2001 GMC Sierra 2500HD Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

by the zzdcar Experts

　　

What’s new

　　Both light- and heavy-duty 2500s sport new torsion bar front suspensions. Light-duty models now offer optional traction control and standard child safety-seat tethers. Heavy-duty Sierras are completely redesigned for 2001 offering two new engines and transmissions, bigger interiors and numerous other improvements aimed at buyers looking for a "professional grade" truck from GM.

　　

zzdcar says

　　With both a light- and heavy-duty version, GMC's 2500 series Sierra offers just about every option you could ask for in a full-size three-quarter-ton pickup.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2001 GMC Sierra 2500HD 2dr Regular Cab SL 2WD LB (6.0L 8cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　Not Available  for Sierra 2500HD SL

　　Sierra 2500HD SL

　　2dr Regular Cab SL 2WD LB (6.0L 8cyl 5M) - $22,404 MSRP2dr Regular Cab SL 4WD LB (6.0L 8cyl 5M) - $25,236 MSRP4dr Extended Cab SL 2WD SB (6.0L 8cyl 5M) - $26,074 MSRP4dr Extended Cab SL 2WD LB (6.0L 8cyl 5M) - $26,374 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SL 2WD SB (6.0L 8cyl 4A) - $27,499 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SL 2WD LB (6.0L 8cyl 4A) - $27,799 MSRP4dr Extended Cab SL 4WD SB (6.0L 8cyl 5M) - $28,906 MSRP4dr Extended Cab SL 4WD LB (6.0L 8cyl 5M) - $29,206 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SL 4WD SB (6.0L 8cyl 4A) - $30,549 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SL 4WD LB (6.0L 8cyl 4A) (Most Popular) - $30,849 MSRP2dr Regular Cab SLE 2WD LB (6.0L 8cyl 5M) - $24,699 MSRP2dr Regular Cab SLE 4WD LB (6.0L 8cyl 5M) - $27,531 MSRP4dr Extended Cab SLE 2WD SB (6.0L 8cyl 5M) - $28,369 MSRP4dr Extended Cab SLE 2WD LB (6.0L 8cyl 5M) - $28,669 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SLE 2WD SB (6.0L 8cyl 4A) - $29,984 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SLE 2WD LB (6.0L 8cyl 4A) - $30,284 MSRP4dr Extended Cab SLE 4WD SB (6.0L 8cyl 5M) - $31,201 MSRP4dr Extended Cab SLE 4WD LB (6.0L 8cyl 5M) - $31,501 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SLE 4WD SB (6.0L 8cyl 4A) - $33,034 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SLE 4WD LB (6.0L 8cyl 4A) - $33,334 MSRP4dr Extended Cab SLT 2WD SB w/OnStar (6.0L 8cyl 4A) - $30,164 MSRP4dr Extended Cab SLT 2WD LB w/OnStar (6.0L 8cyl 4A) - $30,464 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SLT 2WD SB w/OnStar (6.0L 8cyl 4A) - $31,779 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SLT 2WD LB w/OnStar (6.0L 8cyl 4A) - $32,079 MSRP4dr Extended Cab SLT 4WD SB w/OnStar (6.0L 8cyl 4A) - $33,191 MSRP4dr Extended Cab SLT 4WD LB w/OnStar (6.0L 8cyl 4A) - $33,491 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SLT 4WD SB w/OnStar (6.0L 8cyl 4A) - $35,024 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SLT 4WD LB w/OnStar (6.0L 8cyl 4A) - $35,324 MSRP

　　vs

　　$233/mo

　　Avg. Large Truck

　　

Vehicle overview

　　If you're looking for flexibility, capability, and a "professional grade" image, look no further than GMC's 2500 Sierra. Available in either light-duty or completely redesigned heavy-duty versions, these versatile trucks come in a variety of configurations and trim levels to suit just about anybody's pickup truck needs.

　　Like the 1500 Series, these trucks share platforms and componentry with Chevrolet's Silverado, but Sierra gets some styling and feature enhancements to position GMC as the "professional grade" truck. Looks and special content aside, the biggest draw for GMC's big pickups are their exceptional powertrains, outstanding payload capacity, and unparalleled towing and hauling ability.

　　At the heart of the heavy-duty Sierra's redesign this year is the availability of two new engines and transmissions. The Duramax 6600 is an all-new turbodiesel V8 developed jointly with Isuzu that cranks out 300 horsepower and a whopping 520 foot-pounds of torque. (That's 65 horses and 20 foot-pounds more than Ford's PowerStroke, and 55/15 over the Dodge Cummins diesels.) When it comes to gasoline power, GM leads the pack there, too. The all-new Vortec 8100 V8 puts out 340 horsepower and 455 foot-pounds of torque - both numbers eclipsing those of the V10s being offered by competitors. Even the base Vortec 6000 V8, available in both light- and heavy-duty versions, has been juiced to 300 horses.

　　Heavy-duty models offer an electronically controlled Allison automatic transmission that boasts a patented "grade-braking" feature that automatically finds the optimum gear to supply downhill engine braking without manually downshifting, allowing you to concentrate on the road. It also touts "shift stabilization" to prevent ill-timed upshifts and downshifts, and even has bolt-on "Power Take Off" capability that allows owners to run PTO-driven equipment on-site, delivering 250 foot-pounds of continuous torque.

　　With comfy seats and plenty of the latest features, the redesigned heavy-duty Sierras sport roomier cabins with increased head, leg, and hip room over their predecessors. Light-duty 2500s carry over interiors from last year with child safety-seat tether hooks constituting the only new feature for 2001.

　　While we're not sure if the evolutionary styling of the GM's heavy-duty pickups carry the brute appeal of a Ford Super Duty or the big-nosed 3500-series Dodge, we do know that they will beat them when it comes to good ol' pullin' and haulin.' Even if you decide to stick with the somewhat more tame light-duty version, the 2500 Sierra still provides all the power and capability you'll ever need along with a comfortable interior and a smooth ride.

　　

2001 Sierra 2500HD Highlights

Type: Crew CabRegular CabExtended CabExtended Cab

　　Trim: SLSLESLTSL

　　

Base MSRP	$26,074
Engine Type	Gas
Seating	6 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	12,000 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles