GMC trucks are among the finest and most powerful pickups on the market, giving you fantastic options from the midsize Canyon to the heavy-duty Sierra models. The 2023 GMC Sierra 2500 HD is the perfect middle-ground between the light-duty Sierra 1500 and the even-more-powerful Sierra 3500 HD, letting you choose the right amount of capability for what you need. While you certainly do not want to pick a truck that fails to give you the power you require to get your job done, it can also be a waste to go overboard and choose something with a lot more packed into it than you will ever really use.
Although the GMC Sierra 2500 HD has fewer customization options than the smaller Sierra 1500, you still have plenty of choices to make in order to get the perfect truck with everything you need. For example, you have two powerful engines available: a standard 6.6L V8 that delivers 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque or an available 6.6L V8 Turbo-Diesel that puts out a monstrous 910 lb-ft of torque. The standard engine comes paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, while you get an Allison ten-speed automatic with the diesel engine for an incredibly responsive driving experience. In terms of capability, you can get up to 3,979 lbs of payload capacity with the standard engine, while the heavier diesel engine reduces that slightly to 3,715 lbs of maximum payload.
One of the biggest reasons to choose the Sierra 2500 HD over something like the standard Sierra 1500 is for the boost to muscle that its engineering delivers. When properly equipped, the Sierra 2500 HD can handle up to 18,500 lbs of conventional towing capacity or up to 18,510 lbs of fifth wheel towing. Getting access to the incredible power and performance of the Sierra 2500 HD does not mean you have to miss out on anything inside since you can still get comfortable leather-appointed seating, a stunning eight-inch infotainment display, and other innovative technology.
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It could be argued that nothing is more important than a powerful, reliable engine when looking at a hard-working or heavy-duty truck. We are not sure we would go quite that far, but it is certainly among the most vital things to look at and consider when shopping for a truck that you need to be able to count on as you do your job. Fortunately, GMC seems to agree with us as they have made two incredible engines available for the 2023 Sierra 2500 HD, letting you choose the right amount of power and the kind of performance that you want in your pickup.
The standard engine in the Sierra 2500 HD is a 6.6L V8 gas engine that delivers an impressive 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque. When you only have two engines available for a truck, the standard one must be a great choice, and GMC has clearly come through in this regard. The standard engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, providing you with a smooth and responsive driving experience as you go everywhere you need to. Although two-wheel drive (2WD) is standard for the Sierra 2500 HD with this engine, four-wheel drive (4WD) is available to ensure you can get the level of performance that you are looking for.
If you want more power or simply prefer a truck with a diesel engine, then you are in luck, as there is a 6.6L V8 Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine available that delivers 445 hp and a tremendous 910 lb-ft of torque. This engine is incredibly powerful, turning the Sierra 2500 HD from a remarkable workhorse into an absolute beast that you can depend on to go above and beyond. GMC has paired this diesel engine with an Allison ten-speed automatic transmission for an even smoother and more advanced driving experience. Much like the standard engine, you can also get this one with either 2WD or 4WD, depending on the trim and other configuration options you choose, letting you get the right truck that can take you everywhere you need to go.
As you are shopping for a truck, one of the key things to consider is the kind of real-world capability that it can deliver. High amounts of horsepower and torque can be great for bragging and making driving more enjoyable, but when it comes down to it, you need a truck that can handle the work you have to get done. Fortunately, GMC understands this, and the Sierra 2500 HD is one of the most capable pickups on the road, giving you plenty of muscle to be able to get any job done and keep coming back for more.
As you are considering your options for the 2023 GMC Sierra 2500 HD, it is important to remember how different choices can impact your overall capability. For example, there are two different bed lengths available for the Sierra 2500 HD: a Standard Bed that measures about 82 inches in length and a Long Bed that is about 98 inches long. Your choice of configuration will impact how much stuff you are able to load up, so if you need that extra space for longer items, then choose accordingly. Similarly, your choice of engine will affect the payload of your truck. The standard gas engine with a Regular Cab model can handle up to 3,979 lbs of payload, while the diesel engine with a Regular Cab tops out at 3,715 lbs of maximum payload.
Your engine choice also has a tremendous impact on the kind of towing that the Sierra 2500 HD can handle daily. If you go with the standard gas engine, then the GMC Sierra 2500 HD can haul up to 14,500 lbs of weight behind it through conventional towing or up to 17,370 lbs while gooseneck towing. On the other hand, if you choose the available diesel engine, then you can get up to 18,500 lbs of conventional towing capacity or 18,510 lbs of gooseneck towing. No matter how you are planning on towing something behind your truck, if you need as much capability as possible, then the diesel engine is the way to go.
GMC trucks are among the most capable and impressive vehicles on the road, yet with all of the power and functionality they deliver, they also come with substantial luxury and bold technology. It is easy to think of tech features or comfort options as something unnecessary for a work truck, but if you are going to be in your pickup for long hours each week, then you deserve to have it be a space you want to be in. Furthermore, great technology goes beyond an enjoyable sound system and can improve your productivity, transforming your truck into a mobile workspace that lets you get your job done wherever you go.
Looking at the starting Pro trim for the Sierra 2500 HD, you get a seven-inch infotainment display, with a six-speaker sound system and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You will find vinyl seating in the Sierra 2500 HD Pro, with four-way manually-adjustable front seats, rubberized floor covering, and a 3.5-inch Driver Information Center display. Standard features for the Pro also include single-zone climate control, numerous USB ports for charging and connectivity, and power windows and door locks.
If you really want to see what GMC can do, however, then you need to take a look at the prestigious Denali trim. Inside the 2023 Sierra 2500 HD Denali, you will find an eight-inch infotainment system with Navigation, a seven-speaker Bose Premium sound system with a Richbass woofer, and support for Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Denali also comes with ten-way power-adjustable front seats, with perforated leather-appointed seating that includes ventilated and heated front seats. You get carpeted floor covering in the Denali, with a heated steering wheel, an eight-inch Driver Information Center, Keyless Open and Start with Remote Start, and a wireless charging pad for compatible devices.