When you need an all-around vehicle to haul a mountain of gear--and you hope to be able to do that hauling and driving without needing your own oil well and refinery to support it--the Sierra Hybrid is a strong option.
I observed close-to-the-rated fuel economy in about 500 miles of driving, involving a variety of duties and driving conditions. While much of my hauling came around town, carrying baseball gear and a big grill for the annual local end-of-season youth baseball tournament and picnic, I also needed a fuel-efficient vehicle capable of easily loading and carrying my kayaks and gear for a day on a northern Michigan river.
The truck drives smooth and powerfully on the highway, with plenty of electric-motor boost to get up to speed on the freeway entrance ramp, or for quick passing on those two-lane rural highways. Where the powertrain remains a little off is at low speeds, where it was seems somewhat herky-jerky, especially when cold. Reverse can be similarly unusual. At the same time, the regenerative brakes are some of the touchiest in the business, providing instant-on stopping with the lightest touch of the pedal. Not that strong brakes are bad, it just takes some getting used to.
Overall, I'm not sure the hybrid's savings at the pump are worth the extra green up front. But if you want to be green and haul all your toys, you might find the premium price acceptable.
2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid
In Fleet: June 23-30
Base Price: $48,650
As-Tested Price: $48,650
Drivetrain: 6.0-liter V8; 4WD, electronically variable transmission with four fixed gears
Output: 332 hp @ 5,100 rpm, 367 lb-ft @ 4,100 rpm
Curb Weight: 5,882 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 20/18.9 mpg
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