2024 GMC Sierra 3500HD First Look Review: Out-Towed But Not Outclassed
One day in the future, perhaps electrification will find its way into the heavy-duty pickup segment, but that day isn't today. Like its new Ford rival, GMC has updated its toughest pickup, the Sierra 3500HD, and it continues to use good ol' V8 power to get the job done. GMC has also topped the range with a new Denali Ultimate trim that blurs the lines between luxury and rugged capability. But if copious amounts of leather don't impress you, the upgraded 6.6-liter Duramax V8 turbodiesel engine with 975 lb-ft of torque should do the trick. A new off-road-focused AT4X trim is also on its way at a later stage, making this GMC's most impressive pickup yet.
When Is The GMC Sierra 3500HD Coming Out?
The release date for the GMC Sierra 3500HD is set for the first quarter of 2023. The much-anticipated AT4X will be coming out in the USA later in the year.
2024 GMC Sierra 3500HD Price And Competition
GMC hasn't revealed a price for the 2024 Sierra 3500HD just yet, but we expect it to start at a bit more than the $41,400 starting MSRP of the existing model. For the top model, we expect the 3500HD to cost significantly more than $90,000.
Main rivals will include the Ford F-350 Super Duty and the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD. The Ford is also new and will be priced at around the same level. If you need to tow mountains, not merely hills, the Ford F-450 is even more capable than the GMC.
New GMC Sierra 3500HD Exterior And Colors
The exterior of the GMC Sierra 3500HD has all the finesse and subtlety of an oil tanker. That's exactly what customers in this segment expect, of course, and the dual-rear-wheel models with their wider rear fenders and utilitarian wheels look especially ready for action.
For the 2024 model year, the new GMC Sierra 3500HD HD pickup truck comes with a new front bumper, a refreshed front fascia, and new grille designs. Flashy animated lighting greets you when approaching or starting the pickup, and SEL, AT4, and Denali models all have new wheel designs. For the dual rear-wheel models, there are larger 18-inch polished aluminum wheels. Finally, single rear-wheel models can be outfitted with 22s.
The colors for the 2024 GMC Sierra 3500HD include six new shades: Titanium Rush Metallic, Sterling Metallic, Volcanic Red Tintcoat, Redwood Metallic, Meteorite Metallic, and Downpour Metallic.
By far the most luxurious trim is the Denali Ultimate. You can distinguish it with its 20-inch Ultra-bright machined aluminum wheels with High Gloss black accents. It also has special fender badging, a six-way MultiPro Tailgate, a power sunroof, and power assist steps.
Catering to both the commercial and leisure sectors, the 2024 Sierra 3500HD once again comes in Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab variants.
GMC Sierra 3500HD Dimensions
This is a predictably large vehicle. The dimensions of the GMC Sierra 3500HD will make it cumbersome to drive in the city, but perfect for hauling everything from construction equipment to the family's paraphernalia.
As mentioned, there are three cab sizes, so moving from one to the next will affect the vehicle's size. Length begins at 236.6 inches for the Regular Cab and reaches a maximum of 266.77 inches for the Crew Cab with the long bed. The wheelbase follows suit, beginning at 141.55 inches for the Regular Cab and extending to 172 inches for the Crew Cab with the long bed.
The width is primarily affected by whether you go for a single- or dual-rear-wheel derivative (SRW or DRW). With the SRW configuration, the width of the truck is between 81.75 and 81.85 inches, while all DRW versions are 96.75 inches wide.
In terms of height, the 3500HD is between 80.2 and 80.94 inches tall.
With its enormous size, it comes as no surprise that the 3500HD is a heavy beast. Even in its lightest form - the Regular Cab with rear-wheel drive and the gas engine - it still weighs 6,329 pounds. From there, the truck just gets heavier, topping out with the Crew Cab diesel with four-wheel drive and dual rear wheels. It weighs 8,246 lbs.
GMC Sierra 3500HD Engine And Performance
Although both engine options in the GMC Sierra 3500HD are 6.6-liter V8s, they couldn't be more different. The gas unit is the standard engine and it makes 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque, but it now comes with an Allison 10-speed automatic that replaces the previous six-speed unit. Because there are now smaller "steps" between the gears, GMC says that allows the base V8 to hold closer to peak power for extended periods.
The Duramax turbodiesel V8 is on another level, although it has the same transmission. It delivers 470 hp and 975 lb-ft, with 25% more low-end torque than the current Sierra. Both engines come with 2WD or 4WD options, along with SRW or DRW configurations.
0-60 times and top speeds don't matter as much as towing capacities in this segment. With conventional towing, the 3500HD can manage as much as 20,000 lbs with the diesel or up to 18,800 lbs with the gas V8. With fifth-wheel/gooseneck towing, the gas V8 can tow up to 19,150 lbs, but it's the diesel that really impresses here with a maximum of 36,000 lbs when properly equipped.
As great as those numbers are, the latest Ford F-350 can tow 38,000 lbs, and the F-450 a staggering 40,000 lbs. Not everyone will need to tow that much, though, so the GMC remains a viable option for those who need a hard worker that doesn't need to steamroller everything in its path.
Gas Mileage
Pickup trucks of this size don't receive EPA ratings, underlining just how quickly they can guzzle their way through a tank of gas. Based on real-world gas mileage ratings, the diesel should be able to get around 14 mpg combined, but don't be surprised if the heavier versions slip into the single digits, especially when towing or hauling heavy loads.
Most Sierra 3500HDs have a 36-gallon gas tank, with the only exceptions being the Regular Cab diesel (28 gallons) and Double Cab diesel with the standard bed (29.4 gallons).
A range of over 500 miles is technically achievable, but again, this number will vary substantially depending on the specific trim and driving conditions.
GMC Sierra 3500HD Interior And Cargo
Long gone are the days of hardworking pickups being saddled with shoddy cabins. The GMC Sierra 3500HD interior is new on SLE and SLT trims, while a premium interior comes with the AT4, Denali, and Denali Ultimate trims.
Newly available is a 13.4-inch tablet-style touchscreen with Google built-in; only the Pro trim misses out on this system. This makes interacting with the Google family of apps simple. A 15-inch head-up display and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster are also available. When equipped with this trio of displays, there are over 40 inches of immersive digital displays to interact with. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are standard on all models.
As long as you're willing to pay for it - either by way of options or pricier trims - the tech fest doesn't end there. A host of trailering technologies make towing safer and easier, including 14 available camera views. This includes bed view with zoom and a rear side view with a trailer length indicator. Customers can also enjoy adaptive cruise control with trailering, and the system will compensate for the additional drag and longer stopping distances. For gooseneck and fifth wheel trailering, there is an industry-first transparent trailer view.
Even base Sierras come with the Pro Safety suite as standard which groups together forward collision alert, new front pedestrian braking, lane departure warning, and more.
It's not just advanced but also luxurious, especially in the case of the range-topping Denali Ultimate. The seats in this particular GMC Sierra 3500HD are finished in full-grain leather, and this upholstery extends to the second row and door panels. In front, the seats are 16-way power-adjustable and massaging. Complementing the gorgeous upholstery in the Denali Ultimate is a premium microsuede headliner, etched stainless steel speaker grilles for the 12-speaker Bose sound system, authentic open-pore wood trim, and A- and B-pillar handles wrapped in leather. Lower trims will come with more basic cloth upholstery, whereas the AT4 comes with unique Kalahari accents inside.
The cargo space in the GMC Sierra 3500HD is generous. The truck can accept a payload of up to 7,290 lbs, and there are both standard and long bed options. The maximum cargo bed volume is 83.5 cubic feet, and this is accessible via the MultiPro Tailgate that comes standard on all trims besides the base Pro, where it is an option.