2010 GMC Sierra 1500 Review

About this Vehicle

Trim: 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali

MSRP: $43,285 Engine: 6.2L V8 Transmission: Automatic

Drivetrain: 4X2, AWD Fuel Type: Flex Fuel Curb Weight: 5,181 lbs.

The 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 is one of the best full-sized pickups available. It is available in regular, extended, or crew cabs, and can be purchased with one of three different bed lengths. There are four different engines and five different trim levels. This car review will help you find out whether the Sierra 1500 is the best vehicle choice for you.

Specifications

The 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 has these specifications:

• Pricing: car pricing starts at $20,850 MSRP and $20,016 invoice
• Fuel economy: 15 mpg city/20 mpg highway
• Engines: 4.3-liter, 195 horsepower V6; 4.8-liter, 295 hp V8; 5.3-liter, 315 hp V8; 6.2-liter, 403 hp V8
• Acceleration: about 6.6 seconds for the 6.2-liter engine, 8.6 seconds for smaller engines
• Car safety features: antilock brakes, stability control, roll-mitigating technology side curtain airbags, front side airbags
• Suspension: heavy-duty suspension tuning with short and long arm suspension in the front and leaf suspension in the back
• Warranty: three-year/36,000 mile basic warranty; five-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty; six-year/100,000 mile corrosion warranty; five years and 100,000 miles roadside assistance

Exterior Features

The exterior of the 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 is different based on the configuration chosen. It can be purchased with a standard, extended, or crew cab. Standard cabs are offered with standard 6 foot 6 inch beds, or long, 8 foot beds. Extended cabs can have short beds (5 foot 8 inches), or standard or long beds. Crew cabs only come with short beds. Regular cabs are only available in Work or SLE trims; extended cabs can also be purchased in the SLT trim. The crew cab can be purchased in any of these trims, plus the SL or Denali trim.
The Work trim only offers the basics, like halogen headlights and daytime running lights. The SLT trim has rain sensing windshield wipers. The Denali has special wheels, different exterior styling, and a suspension that’s tuned for performing on-road. A variety of packages are available (not all packages are available with all trims), including a Z71 Off-Road package with off-road suspension tuning and skid plates, an All-Terrain Package that is similar to the Z71 package, an XFE package that improves fuel economy, a backup camera, EZ-Lift tailgate, and powered rear window.

Interior Features

The interior features on the 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 vary by trim level purchased. The Work model is very basic, with air conditioning, OnStar, trip computer, vinyl seats, front bench seat with 40/20/40 split, and a radio with a CD player, satellite radio, mp3 compatibility, and an auxiliary audio jack. The SL trim also has keyless entry, cruise control, driver-side lumbar adjustments, and power accessories. The SLE trim has cloth seats, a leather-covered steering wheel, and a power outlet built into the center console. The SLT has a Bose sound system with a six-disc CD changer, leather seats, metal and wood dashboard accents, heated and powered front seats, and audio controls for the rear seats. The Denali also has a heated steering wheel, USB connectivity, and OnStar navigation.
Options include a back-up camera, Bluetooth compatibility, navigation with live traffic, rear seat entertainment, rear parking assist, and an upgraded audio system.
There is plenty of head and legroom for adults; power-adjustable pedals make the vehicle easier to drive for shorter vehicles. The seats are firm and comfortable. The back seat on extended cab models has limited legroom, while crew cabs have a good amount of legroom.

Performance

The 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 has performance that varies depending on the engine chosen. The V6 model’s performance isn’t as impressive as the ability of the other engines, but the V8 engines are much stronger. The Sierra 1500 handles like a truck, and can be purchased with different suspensions. The brakes work well. The V6 and smaller V8 engines come with a four-speed automatic transmission, while the larger V8 engines come with a six-speed automatic transmission. Depending on the configuration and chosen drivetrain, the Sierra 1500 can tow up to 10,700 pounds.

How the GMC Sierra 1500 Compares to Other Trucks

The 2010 GMC Sierra 1500 is one of the best full-sized trucks that you can buy. Its base interior is more spartan than the some of the other truck’s base models, like the Toyota Tundra and Dodge Ram. However, the Sierra can be purchased with upgraded interiors if desired. The base model has a rather large turning circle. While the GMC Sierra 1500 is a good vehicle, you might also be interested in looking at the following trucks:

• Ford F-150
• Dodge Ram
• Chevrolet Silverado 1500
• Toyota Tundra

The Sierra 1500 is a good truck for someone that needs a truck, and doesn’t want a car or a light truck that drives like a car.