The Great American Car is really a truck

When you think of the iconic family sedans of post-war America, you think of a big V8 engines out front, a large trunk out back and room for a family of six.

Now gander at this new-for-2007 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD Crew Cab SLE.

It certainly matches the profile of those Chevrolet Impala and Ford Galaxies 500 land yachts that our parents drove.

The 2007 GMC Sierra along with its twin, the Chevrolet Silverado, have been completely redesigned.

Just look at the Sierra's considerable V8 engine out front and huge trunk out back (just add a hardtop bed tonneau, OK?). In addition, the Sierra's six passengers have room to wear their snowsuits and fur hats with elbow room to spare.

Before the introduction of the compact car in the early 1960s, domestic carmakers built a plethora of models off one, full-size chassis. Two-door coupes, hardtops, four-door sedans, convertibles, two- and four-door wagons, wagon-based pickups--the variety was endless.

It's the same today with full-size pickups.

Like its Chevrolet Silverado platform mate (which is also all new this year), the Sierra 1500 can be had in three cab styles: regular; extended; and crew cab. There are three bed lengths: short (5'8"); standard (6'6"); and long (8'0") as well.

Trim levels start at the $23,370 base model work truck. Once can then move up to SLE and SLT Sierras, along with two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive available throughout.

Base Sierras start with a 195 horsepower, 260 pound-feet of torque 4.3-litre V6. Most will be powered by one of six V8s, starting with a 295 h.p., 305 of torque 4.8L unit.

There's also the $52,355 GMC Denali if you need the ultimate in luxury crew cabs with a 400 h.p., 417 lb.-ft. of torque V8.

It's all about the option sheet
The combination of cabs, bed lengths, drivetrains and trim levels means there should be a GMC Sierra for just about everyone. And like any new domestic full-size truck, wading through the matrixes of options can be a daunting task.

The big Sierra looks great with $1,795 worth of 20-inch rims and tires.