GMC"s Sierra 1500 for 2015 Outpaces its Cousin
2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Overview + What's New
GMC’s Sierra 1500, fresh from a massive overhaul last year, enters 2015 with greater sales gains than its typically louder cousin, the Chevrolet Silverado. Both of GM’s fullsized, light-duty pickups have been re-born to deliver more strength, greater fuel economy, improved handling and more refined interiors. Also revamped is the new Ford F-150, and competitors like the Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra have staked their respectable places in the world of the modern pickup.
Nissan’s dramatic new Titan will arrive in 2016 equipped to dish out the comfort and refinement of the new pickup formula, but the 2015 model is a bargain if you can deal with its limitations.
What’s New
Like the 2015 Silverado 1500, GMC’s Sierra 1500 will be receiving an eight-speed transmission for its large 6.2-liter V8 engine later in the year. The updates continue for the Sierra 1500, however, with the magnetic ride control MagneRide system coming to the top-of-the-line Denali trim, along with a spray-in bedliner. GMC’s MagneRide, now in its third generation, hopes to give the excellent Ram 1500’s air suspension a run for its money for those looking for pickup with a great ride quality. Also debuting on the 2015 Sierra 1500 is the OnStar system with its own LTE hotspot and power-folding mirrors for trailer towing.
2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Bodystyles, Engines + Powertrains
Bodystyles
The Sierra 1500 begins with a 3-passenger regular cab, combinable with either a 6.5- or an 8-foot bed. A step up to the double cab will squeeze in 6, but comes only with a 6.5-foot bed. Crew cab models deal out more space for 6 passengers and can be paired with either the 5.75- or the 6.5-foot beds.
Engines and Powertrains
The Sierra 1500’s 4.3-liter V6 comes standard on all trims except for the top-of-the-line SLT, churning out 285 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque.
Rear-wheel drive models equipped with the engine see 20 mpg combined (18 mpg on city streets and 24 mpg for the highway), while four-wheel drive versions return 19 mpg combined (17 mpg city/22 mpg highway mileage). The 4.3-liter V6 comes mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and enables the Sierra 1500 to tug along up to 7,200 lbs. when properly equipped.
The SLT trim swaps the V6 out for the 5.3-liter V8 engine, increasing output to 355hp and 383 lb.-ft of torque. Combined with rear-wheel drive, the 5.3-liter delivers 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg for highway stretches (19 mpg combined). When pushing all four wheels the engine sees the same city fuel economy but drops to 22 mpg on the highway, serving up 18 mpg combined. The bigger V6 ups the maximum towing ante to 11,200 lbs, and also comes with a six-speed automatic transmission.
At the top of the heap sits the 6.2-liter V8 that dishes out 420 hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque. The Sierra 1500’s largest available engine is only available as an option for the SLT and Denali trims.
The burly 6.2-liter, due to mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission later in the year, will see 17 mpg combined--15 mpg in city driving and 21 mpg on the highway in two-wheel drive AND four-wheel drive configurations. Adding the big V8 to your Sierra 1500 ups its towing capability to 12,000 pounds.
Trim Levels
GMC’s Sierra 1500 comes as a stripped-down workhorse, a luxury oasis or any place in-between. A multitude of options are available to be added to trims where they don’t come standard, including luxury touches like ventilated front seats, a premium Bose audio system, a power-sliding rear window, a navigation system and a rear-seat entertainment system with a Blu-Ray player. Convenience options include the Max Trailering package, various axle ratios, side steps and parking sensors.
If want your truck to have a regular cab, you’ll need to choose either the base or SLE trims. Every trim level is available with a double or crew cab.
The starter trim, base, comes with basics like power windows and door locks, air conditioning, cruise control, chrome bumpers and grille, a cloth 40/20/40-split bench seat, a rubber-covered floor, a tilting steering wheel, 17-inch steel wheels and a four-speaker AM/FM sound system powered by a 4-inch color display with USB and auxiliary inputs.
Upgrading to the SLE trim adds features like an "E-Z" lift/lower tailgate, a rearview camera, keyless entry, adjustable lumbar for the driver, tinted glass, stainless steel-finish wheels, LED cargo box lighting, Bluetooth connectivity for calls and music, OnStar and a 8-inch color display that handles Pandora radio, satellite radio, HD radio, the CD player and voice control functions for the IntelliLink audio system.
A step up to the SLT trim brings a serious heaping of goodies like the MagneRide suspension system, a remote starter, power-folding mirrors, heated eight-way power driver and passenger front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery and power-adjustable pedals are added to utility upgrades like a trailer towing package and a 110-volt power outlet to top off what comes with an SLE.
The Z71 off-road package can be added to either the SLE or SLT trims, adding off-road tuned shock absorbers (in place of MagneRide), a heavy-duty air cleaner, hill descent control, underbody shields, recovery hooks and special appearance touches.
Still need more? Try the Denali. The Sierra 1500’s top-of-the-line adds everything that can be added to the SLT’s trappings, including heated and ventilated front seats, a front and rear parking assistance system, a locking rear differential, 20-inch wheels, chrome exterior trim, assist steps, a heated steering wheel, a Bose audio system and GMC’s IntelliLink infortainment system with navigation.
Safety
Every 2015 Sierra 1500 comes with antilock disc brakes, traction control, stability control (with trailer sway control), front and rear-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and the OnStar system.
Safety features like a rearview camera (standard on SLE and up) and front and rear park assist (standard on Denali) are available as options for all trims, along with more advanced systems like forward collision alert and lane departure warning.
The NHTSA gave the 2015 Sierra 1500 5-out-of-5 stars in its crash safety tests--earning a 5-star rating for overall side-impact protection and 5 stars for frontal protection.
GMC’s Sierra 1500, fresh from a massive overhaul last year, enters 2015 with greater sales gains than its typically louder cousin, the Chevrolet Silverado. Both of GM’s fullsized, light-duty pickups have been re-born to deliver more strength, greater fuel economy, improved handling and more refined interiors. Also revamped is the new Ford F-150, and competitors like the Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra have staked their respectable places in the world of the modern pickup.
Nissan’s dramatic new Titan will arrive in 2016 equipped to dish out the comfort and refinement of the new pickup formula, but the 2015 model is a bargain if you can deal with its limitations.
What’s New
Like the 2015 Silverado 1500, GMC’s Sierra 1500 will be receiving an eight-speed transmission for its large 6.2-liter V8 engine later in the year. The updates continue for the Sierra 1500, however, with the magnetic ride control MagneRide system coming to the top-of-the-line Denali trim, along with a spray-in bedliner. GMC’s MagneRide, now in its third generation, hopes to give the excellent Ram 1500’s air suspension a run for its money for those looking for pickup with a great ride quality. Also debuting on the 2015 Sierra 1500 is the OnStar system with its own LTE hotspot and power-folding mirrors for trailer towing.
2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Bodystyles, Engines + Powertrains
Bodystyles
The Sierra 1500 begins with a 3-passenger regular cab, combinable with either a 6.5- or an 8-foot bed. A step up to the double cab will squeeze in 6, but comes only with a 6.5-foot bed. Crew cab models deal out more space for 6 passengers and can be paired with either the 5.75- or the 6.5-foot beds.
Engines and Powertrains
The Sierra 1500’s 4.3-liter V6 comes standard on all trims except for the top-of-the-line SLT, churning out 285 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque.
Rear-wheel drive models equipped with the engine see 20 mpg combined (18 mpg on city streets and 24 mpg for the highway), while four-wheel drive versions return 19 mpg combined (17 mpg city/22 mpg highway mileage). The 4.3-liter V6 comes mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and enables the Sierra 1500 to tug along up to 7,200 lbs. when properly equipped.
The SLT trim swaps the V6 out for the 5.3-liter V8 engine, increasing output to 355hp and 383 lb.-ft of torque. Combined with rear-wheel drive, the 5.3-liter delivers 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg for highway stretches (19 mpg combined). When pushing all four wheels the engine sees the same city fuel economy but drops to 22 mpg on the highway, serving up 18 mpg combined. The bigger V6 ups the maximum towing ante to 11,200 lbs, and also comes with a six-speed automatic transmission.
At the top of the heap sits the 6.2-liter V8 that dishes out 420 hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque. The Sierra 1500’s largest available engine is only available as an option for the SLT and Denali trims.
The burly 6.2-liter, due to mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission later in the year, will see 17 mpg combined--15 mpg in city driving and 21 mpg on the highway in two-wheel drive AND four-wheel drive configurations. Adding the big V8 to your Sierra 1500 ups its towing capability to 12,000 pounds.
Trim Levels
GMC’s Sierra 1500 comes as a stripped-down workhorse, a luxury oasis or any place in-between. A multitude of options are available to be added to trims where they don’t come standard, including luxury touches like ventilated front seats, a premium Bose audio system, a power-sliding rear window, a navigation system and a rear-seat entertainment system with a Blu-Ray player. Convenience options include the Max Trailering package, various axle ratios, side steps and parking sensors.
If want your truck to have a regular cab, you’ll need to choose either the base or SLE trims. Every trim level is available with a double or crew cab.
The starter trim, base, comes with basics like power windows and door locks, air conditioning, cruise control, chrome bumpers and grille, a cloth 40/20/40-split bench seat, a rubber-covered floor, a tilting steering wheel, 17-inch steel wheels and a four-speaker AM/FM sound system powered by a 4-inch color display with USB and auxiliary inputs.
Upgrading to the SLE trim adds features like an "E-Z" lift/lower tailgate, a rearview camera, keyless entry, adjustable lumbar for the driver, tinted glass, stainless steel-finish wheels, LED cargo box lighting, Bluetooth connectivity for calls and music, OnStar and a 8-inch color display that handles Pandora radio, satellite radio, HD radio, the CD player and voice control functions for the IntelliLink audio system.
A step up to the SLT trim brings a serious heaping of goodies like the MagneRide suspension system, a remote starter, power-folding mirrors, heated eight-way power driver and passenger front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery and power-adjustable pedals are added to utility upgrades like a trailer towing package and a 110-volt power outlet to top off what comes with an SLE.
The Z71 off-road package can be added to either the SLE or SLT trims, adding off-road tuned shock absorbers (in place of MagneRide), a heavy-duty air cleaner, hill descent control, underbody shields, recovery hooks and special appearance touches.
Still need more? Try the Denali. The Sierra 1500’s top-of-the-line adds everything that can be added to the SLT’s trappings, including heated and ventilated front seats, a front and rear parking assistance system, a locking rear differential, 20-inch wheels, chrome exterior trim, assist steps, a heated steering wheel, a Bose audio system and GMC’s IntelliLink infortainment system with navigation.
Safety
Every 2015 Sierra 1500 comes with antilock disc brakes, traction control, stability control (with trailer sway control), front and rear-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and the OnStar system.
Safety features like a rearview camera (standard on SLE and up) and front and rear park assist (standard on Denali) are available as options for all trims, along with more advanced systems like forward collision alert and lane departure warning.
The NHTSA gave the 2015 Sierra 1500 5-out-of-5 stars in its crash safety tests--earning a 5-star rating for overall side-impact protection and 5 stars for frontal protection.
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