NOTE: Pricing based on data collected March 2011. Costs of hybridization and forced features are UCS estimates based on information available on manufacturer websites.
* Sierra SLE with the optional 5.3-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 four-wheel-drive (4WD) GMC Sierra Hybrid in model year 2009. The full-size pickup gets a combined EPA estimated fuel economy of 21 miles per gallon (mpg), making it and its twin, the Chevy Silverado 4WD, the most efficient vehicles in the standard-size pickup class. The Sierra Hybrid 4WD is a full hybrid, offering electric-only operation under certain conditions, idle stop/start, power assist, and regenerative braking.
 
Environmental Improvement Score
With a 19 percent reduction in global warming emissions compared with the conventional Sierra 4WD, the Sierra Hybrid 4WD is toward the bottom of the overall hybrid pack. The Sierra Hybrid 4WD does, however, achieve the same fuel efficiency as the Sierra Hybrid 2WD. To compare the hybrid system on as level a playing field as possible, we compared the Sierra Hybrid with the conventional Sierra SLE equipped with a 5.3-liter, V8 engine; the conventional Sierra comes with a smaller 4.8-liter V8 option as well. Despite modifications to improve its efficiency, the upsized gasoline engine (6.0-liter V8) gives the Sierra Hybrid 4WD more peak horsepower and peak torque, making it a “muscle” hybrid. Using the more common 5.3-liter V8 engine would have delivered better fuel economy, though it may have compromised towing capacity.The Sierra Hybrid 4WD’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.

A poorly performing tailpipe emissions-control system compromises the smog-forming emissions performance of the Sierra Hybrid 4WD, earning it an EPA air pollution score of 6 out of 10, among the lowest for all hybrid vehicles. This score combined with the global warming emissions reduction give the Sierra Hybrid 4WD an overall Environmental Improvement 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 Improvement Score of the Sierra Hybrid 4WD 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 other hybrid manufacturers.
Scorecard Environmental Improvement Score methodology

Hybrid Value
GMC is charging $5,003 for the hybrid system in the Sierra Hybrid 4WD. With a 19 percent reduction in global warming emissions, this gives the Sierra Hybrid 4WD a Hybrid Value rating in the “Poor” range. It should be noted that hybrid drivetrain technology often becomes more expensive when it is upsized for larger vehicles. That said, even a more expensive, larger drivetrain needs to achieve more than a 19 percent global warming emissions reduction in order to give real value to the pickup consumer.
Scorecard Hybrid Value methodology

Forced Features
GMC adds on $1,032 worth of extra or upgraded features onto the Sierra Hybrid 4WD compared with the conventional Sierra 4WD, giving the Sierra Hybrid 4WD a Forced Features rating of “$.” Note that while the Sierra SLE 4WD is the version with the most modest options package while also having an engine comparable to the hybrid drivetrain, there is another version—the Sierra WT 4WD—that comes with even fewer options than the Sierra SLE. GM has the potential to bring more cost-effective choices to pickup consumers—if it is willing to take a different implementation strategy for its solid hybrid technology. Sample features include a 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

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