic.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (Front)
9/10
Ample adult room. Bucket and bench seats are both comfortable, but don't provide much side support. Newly available power-adjustable pedals are a boon for shorter drivers. High step-up makes entry and exit a chore for almost everyone.
Room/Comfort (Rear)
6/10
Bulky center console with front bucket seats limits foot space for rear-center passenger. Headroom generous. Seatbacks are comfortably angled. Legroom ample in crew cabs, tight in extendeds with the front seat more than halfway back. Wide-opening rear doors help offset high step-in in extendeds, but can be tough to close by a seated passenger.
Cargo Room
7/10
Regular cab is competitive with Ford and Dodge for behind-seat room. Extendeds and crews match or beat most rivals for in-cab cargo space, and the exclusive split flip-up seat allows carrying bulky items and one or two rear passengers. Ample small-items storage includes large bins and front and rear underseat cubbies, plus big door pockets and, with Pure-Pickup interior, a second dashboard glovebox. Available bed-wall rails mount dividers and other add-ons to secure and organize cargo.
Value Within Class
8/10
GM's big rigs retain the many assets of previous models while improving on performance, refinement, cabin comfort, and build quality. The result is an appealing blend of car-like civility and work-truck brawn, bolstered by numerous class-exclusive features such as all-surface 4WD. In all, a must-see for anyone shopping heavy-duty pickups.
Highlights
The 2010 GMC Sierra HD is largely unchanged. Sierra HD is the heavy-duty version of GMC's full-size Sierra 1500. Chevrolet's Silverado HD models differ mainly in front-end appearance.
Sierra HDs offer 3/4-ton 2500 and 1-ton 3500 series in WT (Work Truck), SLE, and luxury SLT trim. Interiors come in "Pure Pickup" and "Luxury Inspired" designs. Cab styles are a 2-door regular, a 4-door extended cab with rear-access doors, and a crew cab with four full-size front-hinged doors. All can be ordered with front bucket seats or a 40/20/40 split bench. The extended and crew cab include a three-person rear bench with a flip-up cushion that's split 60/40. The regular cab comes only with an 8-foot "long" cargo bed. The extended and crew cab also offer a 6.5-foot "short" bed. The long bed is included when equipped with optional dual rear wheels.
HDs are available with either a 360-hp 6.0-liter V8, or a biodiesel-capable turbodiesel 365-hp 6.6-liter V8. Both engines mate to a 6-speed automatic transmission. A manual transmission is no longer available. Maximum towing capacity is 16,500 lb. Buyers can choose rear-wheel drive or one of two 4-wheel-drive systems with low-range gearing: A part-time setup that is not designed for use on dry pavement, and a full-time system that can be. An automatic-locking rear differential is standard, as is a modified suspension. Available safety features include ABS and an antiskid system. Optional equipment includes an off-road package with an uprated suspension and chassis skid plates, rear-obstacle detection, a remote-starting system, power-adjustable pedals, and power-sliding rear window (except regular cabs). Also available is an "EZ Lift" tailgate assist feature and bed-wall cargo rails with sliding anchorages for various accessories. Among other options are a swing-out bed extender, heated front seats, a touch-screen navigation system, and rear-seat DVD entertainment.
Competition
Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Large Pickup Trucks are traditionally the vehicles of choice for heavy-duty hauling and towing. They offer an array of cab styles and bed lengths and usually feature powerful V8 or diesel engines. For personal use, consider light-duty half-ton models. For heavy-duty or commercial use, consider three-quarter- or one-ton models.
Our Best Buys are the Dodge Ram 1500 and Ford F-150. Our Recommended picks are the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, and Toyota Tundra. New or significantly redesigned models in the class include the Dodge Ram 2500/3500 and Toyota Tundra.