2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD Review

　　

2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD Review

byChristian WardlawCorrespondent

　　Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at zzdcar and was the first editor-in-chief of zzdcar.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.

　　One year after a complete redesign that brought more right angles than an architectural firm and more chrome than Chicago's bean-shaped Cloud Gate, the Sierra 2500HD heads into 2021 with a handful of additional improvements. These are mostly related to technology. For instance, the Sierra's available trailer camera system is more capable than last year's setup and can provide more camera views to help make towing even easier. There's also new wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, so you no longer have to use a USB cord to connect your phone to use these systems.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD 2dr Regular Cab LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) 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 Base

　　Sierra 2500HD Base

　　2dr Regular Cab LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $35,900 MSRP4dr Double Cab SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $38,500 MSRP2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $38,700 MSRP4dr Double Cab LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $38,700 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $40,300 MSRP4dr Crew Cab LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $40,500 MSRP4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $41,300 MSRP4dr Double Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $41,500 MSRP4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $43,100 MSRP4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $43,300 MSRPSLE 2dr Regular Cab LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $41,000 MSRPSLE 4dr Double Cab SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $43,000 MSRPSLE 4dr Double Cab LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $43,200 MSRPSLE 2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $43,800 MSRPSLE 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $44,800 MSRPSLE 4dr Crew Cab LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $45,000 MSRPSLE 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $45,800 MSRPSLE 4dr Double Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $46,000 MSRPSLE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $47,600 MSRPSLE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $47,800 MSRPSLT 4dr Double Cab SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $51,000 MSRPSLT 4dr Double Cab LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $51,200 MSRPSLT 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $52,800 MSRPSLT 4dr Crew Cab LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $53,000 MSRPSLT 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $53,800 MSRPSLT 4dr Double Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $54,000 MSRPSLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $55,600 MSRPSLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $55,800 MSRPAT4 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $58,400 MSRPAT4 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $58,600 MSRPDenali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $64,900 MSRPDenali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $65,100 MSRP

　　vs

　　$233/mo

　　Avg. Large Truck

　　On the whole, the Sierra 2500HD is a capable truck. The cab is roomy and comfortable, the bed is deep and useful (especially with the available MultiPro tailgate), and GMC provides helpful built-in steps to access the cargo area. But the Sierra's towing and hauling capabilities are a little lower than those of the rival Ford F-250 and Ram 2500, and its cabin is nothing special either. Read our Expert Rating below to get our full review of the Sierra 2500HD's high points and low points.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.5

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Sierra 2500HD drive? The Sierra 2500's optional 6.6-liter diesel V8 is an excellent engine, and the 10-speed automatic it's paired to is top-notch. That V8 and its 910 lb-ft of torque propelled our 8,300-pound test truck from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.3 seconds — one of the quicker times in the 2500-series segment. We're less pleased with the brakes. The overly soft and long feel of the brake pedal action can diminish your confidence in the truck's abilities should you need to stop quickly.

　　Steering and handling are unremarkable. The steering is vague but well weighted. And despite its size, the Sierra tracks well through corners. In-town drivability and off-road capability are similarly average for the class. Keep the Sierra 2500 on bigger roads and you'll enjoy it just fine.

　　

Comfort

7.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Sierra 2500HD? Without any cargo in the bed, the Sierra 2500 has a bouncy ride, especially on the highway where road imperfections are common. The front seats help boost the Sierra's score with their comfortable and supportive padding. Lumbar support is excellent too. Things should be just fine on a long road trip over relatively smooth roads.

　　The Sierra's climate control system works quickly and is operated by easy-to-use control knobs placed conveniently on the dashboard. Road and wind noise is about average for the heavy-duty segment, but there is a pretty notable ruckus from the diesel up front, especially at idle. You'll definitely never forget that you got the diesel V8.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The Sierra 2500 is a big truck with a big interior. Headroom and legroom are abundant in the crew-cab configuration. Getting in and out will take some climbing, but the truck's available side steps help with that. The Silverado 2500HD's interior is essentially the same design as in the previous-generation truck. The design, layout and switchgear are utterly familiar and a bit underwhelming. But to GMC's credit, it's all easy to use and well labeled.

　　Poor outward visibility drags down the Sierra's score a bit because of the small rearview mirror, big roof pillars and giant hood that's hard to see over. Luckily, the driving position is relatively high and gives a commanding view forward for most drivers.

　　

Technology

7.0/10

　　How’s the tech? Our Denali test truck came with the Bose premium sound system and the 8-inch infotainment touchscreen. The audio and picture quality lived up to class standards, but there's no competing with the Ram 2500's massive center screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are standard with the 2500, and our smartphones connected quickly during our test.

　　One weak spot is that the factory voice controls don't understand natural language, and they even have trouble with prescribed commands. Siri and Google Voice will paper over this weakness if you use them, though. We like that a full suite of advanced driver safety aids is standard, but the forward collision warning and blind-spot monitoring systems seemed too oversensitive in our testing.

　　

Towing and Storage

8.5/10

　　How are the towing and storage? The Sierra 2500 gets top marks in the cargo and utility segment thanks to an abundance of big in-bed tie-downs, the trick six-position MultiPro tailgate, smartly placed bed sidesteps, robust hauling capability, and plenty of cargo space inside the cabin. The rear seats flip up easily to accommodate larger items, and cupholders abound throughout the cabin. In-cabin small-item storage could be better optimized, but there's still a decent amount.

　　Maximum fifth-wheel gooseneck towing capacity for the GMC is respectable for the class, but the topped-out rating for conventional towing is a few thousand pounds behind key rivals. But the Sierra makes towing easy with standard extendable tow mirrors, a remarkable 15-view towing-camera system, and a tire pressure monitoring system for a trailer's tires.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA doesn't require fuel economy testing for heavy-duty pickups, so the Sierra 2500 doesn't have a published fuel consumption number. That said, our diesel-powered test truck returned respectable numbers during its time with us. On long highway journeys, it averaged around 17-18 mpg, which is good for the segment.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the Sierra 2500HD a good value? It's built well, and our test truck didn't have any glaring flaws in construction inside or out. But the Sierra, especially in Denali trim, can get pretty expensive, and it still uses a lot of the Chevrolet Silverado's middle-of-the-road cabin materials. For a truck that can easily crest $80,000, we'd like things to be a bit higher-quality.

　　The ownership experience is about average for the class. The Sierra offers an average warranty for the class, with three years/36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper and five years/60,000 miles of powertrain coverage.

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　Like many of its rivals, the Sierra 2500's personality comes mostly from its sheer size. Up front, the tall and imposing grille gives it a certain curb appeal. And from inside the cabin, the high driving position makes you feel like you're on top of the world. There's a certain amount of fun to be had in a rig like the Sierra Denali.

　　

Which Sierra 2500HD does zzdcar recommend?

GMC offers the Sierra 2500HD in a wide range of configurations, and picking one can come down to what you need your truck for. The regular cab gives you the truck's maximum capabilities, but the crew cab isn't far behind. Among the trims, check out the SLT. It offers the broadest variety of drivetrain and equipment levels, allowing you to tailor a truck to specific preferences.

　　

2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD models

The Sierra 2500HD is a heavy-duty full-size pickup truck. It's available as a regular cab, double cab (a four-door crew cab but with a smaller rear seating area) and full crew cab. If you're buying a Sierra 2500HD for work, you're likely to want the Sierra or SLE versions of this truck. The SLT serves as the broadest structural beam over the Sierra 2500HD's collection of trim levels. If you want a specialized off-road-tuned or luxury model, the AT4 and Denali stand ready to serve, each equipped with standard four-wheel drive.

　　Each comes standard with a 6.6-liter gasoline V8 engine (401 horsepower, 464 lb-ft of torque) hooked to a six-speed automatic transmission. A 6.6-liter diesel V8 engine (445 hp, 910 lb-ft) dubbed the Duramax is optional and uses a 10-speed automatic.

　　Sierra

　　This base trim starts you off with:

　　17-inch steel wheels Manually adjustable trailering mirrors Cargo bed step points Locking tailgate and spare tire carrier 40/20/40-split front bench seat Vinyl seats and floor coverings Manual windows and door locks Trailering hitch 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display Simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two devices Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration SLE

　　Adds more convenience features, such as:

　　17-inch alloy wheels Upgraded exterior trim Power trailering mirrors MultiPro tailgate (six configurations) Integrated brake trailer controller (allows adjustment of a trailer's brakes from the cab) Cloth seats and carpeted floors Front underseat storage Cruise control Power door locks and windows Remote keyless entry 4.2-inch color driver information display Satellite radio Connected services including a Wi-Fi hotspot SLT

　　More luxurious than the SLE, the SLT has:

　　18-inch alloy wheels All-terrain tires LED headlights Power-folding and -extending trailering mirrors Cargo bed lighting 120-volt power outlet in cargo bed Keyless access with push-button engine start Remote engine start Dual-zone automatic climate control Leather seats Power-adjustable driver's seat Heated front seats Heated steering wheel 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system display Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto High-definition backup camera with Hitch View angle AT4

　　Provides more off-road attitude and capability with:

　　Standard four-wheel drive Hill descent control Off-road suspension tuning Underbody skid plates Body-colored bumpers Spray-in bedliner Front bucket seats with center console Ventilated front seats Heated rear outboard seats Denali

　　Tops the Sierra 2500HD lineup and adds on:

　　20-inch alloy wheels Automatic high-beam headlights Chrome exterior trim Power-sliding rear window Side steps to ease cab entry and exit Premium leather seats Upgraded driver information display Navigation system Bose premium sound system Wireless smartphone charging Bed-view camera The Denali trim also includes the following safety systems, many of which are available as options on other versions of the Sierra 2500HD:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Sierra 2500HD and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking) Many of the standard features on the upper trim levels are available on the lower trims as options. Other major options, depending on on the trim level, include:

　　Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield) Trailering camera system (can display multiple trailer-based camera views on the touchscreen to aid with towing) Digital rearview mirror (allows you to see out the back even with a fully loaded cargo area) X31 off-road package (upgraded suspension, skid plates, hill decent control)

　　

2021 Sierra 2500HD Highlights

Type: Crew CabRegular CabDouble CabCrew Cab

　　Trim: BaseSLESLTAT4DenaliBase

　　

Base MSRP	$40,300
Engine Type	Gas
Seating	6 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	18,500 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles