2009 GMC Sierra 1500 Overview Change Vehicle

This 2009 GMC Sierra overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2009 Sierra, and includes GMC Sierra safety, reliability, and fuel economy information.

As it enters its second year since being redesigned, the GMC Sierra sports a number of updates designed to improve convenience, luxury, performance, and efficiency. Among them are the latest version of OnStar, XM real-time traffic information, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, and a rearview camera that can be purchased without ordering the navigation system. GMC has also decided to offer the most powerful engine in the lineup, a 6.2-liter V8, on SLT Crew Cab variants rather than just the luxurious Denali model.

Perhaps more significant in these days of rising fuel prices are the debuts of the Sierra XFE (Extra Fuel Economy), which uses items such as low-rolling resistance tires and aerodynamic adjustments to cut gas consumption, and a Sierra Hybrid model featuring a two-mode transmission mated to the 6.0-liter V8.

Many of the pickups seen on the road today ride on expensive wheels, are free of dirt and scratches, and coddle drivers with all the modern luxuries. Those rigs don’t appeal to buyers who need something for the jobsite or making runs to the transfer station every Saturday morning. For them, GMC offers its 2009 Sierra Work Truck model, delivered with vinyl on the seats and floor, generous application of gray trim, and steel rims in lieu of the alloys packed into the wheel wells of more upscale pickups. That’s not to say that the Work Truck is completely devoid of creature comforts; sit down inside the Regular Cab model and you’ll find standard features like automatic headlights, a tilt steering wheel, a stereo with a CD player, XM satellite radio (complimentary for three months), and General Motors’ OnStar telematics system with one year of free enrollment in its Safe & Sound plan. Extended cab versions add air conditioning, and the Crew Cab Work Truck comes with a V8 engine, stability and traction control, and power door lock with remote keyless entry.

Buyers who want something more might want to check out the Sierra SL, which is equipped with upgrades aimed at giving the truck a bit more comfort and convenience. Cloth upholstery, power door locks, power windows, cruise control, heated power mirrors, remote keyless entry, dark tinted rear glass, carpet instead of vinyl flooring, and chrome wheels identify the Sierra SL.

A quick scan of the vehicles on the highway clearly shows that the majority of truck owners prefer something a little more upscale than the Work Truck and even the SL. GMC attempts to serve them with more refined versions of the 2009 Sierra, including the SLE with its leather-wrapped steering wheel, digital compass, and external temperature gauge. The SLE also has fog lights, front tow hooks, and rear defogger, and other upgrades.

Those lesser variants serve their purpose, though they lack a few of the standard features found on the GMC Sierra SLT. Among them are a more attractive dash design shared with the Yukon SUV, Bose audio, leather upholstery, heated and power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, a remote start system, and alloy wheels.

And then there’s the Denali, a loaded and luxurious pickup that stands in stark contrast to its back-to-basics Work Truck stablemate. Like the finale of a Fourth of July fireworks show, GMC lights up its Sierra with upgraded leather, electrically adjusted pedals, wood interior accents, additional chrome trim, polished aluminum wheels, rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, a HomeLink universal remote, and a standard trailering package.

In addition to those rather traditional trims, the 2009 GMC Sierra is being offered with two new versions that have been engineered to deliver fuel economy uncommon to the full-size truck class. Based on the SLE, the new Sierra XFE (extra fuel economy) is a rear-drive Crew Cab model equipped with a more efficient axle ratio, low rolling resistance tires and several lightweight aluminum parts. Aerodynamics have been improved by extending the front air dam closer to the ground, fitting the bed with a tonneau cover and lowering the suspension.

The other new efficiency-focused model is the 2009 Sierra Hybrid Crew Cab, offered in rear- and four-wheel-drive versions. At the heart of the truck is a two-mode hybrid system, with secondary features like Bluetooth connectivity, heated mirrors, XM satellite radio, automatic climate control, and a soft tonneau cover for the cargo box.

GMC offers its 2009 Sierra with a variety of powertrains, the least powerful of which is a 4.3-liter V6 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Rated at 195 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, this six-cylinder makes maximum twist at just 2,800 rpm. Fuel economy estimates of 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway (14/18 with 4WD) aren’t much to brag about given what the available V8 engines can manage.

More power can be had by opting for the 2009 Sierra’s 4.8-liter V8, which pumps out 295 horses and 305 pound-feet of torque and works with the four-speed tranny. Not bad for the lineup’s smallest eight-cylinder offering. Unfortunately, the EPA estimates you’ll only see 14 mpg in town and up to 19 mpg on the highway (18-mpg highway with 4WD).

Interestingly, the larger 5.3-liter V8 delivers better fuel economy than the 4.8-liter, a fact that’s attributable to the 5.3-liter’s cylinder deactivation technology. The transmission paired to this V8 depends on cab style: Regular and Extended Cab models continue to use a four-speed automatic, whereas Crew Cabs get a more advanced six-speed automatic. GMC sells this engine in different forms: gasoline or flex-fuel, and aluminum or cast iron block. All gas-powered versions deliver 315 horsepower and 338 pound-feet of torque, while the flex-fuel versions bump that up to 320 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain offers its greatest efficiency – 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway – when fitted to the Sierra XFE. All other models equipped with the 5.3-liter mill are rated to return up to 14 mpg around town and 20 mpg on the freeway.

Housed one stall over from the 5.3 is a 6.0-liter V8 that’s good for 367 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of hard-working torque. GM’s Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation technology is utilized, along with variable valve timing. Fuel economy estimates suggest a best-case scenario of 14 mpg around town and 19 mpg on the highway with 2WD and 13-city/18-highway with 4WD.

Well, that’s not entirely true. The Sierra Hybrid pairs the 6.0-liter V8 with a two-mode electric assist motor powered by a 300-volt nickel-metal hydride battery that helps the truck earn ratings of up to 21 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. Also aiding in the effort are low rolling resistance tires, and a regenerative braking system captures kinetic energy to recharge the battery while the truck is being driven. The technology allows GMC’s full-size pickup to travel up to 30 mph on electricity alone, and provides 332 horsepower and 367 pound-feet of torque.

You’ll get a lot more power with the 6.2-liter V8 that’s stuffed under the hood of a Sierra Denali, but you’ll also see a big drop in fuel economy. Bolted to a six-speed automatic, this big eight-cylinder engine generates 400 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque. We’re thinking that should be plenty for any commuting executive, the only type of guy or gal who could afford to pilot an all-wheel-drive pickup that travels 12 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway.

According to findings published by two leading research companies, J.D. Power and Associates and Consumer Reports, the GMC Sierra should return average to slightly below average reliability over time.

In terms of safety, the Sierra’s scores have been a bit of a mixed bag. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the 2009 Sierra high marks across the board, with 5-Star crash ratings and 4-Star rollover resistance ratings. According to results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Sierra provides a high level of protection in head-on collisions. However, in side-impact tests, the IIHS claims the Sierra deserves a bottom-of-the-barrel Poor rating for side-impact protection (with and without side-curtain airbags). Rear-impact injury prevention is rated Acceptable by the IIHS.

There’s a lot to admire and appreciate about the 2009 GMC Sierra, from its style and functionality to its broad array of trims and available features. We said the same thing about the 2008 model, while also calling for improvements in the areas of reliability, safety, capability and efficiency. With the debut of the XFE and Sierra Hybrid, one of our points has clearly been addressed. Capability saw an uptick this year, too, with towing capacity moving up to 10,700 pounds, which is better than last year but still less than the Ford F-150. Reliability hasn’t changed, and safety scores are impressive only if you manage to avoid getting T-boned in an intersection.

By Thom Blackett