Full Description: INTRODUCTION The GMC Sierra is nearly identical to the Chevy Silverado but features more mature restrained styling. It's a look that reflects GMC's history of building trucks and only trucks that dates back to 1902 nearly a decade before Louis Chevrolet produced his first car. GMC also offers more options than Chevrolet including the luxurious Sierra Denali a suave uniquely styled ultra-luxury pickup whose exclusive features include a high-performance 6.0-liter V8 and full-time all-wheel drive. Denali appeared in 2002 as an Extended Cab pickup; for 2005 GMC has transformed Denali into a Crew Cab with four full-size doors. GMC continues to offer light-duty 1500 Crew Cab models in SLE and SLT trim. With their 5-foot 8-inch cargo box Sierra Crew Cabs are no longer than standard-bed extended-cab models for easier parking and maneuverability. Crew Cab models offer a rear-seat DVD entertainment center as an option making these pickups an attractive alternative to a full-size SUV. WALKAROUNDThe front styling of the GMC Sierra ties it closely to the mid-size GMC Envoy and to some of the great GMC pickups of the past. The chrome-framed grille consists of three black horizontal bars that prominently display a big red GMC emblem. Chromed front bumpers include two airflow cutouts. Up-level models have a body-colored lower front fascia; base models have a light-charcoal fascia. An optional grille/brush guard adds front-end protection. A single OnStar roof antenna combines the GPS and cell-phone functions. Compared with the Chevrolet Silverado GMC's styling is more conservative more mature with smoother more sophisticated lines. Overall it's a look that a lot of truck buyers like: more upscale than the Chevrolet pickup more conservative than the Dodge or Ford pickups. Like the Denali versions of the Yukon and Envoy Sierra Denali features a distinctive front-end appearance. Its chromed mesh grille looks like something from a hot-rod shop. Projector-beam headlamps and unique front fascia and fog lamps add up-market distinction along with body color on the door handles side moldings tailgate handle outside mirrors rear bumper and tonneau cover. Chrome running boards with integral mud guards further distinguish the Denali from other Sierras. For 2005 nearly all Sierras come with 17-inch wheels: painted steel on work trucks chromed steel on base and SLE aluminum on SLT and polished aluminum on Denali. The only exceptions are the 1500HD and the Hybrid which make do with 16-inch rims. Denali models are available with 20-inch wheels for a stronger styling statement. The load height (the distance from the ground to the bed) for 2WD Sierra models is just 31.6 inches. For 4WD models it's 33.7 inches. Those numbers start to look a lot more important when you have to lift something heavy into the pickup bed. All GMC Sierras are built on the stiffest and lightest truck frame General Motors has ever produced. The frame rails are hydroformed a process that uses high-pressure hydraulics to shape relatively large steel components. Tubular crossmembers and roll-formed mid-rails increase rigidity further. This stiff structure enhances handling and ride quality immensely while improving crashworthiness. INTERIORThe GMC Sierra cab remains among the roomiest in the industry with large door openings to aid entry and exit. The seats are big and cushy. Whether you like them depends to some extent on how you're built and how you like your seats. I don't find them as comfortable as those in other pickups which use firmer more contoured more supportive seats. Other pickup owners find the GM seats more to their liking. Also the interior door handles are ropey and awkward. The instrument cluster features highly legible gauges with white backlighting and orange pointers. The Denali's gauges are unique and feature blue backlighting and white pointers. A driver information center reports on as many as 27 vehicle functions with an easy-to-read single-line LCD display. A compass is incorporated into the overhead console along with three storage areas for sunglasses garage door opener and small items. Audio and climate controls are sophisticated yet easy to operate. XM Satellite Radio is available as an option ($325) great for traveling because the stations don't change as you drive across the country allowing you to keep up on news and weather or listen to your favorite types of music. You still get ads but XM Satellite seems less commercial than FM. The system comes with AM FM1 FM2 XM1 and XM2 bands. Steering wheel-mounted audio controls (on SLT and Denali) make it easy to switch among station presets and modes. Set your stations carefully and you can quickly zip to favorite stations scattered among AM FM and XM Satellite without taking your hands off the wheel. New Gen 6 OnStar is easier to use hands-free thanks to more intuitive dialing and improved voice recognition. OnStar is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety security and information services in the United States and Canada. Using the GPS satellite network and wireless technology OnStar features core safety services and OnStar Personal Calling that allows drivers to make and receive hands-free voice-activated phone calls. If you crash and set the airbags off an OnStar operator will direct emergency crews to your truck unless you respond. OnStar operators can direct you to the nearest ATM or the best Mexican restaurant in the area and they can unlock the doors if you lock the keys inside. Optional bucket seats come with an extended center console that flows into the instrument panel. It includes a storage compartment and a 12-volt power outlet at the rear. All Sierras come with two 12-volt power outlets at the bottom center of the dash. Vents and HVAC controls for rear-seat passengers are mounted on the rear of the center console on Crew Cabs and Extended Cabs. Extended-cab models offer surprisingly good back seat accommodations. Climb through the reverse-opening rear door and find a seat that's reasonably comfortable. Rear-seat passengers get their own air-conditioning outlets and a set of drop-down cup holders. When cargo capacity is more important than hauling passengers the entire rear seat assembly can be loosened from the floor with a wrench and removed through one of the side doors. Not exactly a quick release but a useful feature. The rear seats in the Crew Cab models are as roomy as the second-row of seats in a Suburban. Sierra Crew Cabs are capable of carrying six passengers and are very roomy with four. With optional leather a Crew Cab feels truly luxurious. Rear seats are split 60/40 and fold down providing a large protected cargo area inside the cab. A Panasonic DVD system ($1295) is available for Denali and Crew Cab models turning them into real family vehicles. The system comes with a seven-inch flip-down screen for watching DVD movies and cartoons a CD player two sets of wireless headphones with independent volume control a wireless remote control and three sets of auxiliary video and audio inputs. Safety is enhanced with dual-stage airbags (1500 only) which deploy with less force in less-s. At any trim level and with any cab configuration Sierra offers first-class hauling and towing capabilities. Extended Cabs with their standard 143-inch wheelbase and optional Quadrasteer four-wheel steering and heavy-duty brakes make supremely stable tow vehicles with towing capacities up to 9000 pounds. The 1500HD Crew Cab which returns for 2005 after a one-year hiatus can tow up to 10200 pounds. Even the plush Denali tows 8100 pounds. Yet all Sierras deliver a smooth comfortable ride among the full-size pickups. Even compared to more recently introduced or re-engineered pickups from Ford Dodge and Nissan the Sierra rides and handles very well. Sierra's current design dates from 1999 but Visit Mr. Care Auto online at www.mrcareautoin.com to see more pictures of this vehiAir bags$COMMA frontal$COMMA driver and right front passenger$COMMA includes Passenger Sensing System (Always use safety belts and proper child restraints$COMMA even with air bags. Children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat. See the Owner's Manual for more safety information),Air dam$COMMA Gray,Alternator$COMMA 145 amps,Assist handle$COMMA front passenger (Also includes rear outboard passenger assist handle on Extended and Crew Cab Models),Battery$COMMA heavy-duty$COMMA 600 cold-cranking amps$COMMA includes rundown protection and retained accessory power,Cigarette lighter$COMMA on instrument panel,Coat hook$COMMA driver side (Also includes passenger side coat hook on Extended and Crew Cab Models),Cupholders$COMMA front (Also includes rear cupholders on Extended and Crew Cab Models),Exhaust$COMMA aluminized stainless-steel muffler and tailpipe,Four wheel drive,Frame$COMMA hydroformed,Glass$COMMA Solar-Ray light tinted$COMMA all windows,Grille$COMMA Gray surround,GVWR$COMMA 6400 lbs. (2903 kg) (Requires T*15903$COMMA TK15703$COMMA TK15753$COMMA T*15953$COMMA or TK15553 Models),Headliner$COMMA Shale-colored cloth$COMMA with matching retainer moldings,Instrumentation$COMMA analog$COMMA includes speedometer$COMMA odometer with trip odometer$COMMA fuel level$COMMA voltmeter$COMMA engine temperature$COMMA oil pressure and tachometer,Lamps$COMMA dual cargo area lamps,Mirror$COMMA inside rearview$COMMA manual day/night,Paint$COMMA solid,Pickup bed$COMMA Wideside box,Recovery hooks$COMMA front$COMMA frame-mounted,Sound system feature$COMMA 4-speakers,Steering$COMMA power,Suspension$COMMA front$COMMA independent (2WD Models include coil springs. - 4WD Models include torsion bars),Suspension$COMMA rear$COMMA semi-elliptic 2-stage multi-leaf springs (Standard with Regular and Extended Cab Models only),Tailgate protection$COMMA top of tailgate protection cap,Theft-deterrent system$COMMA PASSLock II,Tire carrier$COMMA outside spare$COMMA winch-type mounted under frame at rear,Tools$COMMA mechanical jack and wheel wrench located in back of cab,Visors$COMMA padded$COMMA Shale-colored$COMMA driver and passenger side with cloth trim$COMMA extenders$COMMA pocket on driver side and vanity mirror on passenger side,Warning tones$COMMA headlamp on$COMMA key-in-ignition$COMMA driver and passenger buckle up reminder$COMMA turn signal on,Wipers$COMMA intermittent$COMMA front$COMMA wet-arm with pulse washers,Engine$COMMA Vortec 4300 V6 MFI (195 hp [145.4 kW] @ 4600 rpm$COMMA 260 lb.-ft. [351.0 N-m] @ 2800 rpm) (Requires T*15*03 or TC15753 Models. - Standard with TC15*03 and TC15753 Models. - Not available with (VYU) Snow Plow Prep Package or (Z82) Trailering equipment$COMMA heavy-duty),Transfer case$COMMA floor-mounted shifter (Standard with 4WD Models only),Suspension Package$COMMA Solid Smooth Ride (Not available with (PDU) Light Duty Power Package.),Wheels$COMMA 4 - 17" x 7" (43.2 cm x 17.8 cm) 6-lug steel$COMMA painted$COMMA includes painted center caps and steel spare,Bumper$COMMA front$COMMA chrome (Includes Gray lower with Work Truck or Base Models),Bumper$COMMA rear$COMMA painted step$COMMA includes pad,Mirrors$COMMA outside rearview$COMMA foldaway$COMMA manual$COMMA Black$COMMA adjustable,Floor covering$COMMA Graphite-colored rubberized vinyl (Required with (52V) Neutral vinyl or (69V) Dark Pewter vinyl. Not available with RPO (AG1) Seat adjuster$COMMA power$COMMA driver$COMMA 6-way),Steering wheel$COMMA includes theft-deterrent locking feature,Driver Information Center$COMMA includes trip odometer and message center (monitors numerous systems depending on vehicle equipment level including low fuel$COMMA turn signal "on"$COMMA transmission temperature and oil change notification),Door trim$COMMA side reflectors