2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD

2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD

2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD Reviews
The Sierra Denali 2500HD is the Cadillac of pickup trucks, with a feature laden, leather-lined interior and upgraded exterior trim differentiating it from its more humble Sierra HD stable mates.
The Denali 2500HD comes standard with a gas-powered V8, while a turbo diesel eight-cylinder is optional. A trailer-sway control system senses conditions of trailer sway and automatically intervenes with braking and/or reduced engine power to bring the trailer under control and keep its on its intended path. This helps to prolong brake life and prevent overheating on long, downhill grades.

Rear- or four-wheel drive is available.
Safety features include dual front and side airbags, while seat mounted pelvic/thorax and head curtain side-impact airbags are available as options.

We're talking heavy-duty trucks for the working people.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD is offered in regular cab, extended cab or crew cab body styles. Trim levels start at the base Work Truck and climb to the SLE, SLT and new range-topping Denali.

The Work Truck trim level includes 17-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, a trip computer, vinyl floor coverings, and a 40/20/40-split front bench with fold-down center armrest, vinyl upholstery, a tilt steering wheel and a four-speaker AM/FM stereo. Many of the SLE features are available on the Work Truck as options.

The SLT trim level is only offered on extended and crew cab body styles and augments the SLE's features list by adding 18-inch alloy wheels, foglights, an automatic locking rear differential, a heavy-duty trail ring package (with integrated trailer brake controller), heated exterior mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, steering-wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, remote starting, heated leather front bucket seats with power adjustments, a floor-mounted front center console, Bluetooth, and an upgraded Bose stereo system with a USB port. The standard power plant for the 2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD is a 6.0-liter gasoline V8 engine that produces 360 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard for all models, with four-wheel drive optional. Properly equipped, a 2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD can haul up to 3,704 pounds of payload and tow up to 13,000 pounds with its standard ball hitch, and 16,500 pounds with a fifth-wheel connection. Aiding trail ring on downhill grades, the diesel engine also features a big-rig-inspired exhaust braking system to increase control and reduce brake wear.

In terms of safety, the 2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD features antilock disc brakes, stability control, hill-start control and trailer sway control as standard. Front side and side curtain airbags are available as an option. The 2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD's interior is nearly identical to the previous year's. The extended cab's rear seats are acceptable in terms of comfort, and the crew cab is certainly roomier, though the crew cab trucks from Dodge and Ford provide slightly roomier rear quarters.

Driving Impressions
With all of its chassis improvements, the 2011 GMC Sierra 2500 represents a big step forward for heavy-duty trucks.
Although the Ford Super Duty trucks can tow and haul more than the GMC Sierra HD and Ram Heavy Duty trucks offer more luxurious interiors, the automotive press loves how the GMC Sierra HD trucks straddle the line between down-and-dirty utility and everyday comfort. Its corporate sibling, the Chevrolet Silverado HD, offers the same capabilities and the same pricing as the Sierra HD, but doesn’t offer a top-of-the-line trim to compete with Ford’s King Ranch, Ram’s Laramie Longhorn or the Sierra’s Denali. The two trucks even cost the same both at the 2500HD and 3500HD trim levels.

Other Heavy-Duty Trucks to Consider
The Ford F-250 can tow a 16,500-pound fifth-wheel trailer, compared with the Sierra 2500HD’s 14,300-pound capacity. Reviewers say Ram’s new Laramie Longhorn trim is the most luxurious one available in the heavy-duty pickup truck class. The Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn starts at about $45,650, while the upscale GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali starts at $43,650.

Details: GMC Sierra HD
This year, GMC has added the Denali trim to its heavy-duty trucks. Dual rear wheels are only available on 3500HD models. Denali trims are only available when the Sierra is configured with a crew cab. A Sierra 3500HD Denali adds about $12,700, with an MSRP of $44,650.