GMC trucks are hard-working rigs with a slightly more upscale tone. The GMC Sierra pickup truck always has been a bit of a step up from its platform-mate, the Chevy Silverado.

Today’s GMC Sierra pickup truck is refined and offers a luxurious, quiet cabin with loads of features. Heck, today’s pickup trucks are more like mobile offices.

Remember when pickup trucks were bland and utilitarian? It’s amazing how trucks like the GMC Sierra have evolved into rigs that are wanted by folks who don’t even have anything to tow or haul.

Over the years, the pickup truck market has picked up some new competitors and the vehicles in this segment continue to develop immensely.

So for the 2009 model year, GMC has added a new six-speed automatic transmission and enhanced convenience features to its Sierra pickup truck.

The new six-speed automatic transmission’s sixth gear helps Sierra deliver better fuel economy on the highway, plus the cabin is now quieter while cruising at highway speeds due to a lower engine rpm.

The new transmission debuts as standard equipment on Sierra crew cab models equipped with the 5.3-liter, 6.0-liter and 6.2-liter engines.

In addition to the new six-speed automatic transmission, the Sierra adds features like available Bluetooth phone connectivity and OnStar 8.0, which is the latest generation; it features Turn-by-Turn Navigation and the new Destination Download that automatically downloads requested directions to the Sierra navigation system.

Also, the rearview camera system (available on extended cab and crew cab) can be ordered with or without the navigation system. The image is displayed via a 3.5-inch screen inside the rearview mirror.

The 2009 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup is available in three cab configurations: regular cab, extended cab and crew cab. Pricing starts at $19,375 for a V-6-powered rear-drive regular cab and goes all the way up to over $44,000 for a top-of-the-line loaded crew cab all-wheel drive Denali.

There are many trim levels to choose from, and there are five engine choices. The 5.3-liter and 6.0-liter V-8 engines feature GM’s active fuel management system that automatically shuts down four cylinders during light-load cruising.

I can honestly tell you that I never felt the transition from eight-cylinder mode to four-cylinder mode and vice versa while driving my 5.3-liter equipped Sierra tester.

My tester’s 5.3-liter V-8 was rated at 315 horsepower. Acceleration from a stop and at passing speeds was very good. The overall ride felt incredibly refined and comfortable, especially when you stop and realize you’re driving a large crew cab four-wheel-drive pickup truck.

Don’t worry, though, you’ll never forget this truck’s size when you’re maneuvering around a crowded mall parking lot, or worse yet, have to parallel park this rig on the street.

As you might expect, my crew cab’s cabin was roomy and comfortable. My tester had seating for six thanks to a bench front seat.

I also liked the flip-down center console that I used when the middle-front seat was unoccupied. I think the glove box should be a bit bigger, though.

I was pleasantly surprised that for being a 4WD, my tester’s cabin was easily accessed without too high of a step up.

The GMC Sierra is plenty tough, too. It can tow. It can haul. It can do a lot of work for you. And it’s comfortable enough for everyday use, too.

2009 GMC SIERRA 1500 4WD CREW CAB SLE

ENGINE: 315-horsepower 5.3-liter V-8

TRANSMISSION: six-speed automatic

DRIVETRAIN: four-wheel drive

FUEL ECONOMY: 14 city/20 highway

BASE PRICE: $33,375

AS TESTED: $38,535 (includes $975 for destination)

WEB SITE: gmc.com