GMC Sierra 3500HD 2021 Review

It really doesn't get much more capable than this. The 2021 GMC Sierra 3500HD is a truck that's made to work, even in its most well-appointed trims. It offers up to 35,000 pounds of towing capacity and more than 5,000 pounds of payload capacity when properly equipped. You'd have to search hard to find a trailer or collection of equipment too heavy for you to pull or haul with this maxed-out Sierra.

Only a few trucks offer the same performance and capabilities as the Sierra 3500HD, though that doesn't make the segment any less competitive or cutthroat. The Ford F-350 Super Duty and Ram 3500 offer their own take on the heavy-duty truck formula. In our minds, the two have slightly more comfortable and better-appointed interiors, making them better to live with day to day without sacrificing performance.

There's also the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD. It's nearly identical to the Sierra save for interior and exterior design as well as a few features and optional equipment. It could be a viable option if you want to save a little compared to the Sierra. But ultimately the Sierra 3500HD should easily satisfy if you're shopping for a massively capable pickup.

Which Sierra 3500HD does MatoCar recommend?

The GMC Sierra 3500HD is a heavy-duty full-size pickup truck. It's available in five trim levels: Sierra, SLE, SLT, AT4 and Denali. The Sierra and SLE are available in regular-cab, extended-cab (double) and crew-cab configurations, while the SLT, AT4 and Denali models are crew cab only. The Sierra 3500HD is available with a choice of a 6.6-liter gasoline V8 (401 horsepower, 464 lb-ft of torque) paired with a six-speed automatic transmission or a 6.6-liter turbocharged diesel V8 (445 hp, 910 lb-ft) mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Rear-wheel drive is standard on the Sierra, SLE and SLT trims, while four-wheel drive is optional on that trio and standard on the AT4 and Denali. A dual rear-wheel option is available on certain cab and bed configurations of the Sierra to boost the truck's towing capacity.

Sierra The base Sierra is a relatively bare-bones truck. Standard features include:

• 18-inch steel wheels
• LED headlights and taillights
• Manually adjustable trailering mirrors
• Cargo bed steps
• Locking tailgate and spare tire carrier
• 40/20/40-split front bench seat
• Vinyl seats and floor coverings
• Manual windows and door locks (regular cab)
• Trailering hitch
• 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration

SLE Adds more convenience features, such as:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Upgraded exterior trim
• Power trailering mirrors
• Configurable (MultiPro) tailgate
• Integrated brake trailer controller (allows adjustment of a trailer's brakes from the cab)
• Cloth seats and carpeted floors
• Front underseat storage
• Cruise control
• Power door locks and windows
• Remote keyless entry
• 4.2-inch color driver information display
• Satellite radio
• Connected services including a Wi-Fi hotspot

SLT More luxurious than the SLE, the SLT has:

• Power-folding and extending trailering mirrors
• Cargo bed lighting
• 120-volt power outlet in cargo bed
• Keyless access with push-button engine start
• Remote engine start
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Leather seats
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Heated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system display
• Wireless functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• High-definition backup camera with hitch-view angle

AT4 Provides more off-road attitude and capability with:

• Standard four-wheel drive
• Hill descent control
• Off-road suspension tuning
• Underbody skid plates
• Body-colored bumpers
• Spray-in bedliner
• Front bucket seats with center console
• Ventilated front seats
• Heated rear outboard seats

Denali Tops the Sierra 3500HD lineup and adds on:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Automatic high-beam headlights
• Chrome exterior trim
• Power-sliding rear window
• Side steps to ease cab entry and exit
• Premium leather seats
• Upgraded driver information display
• Navigation system
• Bose premium sound system
• Wireless smartphone charging
• Bed-view camera

The Denali also includes a number of safety features and driver aids, many of which are optional on other trims.

• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
• Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Sierra 3500HD and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)