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Get These Cars at 0% APR Right Now2023 GMC Sierra HD: Heavy Duty Luxury
The 2023 GMC Sierra HD adds a lot of value to an already capable truck. We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
What’s New for the 2023 GMC Sierra HD?
GMC hasn’t done much in the way of updating the Sierra HD and that’s likely due to the fact that a mid-cycle refresh is coming for the 2024 Sierra and its Chevrolet Silverado sibling. Now in its fourth generation, the 2023 GMC Sierra HD is more capable than ever before.
The Sierra HD features a pair of available 6.6-liter engines, a towing capacity that’s always north of 14,500 pounds if not 20,000 pounds, and a high degree of configurability. An off-road AT4 trim also adds capability not always available in this type of truck.
2023 GMC Sierra HD – gmc.com | Shop 2023 GMC Sierra HD on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Herculean engines
Smooth ride
Comfortable interior
Fuel thirsty
Expensive
Underwhelming safety tech
A capable but compromised rig
2023 GMC Specs
- 401 horsepower from base engine
- 464 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 7-inch touchscreen with Apple Car Play and Android Auto
- Hill start assist and brake assist are standard
- Complementary first maintenance visit
- Towing capacity of 35,500 lbs with the Sierra HD 3500
2023 GMC Sierra HD Powertrain
GMC offers the Sierra with a 6.6-liter gasoline-powered V8 as its standard engine. It’s paired up to a six-speed automatic with rear or four-wheel drive. It develops 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque. That’s more than enough to do most jobs but for those who will tow often, there’s a 6.6-liter diesel V8 on offer as well. It’s almost $10,000 extra but it makes 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque.
To put it simply, it’s a bonafide workhorse. Not only is it quicker than the gasoline V8 but it’s capable of towing substantially more while also being more fuel efficient. What might be most impressive is that it’s also quite smooth and refined, not a combination of qualities that diesel trucks were known for in the not-so-distant past.
We also think that the AT4 is a fabulous route for those whose routes take them off-road. It features a unique suspension setup and skid plates to ensure that you’ll get back to wherever it was that you came from.
Towing & Payload
Towing capacity for the Sierra HD is dependent on configuration. Every 2500 version can tow at least 14,500 pounds while Crew Cab versions with the diesel engine can tow up to 18,500 pounds. Payload capacity is capped at 3,979 pounds. Step up to the Sierra HD 3500 and towing capacity maxes out at 35,500 pounds with a maximum payload of 7,442 pounds. It’s not the most capable truck on the market but it’s still incredibly powerful compared to normal full-sized trucks. Speaking of towing, here’s a list of our favorite fifth-wheel hauling trucks.
2023 GMC Sierra HD Fuel Economy & MPG
The EPA doesn’t bother rating vehicles that are as heavy as the Sierra HD. Because of that, we have to estimate based on the engine size and weight of the vehicle. To that end, we expect the diesel to get somewhere around 13 mpg in the city and 17 on the highway. The gas-burner will be even less fuel efficient.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
If there’s one thing that the Sierra HD really impresses us with, it’s gotta be the comfort factor. This is a gigantic truck so there’s more than enough space in the cabin. That’s not surprising though. What’s really great is how comfortable it is as it moves down the road. Instead of jarring impacts from an unrefined suspension, it floats pretty effortlessly over poor road conditions. That’s especially true of higher end models like the AT4 and the Denali where retuned suspension components do an even better job than the lower-trimmed versions.
Cargo space is great too in most versions of the Sierra HD. Even the second-level trim, the SLE, demonstrates that with hidden storage under the front seats. The rest of the lineup expands on that concept too. We’re also big fans of the MultiPro tailgate. It’s far more versatile than one might think if they haven’t played with it. We especially like its simple controls and light-weight construction.
2023 GMC Sierra HD Entertainment & Tech
The base infotainment system in the Sierra HD is the same 7-inch touchscreen found in the normal Sierra. It’s a solid performer and easy to use. On a truck of this size though it feels quite small. Even the larger 8-inch screen which is standard on much of the Sierra HD lineup, looks a bit tiny. Nevertheless, it’s also highly functional and fast and its menus are logically laid out. We appreciate the inclusion of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay though. They streamline an already good system and make for an easy transition for buyers that are coming from a different type of vehicle.
Safety Features
To put it lightly, GMC could stand to add a lot more safety technology to the Sierra HD. The only standard safety equipment on the base truck are the following features; six airbags, a rear camera, hill start assist, and brake assist. Those who want it can add more equipment for more money though. For a truck this large and this expensive, we’d love to see GMC step up and offer its customers more equipment surrounding safety for less cash.
2023 GMC Sierra HD Trims & Pricing
GMC sells the Sierra HD in five cab and box styles. They include a regular cab with a long bed, a double cab with either a long bed or a standard bed, and a crew cab with a long bed or a standard bed. Every trim comes standard with the 6.6-liter gas-burning V8 though the 6.6-liter diesel is available on every trim as well. The bottom three trim levels come standard with RWD while the AT4 and Denali get 4WD as standard equipment.
Pro – $44,095
The base Sierra HD comes with 17-inch steel wheels, a locking tailgate, a trailer hitch, manual windows, manual door locks, a 7-inch infotainment system with Android and Apple connectivity, and a choice of either vinyl or cloth upholstery. Standard safety equipment is limited to very basic equipment like six airbags, a rear camera, hill start assist, and brake assist. Thankfully, buyers can add features like cruise control (Not adaptive mind you), forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, and steering-wheel mounted volume controls for $615.
SLE – $54,695
Step up to the SLE and you’ll get 17-inch alloy wheels, underseat storage in the front row, a MultiPro tailgate, power-adjustable heated mirrors, an integrated brake controller, cruise control, power door locks, powered mirrors, keyless entry, and an 8-inch infotainment system.
SLT – $62,295
The SLT is the first pseudo-luxurious Sierra HD. it gets heated power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, a high-definition backup camera, cargo bed lighting, LED fog lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, 120-volt power outlets in the bed and cabin, remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, and power-folding mirrors.
AT4 – $68,495
This off-road-focused trim gets a spray-in bedliner, hill descent control, off-road suspension tuning, underbody skid plates, and ventilated front bucket seats with a center console.
Denali – $74,995
This is the ultimate towing vehicle in GMCs lineup. It gets a Bose premium sound system, 20-inch alloy wheels, side steps, premium leather seats, a power-sliding rear window, a wireless smartphone charger, integrated navigation, an upgraded driver information system, and a bed-view camera.
Warranties
GMC covers the first maintenance visit on the Sierra HD. In addition, it offers a three year or 36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
What we think
2023 GMC Sierra HD – gmc.com | Shop 2023 GMC Sierra HD on Carsforsale.com
The Sierra HD is undoubtedly the most luxurious and capable truck package that you can get from General Motors. At the same time, the heavy-duty version of the Chevrolet Silverado can pull off almost all of the same truck tricks for less cash. Either way, we’d love to see a lot more standard safety equipment and technology in the Sierra HD for its high price tag. Hopefully, we’ll see that addressed in the next mid-cycle update coming soon. Til then, we’d suggest only getting a Sierra HD if you can find an awesome new car incentive to do so. A used heavy-duty truck could do the trick too.
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