The Sierra 1500 4WD Crew Cab in SLE 1SC trim starts at $40,915.00. Standard equipment includes a 315 h.p., 315 lb.-ft. of torque 5.3-litre V8 matched to a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.

The test vehicle also came with an $880 Convenience Package (remote start, heated window washing fluid, heated exterior mirrors, home remote); a $1,270 Safety Package (power adjustable pedals, rear parking sensor, head curtain side-impact air bags, rollover sensor); and a $1,715 Audio Package (Bose speakers/sub-woofer with AM/FM Stereo w/6-Disc Changer/MP3/XM Satellite Radio).

The new Sierra has an upscale cockpit, much like the one found in the Yukon and Tahoe SUVs.

Also, for just the right amount of bling, $1,795 worth of 20-inch rims and tires that include a sport suspension with rear monotube shock absorbers.

With a sundry of other items, the total for the Sierra test truck came to $48,170.

Big improvements inside
High-end Sierra SLTs and Denalis feature a replica of the upscale cockpits found in GM's full-size sports-utility-vehicles, like the Chevy Tahoe or GMC Yukon.

But the Sierra 4WD Crew Cab SLE comes with a more traditional, horizontal dash and three-across bench seat, as well as more tunneled, retro-look gauges and a two-story glovebox.

More spacious with increased storage space than the last Sierra, the cabin's materials are also nicer and better screwed together. Crew cab models feature a large back seat area that's quite acceptable for most adults. Standard on Crew Cabs is a new stadium-style seating with 60/40-split design.

The strong, silent type
GMC boasts the Sierra is the quietest full-size pickup on the market. After a week of running errands around town and a post-winter highway trip to the cottage, the Sierra proved to be very solid and (nearly) silent on the highway. What is wasn't was very quick.

Although the Sierra has a 315 hp 5.3-litre V8, it is not very quick.