In our last round of big pickups, made in 1996, Ford had to redesign the F-Series, the Dodge Ram was quite new, and GM pickups have much time. They finished behind the youngest competitor, but beat the Toyota TI 00. This time, new trucks in the group are two proposals to GM.

Redesigned for 1999, the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra include a new family of V8 engines, the most spacious cabin of the segment and more practical rear seats and an on-road handling similar to that of a midsize sedan. All this and more made to these trucks in our favorites.

GM wants us to believe that these vans are not twins. GMC marketed for “a more demanding buyer, the type of guy who has a Breitling watch on the wrist and a Garland stove in your kitchen. They say that the Sierra is a professional-quality truck.

Instead, offer the Chevy for any kind of client. But the fact is that the GMC does not have a heavier gauge sheet, strong electrical or engine tuned at the factory. The only differences between these trucks are the front sheet metal and logo. Choose the style that you like or match wits with the vendors of GMC and Chevy together. Anyway, you get a large truck.

Our two test vehicles were riding in a 5.3-liter V8, new GM. which provides 270 hp and strong torque of 315 lb.-ft. (for the year 2000, these figures will grow to 285 lb-ft hpy325). The engine is optional on both trucks, then there is also a less powerful V8 255 hp and 4.8 liters. The standard is the 4.3-liter V6. The 5.3-liter is impressive, with a good range of revolutions in the early stages of motor, high rpm power and value in the automatic transmission to all four wheels. But, as often happens when we tested vehicles “identical”, an opaque to another. Our Chevy went much faster in the transition from 0 to 96 mph and for alcanar the quarter mile. Strangely, however, was that the yield of the two vans even after 453 kilos of cargo placed in their cases. Empty, the Chevy weighs more!

What impressed us was that with all speed and reached the two marks were not the fastest trucks of the test.

When braking, the Silverado and Sierra amazed us, putting up high numbers in its class. That is, until his Toyota did (30.48 cm. Less). But the stopping distance of Chevy -42.06 meters from 453.6 kg to 97 mph. in its case-is a good legacy of the disc brakes and ABS on all four wheels of this great truck.
Both GM vehicles handle well. Even loaded on their boxes, the two were stable in the operation of emergency lane change. The trucks seemed to be unloaded, it should be. But what differentiates the Silverado and Sierra the other is its ease for everyday use.

They have the lowest access level, and therefore practice. They offer smooth handling on the road. They have a rear seat that actually fits any size man. They have rear headrests, rear air conditioning vent and a back not so rigid as that of the other three trucks. They have friendly ergonomics in Espedal with bucket seats. This results in fullness of space, useful and well-placed cupholders, and the ratio to reach. In addition, the front seats are more comfortable in the group. The kind that one would use daily.

What do you need? A fourth door. But we were told that is included in the 2001 model. It took us in brand new GM pickups when introduced last year. Perhaps it was his style which prevented us from discovering how big they were. But that was in the past. The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra won this test.