Gmc Sierra

                                                                Gmc Sierra

The 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 ranks 3 out of 10 Full Size Pickup Trucks. This ranking is based on our analysis of 56 published reviews and test drives of the GMC Sierra 1500, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 may be aging compared with more recently updated competitors, but reviewers say it’s still a good choice for a full-size truck.

In general, test drivers say the GMC Sierra 1500 is a good truck. It has a competitive maximum towing capacity, its controls are easy to use and its seats are comfortable. With the number of cab, powertrain, trim and bed configurations, the 2012 Sierra 1500 can be configured to nearly anyone’s specifications, which reviewers appreciate. Plus, it gets fairly good fuel economy for a full-size pickup truck.

Though reviewers like the GMC Sierra 1500 and its corporate sibling, theChevrolet Silverado 1500, better than dated offerings like the Toyota Tundra and the Nissan Titan, they say that domestic competitors outshine the GMC Sierra in most ways. The GMC Sierra’s Denali trim is luxurious, but it still can’t match competitors’ top-of-the-line trims in terms of interior quality or materials. The Sierra also doesn’t offer high-tech interior options like American rivals, and its competitors can out-tow, out-haul and out-handle it, as well.

However, the GMC Sierra is still a solid choice for a full-size pickup truck. It isn’t the best in its class, but test drivers say that buyers won’t be disappointed with the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500.

Other Trucks to Consider

Test drivers say the Ram 1500 is the best-handling truck in its class, thanks to a unique suspension that makes it more responsive and gives it a smoother ride. The Ram 1500 offers a whopping 11 trim levels, so it’s easy to find a trim that fits your budget. Plus, the Ram 1500’s Laramie Longhorn trim sports what reviewers consider the most opulent interior of any pickup truck besides the luxury-branded Cadillac Escalade EXT.

The Ford F-150 is reviewers’ top pick for a hard-working, capable pickup truck. Ford’s Work Solutions system can help track tools, oversee a fleet of pickup trucks and even print invoices from an in-dash computer. Plus, the F-150 has the highest towing capacity of any full-size truck. In the interest of fuel economy, the F-150 is available with a turbocharged Ecoboost engine, which increases power without a penalty in gas mileage. For instance, the F-150 Ecoboost makes more horsepower and torque than the Sierra 1500’s second-largest V8 engine, but gets better fuel economy.

Details: GMC Sierra 1500

The 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 comes in a variety of trims, including the base WT (Work Truck), SL, SLE, SLT, XFE and Denali. It can be configured with regular, extended and crew cabs; short, regular and long beds; and two-, four- or all-wheel drive. The GMC Sierra 1500 Hybrid is reviewed separately. The Sierra gets only a few updates for 2012, but those include newly-standard trailer sway control, hill start assist and cruise control on base models. Denali trims gain standard heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel and a rearview camera.

Sierra 1500 Performance - 8.3 (Very Good)

Though the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 doesn’t have class-leading towing or nimble handling, reviewers say that as long as you don’t opt for the base engine, you’ll get a solid truck with performance that challenges rivals at the top of the class. 

Sierra 1500 Exterior - 7.4 (Good)

Reviewers say that the 2012 GMC Sierra looks dated. "GM's weakest link is styling, at least for those customers who put priority on freshness,” writes Popular Mechanics. 

Sierra 1500 Interior - 8.3 (Very Good)

The 2012 GMC Sierra 1500’s interior may be bland, but test drivers say it’s easy to use and roomy, with comfortable seats. 

Sierra 1500 Safety - 8.2 (Very Good)

The 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 does very well in federal government crash tests, but it does worse than most of its competitors in tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. 

Sierra 1500 Reliability - 8.0 (Very Good)

The 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). GMC covers the 2012 Sierra 1500 with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty.