Fully redesigned last year, the 2021 GMC Sierra 3500 HD is the largest and strongest GMC truck you can buy, while competing with other heavy-duty pickups in its class. With some added upgrades this year, the Sierra offers some great options. Let’s take a look.
Design/Trims and Price
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. Its interior is spacious, and it provides an available heated steering wheel and heated-and-cooled front seats; as well as a split-folding front bench that can be replaced with a pair of bucket seats and a full center console. A MultiPro Tailgate is standard on the SLE trim and above; and its trailer towing technology makes hauling loads easier. It comes in five trim levels: Sierra base, SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali. Starting price begins at $37,700 for the Sierra base and ranges to $65,500 for the Denali.
Features
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, but this year, the 360-degree camera is standard on the Denali trim.
Power
The Sierra 3500 HD provides a gas and 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. The turbodiesel works with an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission.
Off-Road and Towing Capabilities
An X31 Off-road package is available for the Sierra 3500 that includes off-road suspension, Twin-tube Rancho shocks, Eaton automatic locking rear differential, and underbody skid plates. It provides responsive suspensions with AT4 and Denali’s independent front suspensions, featuring excellent wheel alignment, ride comfort and turnability, with reduced weight. A Hitch View is available to help with positioning when backing up to a trailer hitch.
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 3500 is a great performer and capable of many tasks. It provides great towing and hauling capabilities, a roomy cab fitted with the latest technology, trailer towing technologies to make hauling loads easier, a useful MultiPro tailgate, and an available off-road package.