2024 GMC Sierra HD Adds a Lot of Luxury to Heavy Duty Pickups

For years, GMC, the truck and SUV-only brand within General Motors, has defined itself in the marketplace as “professional grade”.

It’s a tagline intended to emphasize its tough and capable, yet also technologically advanced, lineup.

While professional grade still fits well with the brand, the arrival of the all-new 2024 Sierra HD, GMC might want to think about amending it to professional luxury grade. That’s because the Sierra Heavy Duty Denali Ultimate, a first-ever trim for the HD pick-up, blasts the truck into a premium stratosphere it has never been before.

Consider the Denali Ultimate’s cabin, which includes. A full-grain leather-wrapped door panels with etched stainless steel speaker grilles. A full-grain leather front and rear seats with Denali Ultimate badge on the front seatbacks and center console lid. All-new 16-way power adjustable and massaging front seats.

But wait, there’s more. Like the premium microsuede headliner, visors and A and B-pillar trim, and leather-wrapped A and B-pillar grab handles. A 12-speaker Bose Premium series with Centerpoint surround technology. Open-pore Paldao wood trim in the dashboard and door panels, with the former including a laser-etched carving of Mount Denali (highest point in North America)

On the outside, the 2024 GMC Sierra HD is more premium with a unique grille finished in dark “Vader” chrome, model-specific 20-inch Ultra-bright machined aluminum wheels with High Gloss black accents (22-inchers are available), unique fender badging with topography of Mount Denali.

Design changes for the Sierra HD range include new bumper, fascia, grille, and redesigned LED headlights. The headlights feature animations that engage when approaching, starting, or using turn signals. New wheel designs are also in store for SLE, AT4 and Denali trims, and dual rear-wheel models receive bigger 18-inch polished aluminum wheels.

Six new exterior colors arrive for ’24, including (at extra cost), Titanium Rush Metallic, Sterling Metallic, Volcanic Red Tintcoat, Redwood Metallic, Meteorite Metallic and Downpour Metallic.

Max towing numbers with this engine, as one might imagine, have increased versus the current truck.

The 2500HD crew cab is rated at 21,900 pounds, which GMC claims is best in class. The 2500HD is rated at 22,500 pounds, which is 4,000 greater than the current model. Meanwhile, the 3500HD boasts an eye-watering 36,000-pound rating.

Changes to the Duramax engine include a new, more efficient turbocharger for delivering better bottom-end torque. There’s more power and torque across the rev range. The engine also has improved engine braking, new cylinder heads that feature improved cooling, a new combustion system, higher-flow fuel injectors, greater fuel injection pressure and a new engine cooler.

The standard 6.6-liter gas V8 engine will also be paired with the Allison 10-speed, replacing the discontinued 6-speed automatic. The Allison gearbox, GMC says, will offer smaller “steps” between gears which it claims is better for the most power out of the 6.6 engine (401 hp / 464 lb-ft.).

The 2024 GMC Sierra HD also features a slew of enhanced trailering tech. It includes, according to GMC, an industry-first transparent trailer view for gooseneck and fifth-wheel trailers. Essentially, this tech allows the driver to see through the trailer virtually thanks to a camera mounted on the back of the truck and another on the back of the trailer.

The 2024 Sierra HD will be available in 2500HD and 3500HD models. It can come in regular cab, extended cab, and crew cab configurations. Dual-rear wheel models are available with the 3500HD. Six trims will be available at launch: Pro, SLE, SLT, AT4, Denali and Denali Ultimate. An off-road focused AT4X grade will arrive later in the model year.

The 2024 GMC Sierra HD goes on sale in the first quarter of 2023. Pricing will be announced closer to launch.

NOTE: All trucks shown are U.S. pre-production models.

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