The GMC Sierra 2500 is a capable truck with a comfortable and roomy cab, great towing power, and powerful engine options that have increased through the years.
2001 – 2006
This generation featured the same power available in the Sierra 3500 – an 8.1-liter V8 with an Allison 5 speed automatic or a four-speed automatic transmission. Standard features include ABS, air conditioning, cruise control, AM/FM/CD audio, a chrome grille molding, a chrome rear step bumper, and 17-inch chromed steel wheels. It’s only available as a Crew Cab with a 6-foot-6-inch bed and can tow 3,639 pounds with two-wheel drive and 15,300 with four-wheel drive.
2007 – 2014
The Sierra 2500 is all-new for 2007 and comes standard with a 312 horsepower 6.0-liter V8 or an optional 365 6.6-liter turbo-diesel with a six-speed automatic transmission. It is now available in regular, extended and crew cab body styles. It has a new grill, hood, front fenders, and its tailgate has been redesigned to easily use and remove. It includes driver and passenger front air bags, tire pressure monitoring system and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. It also added the availability of Bluetooth, XM Nav Traffic and a rearview camera in 2009.
In 2010, a 360-horsepower 6.0-liter Vortec V8 engine powers the Sierra 2500, and the 6.0-liter V8 with 312 hp is available with the Pickup Box Delete option. The 6.6-liter turbo-diesel is also available and it adds USB ports and audio-DVD.
The Denali trim is now available on the 4WD crew cab short-bed for 2011. A new frame, an improved Vortec V8, a new Duramax diesel and revised Allison transmission, new front and rear suspensions, and an improved brake system are also new for 2011. Two changes for 2013, include two new colors – Sonoma Red Metallic and Heritage Blue Metallic, and the introduction of an optional 6.0-liter engine that runs on both gasoline and compressed natural gas. The Sierra 2500 four main trim levels include: Work Truck, SLE, SLT, and Denali. The Work Truck is used primarily for work and something you won’t mind getting dirty and adding a few dents. The SLE is the base level and works well for daily driving. It includes a cloth interior, a CD player and other basic features. The SLT trim adds more hauling power and some extra features; while the Denali trim adds more luxury and can haul a massive trailer behind it. It features perforated leather, rearview camera and a color-keyed steering wheel. Every Sierra 2500 can tow up to 13,000 pounds with a ball hitch setup, and can tow between 13,700 and 17,800 pounds with a fifth-wheel setup.
GMC’s heavy-duty trucks have been completely redesigned for the 2014 model year. The 2500 features a new interior with much better ergonomics as well as better front-end aerodynamics to improve fuel efficiency. Buyers have the choice of a 360-horsepower 6.0-liter gas engine that can also run on compressed natural gas or a 397-horsepower 6.6-liter Duramax diesel that comes with 765 lb-ft. of torque and allows for a 17,800-pound towing capacity.
2015 – 2019
For 2015, the Sierra 2500 is fully redesigned to match the styling of the Sierra 1500; it changed its look inside and out. It offers a variety of body styles including a regular cab with an eight-foot bed and a double cab or crew cab with a six-foot, six-inch or eight-foot bed. Engine choices are the same, with an available Allison 1000 six-speed automatic transmission. Pricing ranges from $32,660 to $50,540 for the Denali. A digital assist steering unit is new for 2016, and the IntelliLink infotainment system gets additional features, including greater smartphone integration. A remote locking tailgate also joins added features.
For 2017, an all-new All Terrain X model joins the lineup, with off-road capabilities and “trail-ready” style. GMC also boosts the diesel V8 to 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque. All models come with rear-wheel drive except the All-Terrain X (four-wheel drive is available on all models). It is available in five trim levels: Base, SLT, SLT, Denali, and the all-new, All-Terrain X. For 2018, a 7.0-inch infotainment system, a tire fill alert notification, and rearview camera are standard; while the Denali trim gets a new grille. A regular cab model is no longer offered in 2019.
2020 - Present
The Sierra 2500 is completely redesigned for the 2020 model year and it now offers an AT4 off-roading trim. A new 6.6-liter V8 gasoline engine and a new 10-speed automatic transmission joins its powertrain options and its trims are the Sierra, SLE, SLT, AT4, and the Denali. Pricing starts at $37,195 for the base Sierra and ranges to $65,295 for the base Denali. The Sierra 2500 comes with a regular cab, double cab, or crew cab and can seat three, five, or six passengers, depending on your choice. Two different bed choices are the Long at 8-foot-inches or Standard at 6-foot-10-inches.
Advanced trailering technology with a trailer length indicator and jack-knife alert are available in 2021. The Denali gets a standard bed-view camera and surround vision. Mud terrain tires and a high clearance entry step are optional on the AT4 trim. The Sierra 2500 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. 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.
Conclusion
The GMC Sierra 2500 is a solid heavy-duty truck that has provided great performance through its generations, along with a decent price tag and technology features.