The total-size truck market is booming and the gamers inside that ultra-competitive section simply carry on getting larger and higher. At this yr’s North American Worldwide Auto Present in Detroit, Chevrolet rolled out a brand new Silverado that lastly introduced that truck to a degree of modernity. And, as our recent first drive confirmed, it did a damned positive job, too.
After all GMC could not be far behind, and certainly the brand new 2019 Sierra 1500 was unveiled just some months later. And now, we have pushed that too. Whether or not you are on the lookout for that distinctive combination of posh and practicality of the Denali or maybe one thing a bit extra aggressive within the lifted AT4, GMC has a Sierra for you. Having pushed all of them, I can confidently say that they have been definitely worth the wait.
All-new options
The 2019 GMC Sierra is wholly new from high to backside, stem to stern, having grown just a few inches general however, extra considerably, gained greater than Three inches of wheelbase. Regardless of this development, the truck is as much as 360 kilos lighter than its predecessor. Meaning a much bigger truck with extra room and cargo capability, but lighter weight for bolstered towing and dealing with.
These weight financial savings come all the way down to quite a lot of elements, together with some aluminum physique panels like doorways and hood, however essentially the most important financial savings comes from an trade first: a carbon fiber mattress. Sure, Common Motors, an organization that had numerous enjoyable poking holes in Ford’s aluminum mattress within the F-150 (actually and figuratively), will supply what’s referred to as the CarbonPro mattress on GMC Sierras. This tweak alone shaves 62 kilos off the burden of the truck whereas providing much more sturdiness and naturally corrosion resistance than the present metal mattress.
You do not must be a professional to understand the MultiPro tailgate.
GMC
The opposite large innovation with a camelcase moniker is the non-obligatory MultiPro tailgate, which splits the usual tailgate in two, permitting every to be opened independently. What appeared like a gimmick to me on first look seems to be surprisingly helpful, however extra on that in a second.
Driving all this can be certainly one of 4 motors, on the top-shelf sitting GMC’s 6.2-liter V8. It delivers 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque via a 10-speed automated and, within the Sierra Denali, is predicted to handle 15 mpg metropolis and 21 freeway. That rig will tow as much as 9,300 kilos, however go for the extra work-focused Sierra SLT trim and that quantity soars to a whopping 12,100 kilos.
The opposite V8 is the 5.Three-liter, with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft, and each this and its large brother supply a brand new technology of cylinder deactivation that, in principle, enable the engines to maintain spinning on only one cylinder. Different choices embrace a brand new, 2.7-liter, 310-horse turbo-four that replaces the outdated V6 and a Three.Zero-liter turbodiesel is coming as effectively. Effectivity figures for each of these decisions have but to be disclosed.
Intellilink is a stable infotainment choice, and the brand new HUD is a welcome addition.
GMC
All-new smarts
It is not simply the sheetmetal that is obtained a radical once-over. The 2019 Sierra’s inside takes a quantum leap ahead with a bevvy of latest tech toys and security options that lastly give this truck the smarts to match its brawn.
Final yr’s Sierra did not even supply blind-spot monitoring, however now the truck provides that plus a bunch of different adaptive security options like automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure help and sufficient cameras mounted on all angles to make parking this behemoth a breeze.
Within the dashboard sits a touchscreen working GMC’s newest taste of IntelliLink, which we have seen re-skinned in numerous colours for numerous different Common Motors properties. No matter dressing, it continues to be among the many greatest, providing a easy however complete expertise and, most essential, responsive efficiency. Better of all? Each Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are supported proper out of the field.
Climb on up into the motive force’s seat and look ahead and you may see the Sierra’s new heads-up show, which is larger and wider than any I’ve seen on a automobile earlier than. On right here you will in fact get present velocity, plus the present restrict and even roll and pitch information from the inclinometer. Curiously, although, navigation data isn’t displayed there.
And the ultimate new toy? It is GMC’s newest digital rear-view monitor, an evolution of the tech we first noticed within the Chevrolet Bolt EV that now provides a wider view and a a lot clearer picture.
All that is bolstered by a slew of each USB Kind-A and the newer Kind-C ports, plus a 110 outlet and an non-obligatory wi-fi charging pad that not solely stored my Galaxy Be aware eight topped up throughout a prolonged drive, it stored it good and funky, too.
High-shelf trailering
Whereas the brand new carbon mattress and trick tailgate will rightfully get essentially the most consideration, those that trailer will discover the brand new Sierra a really in a position companion. I had an opportunity to hitch up a ship trailer carrying a Zodiac boat and located the method to be very simple.
Lots of that comes all the way down to that bevvy of cameras. When backing up, the Sierra confirmed the rear-view and prolonged a line exhibiting the trail of the hitch, making preliminary alignment simple. Then, once I bought nearer, I used to be in a position to toggle to a zoomed-in, top-down view of the ball itself, that means I might see precisely when it was in-line.
After that I nonetheless needed to do the onerous work of decreasing the hitch onto the ball and connecting the chains and all that, however the infotainment system on the Sierra can assist there, too, displaying a customized guidelines with photos and animations to assist should you’re new to this type of factor — or are simply forgetful as I more and more am.
As soon as linked, the brand new Sierra trailering app lets you check the lights on the trailer simply by tapping a button, a course of a lot faster than calling in your important different to face behind the trailer and yell when the blinker comes on.
Lastly, the 2019 Sierra can optionally be outfitted with a secondary TPMS receiver that slots in behind the rear license plate. From right here, it could actually wirelessly detect trailer tire pressures and even temperatures, the type of data that would prevent from a high-speed blow-out and a really prolonged pit cease.
As soon as loaded, the Sierra’s adaptive suspension will mechanically regulate and allow you to even see behind the trailer with the usage of a secondary, distant digicam.
It is all maybe a bit a lot, however as the kind who can generally get a little bit burdened whereas trailering, I can positively see the enchantment.
If muddin’ is your factor, the lifted Sierra AT4 is for you.
GMC
Hitting the path
I spent most of a day crossing the attractive roads outdoors St. John’s, Newfoundland in a 2019 Sierra Denali, a top-shelf mannequin with practically all of the literal bells and figurative whistles, together with that large 6.2-liter lump of a V8. Its easy torque surges the empty truck ahead with aplomb, and whereas in default trim I discovered its sound to be a little bit unremarkable, the non-obligatory sport exhaust fixes that properly — at the price of some drone.
My preliminary impression behind the wheel of the Denali was certainly one of composure, an indicator of the Sierra and, certainly, the Silverado. When you would not confuse it for an S-Class, the Sierra handles uneven pavement and sudden potholes with out drama and provides a clear, snug cruise on the freeway. You could possibly cowl large, large miles within the heated and cooled entrance seats with out a lot discomfort.
And you will not be lacking a lot from the rear seats, both. That further legroom again there means the Crew Cab model of the truck can correctly deal with a crew of any measurement. Or, fold up the rear seats and there is loads of room for bicycles, giant canine, polar bears or no matter else you are touring with.
For no matter will not match within the cab, that MultiPro tailgate actually does make filling the mattress simple. With each parts folded down and the inner lip prolonged, it turns into a large, sturdy step that made it mighty simple to climb on in whereas dealing with a bale of hay. Flip up the interior tailgate and that prolonged lip turns into an built-in mattress extender. Or, shut the tailgate and lengthen the interior bit and you’ve got a satisfactory workshelf.
It really works effectively and it is the type of factor that we’ll absolutely see copied on different trucks within the close to future, however for now you’ll be able to solely get it on Sierra. Have been I out there I would absolutely be ticking that field.
It is fairly onerous to not like this factor… should you can afford it.
GMC
Wrap-up
The 2019 GMC Sierra, particularly in Denali trim, is tough to not like. Certain, its styling is probably conservative, however given its market and the numerous reception to Silverado, that looks as if a smart transfer to me. It drives cleanly, hauls and tows capably and has the smarts to be aggressive within the market.
However all that may come at a value, in fact. The 2019 GMC Sierra begins at $29,600, however if you would like all of the toys you have been studying about anticipate to pay extra. The off-road centered AT4, with its 2-inch carry and Rancho tubes, begins at $53,200 whereas the Denali is $54,700 and up.
Spendy? Sure certainly, however final yr the common Denali purchaser dropped a whopping $55,656, and with all these enjoyable new choices containers to tick in 2019, that quantity is barely going up.
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