2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD

The 2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD is a real straight shooter; it doesn't pretend to be more than it is, which is a no-nonsense, reliable, dependable pickup truck that sits firmly in the middle of the segment in terms of performance and capabilities. It won't wow you, especially when it comes to the interior, which is basic and hardy, but nothing to write home about. This leans into the whole rugged, workmanlike nature of the Sierra 2500HD pickup and may work in its favor for some shoppers.

There is no safety review of the 2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD, but large, heavy-duty trucks are built to withstand just about anything life can throw at them. However, like the rest of the tech, the safety suite is not as comprehensive and up to date as what you'll find in rivals. The GMC also can't tow as much as class-leaders, even with its strongest engine. Overall, it's a solid pick for the price, with its pros perfectly balancing out its cons.

The top-tier model in the lineup, the Denali, is simply too expensive, even if it does do much to offset the low-quality cabin issues that plague the truck. Instead, we'd recommend focusing on the strengths of the fifth-gen Sierra and opt for the mid-spec SLE model. It gets enough nice-to-haves to make it feel a little less underwhelming in the cabin, and has access to the turbodiesel, which allows it to max out towing capacity. The 2-door regular cab will help you maintain that rating, but if you want to take the family along for the occasional off-road jaunt in your pickup, the 4-door double cab may suit you better. A base 2WD SLE with the diesel V8 will set the price of the 2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD pickup to $51,490 before destination if you opt for the regular cab with the long bed.