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The GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali adds tech features to work-truck utility (pictures)

With body-on-frame construction and a powerful diesel engine option, the Sierra 2500HD maintains work-truck capability while enhancing the cabin for the modern contractor.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
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GMC offers its Sierra line in models from 1500, 2500 and 3500, the latter two comprising Heavy Duty-classification work trucks. This is the Sierra 2500HD in Denali trim.

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For the Sierra 2500HD, GMC offers its Duramax Plus package, which includes this 6.6-liter turbocharged V-8 diesel engine, good for 765 pound-feet of torque.

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LED running lights trim the headlight casing.

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In Denali trim, the GMC Sierra 2500HD comes with crewcab and standard, 6.5-foot, bed.

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Denali trim upgrades the cabin considerably with many standard convenience features.

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The Sierra 2500HD Denali measures almost 20 feet long, and 6.5-feet high at the roofline.

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Four-wheel drive is a $3,200 option.

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The truck shows plenty of suspension lift, as the bed can hold almost 3,000 pounds.

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The ride quality is very bouncy over bumps, but that will change with a payload.

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GMC cuts little steps into the corners of the bumper, making it easier to step up into the bed.

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GMC lines the bed to keep the metal from getting gouged.

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The Sierra 2500HD is designed as a modern work truck, sturdy in its frame and holding many convenience features in the cabin.

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Denali trim makes the cabin more a comfortable site office than a workers' lunch bench.

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Instead of a blind-spot monitor system, GMC fits the Sierra 2500HD with these two-stage mirrors.

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Power adjustable front seats add comfort to the cab.

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The rear seats have less padding than the front, but plenty of legroom and easy access.

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In Denali tirm, the IntelliLink head unit comes standard.

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In four-wheel-drive mode, the front wheels bind up when turned all the way to steering lock, reducing power and maneuverability.

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A display on the instrument cluster shows vehicle, navigation and entertainment screens.

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With the optional four-wheel-drive system, you can choose between two-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive high, and four-wheel-drive low at the turn of a dial.

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The standard Bose audio system includes six speakers and a subwoofer.

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IntelliLink is the standard infotainment head unit GM developed for its range of brands, which can also be found in Chevy cars.

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IntelliLink uses a smartphone-like icon-based interface, which responds quickly to inputs.

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The navigation systems shows detailed maps in perspective and plan views.

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Destination input uses this onscreen keyboard or voice command.

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There is a points-of-interest database onboard, but no online destination search.

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OnStar includes a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot.

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The navigation system automatically warns you about bad traffic on the road ahead.

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Weather data comes to the car courtesy of satellite radio.

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The Bluetooth hands-free phone system includes a dialer and contact list integration.

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HD radio comes standard with this head unit.

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With an iPhone plugged into the Sierra 2500HD's USB port, the head unit shows this music library interface.

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Other audio sources include Bluetooth streaming and satellite radio.

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