2023 GMC Sierra 3500HD Review: Waiting For Its Moment

When it comes to the biggest workhorses in the USA, the GMC Sierra 3500HD is right up there alongside other great competitors like the Ford F-350 Super Duty and its corporate sibling, the Chevy Silverado 3500HD. These pickup trucks can move mountains when properly equipped, and in the case of the GMC truck, you get a choice of gasoline and diesel engines with up to 910 lb-ft of torque for a maximum towing capacity of 36,000 lbs. It is one of the most reliable pickups money can buy, and if you have the money, you can even see it outfitted with a wide range of safety and comfort features, though it isn't quite as plush as its Ram counterpart. With all this said, now may not be the right time to buy the Sierra 3500HD, as this is the final year before it gets a mid-cycle refresh, which will see it updated in terms of looks and features.

What's the Price of the 2023 GMC Sierra 3500HD?

The price of the 2023 GMC 3500HD is hard to pin down because there is an almost unrealistic number of configurations on offer, including different cabs, beds, engines, and package combinations. The cheapest model is the Pro trim with a Regular Cab and long bed at $43,400. Keeping things in their simplest form, the SLE has a starting price of $50,200. From here, the Crew Cab with a standard bed becomes the norm for the SLT, which starts at $61,600. All of these models can add four-wheel drive for an extra $2,800, while the Pro and SLE give the option of power take-off with the turbo-diesel engine for an extra $1,000.

The AT4 and Denali are only offered with 4WD and ask for no less than $67,900 and $74,300, respectively. Swapping out the gasoline V8 for the turbo-diesel engine will cost you from $9,750 on the Denali to $10,165 on the Pro. Dual rear wheels are only available with certain cab and bed configurations, but they add $1,200 to the bill regardless. These are the MSRP prices for the GMC Sierra 3500HD and do not include the $1,895 destination charge.

2023 GMC Sierra 3500HD Handling and Driving Impressions

You can buy a heavy-duty pickup truck for fun, but it is a very different type of fun than you will get from any other type of car - don't expect rapid 0-60 mph times from the GMC Sierra 3500HD. The truck is about strength, not speed. Few cars are as planted on the road as these gargantuan beasts, and this only becomes more solid when towing, so long as you respect that there's a lot of extra weight back there that needs to be accounted for when cornering or braking. When on the open highway, acceleration is smooth and steady, and the transmission is surprisingly refined alongside the rambunctious grumble of the engine.

If you do a lot of hauling, then you'll want to consider some of the tech on offer, like the trailering camera and digital variable steering assist. Furthermore, the diesel engine comes with exhaust braking to help manage speed when traveling downhill. The 2023 3500HD can go off-road, too, but it's not a dedicated or trail-rated vehicle, so best keep it to the milder trails.

Verdict: Is The 2023 GMC Sierra 3500HD A Good Truck?

You may think that one work truck is much like another, but the new GMC Sierra 3500HD pickup truck is not up to par with its rivals in several key areas. This isn't a deal-breaker, though, as what it does do right, it does very well. Both V8 engines available to the large truck are truly sublime, especially the diesel option, which unlocks the impressive 36,000-pound towing rating. With the extra power on tap and a well-tuned transmission to work with, the pickup is a pleasure to drive. That being said, the Ford F-350 can manage 38,000, and the F-450 pulls as much as 40,000 lbs. These are not huge differences in the grand scheme of things, but what may cause a GMC fan to jump ship is the interior of the truck. The materials are rugged and durable, but they don't feel as refined as what you'd find in other vehicles, even the technically similar Silverado. And when compared to the likes of the Ram 3500, they are somewhat pedestrian. Now, with electric trucks entering the fray, where high-tech features and quality interiors are going to become the next frontier, the GMC Sierra 3500HD really can't afford to fall behind. Look out for our review of the GMC Sierra 3500HD after its facelift, and we'll see if it has what it takes to keep competing in this evolving segment.

What 2023 GMC Sierra 3500HD Model Should I Buy?

It would be impossible to suggest a single trim or configuration that will suit all buyers - or even a majority of buyers. This is because everyone will want something different from their heavy-duty pickup. Luckily, there should be enough combinations available to meet most requirements. The Pro and SLE are available with the Regular Cab or the Double Cab, though both come with a long bed. The rest of the range demands at least the Crew Cab, which is ideal for families or work teams since the back seat is spacious enough for adults to fit comfortably. This cabin can be paired with a standard or long bed, depending on your cargo needs, but keep in mind that larger cabs and beds will negatively affect your towing capabilities. If that is your primary concern, the maximum 36,000-pound rating can only be unlocked by the RWD models equipped with the diesel engine and dual rear wheels.