NOTE: Pricing based on data collected July 2009. Costs of hybridization and forced features are UCS estimates based on information available on manufacturer websites.
* Sierra SLE with the optional 6.0-liter V-8 engine
**The cost of the aluminum wheels is included in the cost of hybridization.
See full Hybrid Scorecard methodology
Vehicle Summary
General Motors introduced the two-wheel-drive (2WD) GMC Sierra Hybrid in model year 2009. The full-size pickup gets a combined EPA estimated fuel economy of 21 mpg, making it and its twin, the Chevy Silverado, the most efficient vehicles in this class. The GMC Sierra Hybrid and the Chevy Silverado Hybrid are the only hybrid pickup trucks currently available on the market. The Sierra Hybrid 2WD is a full hybrid, offering electric-only operation under certain conditions, idle stop/start, power assist, and regenerative braking.
Environmental Score
With a 19 percent reduction in global warming emissions compared with the conventional Sierra, the Sierra Hybrid 2WD is toward the bottom of the overall hybrid pack. It is worth noting, however, that to compare the hybrid system on as level a playing field as possible, we compared the Sierra Hybrid’s 6.0-liter, V-8 engine with the conventional Sierra’s 5.3-liter, V-8 engine; the conventional Sierra comes with a smaller 4.8-liter V-8 option as well (1). Given the fact that GM was able to squeeze a 21 percent reduction in global warming emissions out of its Saturn Vue Hybrid—a vehicle that does not even have the battery capacity to truly be a hybrid vehicle—the Sierra Hybrid 2WD’s impressive two-mode, full hybrid drivetrain could have been used to bring far more to the table as the first full-sized hybrid pickup truck.
Despite modifications to improve its efficiency, the upsized gasoline engine gives the Sierra Hybrid 2WD more peak horsepower and peak torque, making it a “muscle” hybrid. Using the more common 5.3-liter V-8 engine would have delivered better fuel economy, though it may have compromised towing capacity.
A poorly performing tailpipe emissions control system compromises the smog-forming emissions performance of the Sierra Hybrid 2WD, earning it an EPA air pollution score of 6, the lowest among all hybrid vehicles. This score combined with the global warming emissions reduction give the Sierra Hybrid 2WD an overall Environmental Score of 4.3. Hybrid technology and modern emissions control systems offer the unique quality of providing a “no compromise” vehicle that does not trade smog forming emissions for global warming emissions, and vice versa. The Environmental Score of the Sierra Hybrid 2WD could be greatly improved if GM focused two-mode hybrid technology on maximizing fuel economy, and made an effort toward reducing smog-forming emissions akin to the rest of the hybrid manufacturers.
Scorecard Environmental Score methodology
Hybrid Value
GMC is charging $4,308 for the hybrid system in the Sierra Hybrid 2WD. With a 19 percent reduction in global warming emissions, this gives the Sierra Hybrid 2WD a Hybrid Value rating in the “Low” range.
Scorecard Hybrid Value methodology
Forced Features
GMC adds on $1,767 worth of extra or upgraded features onto the Sierra Hybrid 2WD compared with the conventional Sierra 2WD, giving the Sierra Hybrid 2WD a Forced Features rating of “$$.” Combining a reduction in forced features with an increased focus on emissions reductions could make the Sierra Hybrid 2WD a true breakthrough vehicle for pickup truck consumers. Sample features include: locking rear differential; Bluetooth connectivity; remote vehicle starter system with remote keyless entry; and dual-zone automatic climate control. Click to see full list of forced features.
Scorecard Forced Features methodology
Hybrid Scorecard Home
Additional Info
Visit the Who’s Got Hybrids section to read comments and stories from actual hybrid owners.
Visit the Reviews page to see what popular automotive websites think of this hybrid.
1.The 2009 Sierra was also offered with an optional 6.0-liter V-8 engine, but represented a very small fraction of overall Sierra sales.
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