Long Term Update: 2002 GMC Sierra Denali Quadrasteer
"All the negatives of driving a full-size pickup around town on a daily basis disappear with the superb maneuverability of Quadrasteer."
Photography by Thomas Voehringer
How do you make a full-size pickup drive like a compact car? Build one with four-wheel steering, of course. Our $44,130 long-term Quadrasteer, optioned with only a block-heater and running boards, is an absolute hoot to drive in tight, congested areas, not to mention that it shines when trailering a 6000-pound boat.
2002 GMC Sierra Denali
Base price $43,385
Price as tested $44,105
Vehicle layout Front engine, awd, 2-door, 5-pass
Engines 6.0L, OHV, 16-valve V-8; 6.0L V-8, OHV, 2 valves/cyl
Horsepower @ rpm 325 @ 5000
Torque @ rpm 370 @ 4000
Transmission 4-speed automatic
0-60 mph, sec 7.7
EPA mpg 12 city/15 highway
Total mileage 6206
Average test mpg 11.8
Problem areas None
Non-warranty cost $0
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So far, the only real complaint is about the rear suspension: It's stiffly sprung for towing, resulting in severe freeway chop on certain types of concrete-poured highways. Maybe not too surprisingly, we're also unimpressed with fuel mileage. On a recent 1400-mile trip to Oregon and back, the Denali yielded a wallet-gouging average of 12 mpg, although 360 miles between fill-ups makes long-distance travel tolerable.
Our Magic 8 Ball tells us the future of full-size trucks is heading in the direction of this Quadrasteer. Four-wheel steer works great for towing and will become even more affordable if GM creates a more compact, second-generation version and bolts it into its 1500 series trucks and SUVs. Until then, we'll have plenty of fun dodging parking-lot traffic in our Denali.