I just spent four hours with the new 2014 GMC Sierra....wow!

[Kaisen]

I was invited to attend the first training event General Motors put on for the new GMC Sierra. Minneapolis was the first of a 56 city tour. I'm neither a GM dealer/employee or a GM employee, so it was a neat invite. They had several Sierras in different configurations, and several Ford, Ram, and Toyotas. All half-ton models as the HD line launches a bit later.

While the new truck doesn't look terribly different from the old truck, at least in my opinion, they really nailed the details. The single descriptor I carried away from the new truck was "refined". The quality, materials, fit and finish, quietness, smoothness, and features/options are all a couple notches above the last truck.

The new small blocks are amazing, lightweight, compact and simple. It's hard to justify turbos and diesels when you see/feel (and hear) what these new direct-inject small block V6/V8s are capable of. For example, the new 6.2L makes more horsepower and torque (even from 2000rpm) than my 8.1L big-block, all while getting better than 20 mpg on the freeway. The 5.3L V8 (355hp / 383lb-ft) gets better fuel economy than any other V8 in any half-ton, and even better than a Ford 3.5 EcoBoost.

I'm not in the market for a half-ton pickup truck, nor will I be. But Americans buy a couple million a year. If you are in this market, make sure you go for a test drive and see what you think. Until Ford's new truck comes out in a year or so, this new Sierra/Silverado might just be the best.

Notice I didn't go into detail, but if you have any questions at all about the new trucks, I can answer them here.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

At first glance that front end screams Ford!

 

[Kaisen]

I guess I can see that too!

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I'm actually surprised Ford isn't up in arms over copying their front grill.

 

[78Bronco]

I'm actually surprised Ford isn't up in arms over copying their front grill.

Why would Ford get upset...GM is reinforcing the fact they are no longer an innovating company but simply a follower of the best selling trucks for the last half century.

I still will not touch a GM product as they are simply cheap garbage.

 

[Kaisen]

Why would Ford get upset...GM is reinforcing the fact they are no longer an innovating company but simply a follower of the best selling trucks for the last half century.

I still will not touch a GM product as they are simply cheap garbage.

I don't think there is a 'bad' truck, just one that you may personally like better. That said, it's worth pointing out that GM has outsold Ford in the full-size pickup segment roughly half of the last 25 years. Ford only has one brand. GM has both Chevrolet and GMC. If you add them together, they trade the 'best selling' title back and forth over the years.

I've owned Fords, Dodges, GMCs, and Chevrolets (and Toyotas and Nissans, et al). No one is making crap these days.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Why would Ford get upset...GM is reinforcing the fact they are no longer an innovating company but simply a follower of the best selling trucks for the last half century.

I still will not touch a GM product as they are simply cheap garbage.

That's a broad and weak statement without evidence to back it up. I recently bought my first diesel and it happens to be a 1995 Chevy K2500, it rides smoother than my wife's Mazda sedan and towed both our Jeep and tent trailer like it wasn't even there. Granted it's a 5 speed manual and doesn't even have 140k miles on it, but even the late 90's GM heavy duty automatics were pretty bulletproof. I personally will not buy any new car, but that's more of a financial standpoint than a reliability one.

 

[Kaisen]

Here's the Chevrolet Silverado version....

 

[Betarocker]

Did they rehire the design team who gave us the Pontiac Aztec? Grill and lights over a grill and lights.

 

[Kaisen]

2014 Toyota Tundra:
.

2014 Dodge Ram:
.

 

[mtnbike28]

I am a Toyota guy, but wow is that Tundra ugly!
Very cool on your invite and I have always had a soft spot for Chevy trucks (growing up in Texas will do that) and I am glad to hear it impressed you!

 

[Larry]

Did they rehire the design team who gave us the Pontiac Aztec? Grill and lights over a grill and lights.

Actually, Tom Peters is the GM engineer who is most responsible for the 2014 Silverado and Sierra styling as well as the man behind the 2014 C7 Corvette styling. Oddly enough, he was also behind the Pontiac Aztek. I am surprised he even had a job after the Aztek but looks like he did a pretty decent job on the new Silverado and Sierra. I really like the Silverado, while the Sierra is a bit overstyled for my taste. I absolutely cannot stand the 2007-2013 GMT900 trucks, especially the Chevy. Ugly! 2014 is a truck I would own.

That is cool you were able to do this Kaisen. I would to be invited to the 2014 event. Years ago I did a couple of this invitation ride and drives for Chrysler but never GM.

 

[BBslider001]

I don't think there is a 'bad' truck, just one that you may personally like better. That said, it's worth pointing out that GM has outsold Ford in the full-size pickup segment roughly half of the last 25 years. Ford only has one brand. GM has both Chevrolet and GMC. If you add them together, they trade the 'best selling' title back and forth over the years.

I've owned Fords, Dodges, GMCs, and Chevrolets (and Toyotas and Nissans, et al). No one is making crap these days.

Well said...and just ask Ford owners about their luck with the diesel trucks for the last, say, 9 years...

 

[bob91yj]

We took delivery of our first trucks last week at my dealership.

 

[Kaisen]

Well said...and just ask Ford owners about their luck with the diesel trucks for the last, say, 9 years...

Well, I had my 2007 Ford F250 Harley Powerstroke until 104K miles and never had one issue with it (sold it in 2010). So I have nothing bad to say about the 6.0, but that hasn't been true for every owner.