Select a year
- Highs Available turbodiesel power, plenty of cargo room, good ride for a heavy-duty pickup.
- Lows Lags behind rivals in towing capacity, top trim level lacks premium feel, less back-seat room than competitors.
- Verdict The 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD pickups, with generous cargo room and available diesel engine, can be adapted to almost any hauling and towing chores.
Overview
The Sierra HD’s attractive style and hard-working heritage make for a supremely capable pickup. GMC's available heavy-duty Duramax diesel cranks out a tremendous 910 lb-ft of torque, which allows the Sierra 3500HD to tow up to 23,300 pounds. Although that trails the strongest Ford and Ram rivals, the Sierra has more civilized road manners. The GMC ratchets up refinement in its top Denali trim, which is clad in chrome and gentrified with a premium interior. Although it’s not as high-tech as the Ford F-series Super Duty, the slick Sierra HD looks better and works just as hard.
What's New for 2018?
The 2018 Sierra HD receives a few exterior updates, such as a new Denali grille design and new crew-cab exterior colors: Deep Mahogany Metallic, Red Quartz Tintcoat, and White Frost Tricoat. The base model now has a standard 7.0-inch IntelliLink touchscreen, and a backup camera becomes standard on all models with a cargo box.
Pricing
Original MSRP:
- Base: $36,495
- SLE: $44,395
- SLT: $49,295
- Denali: $57,895
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Sierra HD's available Duramax diesel and Allison automatic transmission are an iconic combo. The 6.6-liter turbodiesel harnesses a best-in-class 445 hp and a whopping 910 lb-ft of torque. The Duramax is surprisingly quick, and since GM updated about 90 percent of the previous version, engine noise is greatly reduced. The standard 360-hp 6.0-liter V-8 produces a healthy 380 lb-ft of torque and pairs with a capable six-speed automatic. Despite the Sierra HD’s hefty chassis, it’s surprisingly wieldy and the most dynamic in its class to drive. It may have lower tow ratings than its HD rivals, but it makes up for it with better ride quality. The 3500HD rides stiffer than the 2500HD, but it’s still not punishing.
Fuel Economy
EPA fuel economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest and most accurate fuel economy numbers on current and older vehicles, we use the U.S. Department of Energy's fueleconomy.gov website. Under the heading "Find & Compare Cars" click on the "Compare Side-by-Side" tool to find the EPA ratings for the make, model, and year you're interested in.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Sierra HD has the most spacious front seat in its class. The cabin design is practical, with an upright dash and straightforward controls, and it can be ordered work-truck plain or as plush as an upscale sedan. However, the top Denali trim, with a host of comfort and convenience features, fails to deliver the premium feel we would expect given its lofty price. And the crew cab’s rear-seat passenger space takes a back seat to the Ford Super Duty. Heavy-duty pickups are meant for hauling and storing, and there are few things large or small that the Sierra HD can’t handle in its cargo box or stow in its many interior cubbies and bins.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Sierra HD comes with GMC’s excellent IntelliLink infotainment system. Buyers will appreciate its intuitive responsiveness and the availability of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi. The base model has a standard 7.0-inch IntelliLink touchscreen that replaces the old 4.2-inch screen. Infotainment controls include useful knobs, buttons, voice commands, and touchscreen icons that could be larger. Options include a 110-volt outlet, a wireless charging pad, a Bose audio system, and a customizable 8.0-inch display.
Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings
Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)
For more information about the GMC Sierra 2500HD / 3500HD’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Warranty
Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.
