2025 GMC Sierra 2500HD

Base Pro versions have a dated dash with an 8.0-inch touchscreen that would look plenty big in just about any other vehicle. Far better is the setup in SLE and higher trims, which uses a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a big, well-integrated 13.4-inch touchscreen. Even the SLE has a nice appearance inside, but GMC reserves the dressiest trim for the Denali Ultimate. Its seats are covered in a ranch’s worth of soft leather hides, and GMC even uses real wood accents. 

Is the GMC Sierra 2500 4WD?

It can be, though unlocking the top tow ratings means going with a rear-drive model. Four-wheel drive generally costs about $3,000 more depending on the trim level. It’s standard on Denali and AT4 trims. 

If you want to go off-road, the Sierra 2500 AT4X should be your go-to. It rides on trick Multimatic spool-valve dampers and taller springs that give it about a 1.5-inch lift, plus it has myriad small tweaks like unique control arms and steering knuckles. With 35-inch tires, a rear differential lock, and skid plates, it has all the four-wheeling goods you’re likely to need, so long as you can find a trail wide enough. 

How fast is the GMC Sierra 2500HD?

Speed isn’t the priority here. The base 6.6-liter V-8 puts out 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque via a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission. It’s plenty for modest—by heavy-duty truck standards—loads. But it’s also a compromise since the available turbodiesel 6.6-liter V-8 belts out 470 hp and 975 lb-ft of torque for far superior towing and hauling ability. The turbodiesel is a bit louder than the gasser, but that seems like a worthwhile tradeoff given its capability boost for those who need it. 

Sierra HDs have a proper king-of-the-road seating position, and they track decently in a straight line. But these trucks are downright terrible in town or even in the 'burbs, where their high fenders can obscure a Chevy Equinox, let alone a subcompact car. Their steering has good heft and is reasonably accurate, but a massive turning radius makes them a bear to park anywhere but the far side of the lot. They also ride stiffly and jiggle unless loaded up, a byproduct of leaf springs just begging to be pushed down. 

If you don’t need this sort of capability, you’re better suited with a Sierra 1500.

Then again, if you do want to tow a heavy trailer with any regularity, these trucks will shrug off things like a boat or an enclosed trailer with a collector car stowed inside. The tow camera package is worth the money for the way its seven cameras can stitch 14 viewing angles together. You have no excuse for doing a lousy job of backing up. 

Inside, the Sierra HD has no shortage of creature comforts, so long as you’re not in the base Pro trim. Even then, it comes with comfy front seats. Extended cabs have a tight second row with bolt-upright seatbacks, making it best suited to all-weather storage. The crew-cab version boasts stretch-out space for rear-seat riders, though. If you need to haul the family, it’s a far better choice.

Interior materials don’t impress in Pro form, but then again they don’t really need to. GMC has done a good job of encouraging buyers to spend up for higher trim levels to grab nicer plastics, softer leathers, and even real wood trim at the top of the range in the Denali Ultimate. 

General Motors’ terrific hands-off Super Cruise system is currently absent from the options list, though. 

Base Pro trucks have vinyl seats and an 8.0-inch touchscreen, plus basic power features. You’ll need upward of $50,000 for one, which is likely fine if your job title is something like Fleet Buying Manager. 

Which GMC Sierra 2500HD should I buy?

For the rest of us, bank on at least the SLE trim for its 13.4-inch touchscreen, which has Google built-in, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This terrific infotainment system works best with a Google login, which unlocks an app store with myriad add-ons custom-tailored to in-vehicle use. It’s spectacular.

An SLE model with a crew cab, a short bed, the diesel engine, and four-wheel drive will run you about $69,000 to start. Pile on heated seats, the max trailering package, adaptive cruise control, a bed liner, and a few other niceties, and GMC will present you with a $75,000 bill. 

How much is a fully loaded GMC Sierra 2500HD?

You can nudge a Sierra 2500 Denali Ultimate to more than $100,000. That cash buys massaging front seats, a surround-view camera system, soft leather, and embossed woodgrain trim inside. Just how justifiable such a truck is probably depends on how good business was last year, though. 

The only upside here is that crew-cab models can be fitted with a 36-gallon tank that will make gas stops relatively rare.