GM says new GMC Sierra 5.3-liter V-8 will come with best mpg in class

(April 1, 2013) DETROIT — General Motors claims that when the all-new 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 full-size pickup truck arrives at dealers later this spring it will come with the best V-8 pickup fuel economy in the industry. Sierra’s new 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 uses direct injection, cylinder deactivation and variable valve timing to achieve EPA estimates of 16 mpg city and 23 highway with two-wheel drive or 16/22 with four-wheel drive.

In addition to highway estimates that are two mpg higher than a comparable 2013 Ford V8 pickup and three mpg higher than a Ram V8, Sierra’s new V-8 fuel economy estimates also measure higher than those of the 2013 Ford F-150 EcoBoost V-6.

The new 5.3L EcoTec3 V-8 combines its leading fuel efficiency with performance and capability. With an SAE certified 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque — increases of 40 horsepower and 48 lb-ft compared to the 2013 model — Sierra’s new 5.3L offers a towing capacity of up to 11,500 pounds.

Most GMC owners — three out of four last year — will opt for the 5.3L V-8 engine, which is an $895 option.



“In the core of the full-size truck market, the 2014 Sierra is second to none,” said Tony DiSalle, vice president of GMC Marketing. “Truck owners expect durability, capability and fuel efficiency, and this latest generation of our proven V-8 is designed to deliver on those expectations.”

The 5.3L EcoTec3 V-8 is just one of three more efficient new engines for the Sierra. With a standard 4.3L EcoTec3 V-6 that arrives this summer and a long list of standard features, the 2014 Sierra will have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $25,085, including a destination charge of $995.

Compared to the 2013 Sierra, the new model adds a standard 4.2-inch radio display, a locking tailgate, projector headlamps, a CornerStep rear bumper, cloth seats (versus vinyl in other trucks), DuraLife brake rotors and other all-new features. The truck’s all-new 4.3L EcoTec3 V-6 and six-speed automatic transmission is engineered to offer improved efficiency and capability, with additional details coming later.

Sierra also will be available later this year with an all-new 6.2L EcoTec3 V-8 with even more power, torque and capability than the 5.3L. Additional specifications for the 6.2L will be released later.

Every 2014 Sierra 1500 comes with Pro Grade Protection which, in addition to a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, includes two years or 24,000 miles — whichever comes first — of standard scheduled maintenance.

Coverage is included in the price of the vehicle and includes up to four regularly scheduled oil changes, oil filter replacements, tire rotations and multi-point vehicle inspections, based on the schedule in the vehicle owner’s manual. Customers will be eligible whether they lease or purchase and the coverage is completely transferable between owners.