GMC Sierra 1500 4WD AT4 Crew Cab: Perfect Match

USA is the number one pick-up country. In no other country in the world are more pick-ups sold – used like new – which are simply called trucks here. The large full-size trucks are particularly popular, of which the Ford F-150 has led the American sales statistics for four decades with up to one million new registrations per year. In second place, just as unchallenged as number one, is the Chevrolet Silverado, of which an average of more than 600,000 vehicles are sold each year. If the normal Silverado is too common for you, you can opt for the better equipped sister model of the GMC Sierra. In addition to powerful six- and eight-cylinder petrol engines, the new model now has a diesel engine for the first time. So far, they were only intended in the so-called heavy-duty versions for commercial use in the 2500 and 3500 models.

After the Ford F-150 and the Ram from Dodge have shown the way and thus attracting more and more buyers, the noble pick-up from General Motors is now also available with an efficient compression-ignition engine that complies with the engine portfolio of six-cylinder engines with 2.7 and 4.3 liter displacement (310 and 285 hp) and a V8 petrol engine with 5.3 liter displacement and 355 hp added. The three-liter common rail diesel has an output of 207 kW / 277 hp and a maximum torque of 623 Nm, which transmits its power to both drive axles via a ten-speed automatic. The GMC Sierra AT4 is particularly popular as an all-wheel drive vehicle with the so-called crew cab, which can comfortably accommodate five people. Then the length of the American is already a stately 5.88 meters; the extended version is 6.13 meters long.

The almost 280 hp doesn’t sound like much for a 2.2-ton four-wheel-drive pick-up and in fact the GMC Sierra cannot completely cover its manageable displacement of three liters, but the torque makes the music, because the 623 Nm are significantly more beefy than the 518 Nm that the naturally aspirated V8 offers its driver. The in-line six-cylinder diesel is powerfully attached to the gas with a brief respite and pushes the white colossus powerfully. No big surprise for Europeans with the diesel history of the past decades, because the large SUVs and off-road vehicles with their six- and eight-cylinder self-igniting engines offered outputs of up to 400 hp and 900 Nm. But the diesels have meanwhile disappeared from many series due to the ongoing trend towards electrification or have been significantly decimated. With the 91 liter tank, however, longer distances of up to 900 kilometers are possible without refueling.

In such a full-size pick-up, the diesel engines show that they are the ideal solution, especially for large vehicles and corresponding payloads. Because although the GMC Sierra AT4, the twin brother of the Chevrolet Silverado, could not be moved over 100 kilometers with just under ten liters of diesel, the real consumption was just slightly higher at just under eleven liters – including higher speeds, a lot of city traffic and an open loading area that was uncovered some in drag and therefore fuel costs. On the highway, 160 km / h are no problem – but the studded tires do not allow more. The new loading flap of the Sierra is a real show, because it can not only be opened at the push of a button from the driver’s cab, but also has a small partial flap for particularly long objects that reach over the end of the vehicle.

In general, the GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 with its 277 hp six-cylinder diesel engine is not only ideally motorized, but is also equipped for everything despite studded tires and impressive off-road capabilities. So there is not only all-wheel drive and a reduction that carries you through rough terrain, but also on various trailer programs and, on request, a specially translated rear axle with which trailers weighing more than four tons can be towed without any problems. The pick-ups in the USA are not least the expression of a completely different leisure behavior. Quads, surfboards and motorcycles are often transported on the loading areas; Boats and larger leisure items land on the equally generously dimensioned trailers.

The interior of the GMC Sierra 1500 4WD Crew Cab AT4, which costs at least 54,300 US dollars, is anything but a commercial vehicle, but a true luxury model. The chassis set-up is remarkable despite the rustic construction and so the American cuts an excellent figure even on longer journeys. Even hard transverse joints hurt painfully through into the interior and create a wobbly program. In addition, with the double cabin there is ample space for up to five people or considerable luggage. The driver and front passenger sit on air-conditioned leather armchairs and the number of gigantic cup holders could satisfy a football team. The foldable box under the center armrest or the rear seat bench is so large that there is space for several Bud Light packages or entire crates of beer.

Meanwhile, the driver looks at partly animated instruments, which should be presented in a more modern way. After all, there is an extremely informative head-up display with all the important driving information and the sensible Premium and Technology packages offer details such as an electrically opening rear window, networked navigation, wireless charging, cruise control and other storage spaces. The number of switches is impressive on the left and right of the steering wheel and the multifunction screen, with its diagonal of eight inches, should be significantly larger for a new vehicle. The operation via touch or voice works in an exemplary manner.

Not unusual for a full size, the individual speed levels of the ten-speed automatic transmission are engaged via a powerful selector lever on the steering wheel rim. However, that’s the only thing you notice about the inconspicuous automatic, because it works in the background without a trailer and shifts the speed steps without the driver having to do anything. It only intervenes when it needs an additional motor brake on long mountain drives with a trailer or a heavy load on the loading area.