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2008 GMC Sierra 1500
Date Published: 4/30/08

2008 GMC Sierra 1500
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MSRP:
$17,500 - 42,120

Invoice:
$16,538 - 38,540

Class:
Large Pickup Truck

CG Award: (What's This?)
2008 GMC Sierra 1500
Expert Rating Summary
Category 4WD ext. cab Z60, 5.3 V8 Rating (See All
Ratings)
Large Pickup Truck Average Rating
Acceleration 6 5.4
Fuel Economy 3 2.8
Ride Quality 5 4.5
Steering/Handling/Braking 4 3.5
Quietness 6 5.5
Controls 7 6.2
Details 6 5.2
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front) 9 8.1
Room/Comfort (rear) 4 5.1
Cargo Room 5 5
Value within Class 7 6.5
Total Score: 62 57.8
Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category
2008 GMC SIERRA 1500 BUYING RESOURCES
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2008 GMC Sierra 1500 Review
The 2008 GMC Sierra adds a new off-road themed model. These large trucks were redesigned for the 2007 model year along with the similar Chevrolet Silverado. Sierra offers regular, extended, and crew cab body styles. Extended cabs have rear-hinged back doors that don't open independently of the fronts. Regular cabs can seat up to three passengers, while extendeds and crews can seat up to six. Available cargo bed lengths are 6.5 and 8.1 ft for regular and extended cab models and 5.8 ft for crews. The 2008 GMC Sierra offers two interiors, dubbed "Pure Pickup" and "Luxury inspired." Available engines, depending on cab/bed configuration, are a 195-hp 4.3-liter V6, 295-hp 4.8-liter V8, 315-hp 5.3-liter V8, and 367-hp 6.0-liter V8. Some versions of the 5.3 V8 can run on E85 ethanol fuel. That engine and the 6.0 V8 have GM's Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation. All these engines pair with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Unique to the Sierra lineup is the top-end Denali. It's a crew cab with a 403-hp 6.2-liter V8 and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Maximum towing capacity is 10,500 lb. Rear-wheel drive is standard. Two 4WD systems are available: a part-time setup that should not be left engaged on dry pavement and GM's Autotrac that can. Both include a low-range gear for off-roading. Sierra Denali has all-wheel drive without low-range gearing. Four suspensions are available. Z83 and Z85 are designed for optimum ride comfort. Z60 is a street-performance setup designed for maximum handling capability. Z71 is designed for off-roading. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and curtain side airbags. The 2008 GMC Sierra All Terrain is a new package that includes the Z71 suspension and specific interior and exterior trim.
Competition
Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Large Pickup Trucks are traditionally the vehicles of choice for heavy-duty hauling and towing. They offer an array of cab styles and bed lengths and usually feature powerful V8 or diesel engines. For personal use, consider light-duty half-ton models. For heavy-duty or commercial use, consider three-quarter- or one-ton models.

We have no Best Buys in this class. Our Recommended picks are the Chevrolet Avalanche, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ford F-150, GMC Sierra 1500, and Toyota Tundra.

News
The redesigned Sierras and Chevrolet Silverados use the "GMT900" large-truck architecture introduced with the '07 GMC Yukon/Yukon XL SUVs and their relatives. A hybrid power option is planned for late model-year 2008. The result of a GM-DaimlerChrysler-BMW collaboration, this "two-mode" system is said to use twin electric motors and a 300-volt battery pack to assist a 5.3 V8 with GM's Active Fuel Management. It allows low-speed driving on either power source, and promises better overall fuel economy than conventional powertrains.
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