2021 GMC Sierra 3500HD Review

　　

2021 GMC Sierra 3500HD Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　It really doesn't get much more capable than this. The 2021 GMC Sierra 3500HD is a truck that's made to work, even in its most well-appointed trims. It offers up to 35,000 pounds of towing capacity and more than 5,000 pounds of payload capacity when properly equipped. You'd have to search hard to find a trailer or collection of equipment too heavy for you to pull or haul with this maxed-out Sierra.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500HD 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 3500HD Base

　　Sierra 3500HD Base

　　2dr Regular Cab LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $37,100 MSRP2dr Regular Cab LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $38,300 MSRP2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $39,900 MSRP4dr Double Cab LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $39,900 MSRP2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $41,100 MSRP4dr Double Cab LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $41,100 MSRP4dr Crew Cab SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $41,500 MSRP4dr Crew Cab LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $41,700 MSRP4dr Double Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $42,700 MSRP4dr Crew Cab LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $42,900 MSRP4dr Double Cab 4WD LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $43,900 MSRP4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $44,300 MSRP4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $44,500 MSRP4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $45,700 MSRPSLE 2dr Regular Cab LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $42,200 MSRPSLE 2dr Regular Cab LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $43,400 MSRPSLE 4dr Double Cab LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $44,400 MSRPSLE 2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $45,000 MSRPSLE 4dr Double Cab LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $45,600 MSRPSLE 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $46,000 MSRPSLE 2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $46,200 MSRPSLE 4dr Crew Cab LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $46,200 MSRPSLE 4dr Double Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $47,200 MSRPSLE 4dr Crew Cab LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $47,400 MSRPSLE 4dr Double Cab 4WD LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $48,400 MSRPSLE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $48,800 MSRPSLE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $49,000 MSRPSLE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $50,200 MSRPSLT 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $54,000 MSRPSLT 4dr Crew Cab LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $54,200 MSRPSLT 4dr Crew Cab LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $55,400 MSRPSLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $56,800 MSRPSLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $57,000 MSRPSLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $58,200 MSRPAT4 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $59,600 MSRPAT4 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $59,800 MSRPDenali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $66,100 MSRPDenali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $66,300 MSRPDenali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A) - $67,500 MSRP

　　vs

　　$233/mo

　　Avg. Large Truck

　　Only a few trucks offer the same performance and capabilities as the Sierra 3500HD, though that doesn't make the segment any less competitive or cutthroat. The Ford F-350 Super Duty and Ram 3500 offer their own take on the heavy-duty truck formula. In our minds, the two have slightly more comfortable and better-appointed interiors, making them better to live with day to day without sacrificing performance.

　　There's also the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD. It's nearly identical to the Sierra save for interior and exterior design as well as a few features and optional equipment. It could be a viable option if you want to save a little compared to the Sierra. But ultimately the Sierra 3500HD should easily satisfy if you're shopping for a massively capable pickup.

　　

Which Sierra 3500HD does zzdcar recommend?

There are so many configurations for the Sierra 3500HD that it's difficult to narrow it down to one model. We think the SLT offers the best mix of features and engine options, though it's only available in a crew-cab configuration.

　　

2021 GMC Sierra 3500HD models

The GMC Sierra 3500HD is a heavy-duty full-size pickup truck. It's available in five trim levels: Sierra, SLE, SLT, AT4 and Denali. The Sierra and SLE are available in regular-cab, extended-cab (double) and crew-cab configurations, while the SLT, AT4 and Denali models are crew cab only. The Sierra 3500HD is available with a choice of a 6.6-liter gasoline V8 (401 horsepower, 464 lb-ft of torque) paired with a six-speed automatic transmission or a 6.6-liter turbocharged diesel V8 (445 hp, 910 lb-ft) mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

　　Rear-wheel drive is standard on the Sierra, SLE and SLT trims, while four-wheel drive is optional on that trio and standard on the AT4 and Denali. A dual rear-wheel option is available on certain cab and bed configurations of the Sierra to boost the truck's towing capacity.

　　Sierra

　　The base Sierra is a relatively bare-bones truck. Standard features include:

　　18-inch steel wheels LED headlights and taillights Manually adjustable trailering mirrors Cargo bed steps Locking tailgate and spare tire carrier 40/20/40-split front bench seat Vinyl seats and floor coverings Manual windows and door locks (regular cab) Trailering hitch 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration SLE

　　Adds more convenience features, such as:

　　18-inch alloy wheels Upgraded exterior trim Power trailering mirrors Configurable (MultiPro) tailgate 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 hotspotSLT

　　More luxurious than the SLE, the SLT has:

　　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 functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto High-definition backup camera with hitch-view angleAT4

　　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 seatsDenali

　　Tops the Sierra 3500HD 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 cameraThe Denali also includes a number of safety features and driver aids, many of which are optional on other trims.

　　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 3500HD 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)

　　

2021 Sierra 3500HD Highlights

Type: Crew CabRegular CabDouble CabCrew Cab

　　Trim: BaseSLESLTAT4DenaliBase

　　

Base MSRP	$41,500
Engine Type	Gas
Seating	6 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	20,000 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles