2011 GMC Sierra 1500

The 2011 model year of the GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab is available in two trim levels to choose from mainly known as Work Truck and SLE. The base trim costing from $22,230 and goes up to $31,575 for the top tier trim. The SLE trim gets an upgraded engine along with few additional features that were missing in the Base trim. 

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We recommend you go for the SLE trim as it adds premiums like 17-inch Chrome Steel Wheels, Premium Cloth Upholstery, Leather and Alloy Steering Wheel, etc that were missing in the lower trim. 

The 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab has 2 engine options to choose from. The base engine is a 4.3-liter Naturally Aspirated V6 engine that produces a maximum of 195 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Whereas, the SLE trim gets a 4.8-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine that produces 302 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque. Both the engines are mated with a 4-speed automatic transmission as standard and get a 6-speed automatic transmission as an option. It is available in RWD layout as standard which can be upgraded to 4WD. 

Now coming to the acceleration the Base 4.3-liter V6 engine can do 0-60 in 8.3 seconds and a quarter-mile in 16.0 seconds. 

Here the 2011 Ford F-150 Regular Cab is better than its competition in the 0-60 and quarter-mile race clocking 7.2 and 15.2 seconds but falls behind its competitors slightly when it comes to its top speed. The 2011 RAM 1500 Regular Cab on the other hand has a better top speed of 130 MPH when compared to its rivals. The Ford f-150 has better torque which is very useful for city rides, while the Chevrolet Silverado is similar in performance to its sibling, the GMC Sierra.

The 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab returns some decent fuel economy figures. The 4.3L motor returns 15 MPG in the city, 18 MPG on the highway, and 17 MPG combined. The mpg figures of this pickup are not the best but are sufficient for day-to-day work. 

If you opt for the SLE trim then your mileage will be reduced to some extent. The 302 hp V8 engine would provide you with 14 mpg in the cities, 18 mpg on the highways, and 16 mpg combined.

The Ford F-150 Regular Cab manages to give a better fuel economy even after having a more powerful engine than its competition. Since all the competitors have identical fuel tank capacities of 26-gallons, the Ford F-150 has a better-combined driving range and can do 494 miles between each stop. Meanwhile, the RAM 1500 Regular Cab has the least fuel economy in its class.

The 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab interior is quite basic which is common for the base trim of the pick-ups these days. The Regular Cab misses out on some of the extra features which are available on the Crew Cab version. The cabin has extensive hard plastics throughout whereas, the SLE trim has some wooden inlays here and there. All the other controls and buttons are placed on the center console which is very straightforward to use. The 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab seats 3 people in one row and the space is adequate for taller folks as well. Vinyl seats come as standard on the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab which can be upgraded to premium cloth upholstery.

The Ford F-150 Regular Cab has an edge over others when it comes to interior space. The cabin space of the RAM 1500 is slightly smaller than its competitors. The Ford F-150 Regular Cab offers the best cargo space of 65.5 cu.-ft as compared to its rivals. Meanwhile, the Ram 1500 has the least cargo space of 57.5 cu.-ft available. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has similar cabin dimensions to the Sierra 1500 with minor changes in design and even cargo capacity of 60.7 cu.-ft are similar.

In a nutshell, some of the interior features offered on the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab -

• 40/20/40 split-bench front seats w/center fold-down armrest
• Premium Cloth seat trim
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Front passenger assist handle
• Single-zone manual front climate control
• Interior Lighting w/dome and reading lights
• Remote vehicle starter prep package w/Remote Keyless Entry

How intuitive is the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab’s infotainment unit?

The 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab has a pretty basic infotainment system. It has a CD/MP3 player on which you can listen to your songs in an old-fashioned way. The truck also includes a 4 speaker stereo system that isn’t great but does the job well. Finally, it has an OnStar turn-by-turn navigation system that helps you to get anywhere without much hassle.

Some of the infotainment features offered on the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab -

• Infotainment system 
• CD/MP3 Player
• Satellite Radio
• AM/FM stereo 
• 4 Speaker Stereo System
• OnStar turn-by-turn navigation system

The 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 exterior has no changes and retains the bold design language from the last year’s model. It is simple but has an excellent road presence. As the GMC Sierra 1500 and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 share the same platform they are similar in many ways but still, they manage to have their separate identity. However, the wheels could have been bigger. The overall exterior is boxy and the side panels are muscular with smooth flowing lines. The headlights are large that complements its large grille. 

The Ford F-150 Regular Cab is the heaviest pickup in the segment. It is also longer than most of the pickups. The RAM 1500 Regular Cab has the best ground clearance in the segment. This is very important for off-roading as it can easily pass through any obstacles. Meanwhile, the GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Regular Cab have the least ground clearance in the segment.

Some of the exterior features offered on the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab -

• Dual halogen composite with automatic exterior lamp control
• Dual cargo area lamps
• Heated power-adjustable power-folding mirrors
• Grille and front and rear bumper chrome surround
• Solar-Ray deep-tinted glass
• 17-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels

The 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab secured a 4-star crash-test score from the NHTSA and IIHS gave it a “Good” rating, making it a safe truck in the segment. Some of the safety features of the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab includes 6 dual-stage airbags, traction control, front row airbags alongside full-length side curtain airbags.

Other standout safety features of the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab are:

• StabiliTrak stability control system with Proactive Roll Avoidance 
• Cruise control
• Automatic Crash Response
• Stolen Vehicle Assistance
• Tire Pressure Monitor System

The 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab is not the best but not the worst either. It sits right in the middle of its competition. It has a massive road presence as compared to its rivals. Both the powertrains on offer provide adequate performance and allows the truck to qualify as a friendly daily driver. Also, it undercuts its competitors in terms of its price. So, you can opt for the 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab if you are on a tight budget.