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2009 GMC Sierra 1500 Quality Review

March 7, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

road noise in Sierra is lower than in most pickups
ConsumerGuide

seats are comfortable for long drives
Edmunds

pleasant
Car and Driver

I was expecting it to be a little more spacious and comfortable
Cars.com

Reviewers voice plenty of likes and some dislikes regarding the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500's level of comfort and quality. GM is working hard in this category, but overall passenger comfort could be improved.

Several review sources express delight at the layout of the interior. ConsumerGuide attests that "gauges are easy to see and read," and "interior materials are better than expected of a work-oriented truck." The Car and Driver reviewer comments that it "surprises us just how pleasant the interiors of GM's full-size pickups have become."

The exquisite front cab seating almost unanimously receives the thumbs-up. “You sink into the cushy seats," according to Cars.com, and Edmunds reports that the "seats are comfortable for long drives." Cars.com states that in the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500, "vinyl seating surfaces are standard," but the SLT trim is "equipped with leather seats finished in a two-tone color scheme that's part of the All Terrain package."

Despite the size of the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 (it is, after all, a full-sized pickup with multiple cab options), the backseat suffers. Cars.com "was expecting it to be a little more spacious and comfortable." While this source reports "good headroom," the reviewer's legs "were touching the back of the front seat," and the reviewer complains that "the rather upright backrest isn't very comfortable." ConsumerGuide also says that while the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500's "legroom is ample in the crew cab" front seats, it is in "short supply" in the back.

Storage is also a mixed bag, according to reviewers. ConsumerGuide reports that the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500's "rear seat cushion flips back against the seatback, leaving a large cargo area with a nearly flat floor." The Pure Pickup option offers "upper and lower gloveboxes," while "bucket seats come with a roomy console bin," and "the bench seat is available with a flip-down center armrest that doubles as a large storage bin." Cars.com details "a variety of cargo box lengths," ranging from 5.3 to 8.1 feet in length. Interior cargo space is so-so. Unfortunately, there "are few other interior storage cubbies"; Edmunds complains about "mediocre interior storage and cup holders."

Reviewers are also surprised at how refined, tight, and quiet the Sierra is inside; Edmunds praises the interior's "tight build quality" and observes the "refined and very quiet ride." ConsumerGuide reports that "road noise in Sierra is lower than in most pickups...wind noise intrudes only above 60 mph."

Conclusion

The cabin of the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 is surprisingly comfortable. 

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:road noise in Sierra is lower than in most pickupsConsumerGuideseats are comfortable for long drivesEdmundspleasantCar and DriverI was expecting it to be a little more spacious and comfortableCars.com Reviewers voice plenty of likes and some dislikes regarding the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500's level of comfort and quality. GM is working hard in this category, but overall passenger comfort could be improved. Several review sources express delight at the layout of the interior. ConsumerGuide attests that "gauges are easy to see and read," and "interior materials are better than expected of a work-oriented truck." The Car and Driver reviewer comments that it "surprises us just how pleasant the interiors of GM's full-size pickups have become." The exquisite front cab seating almost unanimously receives the thumbs-up. “You sink into the cushy seats," according to Cars.com, and Edmunds reports that the "seats are comfortable for long drives." Cars.com states that in the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500, "vinyl seating surfaces are standard," but the SLT trim is "equipped with leather seats finished in a two-tone color scheme that's part of the All Terrain package." Despite the size of the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 (it is, after all, a full-sized pickup with multiple cab options), the backseat suffers. Cars.com "was expecting it to be a little more spacious and comfortable." While this source reports "good headroom," the reviewer's legs "were touching the back of the front seat," and the reviewer complains that "the rather upright backrest isn't very comfortable." ConsumerGuide also says that while the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500's "legroom is ample in the crew cab" front seats, it is in "short supply" in the back. Storage is also a mixed bag, according to reviewers. ConsumerGuide reports that the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500's "rear seat cushion flips back against the seatback, leaving a large cargo area with a nearly flat floor." The Pure Pickup option offers "upper and lower gloveboxes," while "bucket seats come with a roomy console bin," and "the bench seat is available with a flip-down center armrest that doubles as a large storage bin." Cars.com details "a variety of cargo box lengths," ranging from 5.3 to 8.1 feet in length. Interior cargo space is so-so. Unfortunately, there "are few other interior storage cubbies"; Edmunds complains about "mediocre interior storage and cup holders." Reviewers are also surprised at how refined, tight, and quiet the Sierra is inside; Edmunds praises the interior's "tight build quality" and observes the "refined and very quiet ride." ConsumerGuide reports that "road noise in Sierra is lower than in most pickups...wind noise intrudes only above 60 mph." ConclusionThe cabin of the 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 is surprisingly comfortable.  2009 GMC SIERRA 1500 STYLING [7 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: "benefits from GM's extensive reworking of both full-size pickups and full-size SUVs " Car and Driver: "an excellent combination of good looks" Cars.com: "it looks manlier...and more assertive" Edmunds: "an attractive dash ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Reputation and brand loyalty are everything in the now-crowded field of full-size trucks. And although nearly all the big pickups might look alike to those not interested in them, the subtle styling differences play a big role in their appeal. The Sierra and its Chevrolet sibling, the Silverado, have a softer appearance, while the latest F-150 aims to be more imposing than ever. The also new-for-2009 Dodge Ram still looks big and imposing on the outside but gets a very different, more passenger-friendly interior with lots of high-tech options. Although the Ram’s handling has been greatly improved, the GM trucks are still arguably the favorite from a dynamic standpoint, with a great compromise between ride, handling, and load capability. The Tundra continues to stand out for its interior and emphasis on safety, but it’s available in fewer configurations than the others and, from TheCarConnection.com’s experience, more cumbersome to drive. Fuel economy remains one of the most compelling reasons to opt for the Sierra 1500 rather than its Ford, Dodge, or Toyota rivals; thanks to Active Fuel Management, the big GM V-8s get better mpg than the others.

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See the GMC Sierra 1500 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 1998 | 1997

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