Acceleration

4WD ext. cab w/Luxury int., nav sys., Z60 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z71 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z85 susp., 5.3 V8	Denali	Class Average
6	6	6	7	5

Acceleration more than adequate with 5.3-liter V8 and robust with Denali's 6.2 V8. Smooth-shifting transmission kicks down quickly for more passing power. Tow/Haul mode adjusts shift points for best performance with heavy loads. Denali's shifter-stalk-mounted manual-shift control works with an easy flick of thumb.

Fuel Economy

4WD ext. cab w/Luxury int., nav sys., Z60 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z71 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z85 susp., 5.3 V8	Denali	Class Average
3	3	3	0	2.5

Test 4WD averaged 14.1 mpg. recommends regular-grade fuel for all engines except Denali's 400-hp V8, for which premium fuel is recommended.

Some 5.3-liter engines can also run on ethanol-blended fuel, called E85.

Ride Quality

4WD ext. cab w/Luxury int., nav sys., Z60 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z71 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z85 susp., 5.3 V8	Denali	Class Average
5	5	6	0	4.4

Standard Z85 suspension provides a comfortable, compliant ride, and there's less reverberation over bumps than in most pickups. Stiffer Z60 suspension makes ride more jittery over smaller bumps, partly due to its 20-inch tires vs. standard 17s. Available Z71 suspension is suited to off-road duty, exhibits some choppiness over pavement cracks and washboard surfaces.

Steering/Handling/Braking

4WD ext. cab w/Luxury int., nav sys., Z60 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z71 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z85 susp., 5.3 V8	Denali	Class Average
4	3	3	0	3.5

Noticeable body lean in fast turns and quick changes of direction with Z85 suspension, but on par with most other full-size pickups. Z60 and Z71 suspension improve handling only slightly. Steering nicely weighted if a bit numb. Brakes responsive with fine pedal feel.

Quietness

4WD ext. cab w/Luxury int., nav sys., Z60 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z71 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z85 susp., 5.3 V8	Denali	Class Average
6	6	6	0	4.9

Road, engine noise lower than in most pickups. Wind noise intrudes only above 60 mph.

Controls

4WD ext. cab w/Luxury int., nav sys., Z60 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z71 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z85 susp., 5.3 V8	Denali	Class Average
7	7	7	0	6.3

Gauges easy to see and read. Pure Pickup interior places radio and climate controls high on dashboard, just out of easy reach. Materials better than expected of a work-oriented truck. Luxury interior mimics that in Yukon large SUV, with controls mounted lower but within easy reach, and materials that are a cut above the pickup norm, even though most surfaces are hard plastic. Optional navigation system absorbs some audio controls, but doesn't complicate their use.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

4WD ext. cab w/Luxury int., nav sys., Z60 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z71 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z85 susp., 5.3 V8	Denali	Class Average
9	9	9	0	8.3

Ample room for adults. Bucket and bench seats lack side support in fast turns, but are firm and comfortable. Visibility generally good, though extended cab's thick rear pillars hinder view to back corners. Short drivers may appreciate optional power-adjustable pedals.

Room/Comfort (rear)

4WD ext. cab w/Luxury int., nav sys., Z60 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z71 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z85 susp., 5.3 V8	Denali	Class Average
4	8	8	0	5

Generous head room. Leg room ample in crew cab. Extended cab's seatback set at a comfortable angle, but leg room tight. With front bucket seats, center console restricts toe room for center rear-seat passenger. Extended's rear doors are available with power windows. They now open wider than before--nearly flush with the cargo bed; for easier entry/exit, but if fully open, a seated passenger can't close the door.

Cargo Room

4WD ext. cab w/Luxury int., nav sys., Z60 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z71 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z85 susp., 5.3 V8	Denali	Class Average
5	6	6	0	5.2

On both extended and crew cabs, rear seat cushion flips back against seatback, leaving a large cargo area with a nearly flat floor. Pure Pickup interior features upper and lower gloveboxes; Luxury interior has only a lower one. In front, bucket seats come with a roomy console bin, while the bench seat is available with a flip-down center armrest that doubles as a large storage bin. Otherwise, there are few other interior storage cubbies.

Value within Class

4WD ext. cab w/Luxury int., nav sys., Z60 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z71 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z85 susp., 5.3 V8	Denali	Class Average
7	7	8	0	6.4

GMC's redesigned Sierra and the similar Chevrolet Silverado are among the best large pickup trucks for refinement and available features. Any truck buyer would be well-advised to give these Recommended picks a long, hard look.

Total Score

4WD ext. cab w/Luxury int., nav sys., Z60 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z71 susp., 5.3 V8	4WD crew cab w/Pure Pickup int., Z85 susp., 5.3 V8	Denali	Class Average
56	60	62	7	51.5

Scores for all Large Pickup Trucks

Low Score		7
Average Score		51
High Score		64