GMC Sierra 2500HD Regular Cab Truck Review
Truck Reviewer
Nobody buys a GMC Sierra 2500HD Regular Cab as a “fashion accessory”. It’s not an SUV that you might occasionally throw some junk in. It’s not a 4×4 adopted by the Hollywood A-list. It’s a big, powerful truck for serious professionals. The chassis is a rigid chunk of boxed steel. The suspension is heavy-duty as standard but can be tuned up further if you’re going to spend a lot of time on rough terrain. The bed is eight-feet long and it will happily carry over 3,400 lbs in there (depending on configuration). Choose the fifth wheel trailering option and it will tow not far shy of 18,000 lbs. Everything about this truck says work. Hard work. Yet actually driving it is not an unpleasant experience. It’s not a bone-jarring ride. You won’t be wrestling to keep a huge unwieldy beast on the road. That suspension may be robust but it’s also remarkably compliant. Combine that with a cabin that’s well insulated from vibration and road noise and the GMC Sierra 2500HD Regular Cab is a package that is never going to give you sedan dynamics but won’t put you off long distance hauling.
Motive power is also impressive. The standard 6.0 liter gasoline-burning V8 would be a potent engine in most circumstances, but you have to compare it to the GMC Sierra 2500HD Regular Cab’s optional turbo-diesel which, at 6.6 liters, delivers 765 lb-ft of torque. If you want to get a lot of weight on the move regularly then that’s the engine of choice. Both transmissions are six-speed automatics, an uprated Allison 1000 unit for the diesel. With the diesel you can also employ the useful engine braking feature which slows you down noticeably without having to resort to brakes. It’s safer and obviously saves wear. Other standard safety equipment includes air bags to front, side and head-curtain areas, anti-lock brakes and the StabiliTrac stability, traction control and roll detection system. There are also tire pressure monitors. The cabin may be well insulated, and it’s also well put together, but there aren’t too many luxuries inside the GMC Sierra 2500HD Regular Cab. The Work Truck basic trim level doesn’t exaggerate – AM/FM radio, manual air conditioning and a couple of useful 12 volt power outlets is as complicated as it gets. The slightly upscale SLE has cruise control and the clever multi-function OnStar communication and navigation system (6 months free, subscription required afterwards) but it’s not overflowing with technology.
Which is fine. If you want a wealth of gadgets and modern communications technology you won’t be choosing the GMC Sierra 2500HD Regular Cab over its extended and crew cab stablemates anyway. It’s not an uncomfortable place to be, it’s not short of options when compared to rivals at this level, it’s just single-minded. It’s built tough. It’s not without consideration for driver and passengers, but it’s focussed on doing a job of work – and that is something the GMC Sierra 2500HD Regular Cab does exceptionally well.
(20 Users voted, average: 3.20 out of 5)
Loading ...