GMC dealers throughout the country are starting to see the arrival of the all-new 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 HD. The entry-level model will have a base price of $37,195. Other trim options will include the SLE, SLT, off-road AT4 package, and feature-loaded Denali.

As these trucks start hitting the highways, we took a look at some of the first reviews of the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 HD.

Motor Trend

MotorTrend took the new 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 HD truck out for a test drive and was impressed with what they found.

General Motors has announced that the entire one-ton dually truck line is now capable of towing up to 30,000 pounds. This applies to any configuration regardless of the cab type, engine, or drivetrain. A more advanced frame supports this massive towing ability. Upgraded suspension and a stronger powertrain make a 7,000 lbs payload capacity a reality.

The Sierra 2500 HD outshines the competition of Ford and Ram when it comes to towing strength. Motor Trend was impressed with the excellent performance of the Duramax / Allison combination. The 6.6-liter turbodiesel engine delivered every inch of its 910 lb-ft of torque, 100 percent of the time. They claimed, “the new 10-speed transmission does an excellent job of smoothly and progressively getting all that power to the rear wheels.”

Hauling 2,000 pounds of freshly cut logs, Motor Trend found that “there was very little rear-end droop from the rear springs”. Towing was stress-free due to the exhaust brake and Tow/Haul function. Motor Trend was impressed with the Transparent Trailer feature that is being offered exclusively by General Motors. This allows the driver to “see through the trailer” offering a clear line of sight in every direction. This advanced technology was an unexpected and appreciated safety feature. The Sierra 2500 HD that Motor Trend drove had “no trouble accommodating the weight or sacrificing any ride or handling quality”. The Sierra 2500 HD pulled with confidence.

Autoblog

After driving the all-new 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 HD, Autoblog road testers declared the truck to be “King of the haul“. They thought it was better than the Chevy Silverado HD, stating:

“The truck boasts several class-leading specifications and features that make up for the lackluster look and feel of the cabin.”

The interior was disappointing but they found the six-function MultiPro tailgate to be “unique and potentially very useful”. Autoblog preferred the overall look of the Sierra 2500 as opposed to the very similar Chevy Silverado 2500 truck. They felt the Denali trim was “classy compared to the in-your-face look of Ford’s Super Duty line”.

While towing, Autoblog found the ride to be “smooth for a truck with such ridiculous capabilities”. The independent front suspension on the Sierra 2500 allows for “superior ride quality”. Autoblog felt that the steering and exhaust brake completed the confident performance of this vehicle. The “class-leading capabilities” of the Sierra 2500 HD, combined with features such as the 15-inch head-up display and rear camera mirror, led Autoblog to state “there’s nary a load in America that you won’t be able to tug”.

Motor Biscuit

Motor Biscuit determined that 90% of buyers looking at heavy-duty trucks need them for towing purposes. The Sierra 6.6-liter diesel V8 with 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque is capable of getting the job done. A Sierra HD dually can haul 35,500 lbs, and with the average fifth-wheel trailer weighing less than 15,000 lbs, this truck can handle the load – and then some.

The Sierra offers an upgraded suspension, dedicated towing mode, and standard exhaust brake. A multi-view camera has a new Transparent Trailer feature that is a nice bonus and “should turn hooking up a trailer into a one-person job”. The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 HD makes towing easier than ever before. After a thorough inspection of the truck, Motor Biscuit experts stated, “if you need a heavy-duty truck’s hauling and towing capabilities, we strongly recommend the GMC Sierra HD”.