2000 GMC Sierra 1500: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

A standard fourth door for extended-cab models is Sierra's big news for 2000. GMC's half-ton full-size pickup comes in SL, SLE, and top-line SLT trim levels. Like Chevy's near-identical Silverado 1500, Sierra offers regular and extended cabs with 6.5- or 8.1-foot Wideside cargo beds. A factory-installed tonneau cover is a new Wideside-bed option. A 6.5-foot flare-fender Sportside bed is also available. The driver-side rear door was a $330 option and supplemented a standard passenger-side rear door. The driver-side door became standard at midyear with a corresponding $330 increase in extended-cab base prices. These doors are hinged at the back and do not open independently of the front doors.

A 4.3-liter V6 is the base engine, with available V8s of 4.8 and 5.3 liters. Both V8s gain 15 horsepower for 2000. Manual and automatic transmissions continue, the latter with a "Tow/Haul" mode that reduces shifting under heavy loads. Maximum towing capacity increases for 2000 by 700 pounds, to 11,200 pounds. Sierra's optional Autotrac 4-wheel drive can be used on dry pavement, automatically engaging the front axle when rear-wheel slip is detected. It also has locked-in 4WD high and low ranges. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard. Sierra's performance and accommodations mirror those of comparably equipped Silverados.

COMPETITION

With the advent of crossover vehicles the segment has become less defined. Once the domain of work-related heavy-duty pickups, buyers are now demanding that their full-size trucks do double duty. Our Best Buys remain the Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150, and GMC Sierra. These trucks offer a wide range of powertrain combinations, plenty of luxury accommodations, and ample towing power--though the GM twins are the only ones to offer full-time 4WD.

The big-rig-styled Dodge Ram matches the new Ford and GM models feature for feature but can't match their ride comfort or civility.