In early 2018, General Motors announced new medium-duty trucks in the Chevrolet Silverado 4500 and 5500 models. These are trucks built for an in-between segment where buyers frequently want a chassic cab truck onto which they can have installed just about any kind of body they need.
Positioned just below those trucks is the better-known GMC Sierra 3500HD, a twin to the similarly named Silverado 3500HD, those last two letters standing for "heavy duty." It's a curious arrangement that makes this pickup model sound like the more robust of the two. However, it's actually designed for a more mainstream audience that needs a pickup tougher than the entry-grade 1500 model.
GMC's name is well-known in today's pickup truck market, but and it faces stiff competition from other heavyweights like the Ford F-Series and Dodge's Ram trucks. Direct competitors for the truck you're reading about now are the F-350 Super Duty and Ram 3500.
The GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD are mechanically identical vehicles that play to long-lived loyalties some buyers still hold for one brand or another. It's been decades since the two differed significantly, though.
In GMC's hierarchy, the Sierra 3500 HD is the toughest consumer-grade version of this pickup, boasting a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 6,123 kg.
There are no changes for 2019, likely because GMC is readying a new 3500HD model to go along with the redesigned Silverado heavy duty truck set to arrive for the 2020 model year.
Standard features in the base trim include a tire pressure monitoring system with tire fill alert, 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, locking rear differential, air conditioning, power windows and door locks, cruise control, 18-inch steel wheels, HID headlights, manual-extending trailering side mirrors, 3.5-inch driver information display and a 40/20/40 split front bench seat.
Sierra 3500HD's other trims are SLE, SLT and Denali. Denali is the poshest version, with leather seating, front bucket seats, 18-inch chrome wheels, body-colour bumpers and an 8.0-inch infotainment display with navigation. Denali is also where you'll find the most advanced safety gear, including forward collision warning, lane departure warning and front and rear park assist, all of which communicate with the driver through the clever vibrating safety alert seat.
Engine options are a 6.0L gasoline V8 that makes 360 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque and a 6.6L diesel V8 capable of 445 hp and 910 lb-ft. Both come standard with a six-speed automatic transmission and a choice of two- or four-wheel drive.
The Sierra 3500 is classified a commercial vehicle, so Natural Resources Canada doesn't require GMC to publish fuel consumption estimates.
GMC says the Sierra 3500 will tow more than 10,500 kg and can carry 3,245 kg in its cargo box. Factory options include a fifth-wheel hitch, trailer brake controller and exterior cameras.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
