Americans do like their pickups, and in the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 lineup, they’ve got a venerable and versatile workhorse worthy of the breed. This full-size hauler comes in seven trims that start with the base and basic Work Truck and progress through the semi-loaded SL, the touch-of-class SLE, the full-featured SLT and XFE, the top-shelf Denali and the eco-friendly (if not particularly MSRP-friendly) Hybrid. The Work truck and the SLE are available in Regular cab, Extended cab or Crew cab variations. The SL, SLE and SLT are all available in Extended or Crew cab configurations, with the XFE, Denali and Hybrid only offered in the Crew cab design. Regular cabs hold three occupants on bench or, in the higher trims, bucket seats. Extended and Crew cabs seat six, with the Extended cab trims mounting rear-swing back doors and the Crew cab design sporting four independent front-opening doors. While Crew cab trims mount only the 5.8-foot bed, both the Regular and Extended cab trims can be delivered with either the standard 6.6-foot bed or the available 8.2-ft bed. All trims, meanwhile, are available in standard rear-wheel drive (RWD) or, with the exception of the XFE and Denali, either on-demand or part-time 4-wheel drive (4WD). The Denali is available in a full-time all-wheel drive (AWD) configuration, while the XFE comes only in RWD.

Rivals to Jimmy’s 2012 Sierra 1500 include GM’s own Silverado 1500 pickups, as well as Ford’s tried and true F-150 and Dodge’s good-looking Ram 1500 lineup. Toyota’s Tundra lineup and Nissan’s Titan pickups may also be worth a look. GM, however, in vying for pickup-truck supremacy, offers its trucks with some significantly added muscle (though they still don’t quite overcome the latest F-150 powerplants) and the unique Hybrid version. Combined sales of the Sierra 1500 and Silverado 1500 have finally left the F-150 behind, though the latter is often perceived as more feature-heavy and of marginally better build quality.

A base 195-hp, 260-lb-ft/torque 4.3-liter V6 and dated 4-speed automatic transmission comes standard with the Work Truck in Regular and Extended cab versions. Towing capacity is maxed out at 5,400 pounds if the available 3.73 rear axle is ordered, while mileage is estimated at 15 mpg city/20 highway in RWD trims and 14/18 in 4WD versions.

A 4.8-liter E85 ethanol-capable (FFV) V8 is standard on the SL and SLE trims and available to the Work Truck in its Extended and Crew cab configurations. Again mated with the 4-speed automatic, this efficient V8 puts out 302 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque, can tow up to 7,200 pounds when properly equipped, and with variable valve timing (VVT) gets 14/19 in RWD trims, 13/18 in 4WD versions.

Next up is the 5.3-liter FFV VVT V8 that’s standard in the XFE and SLT and available to the Work Truck only in its Extended cab version. Expect 315 hp and 335 lb-ft of torque when this capable V8 is combined with the shiftable 6-speed automatic transmission. Towing is maxed out at 9,100 pounds, with mileage running 15/21.

The Denali gets a standard 6.2-liter FFV VVT V8 powerplant that combines with the 6-speed shiftable automatic for 403 hp and 417 lb-ft of torque, 10,700 pounds of max towing capacity, and mileage in the vicinity of 12/18. This monster engine is also available to the SLT with the optional Max Towing Package. Unique to trims equipped with this beast is a standard rear locking differential.

The Sierra 1500 Hybrid sports a two-mode hybrid system combining two 60-kilowatt electric motors with a 6.0-liter VVT V8 gasoline engine and convoluted electrically variable 4-speed transmission. This combination gets a combined 379 hp and 367 lb-ft of torque, tows 6,100 pounds and gets 20/23, which isn’t bad for a full-size pickup. The Hybrid can accelerate up to 30 mph on electric power alone and boasts regenerative braking, as well as engine shutdown at a stop.

All transmissions are equipped with the brake hill-holder feature, and all V8's boast Active Fuel Management, which shuts down 4 of the 8 cylinders at highway speeds for better fuel economy. Those Sierra 1500s with 4WD come with either manual or electronic hi-lo gear selection, auto-locking hubs and a rear locking differential. Meanwhile, the Denali’s full-time AWD system features a viscous center limited-slip differential and the ubiquitous rear locking differential.

Though Spartan, to say the least, the 2012 Sierra 1500 Work Truck lineup does offer standard 17-inch steel wheels, vinyl upholstery, an engine-hour meter, tilt-wheel steering, air conditioning, simulated alloy door trim, phone pre-wiring and an AM/FM stereo with two speakers in Regular cab versions, and six speakers in the Extended and Crew cab trims. The SL, meanwhile, is delivered with 17-inch chrome-styled wheels, cloth upholstery, remote power door locks, power windows, cruise control, a heavy-duty trailering package, single-CD player and OnStar Directions and Connections.

The Sierra 1500 SLE puts such standard additions as premium cloth upholstery and satellite radio in the Regular cab variations, and power rear windows, along with a seven-speaker stereo with subwoofer in the Extended cab trims, with its XFE and Hybrid siblings coming similarly equipped. The exceptions are that the Hybrid offers 18-inch alloy wheels and the XFE comes with a standard trailer hitch and wiring, as well as steering-wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls.

The SLT approaches true posh with standard 18-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery and cabin accents, heated and power-adjustable front seats, memory for two drivers' settings, a Bose premium stereo with 6-CD changer, Bluetooth connectivity and a USB connection. All this also graces the flagship Denali, which additionally boasts 20-inch alloy wheels, premium leather seats, reverse-tilting outside mirrors, rear parking sensors and a universal remote garage door opener topping off the list of standard features.

Option-wise, lower Sierra 1500 trims are eligible for many, if not most of those standard items that equip the higher trims. Included on the list of options are a number of trailering, off-road and all-terrain packages for higher 4WD trims, including the touted Z71 Off-Road Package, with its skid plates, all-terrain tires and off-road suspension. Most optional equipment is geared toward improved performance and utility, though some comfort and convenience tidbits include a power sliding rear window, power sunroof, Bose premium audio components, rear-view camera and a hard-drive-based navigation system with NavTraffic. Then there are a number of upgraded chrome and appearance packages that include upsized and upgraded alloy wheels, the EZ-Lift tailgate, bedliners, and/or tonneau covers.

Using sheer bulk as its most advantageous safety feature, the 2012 Sierra 1500 lineup also sports standard 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front (and rear in Extended and Crew cabs) head airbags, front side-mounted airbags, daytime running lights and dusk-sensing headlights. SL and higher trims additionally sport a standard remote antitheft alarm, OnStar emergency service, airbag deployment notification and stolen-vehicle tracking and a post-collision safety system. The SLT and Denali, meantime, boast standard turn-signal-integrated mirrors, with the Denali also endowed with standard front fog/driving lights.

Owners of the 2011 Sierra 1500 pickup cite low-end cabin materials and few features in entry-level trims as problematic, though those with high-end trims tend to crow about the number of standard goodies. Mileage has owner opinion divided, with many getting better-than-expected numbers and others, not so much. Iffy build quality is a final question for a number of owners, with a few noting a disturbing number of squeaks and rattles. Nearly all owners are pleased, however, with this Jimmy’s overall performance and utility, as well as its trailer-towing and off-road prowess.