2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid
Joining the Sierra Club
The GMC Sierra Hybrid is an unusually green full-size pickup that adds electric power to its burly V8 engine to realize a 25 percent boost in fuel economy.
by Jim Gorzelany, ForbesAutos.com
At a time when high gasoline prices are sending sales of large trucks into the dumpster and “green” is seen as more than just the color of money, GMC is smartly unveiling a large workhorse that boasts sophisticated fuel-saving hybrid technology.
The full-size GMC Sierra Hybrid pickup is new for 2009 and joins the Yukon Hybrid, which debuted as a 2008 model. Aside from slightly different styling, the Sierra Hybrid is virtually identical to the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, but it costs a little more due to its "professional grade" market positioning.
Like the Yukon Hybrid, the Sierra Hybrid employs a hybrid system that General Motors developed in conjunction with BMW and Chrysler. Other GM models with the technology include the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid. The Chrysler Aspen Hybrid and Dodge Durango Hybrid also use it.
The traditional half of the Sierra's hybrid system is a 332-horsepower 6.0-liter V8 engine that saves gas by shutting down half of its cylinders when cruising along under light acceleration, and by completely powering down at temporary stops. The other half of the system consists of two compact electric motors powered by a self-charging 300-volt battery pack beneath the rear seat. A special four-speed automatic configured to work with the electric motors is the only available transmission.
The Sierra Hybrid with standard rear-wheel drive gets 21 miles per gallon in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. The four-wheel-drive model gets 20 mpg in both city and highway driving. That's a significant improvement of 6-7 mpg in city driving over a standard V8-powered Sierra. On the highway, where the electric motors can't help as much, mileage only improves by a couple of miles per gallon over that of the conventional Seirra with a V8, for an average combined city/highway improvement of roughly 5 mpg.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s mileage-cost calculator, the GMC Sierra Hybrid will save nearly $900 a year in fuel costs over a standard V8 Sierra with gas at $4 a gallon. It’s also eligible for a one-time $2,200 federal income tax credit. That credit will be phased out once GM sells a total of 60,000 eligible hybrid models.
All told, this equates to $6,700 in savings over 5 years of ownership. If fuel prices spike higher in coming years, the savings will increase.
The Sierra Hybrid can run solely on electricity, on V8 power alone, or on a combination of both. We found during our test drive that the vehicle switches seamlessly between the different methods of propulsion, automatically determining the most efficient mode of operation based on the terrain and driver's throttle input.
At speeds up to about 30 mph under light acceleration, the electric motors alone can power the vehicle for short periods of time, even while the vehicle is towing a trailer. The GMC Sierra Hybrid generally runs on full engine power at highway speeds; the electric motors kick in when a burst of acceleration is needed.
As with most hybrids, the Sierra recovers energy dissipated while braking and coasting to help recharge its batteries, and the gasoline engine automatically shuts down at idle to maximize mileage. The power-steering system and air conditioning compressor are electrically driven rather than belt-driven from the combustion engine, as they are on most conventional vehicles. This not only improves fuel economy, but also reduces levels of noise and vibration in the cabin. The Sierra Hybrid also has specially calibrated shock absorbers and hydraulic body mounts to smooth out the ride.
While the conventional Sierra offers many combinations of body styles, cargo-bed lengths, engines and options, the Sierra Hybrid is available only in the most passenger-friendly configuration: a four-door "Crew Cab" with a short cargo bed. The Crew Cab has a rear seating area comparable to that of a sport utility vehicle. Its body style and ample amenities predispose the Sierra Hybrid toward passenger hauling with occasional cargo/trailer duty, rather than the other way around.
Pickups live and die by their rugged capabilities and the Sierra Hybrid can tow and haul a lot, but it's far from a leader in this regard. It gives up some capability in order to achieve better fuel economy.
The Sierra Hybrid has a maximum towing capacity of 6,100 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 5,900 pounds with four-wheel drive — sufficient for pulling medium-sized boats and trailers. By comparison, the standard Sierra 1500 can pull as much as 10,700 pounds when properly equipped. Also, the Sierra Hybrid’s 5.7-foot-length cargo bed can't accommodate long and bulky cargo.
Other characteristics designed to eek out better fuel efficiency include a few aerodynamic tweaks to reduce wind resistance and unique 18-inch aluminum wheels with low-rolling-resistance tires. The Sierra Hybrid otherwise looks similar to the conventional Crew Cab model, with one noteworthy exception: As with the Tahoe Hybrid and Yukon Hybrid SUVs, it’s decked out with large “Hybrid” stickers and badges to alert onlookers that it’s not necessarily the environmentally incorrect gas guzzler it might appear to be.
The EPA estimates a Sierra Hybrid will consume about five fewer barrels of crude oil and spew two fewer tons of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere each year. It might not singlehandedly halt "dependency on foreign oil," as the pundits call it, nor eradicate global warming, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Is the GMC Sierra Hybrid for You?
Buy the Sierra Hybrid if You need a large V8-powered pickup with decent cargo-hauling and towing abilities and are willing to pay a premium for better gas mileage and fewer emissions.
Keep Looking if You need a larger cargo bed or more towing capacity; environmental altruism aside, you're not inclined to pay a premium up front to save money at the gas pump later.
Who Fits? The Sierra Hybrid’s roomy four-door cabin can comfortably accommodate five adults. The vehicle is high off the ground, which can make ingress and egress difficult for shorter occupants or those who are less mobile.
Closest Competitors
Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid
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