2009-2011 1500 Silverado Vs. Sierra Ltz Difference

rmkleman · December 9, 2010

Hi everyone, I have done a lot of searching on the two and I still feel so confused. I'm going to purchase a new truck in the next 6 months and i'm serious about my research before i purchase one. I currently own a 2003 2500hd duramax that has 5" exhaust, tuned, guages, tires, ect... I have decided i'm done with the diesel world as i have no use for it and i absolutely HATE the truck in the winter (live in Ohio) takes forever to heat up, it's a work truck with cloth, and other reasons. I haven't decided on color yet but i'm leaning twords white (do they make a truck with the pearl white paint like the escalades?) as i had a black gtp several years ago and it was so hard to keep clean, but that's a whole other thread. I guess i'm just trying to decide exactly what i want next. I know i'm ready to go back to a gasser but i haven't decided if i want a 5.3 or a 6.2 yet for mileage reasons. I know i want a 6 speed though so i need an 09 or never correct? I refuse to purchase a truck without the ltz trim package this time around and want a sunroof in a truck really bad I believe i have read there is a difference between gmc trucks and silverados interiors? I thought it was just different from the firewall forward? I guess a huge question for me is what is different between the 2009-2011 trucks in genereal? I can swear i have seen the 2009 1500's with the shifter that has the "tap shift" buttons? just think it's a cool option. No idea if i want to go to the stealer or try to find it on craigslist, i'm not opposed to flying around the u.s and driving the damn thing back if i can find something i love for a good price. I've always owned silveraos but i love the front end on the sierras! Curious if it's going to be hard to find something i want or not i guess. I think i'm starting to ramble on so i guess i'll stop and see what kind of response i get from this post. Thank you in advance, this is my new favorite forum! If anyone has a link that spells out the difference from a 2009-2011 truck please post it, cuz i sure as hell can't find a write up on it.

b00001 · December 9, 2010

Pearl white = Yes, it is called White Diamond. Slight upcharge for the paint.

For mileage sake-5.3

Easy to find a truck, LTZ makes it a bit harder, White Diamond even harder still (if looking used) There were new ones on the lots I looked at a couple months ago.

2010 added the real usb ipod hookup over the 2009

2010 added a 3.23 gear

Not sure if 2011 added anything "new".

happy hunting!

KMGZ400 · December 9, 2010

NO get the 6.2

the MPGs on the 5.3 are maybe 1-2 mpgs better, its not a great enough diffrence to not get the 6.2.

just wait for others to chime in

2016 Sierra Owner · December 9, 2010

The tap shift feature you speak about is a standard option for the 6 speed trans if I am not mistaken. The Silvy and Sierra are about the same interior wise. There are several guys at work that have Silvys and I have compared them to mine.

bogeypro · December 9, 2010

if you want to save a few thousand dollars you can do what i did: i got the LT with the Allstar package, convenience package, interior plus package, towing package, and Z71. I have almost everything the LTZ has, but for thousands less. I have the 5.3 and 3.42 rear end and I have no regrets about not getting the 6.2 - it pulls my 6000lb boat without any problems at all.

good luck on the search.

rmkleman · December 9, 2010

Only 1-2 mpgs diff? Wow, i just have a hard times believing that for some reason. Not saying you're wrong but that seems pretty crazy. I live 6 miles from work and i don't drive on the highway much at all to go anywhere. Just a short trip to town and around town. Maybe i can get the 6.2!! I bet that thing sounds freakin awesome with exhaust. So many things i need to choose still, i hope i get some more replies to this one. Tap shift is on all 6 speeds? It seems like every picture i have seen of the 09 ltz 6 speeds haven't had the shift option on the gear selector, it is on the steering wheel? That white diamond is pretty sexy!

NO get the 6.2

the MPGs on the 5.3 are maybe 1-2 mpgs better, its not a great enough diffrence to not get the 6.2.

just wait for others to chime in

nickvrebel · December 9, 2010

Transmission:

If it has the 6 speed it has the "+" and "-" buttons on the gear shifter.

In '09 only the Crew Cabs had the 6 speed.

Motor:

I have the 5.3L and I am very satisfied. I believe the mileage difference is greater than the previous poster estimated, you need to get real numbers from an actual owner. I get 16-17 in town and about 19 on the highway with a 5.3L/ 6 Speed/ 3.42/ 4X4.

Interior:

The Silverado LTZ is equivalent to the Sierra SLT. There is no differences in the interior other than the emblem on the steering wheel. There is a major difference between the interior of a SLT and a SLE or lower package truck (or in a Chevy major between LTZ and the LT or lower package).

Choice between new and used:

Pay close attention to what the new trucks are actually going for and what the used prices are. I picked up a 2009 demo model with 8,000 miles for $2,000 less than a used dealer wanted for a 2009 with 48,000 miles and original (worn out) tires.

also with new you have a better chance of getting the color and options your desire.

cbr9rider · December 9, 2010

Well I had a 2010 silverado LT ext. cab with z71 package and 5.3. Had a few things like leather seats, rear slider, convience package rearview camera. I liked the truck but I wished I done more research like this. So say the least I ordered a truck from my local dealer. This time i went with the GMC Sierra SLT 6.2, all terrain package, sunroof, rear slider, brake controller, rearview camera and convience package as well. Now I am very very happy with my choice in trucks. 6.2 Is the way to go. Mileage wise On the freeway I am getting around 17.5 mpg on the 6.2 within 3000 miles and the best I ever got with the 5.3 L within 9000 miles was 18.5 and that was only one time.Average on the 5.3 was 16.5 MPG. As long as you dont gut the 6.2 (I KNOW ITS HARD NOT TO) truck everytime you pull out from a red light, mileage should suit you just fine. But if you can handle the wait you would be better off ordering one the way that you want instead of shopping from car lot to car lot like I should have done in the first place.

KMGZ400 · December 9, 2010

Only 1-2 mpgs diff? Wow, i just have a hard times believing that for some reason. Not saying you're wrong but that seems pretty crazy. I live 6 miles from work and i don't drive on the highway much at all to go anywhere. Just a short trip to town and around town. Maybe i can get the 6.2!! I bet that thing sounds freakin awesome with exhaust. So many things i need to choose still, i hope i get some more replies to this one. Tap shift is on all 6 speeds? It seems like every picture i have seen of the 09 ltz 6 speeds haven't had the shift option on the gear selector, it is on the steering wheel? That white diamond is pretty sexy!

NO get the 6.2

the MPGs on the 5.3 are maybe 1-2 mpgs better, its not a great enough diffrence to not get the 6.2.

just wait for others to chime in

come 6.2 owners!! chime in about your mpg's!!

dogzapper · December 9, 2010

It's so hard to go wrong when you make the choice between the 5.3 and 6.2 liter engines. Personally, I own a 2010 Silverado CC/SB 4X4 Z-71 LTZ with the 5.3-liter engine and the 6-speed tranny linked to the 3.42 rear end.

My truck is fully-dressed with the LTZ Plus Package, Rear Vision Camera, Trailer Brake Controller and more ...

To say I am delighted with my new truck would be a HUGE understatement.

My truck hauls our 6,500 pound trailer house with no particular effort. The transmission shifts seamlessly and seems even smarter than the Allison-1000 that our last truck had.

YEAH, my last truck was a 2006 Duramax CC/SB LT-3. I totally understand when you say that you are tired of the truck. Frankly, I would not trade my new LTZ/Z-71 even up for a Duramax of any description or year. The half-ton is just so much more manuverable and fun to drive.

Getting to the 6.2, one of my neighbors owns the identical truck to mine only he has the 6.2. Frankly, he feels the same about his truck as I do about mine.

We've compared mileage ... and honestly. The 6.2 liter costs him just about 2 mpg straight across the board. And my neighbor says that it's worth it to him.

Personally, I'm an old fart of 67 years and the 5.3-liter engine gives me all the accelleration and performance I need and want.

Would I trade my 5.3 for the identical truck that had the 6.2? No. Absolutely not.

Would my neighbor trade his truck with the 6.2 for a 5.3? Again, no.

Would either of us trade our trucks even-up for a Duramax of any flavour? HELL NO

My friend, both the 5.3 and the 6.2 liter are GREAT engines and the six-speed tranny makes both even better. You cannot make a mistake, either choice is a good one

Happy Hunting,

Steve

KMGZ400 · December 9, 2010

very well said^^^

so it boils down to whether want that extra kick at the sacrafice of about 2mpgs.

some positives of the 6.2

- NO AFM.... meaning no oil consumption issues

- higher trade in value

- beefier stronger trans with better durability IMO

- faster

since your coming from a god d@mn tuned duramax, you might find the 5.3 a tad slow...so you need to test drive both

just my 0.02

good luck, keep us updated

rmkleman · December 10, 2010

I'm going to have to do a little more research on all of this, i just can't believe the 6.2 only averages about 2mpg lower then the 5.3 with the 6 speeds. Just seems too good to be true to me.

The 6 speed tranny is also different when paired to a 6.2? What's exactly different? Man there are so many options!

No AFM? I'm not even sure what that is yet, more research i suppose.

Good point on the higher trade in value down the road!

Aparently people are tuning their gas motors now?? Wow, i must have been stuck in the diesel world WAY too long! What are the benefits of a tunner or programmer on a gasser?

I saw a pic of someones black 2009 denali sierra on here earlier running through random posts... WOw what a sharp looking truck! Do allot of you put those wheels on your silverados?

very well said^^^

so it boils down to whether want that extra kick at the sacrafice of about 2mpgs.

some positives of the 6.2

- NO AFM.... meaning no oil consumption issues

- higher trade in value

- beefier stronger trans with better durability IMO

- faster

since your coming from a god d@mn tuned duramax, you might find the 5.3 a tad slow...so you need to test drive both

just my 0.02

good luck, keep us updated

Sir Dan · December 10, 2010

From the official GMC website:

5.3L (with 4wd) = 14 mpg city/ 18 mpg hwy

6.2L (with 4wd) = 12 mpg city/ 19 mpg hwy

So it looks like the 6.2 actually does better on the highway than the 5.3 although I would have to see it to believe it. If I were in the market right now, there is now question that it would be 6.2 for me all the way. The small difference in city mpg is not a factor when compared with the extra power, better trans, and No AFM crap with the herky jerks and bad lifters as with the 5.3L

edit: AFM is GM's new (active fuel managment) or (all for marketing) system that supposedly saves fuel by de-activating 4 of your 8 cylinders at certain times. The special lifters used in the system have been failing which causes excessive oil burning and in some cases, major engine work. There are also quite a few complaints about how the system affects the driveability with it's slight (hiccup) when the system starts the 4 cyclinders back up and if you add a performance exhaust the AFM sound is quite awful.

06sierravmax · December 10, 2010

I'm not a owner of a Gmt-900 or a 6.2, but after owning a 6.0 Vmax for 4 years. I don't think I could ever step down to a 5.3 unless it is in a standard cab. I would say test drive them both and then decide.

KMGZ400 · December 10, 2010

I'm going to have to do a little more research on all of this, i just can't believe the 6.2 only averages about 2mpg lower then the 5.3 with the 6 speeds. Just seems too good to be true to me.

The 6 speed tranny is also different when paired to a 6.2? What's exactly different? Man there are so many options!

No AFM? I'm not even sure what that is yet, more research i suppose.

Good point on the higher trade in value down the road!

Aparently people are tuning their gas motors now?? Wow, i must have been stuck in the diesel world WAY too long! What are the benefits of a tunner or programmer on a gasser?

I saw a pic of someones black 2009 denali sierra on here earlier running through random posts... WOw what a sharp looking truck! Do allot of you put those wheels on your silverados?

very well said^^^

so it boils down to whether want that extra kick at the sacrafice of about 2mpgs.

some positives of the 6.2

- NO AFM.... meaning no oil consumption issues

- higher trade in value

- beefier stronger trans with better durability IMO

- faster

since your coming from a god d@mn tuned duramax, you might find the 5.3 a tad slow...so you need to test drive both

just my 0.02

good luck, keep us updated

yes everyone tunes their gassers now and has for a while haha. benefits i got are about 10-15 more hp, waaaaaay crisper shifting and shift points on a 93 oct. tune. since i have a handheld, i can change it back to stock whenever i want and have a bunch of diffrent tunes.

you dont want AFM....imo

the tranny in the 6.2 is a 6L80e which is a lot bigger and stronger