On the road, the GMC Sierra is quiet and well behaved. The extended cab model's long 143.5-inch wheelbase improves its ride and enhances high-speed stability.
The 1500 HD 4WD Crew Cab does not ride as smoothly as the Chevy Avalanche, but the ride was reasonably good for what is practically a three-quarter-ton truck with no weight in the bed. Adding some weight back there would undoubtedly smooth it out.
Two-wheel-drive 1500s have rack-and-pinion steering, but there is still a fairly wide dead spot in the center when cruising. (GMC says this is intentional, to minimize steering corrections on the highway.) The steering feels a bit light, but the truck tracks beautifully and handles well on pavement, loose dirt, deep dirt and even off-road. Recirculating-ball steering comes on 2500, four-wheel-drive, and Quadrasteer models.
Quadrasteer works amazingly well. Backing a long trailer into a parking space at a 90 degree angle is much easier with Quadrasteer than without it. The system shortens turning circles with trailers and makes backing up more intuitive. On the road, our Quadrasteer-equipped truck felt more stable, especially on winding roads, where it was easier to drive, and where the trailer tracked better behind it. If you tow frequently, you really owe it to yourself to test out a truck with Quadrasteer. Even without a trailer, Quadrasteer makes it much easier to park in tight spaces, such as underground garages and crowded parking lots. Quadrasteer is built on a heavy-duty rear axle, however, which offers a rougher ride.
Our extended-cab Sierra had the larger 5.3-liter V8, an enjoyable motor around town and on the Interstate. The 5.3-liter (327-cubic-inch) engine is rated 285 horsepower with 325 pounds-feet of torque, plenty for light towing and hauling. The V6 produces 200 horsepower and 260 pounds-feet of torque, but most Sierra buyers opt for a V8 and automatic transmission. The 4.8-liter small-block V8 is the most popular engine for this truck. 2003 V8s come with new electronic throttle control and more efficient oxygen sensors for smoother operation and reduced exhaust emissions. (For 2003, the 5.3-liter offers flexible fuel capability, allowing it to run on a mix of up to 85 percent ethanol.)
A Tow/Haul mode on the four-speed automatics helps the transmission keep its cool when towing. Press the Tow/Haul button on the end of the shifter and the transmission holds gears longer before shifting up or down, reducing the annoying tendency to hunt between third and fourth gears in hilly terrain. Shifts are harder and quicker in Tow mode, reducing heat buildup in the transmission. We find it improves the performance of the truck when pulling a trailer and reduces driver annoyance levels.
The Sierra 1500 HD can tow trailers weighing up to 10,200 pounds, or haul up to 3094 pounds of payload (2783 with 4WD). It comes standard with the Z85 handling/trailering suspension designed to provide a smooth ride. Though its bed is short, this truck is a great choice for people who tow horse trailers, race cars, or campers. The 6.0-liter V8 that comes standard in 1500 HD models is tuned with considerably more torque in the four-wheel-drive versions (488 pounds-feet) than in the two-wheel-drive versions (360 pounds-feet); the 4WD model trades off 76 peak horsepower to the 2WD model to do this.
Brakes are large, heavy-duty discs on all four corners; ABS is standard on all models. The brakes are excellent. For 2003, they offer increased stopping power, improved pedal feel with less pedal effort, and quieter operation.
Dynamic Rear Proportioning improves stability under heavy braking whether the truck is loaded or empty and can reduce stopping distances. Jam on the brakes and most vehicles without ABS will lock up the rear tires because most of the weight is being transferred to the front wheels. With ABS, the rear wheels won't lock up, but you still lose some braking performance as most of the weight is transferred to the front tires. With Dynamic Rear Proportioning, brake pressure is transferred to the tires with the best grip, thereby reducing stopping distances.
Optional Autotrac four-wheel-drive allows the driver to lock the axle speeds together in low range for maximum off-road traction or select an automatic mode that sends power to the wheels with the best grip. Autotrac uses electronics to control a conventional, truck-style two-speed transfer case. It's a great setup for serious off-road duty, be it mud, deep snow, silt, sand, or rugged terrain. The system has been refined for 2003, for better fuel efficiency in two-wheel-drive mode, and improved low-speed cornering feel in the Auto mode.
It's fun to drive the Denali on winding mountain roads. It handles well with responsive steering and delivers strong acceleration performance. The Denali features a full-time four-wheel drive system. A planetary center differential provides a permanent 38/62 front/rear torque split; while a viscous coupling locks up progressively if one axle or the other starts to slip. It's a good system for snow, ice, heavy water, gravel, dirt, or anywhere that presents inconsistent traction conditions. Denali rides on a uniquely tuned suspension as well, designed to limit body roll (or lean). Denali comes with the Z82 towing package. Its all-wheel-drive system can help pull a boat up a slippery ramp, and it's fitted with high-capacity disc brakes from the Sierra 2500HD/3500.
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