GMC Sierra: Preview Americans love pickup trucks, even if we don’t necessarily need them. Sure, there are contractors and professional trades people whose work necessitates a durable rig with a big cargo box, but there are countless others who opt for these American-as-apple-pie vehicles to occasionally tow the boat, to make the weekly dump run, to provide themselves a commanding view of the road, or to instill a perceived sense of safety. True, smaller SUVs, crossovers, and even some sedans could address some or all of these concerns, though none satisfies the inner desire for a pickup. Plus, one must always be prepared for that time a second cousin twice removed requires help towing his four-wheeled lawn ornament, or your infant daughter will need assistance moving into her college dorm. Preparedness is the essence of pickup truck ownership.

In exchange for all that they do, pickups usually ask for one thing in return – gas, and lots of it. GM is one company trying to lessen the need for petrol, offering Active Fuel Management technology on its redesigned 2007 SUVs, and starting with its arrival this October, the 2007 GMC Sierra pickup. Available in a number of trims boasting up to 400 horsepower and capable of towing up to 10,500 pounds, the Sierra can be fitted with an optional 5.3-liter V8 that cuts engine power to four cylinders when less power is needed, and furthermore can run on E85 (ethanol) fuel. Unfortunately, our experience with GM’s fuel-saving efforts, based on time in a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe and 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche, have yet to prove positive, but GM insists the technology works, so your results may indeed differ.

Fuel economy aside, the 2007 GMC Sierra delivers numerous tangible improvements over its predecessor, including a stronger chassis, upgraded suspension and steering systems, all-new styling, and an overhauled interior accented by a level of refinement that until now has been absent from GM trucks. Like the new Yukon, the 2007 Sierra may be the best GMC pickup ever built. And with a ready-to-rumble 2007 Toyota Tundra set to hit the streets in January, it needs to be.