2021 GMC Sierra 3500HD

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Rating8.3
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$37,100 - $67,500
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on September 26, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Capable powertrain options

Expensive price tag

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Spacious and comfortable interior

Compromised front visibility

Some minor changes in the feature-set

Impressive towing and payload capabilities

Specs & Features

$41,500

price

401 hp @ 5200 rpm

horsepower

464 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

6.6L 8cyl RWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2021 GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab is a prominent contender in the heavy-duty pickup truck segment, competing primarily with the Ford F-350 SuperDuty Regular Cab, the RAM 3500 Regular Cab, and the Chevy Silverado 3500HD Regular Cab. Prices start off at an MSRP of $38,695 with the base trim and reach all the way to the top SLE trim carrying an MSRP of $43,795, for a total of 2 trims being offered. With multiple powertrain and cab options available across multiple cab styles and trims, there is a Sierra 3500HD for everyone. The GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab offers 2 exciting powertrains, each offered in Rear-wheel drive and All-wheel drivetrain configurations. 

The base engine is a 6.6L V8 mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, capable of making 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque. This engine is rated for a towing capacity of 16,800 pounds. Another engine is a 6.6L turbocharged diesel affixed to a 10-speed automatic transmission, making 445 horsepower and carrying a towing capacity of 20,000 pounds. Furthermore, you get a choice between a single rear-wheel-drive or dual rear-wheel-drive configuration. The GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab only comes with an 8.1-foot bed. All in all, the GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab delivers an exciting package, both in terms of performance and looks. The rugged and masculine exteriors are offered in 6 attractive colors.

Buying Advice

The 2021 GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab might seem to be the more premium offering compared to the Silverado 3500HD. However, that is not the case and both the trucks offer similar equipment and interior quality. And the fact that the Silverado offers this package at a lower price makes it the one to go with among the two. However, the Ford F-350 undercuts all of the competitors in terms of price while also offering three impressively capable powertrain options making it the best choice in the segment.

Trims

    Base
    $37,100 onwards
    • 7-inch touchscreen infotainment
    • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
    • Led headlights and taillights
    • Vinyl seats
    SLE
    $42,200 onwards
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Cruise control
    • Power door locks and windows
    • Power trailering mirrors
    • Remote keyless entry
    • Satellite radio
    SLT
    $54,000 onwards
    • Engine: 6.6L 8cyl RWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 401 hp @ 5200 rpm hp
    • Torque: 464 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.5 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: -
    AT4
    $59,600 onwards
    • Engine: 6.6L 8cyl 4WD 6A
    • Horsepower: 401 hp @ 5200 rpm hp
    • Torque: 464 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.9 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: -
    Denali
    $66,100 onwards
    • Engine: 6.6L 8cyl 4WD 6A
    • Horsepower: 401 hp @ 5200 rpm hp
    • Torque: 464 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.6 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: -

Compare to similar cars

Price

$37,100- $67,500

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.26

Horsepower

401 hp @ 5200 rpm

Torque

464 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

Capacity

6

Read Review

$29,300- $64,195

Gasoline

7.48

285 hp @ 5300 rpm

305 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm

3

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$35,795- $67,885

Gasoline

7.66

410 hp @ 5600 rpm

429 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

-

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$34,095- $66,335

Gasoline

7.62

370 hp @ 2800 rpm

429 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

3

Read Review

$36,500- $65,700

Gasoline

7.87

401 hp @ 5200 rpm

464 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

3

Read Review

$34,230- $84,390

Gasoline

7.87

385 hp @ 5750 rpm

430 lb.-ft. @ 3800 rpm

-

Read Review

$35,300- $63,300

Gasoline

7.67

401 hp @ 5200 rpm

464 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

3

Read Review

$35,745- $87,375

Gasoline

7.82

385 hp @ 5750 rpm

430 lb.-ft. @ 3800 rpm

3

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$30,100- $61,190

Gasoline

8.1

285 hp @ 5300 rpm

305 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm

3

Read Review

$35,900- $65,100

Gasoline

7.98

401 hp @ 5200 rpm

464 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

3

Read Review

2021 GMC Sierra 3500HD vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    7.5 sec15.3 sec-
    6 sec14.5 sec-
    6.5 sec--
    6.6 sec15.2 sec-
    6.9 sec--
    2021 RAM 2500

    Ranked #5

    7.2 sec15.3 sec-

    2021 GMC Sierra 3500HD vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      ---36 gal.-
      20 mpg21 mpg17 mpg28.3 gal.448/588 mi.
      15 mpg21 mpg17 mpg28 gal.448/588 mi.
      2021 RAM 2500

      Ranked #2

      ---32 gal.-
      ---36 gal.-
      ---36 gal.-

      2021 GMC Sierra 3500HD vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        235.5 in.81.75 in.80.9 in.11.2 in.141.6 in.
        235.5 in.81.75 in.80.94 in.11.2 in.141.55 in.
        235.5 in.81.75 in.79.94 in.10.2 in.141.55 in.
        235.5 in.81.75 in.79.94 in.10.2 in.141.55 in.
        2021 RAM 2500

        Ranked #2

        232 in.79.4 in.80.2 in.13.1 in.140.5 in.
        2021 RAM 3500

        Ranked #2

        232 in.79.4 in.79.5 in.13.3 in.140 in.

        2021 GMC Sierra 3500HD vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          83.5 cu.ft.-137.4 cu.ft.
          11.6 cu.ft.98 cu.ft.44.1 cu.ft.
          89.1 cu.ft.-89.1 cu.ft.
          83.5 cu.ft.119.7 cu.ft.83.5 cu.ft.
          89.1 cu.ft.39.8 cu.ft.89.1 cu.ft.
          2021 RAM 2500

          Ranked #6

          --74.7 cu.ft.

          2021 GMC Sierra 3500HD vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            137.4 cu.ft.83.5 cu.ft.137.4 cu.ft.98 ft.
            2021 RAM 3500

            Ranked #2

            ---98 ft.
            61 cu.ft.83.5 cu.ft.61 cu.ft.79 ft.
            66 cu.ft.83.5 cu.ft.83.5 cu.ft.98 ft.
            76.3 cu.ft.89.1 cu.ft.89.1 cu.ft.98 ft.
            100.7 cu.ft.11.6 cu.ft.44.1 cu.ft.98 ft.

            2021 GMC Sierra 3500HD vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Gooseneck/5th Wheel Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              21500 lbs.17200 lbs.4481 lbs.6339 lbs.
              22800 lbs.13100 lbs.4160 lbs.5877 lbs.
              2021 RAM 2500

              Ranked #3

              19990 lbs.14540 lbs.3690 lbs.6307 lbs.
              18510 lbs.17370 lbs.3857 lbs.5924 lbs.
              18510 lbs.17370 lbs.3857 lbs.5914 lbs.
              14500 lbs.17200 lbs.4421 lbs.6329 lbs.

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