Trucks used to be synonymous with construction, farmers, and those that needed to haul stuff on a daily basis. These days more families are choosing to use trucks for daily driving. In response to that manufacturers are making trucks more comfortable with better mileage. The 2015 GMC’s Sierra Elevation 1500 Double Cab is a case in point.
The 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 is a full-size pickup offered in a variety of cab/cargo-bed configurations in both two- and four-wheel drive. Body styles include regular cab, extended (double) cab and crew cab. Regular cabs can be had with either a 6.5-foot standard bed or an 8-foot bed. Extended cabs come with the 6.5-foot standard bed, while crew cabs can be had with either a 5.75-foot short bed or the 6.5-foot standard bed. This review will focus on the Elevation double cab.
Based on the Sierra 1500 double cab with 1SA trim, the Elevation features projector-beam lamps with LED “signature lighting”, fog lamps, 20-inch black-painted wheels, and GM’s OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot with three free months of data. Or three gigs of data. It’s up to you which milestone you reach first. Bluetooth and the Intellilink infotainment system are both standard. Elevation buyers also score a locking rear differential, a 110V power outlet, LED cargo-box lighting, remote keyless entry, GMC’s CornerStep rear bumper, and deep-tinted glass.
Equipped with a 5.3-liter V8 delivering 355 horse and 383 lb-ft of torque this truck can tow up to 11,200 pounds when equipped. Mileage estimates are not bad at 16/city, 23/highway and 19/combined mpg.
In government crash tests, the Sierra Elevation got a five-star rating overall and five stars for total frontal impact safety and side crash safety.
The interior of the Sierra Elevation will surprise and delight with upgraded materials and quality all around. The latest technology helps drivers stay connected at all times. A new radio with a 7-inch-diagonal screen incorporates CarPlay and Android Auto phone integration capability, which gives drivers the ability to make calls, send and receive messages and control music from the IntelliLink touchscreen. Additionally, OnStar 4G LTE and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot allow continuous connectivity for up to seven personal devices.
The seats are plenty comfy with legroom to spare. Getting in and our of the cab is not so bad even for my 5-foot 2-inches. The bed is easily accessible with corner steps and handholds.
With the 5.3-liter V8 this truck has plenty of go. I didn’t have the opportunity to haul anything but I did move a chair and I can tell you that there was no difference in pick-up. The cab is quite and the ride is smooth. If you need a truck to play double duty as a family car too, look no further than the 2015 GMC Sierra Elevation 1500 2SWD Double Cab.
