The 2021 GMC Sierra 2500 HD features a bold exterior, updated powertrains, with increased payload and tow ratings, and a newly designed interior. The GMC Sierra 3500 comes with impressive towing and hauling capabilities. Let’s look at both.
Design
The GMC Sierra 2500 features a bold design shown in its sculpted headlamps, prominent hood, and distinctive grilles. It has a roomy interior with high quality materials, extra-wide beds, and handy built-in steps for easy access, as well as 12 cargo tie-downs. It seats five comfortably and offers plenty of head- and legroom, with crew models providing nearly three inches of additional rear-seat legroom. A leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated leather-appointed fronts, and heated rear outboard seats are available. Convenient and spacious storage solutions include a lighted center console storage with available lockable console vault accessory, rear seat back storage, and rear-folding split bench with under-seat storage (Crew Cab). The Sierra 2500 HD comes in 2WD and 4WD Crew Cab and Double Cab models, with a 6’9” standard bed or available 8” long bed that is standard in the Regular Cab. It comes in five trims: Sierra, SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali, with starting prices at $37,795 for the Sierra to $68,495 for the Denali.
The 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 offers plenty of cab and bed options: two- or three-seat regular cab models offer an 8-foot bed that provides 83.5 cubic feet of cargo volume. Double cab variants have seating for five or six and 35.2 inches of rear legroom. They can also be paired to a standard 6-foot 9-inch bed with 69.6 cubic feet of cargo volume or the 8-foot-long bed. The crew cab model expands rear legroom to 43.3 inches; along with keeping the double cab’s regular and long-bed options. A heated steering wheel and heated-and-cooled front seats are available; as well as a split-folding front bench that can be replaced with a pair of bucket seats and a full center console. It comes in five trim levels: Sierra base, SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali. Starting price begins at $45,895 for the Sierra base and ranges to $81,960 for the Denali.
Safety and Technology
The Sierra 2500 HD offers available smart driver assistance technology and it is equipped with a comprehensive camera system that features up to 15 different viewing modes, including a transparent mode that allows the user to virtually see through an attached trailer as if it wasn’t there. Available key safety features include, forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert, and available lane-departure warning. Every Sierra HD has a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A larger touchscreen can be upgraded with built-in navigation, a Bose audio system, Sirius XM with 360L and satellite radio, Amazon Alexa Built-In, and a rear-seat entertainment system. GMC also offers a smartphone app that can be used to remotely control trailer functions. Also, the infotainment system allows users to store different trailer profiles to monitor maintenance.
All heavy-duty Sierras include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, with a 7.0-inch touchscreen on base models and an 8.0-inch display on higher trims. If you choose the SLT or higher, your Sierra HD will include satellite radio and voice control and Denali models add integrated navigation. Entry-level trucks feature a 3.5-inch display in the instrument cluster, and higher trims include 4.2- or 8.0-inch displays. A six-speaker audio system is standard on most trims, and the Sierra Denali gets a seven-speaker Bose system. Automatic emergency braking with forward collision alert, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera are all options.
Power
The Sierra comes standard with a gas-powered, 6.6-liter V-8 that makes 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque. It comes with a six-speed automatic transmission and rear- or all-wheel drive. An optional Duramax diesel 6.6-liter V8 will give you 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque and comes with an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. Both engines are confident and propel the truck easily, but the diesel engine is more confident with a trailer attached. The Sierra 2500 can tow up to 18,500 pound and has a payload of 3,979. Estimated fuel economy is 17 mpg on the highway.
The Sierra 3500 features a gas and a diesel engine option. The gas is a 6.6-liter V-8 with 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque and a six-speed automatic transmission. It comes standard with RWD and optional 4WD. The diesel engine is a 6.6-liter Duramax V8 with 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of torque and the turbo diesel works with an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. The Sierra 3500 has a maximum conventional trailering capacity of up to 36,000 pounds, a maximum fifth-wheel/gooseneck rating of up to 35,500 pounds, and a maximum payload of up to 7,442 pounds.
Conclusion
The 2021 GMC Sierra 2500 HD is a solid heavy-duty truck that provides incredible performance and trailering capabilities. It features an array of technology, with a price tag that competes with many competitors. The main difference between the Sierra 2500 and 3500 is in the power; the GMC Sierra 3500 is capable of all the hard tasks, including an impressive amount of towing and hauling power. It also comes with a price tag to match.