2008 GMC Sierra 1500 Exterior Review [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 28 Sierra-1500 reviews and test drives.
Exterior - What the Auto Press Says
Describing the Sierra's looks, the Washington Post says: "It's a pickup truck. Sexy doesn't get it in this league. Power does. It looks powerful." But its powerful stance isn't enough to secure a top ranking.
Though the 2008 Sierra didn't change in terms of wheelbase with the 2007 redesign, in its shortest configuration, it is 3 inches longer and 1.5 wider than the 2006 model. However, this is not the only departure from the Sierra's previous look. For 2007, round curves were traded for a boxier, more serious look. Also, the 2007 model year became the first time in GMC's history where the Sierra had its own individual look and no longer differed from the Chevy Silverado only in its grille and emblems. Car and Driver reports "the Sierra's entire front-end, wide hood, bumpers, front and rear fenders, lamps, cargo box, and tailgate are unique."
The new Sierra 1500 has a taller, more squared off nose, with a dark grille only surrounded with slight chrome-trim, forcing the red letters GMC to stand out off of the black background. Car and Driver says that these features give the Sierra a "powerful and muscular presence," and Motor Trend finds the Sierra's new image to be "sleeker and more upscale." MarketWatch adds, "We very much liked the styling of our GMC, with a rather bold front end that said All American Truck."
The Sierra is available with three different size cargo beds: short box (69.3 inches long), standard box (78.7 inches long), and long box (97.6 inches long). Yet, due to a limited wheelbase, not all bed lengths are available on all cab configurations. The regular cab pickup is available only with either the standard or long box cargo beds. The extended cab pickup is available with any of the three cargo beds. The crew cab is only available with short box cargo beds. One feature that most reviewers found interesting was the optional E-Z lift lockable tailgate, which requires minimum effort to open and close due to a torsion bar installed on the hinges.
A cargo management system is optional on al Sierras. It is a factory-installed system of rails mounted on the inside of the box sides and can be connected to a variety of GMC accessories, such as sliding metal dividers, a commercial overhead rack, a sliding metal tool box, or sliding metal side storage boxes.
Exterior Trims
Regular Cab
The Regular Cab has two full-size doors and is configured for two or three passengers.
Extended Cab
The extended Cab has two full-size front doors and two rear suicide doors. The cab is configured for five or six passengers. The rear doors cannot open without the front doors being opened first; however, when opened, the two rear doors swing open 180 degrees and run parallel with the truck bed.
Crew Cab
The Crew Cab has four full-size doors. The cab is configured for five or six passengers.
