GMC Sierra 2024 Review, Price and Specs

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Summary

The GMC Sierra HD pickups can pull a huge amount of weight, but their incredible efforts don’t stop there. This powerful workhorse also cleans pretty well, offering a glossy chrome exterior and a comfortable leather saddle for the inside. The Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD are jumbo-shrimp from their half-ton counterpart, the Sierra 1500, reviewed separately. This GMC pickup offers a higher level of luxury and finish than Chevy’s Silverado HD offerings. A 401-hp 6.6-liter V-8 with a 10-speed automatic serves as the base powertrain, while the 445-hp Duramax turbodiesel V-8 available with a 10-speed automatic transmission is a prerequisite for the Sierra HD’s 22,500 pound conventional towing maximum. Additional trailer assist features such as Transparent Trailer View, Trailer Side Blind Zone Warning and adaptive cruise control available with trailers make Sierra HD work smarter, not harder. While the heavy-duty Sierra doesn’t have the maximum polish and towing of competitors like the Ram HD and Ford Super Duty, it’s a solid choice for those with a gaping truck-sized hole in their hearts.

What’s New for 2024?

GMC’s biggest pickup gets a mild visual refresh among bigger changes like a revised powertrain that offers more towing capacity and all-new trim. The Sierra HD gets a revised front fascia with LED headlights and new taillights with sequential turn signals. Power and torque of the 6.6-liter Duramax turbocharged diesel V-8 have been increased to 470 horsepower and 975 pound-feet of torque, respectively. The increase in power has increased towing capacity in the Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD lineups, with a higher maximum rating of 22,500 pounds. The 401-hp 6.6-liter V-8 automatic six-speed petrol engine is replaced by an Allison-certified 10-speed automatic, previously exclusive to diesel engines. The all-new Denali Ultimate trim combines the 2500HD and 3500HD and offers a greater level of luxury than the popular Denali tier. The Denali Ultimate, as is the case for the Sierra 1500, adds leather-wrapped door panels, steering wheel, and A and B-pillar handles. The 16-way power-adjustable heated and cooled message front seats are also graced with intricate leather stitching with a topographic map of Mount Denali in Alaska. . This revision features new trailering technologies, including adaptive cruise control with trailering, combined gross weight warning (GCW), and the GM Transparent Trailer Display is now also compatible for gooseneck and fifth wheel trailers. Sierra HD’s standard driver assistance technology has also been expanded for 2024.

Price and Where to Buy

Pro

$45,000 (approx.)

SLE

$50,000 (approx.)

high school

$60,000 (approx.)

4 O’CLOCK

$68,000 (approx.)

AT4X

$72,000 (approx.)

Denali

$74,000 (approx.)

Ultimate Denali

$80,000 (approximate)

We’ll start with the crew cabin and opt for a standard bed in the Sierra 2500HD. We’d avoid the rugged AT4 model and the chrome-laden Denali model despite its upgraded appearance. Instead, we recommend opting for the SLT trim level and adding four-wheel drive and a V-8 diesel. SLT comes standard with GMC’s Versatile MultiPro tailgate, heated steering wheel, heated front seats, power adjustable front seats and remote start. It also opens up more options than the lower SLE trim. We will opt for the SLT Comfort package which includes ventilated cushioned front bucket seats, heated rear seats and sliding rear windows. The Driver Alert package is also worth adding as it makes the giant easier to live with thanks to aids like blind spot monitoring, lane departure alerts, and front and rear parking sensors.

Engine, Transmission and Performance

The Sierra HD comes standard with a gas-powered 6.6-liter V-8 engine that produces 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque. It is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear or four-wheel drive. The optional Duramax diesel 6.6-liter V-8 produces 470 horses and 975 pound-feet of rev, and works through an Allison-certified 10-speed automatic. You can also specify single or dual rear axle (known as “dual”) for the 3500 HD model. Even though we only drove the diesel version before, we did gas combustion powertrain sample on internally identical Chevy Silverado 2500HD and appreciate his submissive behavior. However, there’s no denying that Duramax is the highlight of the heavy-duty Sierra, and that’s a no-brainer for those who regularly pull heavy loads. The engine is very smooth, and the transmission is very responsive. Together they help The 2500HD Denali we tested achieves impressively fast acceleration time. The giant GMC also has a pleasant ride quality for its kind. While steering is unclear at highway speeds, the Sierra still feels more agile than its heavy-duty competitors. The trail-ready AT4 and AT4X models are tougher models on a generally chrome-clad rig, with off-road suspension and a locking rear differential to go with an otherwise dark aesthetic.

Towing and Payload Capacity

The strongest Sierra 3500HD can pull as much as 36,000 pounds. However, such a large capacity required a diesel engine, a regular cab, rear-wheel drive, dual rear axle, and a gooseneck hitch. The same truck with a fifth wheel hitch lowers capacity to 32,000 pounds. The Sierra 2500HD is only offered with a single rear axle, and its most powerful version is good for towing 22,500 pounds.

Real World Fuel Economy and MPG

Since EPA not testing vehicles as heavy as the Sierra HD and its giant competitors, we can only rate their real-world mpg on our highway fuel-efficient routes. We only tested the Sierra 2500HD Denali with a diesel engine, which produces 17 mpg on the highway. By comparison, the diesel powered Silverado 2500 LTZ crew cab and the regular Ram 2500 Tradesmen cabin diesel we tested both delivered 19 mpg. Those sticking to the standard GMC gas-fed V-8 should expect to see worse fuel economy than the diesel option.

Interior, Comfort and Cargo

Inside, the Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD have large dashboards that house user-friendly switchgear. Most models have a folding front bench that can be replaced with a pair of bucket seats and a full center console. The Sierra interior can also be selected with a heads-up display, heated steering wheel, heated and cooled front seats, and wireless charging. Unfortunately, the cabin panels fit snugly and the material quality is mediocre. While there are plenty of soft-touch surfaces, and most models benefit from durable plastic, the very best Denali falls short of its luxury bill. The new Denali Ultimate trim is as grand as it gets, with a leather-clad interior trim, Paldao wood trim trim, and a soft microsuede headliner. The most luxurious alternative to the Ram houses the GMC in large part thanks to a much more luxurious look and feel. However, the Sierra HD will please pickup truck buyers who prioritize practicality and versatility. Along with ample passenger space in the crew cabin, the GMC is filled with practical interior storage space. The standard and long cargo box has built-in ladders on either side of the bed and the rear bumper has it at every corner. The box is further customizable with LED lighting, movable straps, and a 120-volt outlet. Sierra’s biggest exhibition of heavy duty is innovative multi-function tailgate, which has six different positions that include a work surface and a bench. This is a tailgater’s dream come true.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Each Sierra HD has a standard touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the base models have fewer options, they can still be equipped with a 120-volt outlet and a mobile hotspot. Most trim levels have an 8.0-inch screen and an additional charging port. All systems include a set of easy-to-access rotary knobs and physical buttons. The larger touchscreen can be upgraded with built-in navigation, a Bose audio system, SiriusXM satellite radio and a rear seat entertainment system. The large 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen offers the most integrated experience with features like Google Built-in, split-screen navigation, and is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This look is standard on the Denali and Denali Ultimate trims. GMC also offers a smartphone app that can be used to remotely control trailer functions. Likewise, the truck’s infotainment system allows users to save different trailer profiles to monitor maintenance.

Safety Features and Driver Assistance

While the truck can be equipped with various driver assistance technology, only some of them are standard, and arch-rivals offer more assists. However, GMC does have a comprehensive camera system featuring up to 15 different viewing modes, including a “transparent” mode that allows users to virtually see through the attached trailer as if they weren’t there. For more information on Sierra HD crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) website. Key security features include:

  • Standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking
  • Standard line departure warning
  • Blind-spot monitoring and rear traffic warning available

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

GMC provides a competitive warranty package that matches the coverage provided by competitors Ford and Ram, but, unlike these alternatives, GMC includes one free scheduled maintenance visit.

  • Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles
  • Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
  • Free maintenance is covered for the first year

specification

specification

2020 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali 4WD Crew Cabin

TRANSPORTATION TYPE
front engine, rear 4 wheel drive, 5 passengers, 4 door pickup

PRICE ACCORDING TO TEST
$78,455 (base price: $65,295)

MACHINE TYPE
turbocharged and intercooled 32-valve V-8 diesel pushrod, iron block and aluminum head, direct fuel injection

Transfer
403 cu in, 6599 cc

Power
445 hp @ 2800 rpm

Torque
910 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm

TRANSMISSION
10 speed auto

CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): control arm/solid axle
Brakes (F/R): 14.0-in/14.1-in ventilated disc
Tires: Goodyear Wrangler Trail Runner A/T, LT275/65R-20 126/123S M+S

SIZE
Wheelbase: 158.9 inches
Length: 250.1 inch
Width: 81.9 inches
Height: 79.8 inches
Passenger volume: 139 cu ft
Curb weight: 8260 lb

CD
TEST RESULT
Launch, 1 ft: 0.3 sec
60 mph: 6.5 seconds
90 mph: 14.4 seconds
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 7.7 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.7 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 5.0 sec
-miles: 15.0 seconds @ 92 mph
Top speed (limited by governor): 98 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 207 feet
Road grip, 300 ft diameter skidpad: 0.73 g

CD
FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 12 mpg
Driving on the highway 75-mph: 17 mpg
Highway coverage: 610 miles

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: not rated

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