GMC’s frequent Denali sub-brand has made it into the Heavy Obligation truck part. Identical to the full-size 1500 below it throughout the lineup, the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 HD is now accessible with an ultra-luxurious Denali Last trim. It supplies various upgrades over the frequent Denali trim, along with a standard V8 turbo diesel engine, a further upscale inside with therapeutic therapeutic massage seats, a premium sound system, and a few model-specific exterior bits and objects. GMC didn’t merely give consideration to the extras with this truck, though, on account of additionally it is made various changes beneath the hood to reinforce the low-end torque and towing functionality all through the lineup.
As customary, the Sierra 2500 HD comes with a 6.6-liter gasoline V8, nonetheless GMC supplies the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 as non-obligatory on every trim. The turbo diesel mill delivers 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque, which outguns the Ram Cummins Turbo Diesel inline-six on vitality and torque; Ford’s Vitality Stroke diesel engine throughout the F-250 Large Obligation outperforms the GMC, though, with 475 hp and 1,050 lb-ft of torque.
No matter not having the right specs on paper, there’s quite a bit to love about this truck and its powertrain. We predict it’s more likely to be in all probability probably the most well-rounded HD truck within the market.
Styling: Macho Lux
GMC facelifted the entire Sierra HD lineup for the 2024 model yr, with each trim getting its private distinctive grille, fascia, finishes, and persona. The Denali Last sits on the prime of the lineup, growing on the already flashy Denali trim using darker provides on the skin. All eyes will gravitate in course of the grille, partially on account of it’s eye-level for a lot of people, nonetheless principally as a result of its cool Vader Chrome finish and blacked-out GMC emblem. If Darth Vader wanted to tow a horse trailer, that’s probably the truck he would use.
Totally different distinctive touches on the Denali Last embody 20-inch Extraordinarily-Vivid machined aluminum wheels with black accents and an ‘Last’ fender badge with the topography of Mount Denali, the most effective mountain peak in North America. The badge moreover lets onlookers know that you have the torque-rich Duramax diesel engine paired with a ten-speed Allison computerized transmission.
In solely per week behind the wheel, we found that truck diehards utterly love how the Sierra HD Denali Last seems. Whereas GMC supplies Frequent Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab sorts, the Denali Last is just accessible as a Crew Cab.
Powertrain: World-Devouring Torque
Lesser Sierra HD trims come customary with a 6.6-liter gasoline V8 producing 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque (unchanged from last yr), now routed to a standard 10-speed computerized transmission. This V8 delivers further vitality and torque than the same old 6.8-liter V8 throughout the Ford F-250, and additional torque than the 6.4-liter V8 throughout the Ram 2500.
Non-obligatory on all trims for spherical $9,500 (counting on configuration), nonetheless customary on the Denali Last, is the 6.6-liter Duramax turbo diesel V8. It now produces 470 hp and 975 lb-ft (up from 445 hp and 910 lb-ft) as a result of a further surroundings pleasant turbocharger, improved engine braking from the turbo vane actuator and valve springs, new cylinder heads with improved cooling jackets, and higher-flow injectors with further injection pressure. GMC would in no way quote a 0-60 mph time for such a car, nonetheless we managed to get this big truck on top of things in spherical six seconds, which is extraordinarily spectacular for its dimension and weight.
Towing is the way more probably utility for this engine, and it doesn’t disappoint in that house. The aptitude changes a bit counting on cab style, nonetheless the Sierra 2500 HD can pull as a lot as 22,500 kilos when equipped with a Max Towing Bundle (21,900 lbs in Crew Cab guise). The GMC can out-tow the Ram 2500, nonetheless the Ford F-250 edges it out with a 23,000-pound max functionality.
Driving Impressions: Fire Up That Diesel
Driving a Heavy Obligation truck is normally a lesson in discomfort, as suspensions which could be constructed to pull objects that weigh as quite a bit as a house require a sacrifice in expertise prime quality. Since we didn’t must tow one thing all through our week with the Sierra HD, we had ample time to experience the truck as a day-after-day driver. Obvious dimension impediments aside, the Sierra HD is pretty cozy on an prolonged journey, in no way jolting occupants with an excessively bouncy expertise. That being acknowledged, we’d nonetheless need to commute in a Sierra 1500 if we didn’t need the towing performance of the 2500.
Acceleration from the Duramax diesel is giant, notably with the most recent enhancements to the low-end torque for 2024. The ten-speed computerized is totally calibrated to the engine, executing simple and deliberate gear changes exactly as soon as we wanted them. That’s merely the right transmission tuning throughout the part, as we have now come to anticipate from GM automobiles. The steering is gentle enough to make tight parking maneuvers manageable and proper enough to keep up the truck in its lane on the freeway, nonetheless we nonetheless look ahead to the day when GMC can put Large Cruise hands-free driving on an HD truck.
Inside: Log Cabin Luxurious
Earlier to this 2024 facelift, GMC’s Heavy Obligation truck lagged behind the opponents with regards to inside prime quality. GMC nonetheless supplies a Sierra HD with a barebones cabin that features vinyl seats, a simple seven-inch touchscreen, and analog gauges for patrons who need a piece truck. That’s not what you get contained within the Denali Last. This truck is decked out with a model new 13.4-inch infotainment system and 12.3-inch gauge cluster present, a 15-inch head-up present, 12-speaker Bose audio system with stainless-steel speaker grilles, and 16-way vitality therapeutic therapeutic massage seats with luxurious Alpine Umber full grain leather-based and Paldao picket.
Nearly every trendy amenity you presumably can want is found on this trim, other than a panoramic moonroof, which is on the market on the Ford Large Obligation. We love GMC’s Google-based infotainment system, which supplies wi-fi CarPlay and Android Auto along with Google voice directions that reply further exactly to your requests. That’s merely the right cabin GMC has put collectively for a Heavy Obligation truck.
Practicality: A Versatile Bundle
Truck householders who hardly carry two or further passengers shall be advantageous with the Frequent Cab and Double Cab Sierra HD, nonetheless the Crew Cab is the simplest method to transfer of us comfortably. It supplies a robust 43.4 inches of legroom throughout the once more seat compared with merely 35.2 inches throughout the Double Cab and none throughout the Frequent Cab. The Frequent Cab is just accessible with the 98.27-inch Prolonged Mattress risk, whereas the other two physique sorts may even be equipped with a shorter 82.25-inch Regular Mattress.
All trims from SLE and above now get GMC’s MultiPro tailgate with a variety of positions counting on utterly completely different use circumstances. It could properly fold proper right into a much-needed mattress step or act as a mattress stop for longer objects. There’s even a built-in Kicker Bluetooth speaker to make tailgate occasions, job web sites, or tenting journeys further pleasurable.
Verdict: The Last Luxurious Tow Rig
It’s potential to take dwelling a base Frequent Cab Sierra 2500 HD Skilled model with the gas V8 for spherical $45k, nonetheless the worth can shortly balloon from there. The very best Denali Last trim with the same old Crew Cab physique style and Duramax diesel engine begins at $91,900, making it dearer than the Ram 2500 Restricted nonetheless decrease than the Ford F-250 Restricted. Is it worth it? Fully.
Automobiles like these are so comparable in effectivity that the acquisition alternative typically boils all the best way right down to mannequin loyalty considerably than a selected tow rating or payload functionality. GMC made predominant updates to its Sierra HD lineup for 2024, enhancing the differ from bottom to prime, culminating with the Denali Last. {The marketplace} for virtually six-figure tow rigs is space of curiosity, nonetheless we could merely see well-off horse, boat, or race car householders gravitating to this truck. If in case you will have the cash and a heavy issue to pull behind it, we’d extraordinarily advocate the Sierra 2500 HD Denali Last.