2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD / 3500 HD Expert Review
Reviewed by Alex Leanse
As the brand's only truck available with dually rear wheels , the Sierra 3500HD sits at the top of GMC's heavy-duty pickup range. It can tow and haul more than the Sierra 1500 and Sierra 2500HD . The current generation of this truck was introduced for model year 2020, and it gets a thorough refresh for 2024.
What's New
- Updated exterior styling with new wheel and paint options
- Significantly revised interior with more tech
- Gasoline V-8 swaps six-speed automatic for 10-speed
- More power and torque from diesel engine, improved engine braking
- Active safety features now standard; adaptive cruise control newly available
What We Think
Despite its enormous pulling power, the Sierra 3500HD was held back by two big issues: its unimpressive interior, and the six-speed automatic transmission connected to the gasoline V-8. For 2024, GMC addresses those issues specifically and adds other appealing features. But are those changes enough to right the Sierra HD's wrongs?
With the Allison 10-speed automatic borrowed from the Duramax diesel powertrain now behind it, the gas engine finally has a transmission with enough gears for towing and hauling duty. We had no complaints about the Sierra HD's output before, and we appreciate the extra power and torque it gained this year.
Regardless of the Sierra 3500HD's power and torque, its new interior looks very nice—quite a difference from before. Its layout is more user-friendly, and the list of available luxury and technology features is about as long as any other truck on the market.
Now that the Sierra 3500HD has the improvements it always needed, it might improve its standing in our heavy-duty truck rankings.
Performance and Fuel Economy
The Sierra 3500HD is built with RWD as standard, or 4WD optionally. The Denali and AT4 trims include 4WD.
Two 6.6-liter V-8 engines—one gasoline, one turbodiesel—are offered in the Sierra 3500HD. Both are connected to a 10-speed Allison automatic transmission. The gas V-8 makes 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque. The Duramax diesel engine churns out 470 hp and 975 lb-ft of torque, increases of 25 hp and 65 lb-ft from last year. It's likely this new diesel engine will improve upon the Sierra 3500HD's previous 0-60-mph time of 6.9 seconds.
Safety Features
Unlike prior model years, the 2024 Sierra 3500HD now comes standard with driver assist and active safety features. These include front automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beams. Adaptive cruise control becomes available as an option, as do rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking and trailer blind-spot monitoring.
Cab and Bed Options
As standard, the Sierra 3500HD comes in two-door regular cab configuration, which can seat two or three passengers across. For more capacity, the four-door double and crew cabs are available, which have space for up to six passengers.
The regular, double, and crew cab can be had with a long bed, which measures 98.3 inches long. The double and crew cabs can be paired with a standard bed that measures 82.3 inches long. Both beds are 71.4 inches across. Only the long bed is compatible with dual rear wheels. The clever MultiPro tailgate can be optioned on either bed.
Payload and Towing Capacities
Payload is as low as 4,162 pounds in the Sierra 3500HD crew cab, standard bed, RWD diesel model. It tops out at 7,290 pounds, provided by the regular cab, long bed, RWD dually gasoline variant.
For conventional towing, the Sierra 3500HD goes as high as 20,000 pounds with the diesel engine. With a fifth wheel, towing capacity maxes out at a whopping 31,800 pounds.
Technology
In its 2024 refresh, the Sierra 3500HD gains numerous available tech features. Screens abound, between the 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, 12.3-inch gauge cluster display, 15.0-inch head-up display, and digital rearview mirror. Certain models have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. Both rows of seats can be equipped with USB ports, and a wireless charging pad can go up front. One appealing option is the surround-view camera system, which can focus in on views of the bed or trailer hitch. High-end Sierra 3500HD models get a new Bose 12-speaker audio system.
Denali Ultimate: The New High End
GMC's Denali luxury trim gets its name from Mount Denali, the highest peak in North America. But we checked a map and couldn't find Mount Denali Ultimate—nevertheless, that name newly denotes the brand's highest-end vehicles. In the case of the Sierra 3500HD Denali Ultimate, it gets exclusive 20-inch wheels and dark chrome exterior trim. The cabin is treated to premium leather, wood, and microfiber trim. New 16-way adjustable front seats are heated, ventilated, and have massage functionality. Technology is plentiful, including features like a digital rearview mirror, 12-speaker Bose audio system, and surround-view camera system.
