Driven: 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Ultimate
2024 | gmc | pickup trucks
With a sticker price nearing $100K, the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Ultimate is the most extravagant truck we’ve ever driven. Thanks to a powerful turbo-diesel engine and heavy-duty transmission, it can tow a large trailer while its occupants enjoy comforts like soft leather, real wood trim, climate-controlled seats with massage, and much more.
Everything about the Sierra 2500HD's design implies substance and capability. From its imposing gloss black grille to its shiny recovery hooks and chrome-capped trailering mirrors, this pickup means business. The hood has a large air intake at the front and reaches such a height when opened that you might need a step stool to close it.
Beneath that towering hood is a 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel engine that produces 470 horsepower and an astounding 975 lb-ft. of torque. Its 10-speed Allison transmission is purpose-built for towing and cargo-hauling applications and has no problem motivating this tricked-out truck's 6900-pound heft. With the help of its external engine and transmission coolers, this truck can tow up to 19,900 pounds with the 5th wheel/gooseneck kit and has a payload capacity of 3,462 pounds. Acceleration is plentiful, and the transmission shifts smoothly and predictably. A diesel exhaust brake helps reduce the need for regular braking when driving downhill or towing a heavy load. Like most trucks built for carrying large payloads, its ride is exceptionally soft to accommodate the added cargo weight.
Measuring a whopping 250.75" long, the 2500HD is too long to fit in a standard 20-foot garage, so keep that in mind if you prefer to keep your vehicles indoors. And while it's too big to take on narrow or steep off-road trails, it does have more than 10" of ground clearance and comes standard with the X31 off-road package, which includes an off-road suspension, hill descent control, Rancho shocks, and underbody skid plates for protection.
One of the many places where this truck shines is its cargo box, with its standard spray-in liner and side cutouts for installing wood planks so you can separate two layers of cargo. There are also cargo tie-down points and LED lighting in the bed. There's enough space to carry 4-foot-wide sheet goods between the wheel wells.
It's also got GMC's ingenious MultiPro tailgate, which provides a few additional uses beyond ordinary tailgates. First, it splits in the middle, which allows it to be used as a standing desk or table. In both its upright and lower positions, you can flip its back edge up as a bed extender to keep longer items from sliding out. Drop the top section down to its lowest position, and it acts as a step for easier bed access. A grab bar inside the bed can be deployed to help you climb up as well.
But wait, there's more! This truck's tailgate is equipped with a waterproof Kicker audio system that's great for tailgating or listening to music while you work. It connects via Bluetooth and can pump out 50 watts per channel even when the truck engine is off. It's also got 3.5 mm and USB audio inputs.
Given its height, GMC included steps on both sides at the front of the bed and on the rear bumper. They feature a deep texture for grip and are quite sturdy. They're still pretty high up off the ground but are still a big help for accessing cargo. The cabin also has powered steps that automatically deploy when you unlock the truck, making it easy to get inside without a big climb up.
The place where the Denali Ultimate trim really shows off is inside its cavernous crew cab. The seats are wrapped in full-grain leather with baseball stitching and an embossed topographical map of its namesake, Mt. Denali. The front seats are incredibly comfortable, with 16-way power adjustment, heat, cooling, and a massage feature that is quite welcome on long road trips. There's a massive center storage box with USB ports, a 110-volt outlet inside, and a smartly-designed wireless charging shelf that keeps phones easily accessible and prevents them from sliding around.
The Denali map theme appears in several other places in the cabin, including the Paldao wood trim on the dashboard storage compartment and the seatbacks. Metal accents are real aluminum, and soft-touch surfaces take the place of plastics. There's smooth microsuede on the ceiling, leather wrapping on the A- and B-pillars, and Denali Ultimate kickplates in the door sills. There's also a 12-speaker Bose audio system with surround that fills the cabin with punchy and powerful sound.
Technology abounds in this truck, with a laundry list of safety, convenience, comfort, and towing features. The driver's instrument panel is a 12.3" digital screen accompanied by a color head-up display. There's a 13.4" touchscreen in the center of the dash. All three have crystal-clear displays, and everything is nicely integrated between the screens. The center screen provides access to most vehicle controls, navigation, and media and has wireless support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The in-car navigation is powered by Google, so it's better than most. The new adaptive cruise control feature even works when trailering to account for added drag and increased braking distances. Safety features include forward collision alert, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, automatic high beams, and a following distance indicator. There's also a trailer-compatible side blind zone alert feature.
There are also numerous cameras to help with visibility around the 2500HD. The included ProGrade trailering package offers up to 14 camera views, including views that help you monitor the contents of its bed, the trailer hitch, the truck's proximity to lane markers, and even a remote camera that lets you see behind a trailer. It's also got a digital rearview mirror which provides a wider angle than a conventional mirror and lets you see clearly even if you are carrying backseat passengers or tall cargo in the bed.
Rear seat passengers also enjoy luxurious seat materials and tons of legroom and headroom. There are USB-A and USB-C charging ports and vents in the back of the center console. Both outboard seats have heat, and the back seat folds up in a 60/40 split for cargo-carrying versatility. There's also a hidden storage cubby in the seatback.
The GMC 2500HD is a very capable truck no matter which grade you choose, but the Denali Ultimate is for the discerning buyer who wants all of its abilities and wants to enjoy them in the comfort of a luxury vehicle. It's a truck you could use to get serious work done, then take your family on a vacation in, with a mobile home or powersports equipment in tow. Our test truck had a sticker price of $94,835, making it one of the most expensive trucks we've ever driven. But if you've got the budget and are looking for a truck that perfectly balances power, versatility, and grandeur, you can't do better than the GMC 2500HD Denali Ultimate.
