2003 GMC Sierra 1500/2500: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Expanded availability of 4-wheel steering and a new DVD entertainment option highlight the changes to Sierra for 2003. Sierra shares its design with the Chevrolet Silverado. Half-ton 1500s and three-quarter-ton 2500s offer regular and extended cabs; the 1500 also comes in a 4-dr Crew Cab. Extended cabs have dual rear-hinged back doors that do not open independently of the front doors and a 3-passenger rear bench seat. Crew Cabs have four full-size front-opening doors and a rear bench. All are available with front buckets or bench seat. Regular and extended cabs offer flush-fender Fleetside cargo boxes of 6.5 or 8.1 ft, and a 6.5-ft flare-fender Sportside box; Crew Cabs come with the shorter Fleetside box only.

Regular- and extended-cab 1500s are available with a 4.3-liter V6 or V8s of 4.8 and 5.3 liters. Crew Cabs come only with a 6.0-liter V8, which powers all 2500s. Manual and automatic transmissions are offered, the latter featuring a Tow/Haul mode that adjusts shift points to maximize power under heavy loads. Sierras are available in rear-wheel drive, 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement, or General Motors' Autotrac 4WD that can be left engaged on dry pavement; 4x4s include low-range gearing. GM's OnStar assistance system is optional, as is traction control on 2WD models. GM's exclusive Ride Control Suspension option offers two levels of shock absorber firmness to suit road or load. Exclusive to the Sierra is a Professional Package that includes a special center console, electric warmer/cooler for food and beverages, and rear under-seat storage.

Sierras are available in four trim levels: Work, Base, SLE, and SLT. There is also a top-line version called the Sierra Denali. Denali is a luxury/performance extended-cab with a more-powerful V8 than other Sierras, plus all-wheel drive without low-range gearing. Standard on Denali and newly optional on uplevel extended and Crew Cabs is GM's Quadrasteer 4-wheel steering system. It is designed to decrease the turning radius at low speeds by turning the rear wheels counter to the fronts, and to aid stability at higher speeds by turning the rear wheels in the same direction as the fronts. Chevy also offers Quadrasteer on some Silverado models. In other changes for '03, Sierras get a restyled front end, along with newly available satellite radio and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system for Crew Cabs.

COMPETITION

With the advent of crossover vehicles, this 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 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 and convenient 4-wheel steering.

Big-rig-styled Dodge Ram matches the new Ford and GM models in most aspects but can't match their ride comfort or civility. We also like the expensive Toyota Tundra. What it lacks in brute strength, it more than makes up for with refined road manners.