17 Sierra SLE Loaner Review / Observations

SkiDooNick700 · January 18, 2017

Hi guys. Thought I would write up a quick review about a 17 Sierra SLE 4x4 Value Package crew cab short bed 5.3L 6spd (never checked gear ratio ) I had as a loaner for 8 days. I put about 260 miles on it.

One of the first things I noticed is how much more headroom you have without a sun roof! Also noticed the steering wheel was a bit less thick. I kind of liked this. I wonder if they changed the steering wheel or if SLE vs SLT has a different wheel. I noticed the new radio software however I didn't really play with it at all. I did like how it shows the 4G connection (bars), just like how your cell phone shows its connection. This re-enforces to myself that I hardly use any of the features of the radio as it is. I thought I would be able to let the green/blue back lighting grow on me, but even after 8 days and 260 miles, I'm just not into it. The DIC also had a different coloring to it, I still prefer mine more as well, but this was not as big of a deal to me as the back lighting was.

Couple more interior things - I noticed this feature where it detects items in the back seat and reminds you of them when you turn off the ignition. Must be so you don't leave your kid back there on a hot summer day. Another thing I noticed is that when the engine is cold soaked and you go to open the driver door, it automatically runs the fuel pump. Maybe this is to help with cranking time for those people who get in and just turn the key to crank right away. Also liked the power locking tailgate obviously.

LED headlights sure are nice. Really big improvement over the 14/15 headlight setup. I noticed they flicker quite a bit when they initially turn on. They sort of reminded me of my LED bar, especially when on the highbeam, just at a less intense lighting obviously. I would likely have been less motivated for the LED bar if I had these LEDs, although I did not get to experience them on a back country road at night doing 55mph. Only in the suburbs where its not as dark you know.

Powertrain... felt weird to be in a 6spd, never owned a 6spd truck. The first gear sure seems deep and it holds out for quite a while if you get into it a little bit. The trans sure shifted smooth tho and it never clunked a single time. The 5.3L is a smooth engine. I got on it twice, it goes, but, obviously it ain't no 6.2L. Seems like its still more of a high revving engine. Can't speak for sure on this tho as I didn't tow or anything like that.

That's about it though. Overall it was a nice truck, no real complaints. My truck was in because I kept having a headliner rattle and they finally just decided to replace the entire headliner. Ironically, this truck had a rattle as well, coming from the passenger side, maybe the b pillar area. I never felt like tracking it down. Felt good to be back in a cloth interior for a few days. Oh, I almost forgot, it's kind of amazing to me how noticable it is going from the standard bed length to a shortie. Feels more nimble and corners are easier. Parking is easier too.

A picture!