2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD

The release date for the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD is set for the first quarter of 2023. However, the AT4X will only be coming out later in the year.

There is no price for the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD yet, but the existing 2023 model begins at an MSRP of $41,200 in the USA. For the top Denali, the 2023 model will cost over $80,000.

While we expect the 2024 Sierra 2500HD to start at only slightly more than the current truck, the new Denali Ultimate could exceed $90,000 with its high standard of equipment and upscale materials.

Rivals for the new GMC Sierra 2500HD pickup truck are no mystery. Heading the pack is the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty, which sports a new 6.8-liter V8 and a Power Stroke V8 diesel with even more torque than the GMC. The Sierra's corporate sibling, the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, is another strong contender in this class.

With its latest design updates, the exterior of the GMC Sierra 2500HD successfully satisfies the heavy-duty pickup brief. It looks (and is) a sizable prospect, and it's got the tall hood and broad countenance that reflect its capabilities. The latest truck comes with a new front bumper along with a fascia and trim-specific grille designs that are also fresh. For SLE, AT4, and Denali models, there are revised wheel designs, and 22-inch accessory wheels are available. For the premium Denali Ultimate, there is a special grille in Vader chrome and 20-inch Ultra-bright machined aluminum wheels with high gloss black accents. Model-specific fender badging features Mount Denali topography. This trim also has the six-way MultiPro Tailgate, a power sunroof, and power assist steps, helping it to stand out as the most desirable Sierra of all. At the bottom of the range are 17-inch steel wheels, but that's expected for the workhorse models that will spend more time on dirt roads or construction sites than at the country club.

There are six new GMC Sierra 2500HD colors for the latest model, although they will require an additional cost. They are Titanium Rush Metallic, Sterling Metallic, Volcanic Red Tintcoat, Redwood Metallic, Meteorite Metallic, and Downpour Metallic. Based on the smaller Sierra 1500 AT4X, we expect the 2500HD AT4X to come with multi-terrain tires, skid plates, and a stamped steel winch-capable front bumper.

The ample dimensions of the GMC Sierra 2500HD are in line with other Super Duty pickups. But with Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab variants, its size varies considerably.

Smallest of all is the Regular Cab with a length of 236.6 inches. Unlike other cabs, it is only available with a long bed. The longest version is the Crew Cab with the long bed at 266.77 inches. The wheelbase follows the same trend, starting at 141.55 inches for the Regular Cab and going up to 172 inches for the Crew Cab with the long bed.

Width barely varies from model to model; this measures between 81.75 and 81.85 inches. As far as height goes, this is between 79.65 and 79.95 inches. Regarding ground clearance, this is between 10.08 and 10.28 inches.

Every version of the Sierra 2500HD is heavy, starting with the 6,203 pounds of the gas-powered Regular Cab with rear-wheel drive. The diesel engine increases the weight substantially, adding 622 lbs to this base model. The single heaviest derivative is the Crew Cab with four-wheel drive, the diesel, and the long bed - it weighs 7,736 lbs.

The standard engine in the GMC Sierra 2500HD is a familiar one. This 6.6-liter V8 makes 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque, the same as the current model. What has changed is that the V8 is now paired with a standard 10-speed Allison automatic transmission, replacing the previous six-speed unit. Once more, buyers can choose from 2WD or 4WD configurations, but the dual-rear-wheel setup is limited to the 3500HD.

GMC says that because of the new transmission, there are now smaller "steps" between gears, enabling the engine to hold closer to its peak power for longer periods, while also enhancing trailering performance. As a result, the base engine has a maximum conventional towing capacity of 16,000 lbs, up from 14,500 lbs previously. With fifth wheel/gooseneck towing, the maximum rises to 18,700 lbs.

While the base V8 is a solid mill, it's outclassed by the 6.6-liter Duramax V8 turbodiesel. It now makes 470 hp at 2,800 rpm and 975 lb-ft at 1,600 rpm; GMC says it has 25% more low-end torque than the current diesel. As a result, the Sierra 2500HD's fifth-wheel/gooseneck towing capacity now peaks at 22,500 lbs in Crew Cab configuration when equipped with the Max Tow Package - 4,000 lbs more than before. Even with the previous, less powerful Duramax (445 hp/910 lb-ft), a Crew Cab 4WD version of the 2500HD could go from 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds based on independent testing, so it's no slouch. Like the base model, the Duramax has a 10-speed Allison automatic.

The older Ford F-250 Super Duty already tows up to 22,800 lbs in gooseneck guise, and the Blue Oval promises that the new one will be even better. But, despite the Ford still having the edge in this area, the new GMC gets close enough to be considered a formidable competitor.

There are no EPA ratings for large, heavy-duty trucks but we have some real-world data to refer to. Expect around 14.5 mpg combined for the diesel, but a heavier 11.5 mpg or so for the V8 gas engine; the new 10-speed automatic could potentially improve gas mileage, though.

Depending on the model, the gas tank size will differ. However, most variants have a 36-gallon tank. The exceptions are the Regular Cab diesel (28 gallons) and the Double Cab diesel with the standard bed (29.4 gallons). Assuming about 14 mpg, the diesel with the largest tank will have a range of about 504 miles.

The previous GMC Sierra 2500HD's interior didn't live up to the expectations of a pickup that was supposed to be more comfortable and luxurious than its Chevrolet counterpart. For this reason, the latest 2500HD's cabin is a welcome improvement.

SLE and SLT models have new interior, but it's the premium finishes in the AT4, Denali, and Denali Ultimate models that truly move the game on. A new 13.4-inch touchscreen interface is available with Google built-in - GMC claims this is the largest touchscreen in the segment. Every trim gets Google built-in besides the base Pro. Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is available, and the new infotainment system has a convenient split-screen view that can simultaneously display content from two apps.

Also available are a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 15-inch multicolor head-up display. These screens are all standard on the Denali Ultimate, as are a host of other features. The seats in this particular GMC Sierra 2500HD are finished in full-grain leather upholstery. They have 16-way power adjustability and massaging in the front row, but that's just the tip of the iceberg for the Denali Ultimate. A rear camera mirror, 12-speaker Bose sound system with etched stainless steel speaker grilles, a premium microsuede headliner, open-pore Paldao wood trim, and leather-wrapped A- and B-pillar handles are all standard. Inside, the Denali Ultimate is as posh as it gets in an HD pickup.

For the 2024 model year, the 2500HD comes with the Sierra HD Pro Safety suite as standard. This groups together forward collision alert, lane departure warning, the new front pedestrian braking system, and more. It's in the area of towing that the pickup has become a lot smarter, though.

The available ProGrade Trailering System has been designed to take the stress out of towing with tech like transparent trailer view for gooseneck and fifth-wheel trailering, claimed to be an industry-first feature. There is also trailer side blind zone alert, a new feature that warns you if the vehicle and trailer weight exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating, and adaptive cruise control that operates with trailering.

Up to 14 camera views are on offer to optimize visibility when towing. That includes hitch guidance with hitch view, a bed view with a zoom function, and a rear side view with a trailer length indicator.

Although GMC didn't indicate the cargo space in the 2024 Sierra 2500HD, the nearly identical dimensions to the 2023 version indicate that it will have the same 69.5 cubic feet (standard bed) and 83.5 cubes (long bed) as before. The maximum payload capacity of the 2500HD is 3,850 lbs for the Regular Cab 4WD diesel.