2024 GMC Sierra HD Looks Sharper, Picks Up Fancy New Denali Ultimate Trim
The 3500HD will be able to tow up to 36,000 pounds.
Last week, Chevrolet gave us our first look at its updated 2024 Silverado HD heavy-duty pickup. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that its fraternal twin, the GMC Sierra HD, was also due for a freshening.
GMC on Thursday unveiled the 2024 GMC Sierra HD. Not only does it pick up a new top-level trim, but this heavy-duty truck also carries a number of updates to its aesthetics, powertrain and cabin tech. The light-duty Sierra 1500 also recently entered a new generation, so if you're familiar with that model, most of these changes shouldn't come as a surprise.
The GMC Sierra HD's style has been tweaked, but not too much. Changes to the front bumper, fascia and grille give the truck an angrier look without going too hard in the paint, and I think the new grilles play better with the headlights. New wheel designs are also on offer, as well as six new paint colors. The interior picks up a number of enhancements, too. The layout is now similar to the latest generation of Sierra 1500, with an optional 13.4-inch touchscreen and all the storage space you could possibly want in a serious machine like this.
As with other new GMC models, the Sierra HD picks up a new Denali Ultimate trim. Formerly an options package, this trim represents the pinnacle of what GMC packs into its trucks. Outside, there's a unique grille and dark chrome badging. Inside, full-grain leather wraps around the door panels and seats, while suede covers the headliner. The speaker grilles are proper stainless steel, hiding a 12-speaker Bose sound system. Sixteen-way power massaging front seats and a 15-inch head-up display round out the perks for this trim.
That's one well-appointed cabin.
GMC also updated the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8. It now makes 470 horsepower and 975 pound-feet of torque, improvements of 25 and 65, respectively. Available in rear- or four-wheel-drive configurations, with an optional dual rear wheel setup, this engine makes for some impressive towing figures. With a new Max Tow Package, the 2024 Sierra 2500HD can tow up to 22,500 pounds, while the 3500HD brings that to an impressive 36,000 pounds. A 6.6-liter gas V8 is available, as well, and it now comes mated to an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission, replacing the last generation's six-speed automatic.
Of course, there's a whole bunch of tech in the Sierra HD to help owners get the most out of their truck. A transparent trailer camera view lets drivers see "through" a gooseneck or fifth-wheel trailer, while extended blind-spot monitoring is capable of watching traffic for the entire length of the vehicle and trailer. There's also a new alert that will warn a driver if they exceed their truck's gross combined weight rating. Optional adaptive cruise control will work while towing, taking the extended braking distance into account, but the Sierra HD comes with a number of standard safety systems, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection and lane-departure warning.
The 2024 GMC Sierra HD arrives at dealerships in the first quarter of 2023, although the off-road-friendly AT4X trim won't be available until later that year. Pricing will be announced closer to when production kicks off.