2007 GMC Sierra 1500 Hybrid Review
The Silverado and its twin, the GMC Sierra 1500 trace their lineage all the way back to the ’60s and are two of America’s favorite trucks. The first modern incarnation of this truck debuted for the 1999 model year and was offered in either a regular cab or three-door extended cab with three choices of engine: The Vortec 4300 V6 (200 hp, regular cab only), Vortec 4800 V8 (255 hp), or the Vortec 5300 V8 (270 hp). For the 2000 model year, a four-door option was added, and the 4800 and 5300 were boosted significantly (270 and 285 hp, respectively). A 300-hp Vortec 6000 V8 was introduced in 2001. In 2003, both the Silverado and the Sierra received mild styling upgrades. The hybrid version of both the Silverado and the Sierra debuted in 2005, and were the first full-size truck hybrids on the market. Both are all new for 2007, and the new Silverado has been voted “North American Truck of the Year” by automotive journalists.
The BuyingAdvice Team Says:
The GMC Sierra 1500 Hybrid is a good choice, and one of the only choices, if you need a truck but want to save on gas. It costs a pretty penny, but for the money, you get a lot of engine power with the same fuel efficiency as smaller trucks. However, if you don’t really need a V8, then you might want to consider buying a cheaper V6 truck.
What’s New For 2007:
What is the Predicted Reliability:
J.D. Power gives the Sierra 3.5 out of 5 stars for initial reliability, and 5 stars for overall design quality. The last generation Sierra had few reliability issues, including vehicle shake and transmission problems. However, it was recalled 14 times over its seven-year run. Expect average reliability. The basic warranty lasts for three years or 36,000 miles.
Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:
The Sierra only earned 3.5 stars in government frontal crash tests. Other data is not yet available. Anti-lock brakes are standard, but side airbags are optional. Stability control is optional.
Pros and Cons:
Pros
+ Good gas mileage
+ Highly customizable
+ High payload capacity
Cons
- Awkward turning
- Poor crash test scores
- Few standard safety features
Head-To-Head Competition:
The Sierra hybrid is expensive, but it manages to pack in more power than the competition while still getting more miles to the gallon. It costs $8,000 more than the Dodge Ram 1500 ST, but it has a larger V8, twice the seating, and gets a couple more miles to the gallon. It costs about $2,000 more than the Honda Ridgeline RT, but still beats it in engine power and fuel efficiency. The Sierra costs $10,000 more than the Ford F-150 XL, but once again, it wins in engine power and fuel efficiency.
What Others Are Saying:
“With such high gas prices, there’s little consolation for motorists who require a burly full-size pickup truck for hauling, towing or off-road duty. The GMC Sierra Hybrid and its Chevy Silverado Hybrid twin, which debuted in early 2005, offer some solace for drivers of full-size pickups seeking better fuel economy.” – Forbes
“It is a likable truck, which is why, I suppose, there are so many of them running around rural Virginia. It fits well with the landscape of the Shenandoah Valley.” – The Detroit News
“Redesigned for 2007, the Sierra is bigger and more powerful than the Sierra ‘Classic,’ which is still being sold. Offers car-like comfort on the highway. Drawbacks are low fuel economy and difficulty in parking a vehicle that’s nearly 20 feet long.” – The Auto Channel
Read more about the 2007 GMC Sierra 1500 Hybrid at the GMC manufacturer web site.
