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GMC’s full-size Sierra pickup is new from the frame up, but it takes a sharp eye to recognize it.

Park it next to last year’s Sierra, however, and the difference is immediately obvious. The new one is bigger, wider and taller. Cat-eye headlights and a large chrome grille give it a stronger visage than the old truck.

But most importantly, this truck has a trio of new engines, a larger cab and bigger, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock. Extended cabs are 3.7 inches longer, which, along with a rear seat back that reclines 18 degrees, makes the second seat comfortably habitable by adults.

Access to the second seat comes is through a third door on the passenger side. The one major flaw in the new design is the lack of a fourth door on the driver’s side, now available in both the Ford and Dodge. Look for one to show up in another year or so.

The heart of a truck is its engine, and the Sierra has three new Vortec V8s, a 4.8-liter, a 5.3-liter and a 6.0-liter. Born of the same architecture as the Corvette’s LS1, these small block engines are dynamite. I recently sampled two extended-cab, four-wheel-drive versions of the Sierra 1500, one with the 4.8-liter and one with the 5.3, which is clearly my favorite. It pumps out 270 horsepower and its Corvette lineage is clear the moment you stomp it into passing gear to merge onto the freeway. It revs with sports-car enthusiasm and its slightly raucous personality is endearing to those who like engines. It is capable of towing 8,000 pounds.

The 4.8-liter, with 255 horsepower, provides respectable performance considering the 4,621-pound curb weight. The most notable difference between the 4.8 and the 5.3 is torque, the force that actually moves the vehicle. Proportionally, the 4.8 takes more throttle to get it moving with the same vigor as the 5.3. It has a 7,500-pound towing capacity, not that much less than the larger engine.

These engines vibrate so little they feel almost like overhead-cam units.

If towing is a consideration, the automatic transmission has a Tow/Haul feature that is activated with a button on the end of the gear lever. Tow/Haul lengthens the time between shifts, yet shifts quicker for less loss of momentum.

The 6.0-liter engine is only available in the heavier 2500 series trucks.

All engines are more efficient than their forerunners.

The Sierra is mechanically almost identical to Chevrolet’s Silverado. Physically, it has distinct hood, fenders and grille. The level of standard equipment is higher, as befits GMC’s positioning as the premium truck.

Underneath, an all-new, three-piece frame has been constructed using three separate hydroformed sections. The wheelbase is 1.5-inches longer. This new frame, 28 pounds lighter than the old one, is stronger and absorbs more energy in a crash. A side benefit is that it should be easier and less costly to repair crash damage.

The larger cab is almost more comfortable. Again, I sampled clot h seats and the leather, premium seats. Both are excellent. The premium seats were better than those in many luxury sedans. They have adjustable lumbar support, good lateral support and firm cushions for long hours behind the wheel.

Seatbelts are built into the seat so they always fit right no matter how the seat was adjusted, and getting into the back seat is easy because there are no belts to duck under. Seat travel is about one-third greater than the old truck.

A large central storage bin with cupholders sits between the seats and will hold a lot of stuff. There are three power outlets in the dash.

Heating and cooling capacity has been increased by 40 percent, yet the sound has been reduced. Heat ducts direct warm air to rear-seat passenger’s feet.

The forward view is panoramic. Side mirrors and side windows are both larger than the old truck.

The instrument panel is completely new, although it looks much like that on the old truck. The gauge package is wel thought out and executed. A smaller airbag in the steering wheel improves instrument readability. The Driver Message Center monitors 18 functions and warns if the transmission gets too hot, as it might during towing. A standard engine/hour use readout is welcome for those who know that time can be more important than mileage.

General Motors sells more than 700,000 full-size GMC and Chevrolet pickup trucks, which tells you how important this vehicle is and why its success is critical. The styling is conservative, but I suspect truck drivers will like it for that reason. The significant changes result in considerably improved function, which is, after all, the key ingredient to success.

Price

The base price of our test vehicle, a Sierra 1500 4X4, is $27,210. Options include the SLT package of power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, leather seats, air conditioning, chrome grille, two-speed transfer case, power seats, off-road chassis package, aluminum wheels, 5.3-liter V8, AM/FM stereo with CD, fog lamps, tow package and locking rear differential.

The sticker price was $32,463.

Point: This well-appointed sedan has a strong V8, plush interior and conservative styling. The addition of side airbags for 1999 removes one of my complaints about the 1998 Continental.

Counterpoint: I would skip the Driver Select System in favor of the basic suspension and steering settings.

SPECS
ENGINE: 5.3-liter, V8
TRANSMISSION: automatic
WHEELBASE: 143.5 inches
CURB WEIGHT: 4,621 lbs.
BASE PRICE: $27,210
PRICE AS DRIVEN: $32,463
MPG RATING: 15 city, 18 hwy.