2008 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali

The Sierra 1500 is GMC's full-size pickup, the more upscale sibling to the Chevy Silverado, and it's built for serious hauling and towing duty. It rides like a proper truck, with a firm, steady feel that settles down once you've got weight in the bed or a trailer behind it. Inside, the cabin is straightforward and functional, with plenty of room for three across the bench and easy-to-use controls. You get a choice of regular, extended, or crew cabs, and the bed is sized to handle real work, with a tailgate that's a cinch to operate. The Denali adds the biggest V8 in the lineup, plus unique leather, chrome, and a quieter cabin that sets it apart from the SLT and SLE. Its 6.2L V8 makes this the quickest Sierra of the year, and with four-wheel drive you've got traction whether you're towing or on slick pavement, though 14 mpg combined is the trade. It rides lower than other Sierras thanks to the Denali-specific suspension, which helps handling but means you give up a bit of ground clearance.