What's New
The 2021 GMC Sierra 2500HD gains available enhanced trailering technology, including a trailer length indicator and jack-knife alert. GMC's MultiPro configurable tailgate is now standard starting with the SLE trim. Mud terrain tires and a high-clearance entry step are newly optional on the rugged AT4.
The line-topping Denali gets a bed-view camera and surround vision as standard. The new Denali Black Diamond Edition features exclusive gloss black wheels and power-deploying entry steps.
The current Sierra 2500HD debuted last year.
Choosing Your GMC Sierra 2500HD
The Sierra 2500HD comes in five trim levels: Sierra, SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali. Pricing starts at $37,495 including destination and advances to $66,495 for the Denali before options.
Engine Choices
The Sierra 2500HD comes standard with a 6.6-liter gasoline V8 engine. A turbodiesel 6.6-liter V8 is optional on all models. It costs from $9,750 to $12,115, depending on the trim and configuration. The price on most models is $9,850.
Engine Type | Horsepower | Torque | Max Towing |
6.6L V8 | 401 hp | 464 lb-ft | 17,200 pounds |
6.6L Turbodiesel V8 | 445 hp | 910 lb-ft | 18,500 pounds |
The gas V8 comes with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbodiesel uses a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 10-speed is available with integrated power take-off (PTO) on the Sierra and SLE trims for $995 to $1,220, depending on the configuration.
Four-wheel drive is standard on the AT4 and Denali, and available elsewhere in the lineup for $2,800.
Heavy-duty vehicles like the Sierra 2500HD are exempt from EPA mileage testing.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
The Sierra 2500HD Regular Cab seats three passengers, while the Double Cab and Crew Cab can accommodate up to six. The Crew Cab offers full-size rear doors and additional rear leg room.
The Regular Cab comes with a 98.27-inch Long Bed only. The Double Cab and Crew Cab get a 82.25-inch Standard Bed, and the Long Bed is available for $200.
The Sierra and SLE are available in all three cab styles. The SLT comes in Double or Crew form. The AT4 and Denali come exclusively with the Crew Cab.
Safety Features
Standard driver assistance technology is limited to the government-mandated rearview camera. The $890 Driver Alert Package I for the Sierra through the AT4 provides front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert, and perimeter lighting.
The Driver Alert Package II for the SLE, SLT, and AT4 tacks on lane keeping assist, automatic high beams, a vibrating safety alert in the driver seat, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking for $645. Although adaptive cruise is available on GMC's regular-duty pickups, it's still not offered on the 2500HD.
Beyond that, the SLT Preferred Package ($1,670) includes a bed-view camera and surround vision with two trailer views. These items are available in the AT4 Preferred Package, priced at $2,075. The AT4 is also eligible for a $1,475 Technology Package with a rearview camera mirror, a head-up display, and an 8-inch driver information display.
The Denali comes standard nearly everything offered on the lower trims. The only remaining features – the camera mirror and head-up display – are available in the Denali Technology Package for $1,275.
Connectivity
The Sierra 2500 HD starts off with a 7-inch touchscreen, six speakers, two front USB Ports, wi-fi capability, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The SLE and above get an 8-inch touchscreen and two rear USB ports.
The SLE Preferred Package ($1,260) includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD radio, and SiriusXM with 360L. These features are standard on the SLT and AT4. The SLT Preferred Package adds navigation, wireless device charging, and a seven-speaker Bose system. These goodies are found in the AT4 Preferred Package as well. The Denali gets it all as standard.
The base Sierra comes with vinyl floor covering, cloth or vinyl seats, air conditioning, and 17-inch steel wheels. The Double Cab and Crew Cab also get power windows and locks.
The $1,300 Convenience Package adds a number of useful features, including cruise control, keyless entry, a rear window defogger, power side mirrors, LED bed lighting, and GMC's EZ Lift tailgate with power lock and release. The Package costs $1,950 on the Regular Cab because it also adds power windows and locks.
The SLE comes standard with the Sierra's Convenience features, plus upgraded cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum wheels, additional chrome trim, LED headlights and taillights, and the MultiPro tailgate.
The SLE can get a Convenience Package ($2,255) of its own with heated front seats, a 10-way power driver seat, dual-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, remote start, and LED fog lights and roof markers. In addition to its connectivity upgrades, the SLE Preferred Package contains a universal home remote, a sliding rear power window, hitch guidance, and in-cab trailering apps.
The SLT picks up leather upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and 18-inch wheels. The contents of the SLE Convenience Package are standard are well.
The Convenience Package for the SLT adds ventilated front buckets seats, a center console, and heated rear seats for $1,500. The package costs $1,300 on the Double Cab because the heated rear seats aren't included. The SLE Premium Package offers three major option packages (Convenience, Preferred, Driver Alert I), plus chrome entry steps and a GMC-branded spray-on bedliner, for the discounted price of $4,670.
The trail-ready AT4 comes with a locking rear differential, skid plates, off-road shocks, and all-terrain tires. The newly available mud terrain tires cost $295. The SLT Convenience features are also standard.
The AT4 Premium Plus Package, a bargain at $6,975, provides a sunroof, a high-clearance entry step, 20-inch wheels with gloss black accents, and everything in the Preferred, Technology, and Driver Alert I and II packages.
The Denali tops off the Sierra 2500HD with a perforated leather interior and 20-inch polished aluminum wheels. The Technology Package and sunroof remain optional, and they're available in the Denali Ultimate Package for the discounted price of $1,770.
The new Denali Black Diamond Edition ($2,990) includes the Ultimate Package, plus 20-inch gloss black wheels, power-deploying entry steps with LED perimeter lighting, premium floor liners with removable carpeted inserts, an auxiliary trailer camera, trailer tire pressure monitoring, and a Kicker exterior sound system built into the tailgate. The Black Diamond Edition is available on Denali models equipped with the turbodiesel V8 and Ebony Twilight exterior paint.
Compare Sierra 2500HD Trims Side-By-Side
The 2021 GMC Sierra HD2500 in base Sierra trim is a good match for fleets and buyers looking for a work-only vehicle. The SLE continues to be the entry point for personal use and offers plenty of options to support that role. The SLT can be quite luxurious, though only the Denali provides real exclusivity.