2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD

header-image
$30,595 - $49,855
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Astounding towing and payload power

Not the best interior elements arrangement in the segment

Updated navigation system

The ride feels comfortable and so do the seats

Only two trims to choose from

Revised features list

Impressive braking ability

Specs & Features

$36,920

price

322 hp @ 4400 rpm

horsepower

380 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm

torque

6-Speed Automatic w/od

transmission

6.0L 8cyl 4WD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Part of the fullsize pickup truck segment, the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab competes with the RAM 3500 Regular Cab, the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Regular Cab, and the Ford F-350 SuperDuty Regular Cab. A base price of MSRP $30,595 gets you a 6.0L V8 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Despite the price going up to $37,910, this single powertrain is found in both trims. This engine produces 360 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0-60 of 8.1 seconds, and is offered as both rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive. The Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab offers only an 8’2” cargo bed, with 7,215 pounds of maximum payload capacity. It also offers a healthy towing capacity of 14,100 pounds. You can also equip the Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab with a diesel engine which has a power output of 397 horsepower.

Buying Advice

The upper SLE trim is a sweet deal because of the extra standard features it brings to the table which are majorly optional on the base trim. Having said that, you can also consider the optional SLE Preferred Package worth $720.

Trims

    Work Truck
    $30,595 onwards
    • 18-inch painted steel Wheels
    • AM/FM stereo
    • Manual front air conditioning
    • Vinyl Seat trim
    SLE
    $33,345 onwards
    • AM/FM/Satellite-Prep
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Premium cloth Seat trim
    SLT
    $41,480 onwards
    • Engine: 6.0L 8cyl 6A
    • Horsepower: 322 hp @ 4400 rpm hp
    • Torque: 380 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 9.5 sec
    • Top Speed: 156 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: -
    Denali
    $46,360 onwards
    • Engine: 6.0L 8cyl RWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 360 hp @ 5400 rpm hp
    • Torque: 380 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: TBD sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: -

Compare to similar cars

Price

$29,065- $50,525

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.7

Horsepower

400 hp @ 2800 rpm

Torque

800 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

Capacity

3

Read Review

$29,100- $45,740

Gasoline

7.95

360 hp @ 5400 rpm

380 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm

3

Read Review

$30,595- $49,855

Gasoline

8.27

397 hp @ 3000 rpm

765 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

6

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$30,160- $46,860

Gasoline

7.35

335 hp @ 3100 rpm

685 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

3

Read Review

$22,195- $49,620

Gasoline

7.61

195 hp @ 4600 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm

-

Read Review

$29,100- $48,985

Gasoline

8.07

360 hp @ 5400 rpm

380 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm

3

Read Review

$22,195- $49,990

Gasoline

8.59

195 hp @ 4600 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm

3

Read Review

$29,785- $51,910

Gasoline

8.14

400 hp @ 2800 rpm

800 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

3

Read Review

$28,990- $51,335

Gasoline

7

383 hp @ 5600 rpm

400 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

3

Read Review

2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    8.2 sec--
    6.4 sec15 sec-
    2012 RAM 2500

    Ranked #2

    6.6 sec--
    7.1 sec--
    7.1 sec-158 mph
    8.2 sec16.2 sec110 mph

    2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      13 mpg18 mpg16 mpg36 gal.-
      15 mpg20 mpg17 mpg26 gal.- -
      15 mpg20 mpg17 mpg26 gal.390/520 mi.
      2012 RAM 2500

      Ranked #3

      12 mpg18 mpg15 mpg35 gal.-
      ---35 gal.-
      ---36 gal.-

      2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        225 in.95.9 in.77.4 in.8.8 in.133.7 in.
        2012 RAM 2500

        Ranked #1

        231 in.78.9 in.73.3 in.7.4 in.140.5 in.
        227.6 in.104.9 in.76.5 in.-137 in.
        227.6 in.104.9 in.76.6 in.-137 in.
        225 in.80 in.77.4 in.-133.7 in.
        225 in.80 in.77.6 in.9.1 in.133.7 in.

        2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          14 cu.ft.99.1 cu.ft.14 cu.ft.
          284.4 cu.ft.104.2 cu.ft.284.4 cu.ft.
          15.2 cu.ft.172 cu.ft.94.2 cu.ft.
          --83.1 cu.ft.
          75.5 cu.ft.142.3 cu.ft.75.9 cu.ft.
          75.5 cu.ft.108.1 cu.ft.67 cu.ft.

          2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            14 cu.ft.14 cu.ft.14 cu.ft.98 ft.
            94.2 cu.ft.15.2 cu.ft.94.2 cu.ft.98 ft.
            83.1 cu.ft.-83.1 cu.ft.98 ft.
            100.7 cu.ft.284.4 cu.ft.284.4 cu.ft.98 ft.
            33.5 cu.ft.60.7 cu.ft.60.7 cu.ft.79 ft.
            2012 RAM 2500

            Ranked #6

            -74.7 cu.ft.-98 ft.

            2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Gooseneck/5th Wheel Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              14100 lbs.9600 lbs.6539 lbs.6185 lbs.
              17800 lbs.10200 lbs.3670 lbs.5630 lbs.
              17800 lbs.10200 lbs.3704 lbs.5596 lbs.
              16700 lbs.-4290 lbs.-
              16600 lbs.-4140 lbs.-
              2012 RAM 2500

              Ranked #4

              15500 lbs.-3190 lbs.5464 lbs.

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