When Chevrolet introduced its all-new 2020 Silverado HD, the reception was understandably mixed, thanks mostly to the truck's polarizing exterior design and lackluster interior. Thankfully, GMC's 2020 Sierra HD faced far less criticism, arriving with a far more handsome exterior but the same uninspiring interior and tech suite.
Fast-forward four years to last month, when Chevrolet introduced its updated 2024 Silverado HD lineup to much fanfare. With new exterior styling that was on-point and the fabulous new interior similar to what originally launched on the 2022 Silverado 1500, the Silverado HD was finally what we had all been wishing for. This just left one question: What about Sierra? Though the prospect of a fresh interior and advanced technology excited us, we couldn't help but be a touch concerned about what the future held for the Sierra HD's already classy styling.
GMC has finally pulled back the curtain on its new 2024 Sierra HD and we're happy to report that any concerns we may have had were quickly dispatched. Much like the star of each new season of The Bachelor, the new Sierra HD is even more chiseled, sculpted, and handsome than the one that came before. Let's dig in.
Power is the name of the game when it comes to getting work done, and the 2024 GMC Sierra HD's 6.6-liter Duramax diesel comes ready to party with 470 hp and 975 lb-ft of torque, which represents an increase of 25 hp and 65 lb-ft. To facilitate this increase, the L5P Duramax engine received an all-new and more efficient turbocharger, new cylinder heads with improved cooling capability, new pistons with redesigned bowls, new fuel injectors, increased injection pressure, and a new engine controller. This led to not just an overall increase in power, but torque increases across the rpm range as well, with the bulk of the improvement being found in the bottom half of the curve. In practical terms, this means better acceleration when pulling heavy loads. The Duramax diesel's engine-braking function has also been improved by way of a more powerful turbo vane actuator and uprated engine valvesprings.
Backing the Duramax diesel engine is the fabulous 10-speed Allison transmission, which was first introduced for the 2020 model year. For 2024, that same gearbox will find its way behind GMC's 6.6-liter gasoline V-8 engine as well. Moving from the old six-speed automatic to the Allison allows for smaller "steps" between gear ratios, which will enable the gasser to remain closer to its peak power (401 hp and 464 lb-ft) for longer. From behind the wheel, this will result in a more confident feeling of power whether empty or towing. Having experienced the improvements in drivability that simply adding more gears can provide for a pickup, this one has us quite excited.
No manufacturer is willing to dish on the exact split between ¾ and 1-ton model sales, but word on the street is that it's somewhere in the 75/25 range, with favor going to the ¾-ton trucks, unsurprisingly. For the 2024 model year, GMC has increased the Sierra HD's maximum towing capability, but in a surprising place. The maximum trailer weight of 36,000 pounds with a regular-cab, short-bed, dually stays in place, but Sierra 2500 HD crew-cab towing capacity increases to a best-in-class 21,900 pounds, and goes further, to 22,500 pounds, with an optional Max Tow package. Naturally, regular-cab and extended-cab pickups should come with a higher tow rating, but with this, GMC is specifically taking aim at the heart of the market, not just a claim on paper. In addition, all Sierra 3500 HD dual-rear-wheel pickups will continue to be rated to tow more than 30,000 pounds.
The bulk of the 2024 Sierra HD pickup's exterior enhancements center around the grille, front bumper, and fascia area, with each trim level receiving its own unique front end treatment. In addition, Denali and Denali Ultimate trims receive a unique crossbar element through the functional hood scoop on Duramax diesel models. Though much of the exterior attention was given to the nose, improved taillamps adorn the rear of the Sierra HD. New lighting also gives way to new animated lighting sequences when approaching, starting, or using the turn signals. SLE, AT4, and Denali models receive new wheel options, including optional 22-inch rolling stock. Even dual-rear-wheel models get in on the wheel action with a new, larger, 18-inch wheel. Six new colors are available and include Titanium Rush Metallic, Sterling Metallic, Volcanic Red Tintcoat, Redwood Metallic, Meteorite Metallic, and Downpour Metallic.
Until now, GMC's Sierra HD interior design and technology suite lagged behind the truck's exterior styling and drivetrain capability. For 2024, that all changes. GMC designers created new and unique interiors for the SLE and SLT trims, along with distinctive premium interiors for the AT4, Denali, and Denali Ultimate trims. The base model Pro series Sierra HD continues with the carryover interior from the outgoing 2023 model.
The centerpiece of the Sierra HD's improved cabin is a new 13.4-inch diagonal infotainment screen, which is the largest in the class, and which runs Google Built-In while also offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Also available are a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a large 15-inch full-color head-up display. Altogether, this gives the Sierra HD more than 40 inches of combined screen space.
For 2024, GMC has finally added adaptive cruise control to the Sierra HD, which also works with a trailer in tow. There's also a full suite of standard safety features which include forward collision warning, lane departure warning, auto emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, Intellibeam automatic high beams, and a following distance indicator. Optional through the Pro Safety Plus package is rear cross-traffic braking and trailer side blind zone alert.
The 2024 GMC Sierra HD's suite of advanced technology doesn't stop at just entertainment and safety—it also extends into the realm of towing, through GMC's available ProGrade Trailering System. Anchoring the system is a massive 14 different camera views, which include hitch guidance with Hitch View, bed view with zoom, bed hitch guidance for fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailers, and rear side view with trailer length indicator. Also new is GCW Alert, which uses acceleration data to warn the driver if the truck and trailer exceed the vehicle's gross combined weight rating (GCWR). Finally, an enhanced version of GMC's impressive Transparent Trailer camera function is available for the 2024 Sierra HD and is now compatible with gooseneck and fifth-wheel trailers. Transparent Trailer utilizes a camera on the back of the truck along with an accessory camera mounted to the rear of the trailer, and stitches together a view of the area behind the truck as if the trailer were not there, allowing the driver to virtually "see through" the trailer.
Following the 2022 Sierra and 2023 Yukon, GMC is adding a top-spec Denali Ultimate trim to the 2024 Sierra HD. Think of the Denali Ultimate as checking all of the proverbial boxes, with the only major option to choose being exterior color. The Sierra Denali HD Ultimate will be the most premium, luxurious, and technologically advanced Sierra HD to date. The truck comes fitted with a unique grille and exterior badging that come in dark Vader chrome. Around back, a MultiPro tailgate with Kicker audio system is standard, as are power side steps. Inside, the Denali Ultimate's exclusive Alpine Umber interior comes with full-grain leather appointments on not only the seats but also the door panels, center console lid, and wrapped on the A- and B-pillar grab handles. Genuine open-pore Paldao wood trim is found on the instrument panel, along with real aluminum accents. Speaker grilles are etched stainless steel and cover a Bose 12-speaker premium audio system with Centerpoint surround technology. Headline and visors are premium microsuede, along with the A- and B-pillar trim. A rear-camera mirror, 15-inch head-up display, and power sunroof are also standard. We've gotten to spend a bit of time sitting in the new 2024 Sierra Denali HD Ultimate and we must say that we are impressed.
When Chevy teased that a ZR2 HD model was coming late in 2023 we suspected that a Sierra HD AT4X wouldn't be far behind. We're pleased to report that we were not wrong as GMC has dropped a similarly vague one-line statement that the 2024 Sierra HD AT4X will arrive late in 2023. We sure hope that GMC is ready to bring the heat, as the Sierra HD AT4X will have big shoes to fill following the impressive Sierra AT4X and Canyon AT4X.