That is largely due to the new chassis, which offers a 23-percent increase in stiffness. New mounting and isolation hardware reduces noise and vibration. A cast magnesium beam behind the instrument panel and a lateral steel beam between the magnesium beam and the right side of the dash further reinforce the stiff body. This is a very strong truck, and its strength lets the suspension soak up and manage all the bumps and ruts and tar strips so well that its overall ride behavior is luxurious. Its 143.5-inch wheelbase improves the ride and enhances high-speed stability. A four-spoke steering wheel connects to a new rack-and-pinion steering system that has a fairly wide dead spot in the center when cruising, which GMC says is designed to minimize steering corrections on the highway. The steering feels a bit light, but we found it tracks beautifully and handles well on pavement, loose dirt, deep dirt and even off road.

The 4.8-liter small-block V8 is the most popular engine for this truck. Our Sierra LT came with the optional 5.3-liter (324 cubic-inch) engine, rated at 285 horsepower and 325 foot-pounds of torque for 2000. This engine has a fat torque curve, which makes it useful for light towing and hauling, but it's also a lot of fun for commuting and touring. The new engine is a much better small-block than before, and we recommend the 5.3-liter over the smaller 4.8-liter version.

Brakes have been improved substantially over the previous model and it's a welcome improvement. The four-wheel disc brakes are huge and powerful and come standard with ABS. Braking force comes into play only an inch into the pedal travel, a welcome improvement over the mushy pedal on the previous C/K pickup. A new feature called Dynamic Rear Proportioning improves stability under heavy braking whether the truck is loaded or empty. GMC promises huge improvements in fade resistance, pad life and heat dissipation, and after beating these brakes hard we believe them.