10 Things You Need To Know About The 2015 GMC Sierra HD

The 2015 GMC Sierra HD is the latest heavy duty pickup to be made available by General Motors, and while it might not break much new ground from a mechanical perspective, it has certainly changed its spots when it comes to styling.  The 2015 redesign of the GMC Sierra HD is more than just skin deep, as the fresh sheet metal includes a new cab that is more spacious, comfortable, and upscale than that offered by the departing 2014 model.  Throw in a hefty dose of capability, and it's clear that this is one HD truck that's ready to take on its rivals from Ford and Ram.

Let's take a look at 10 things you need to know about the 2015 GMC Sierra HD.

01. The 2015 GMC Sierra HD Features All-New Styling

The 2015 GMC Sierra HD benefits from the same visual makeover that was given to the brand's light duty pickup for 2014: namely, an all-new cab design that brings with it a complete revamp of the truck's exterior styling.  It would be a mistake to think that the new GMC Sierra HD is a carbon copy of the Sierra 1500, however, as the GMC features a more in-your-face grille that maximizes surface area, as well as a vents on the hood (diesel models), a huge bumper, and enormously square wheel wells.  It's a design that properly evokes the rugged, can-do image of this working truck, and it's one that has also been tweaked in the wind tunnel to be extra quiet and that much more aerodynamic when at speed.

02. The 2015 GMC Sierra HD Delivers An Improved Interior

Hand-in-hand with the 2015 GMC Sierra HD's new cab is its refreshed passenger compartment.  One of the first things that prospective buyers will notice with the GMC Sierra HD is how much more room they have, front and rear, compared to last year's model.  Then there's the practical attributes of the cabin, which now offers a huge and configurable center storage bin between the driver and passenger buckets (as well as a covered console), and as many as five USB ports along with several other 12-volt and 110-volt power points.  Finally, the new Sierra HD's plastics, fabrics, and available leather combine with an improved gauge layout in order to add an air of class to the entire environment.

03. The 2015 GMC Sierra HD Comes In Two Weight Classes

The 2015 GMC Sierra HD is offered in both 2500 and 3500 editions, or 'three-quarter ton' and 'full-ton' as they are known by pickup buyers.  What are the main differences between these two models?  Specifically, while their frames are quite similar - read, identical - 2500 and 3500 series GMC Sierra HDs offer different suspension setups, with the 3500 providing the strongest, and stiffest, combination available from the manufacturer.  In addition, the GMC Sierra 3500 HD can be ordered with a dual-rear wheel configuration, which dramatically improves its towing capacity as well as its overall stability when fully loaded.

04. The 2015 GMC Sierra HD Can Be Had In Three Body Styles

The 2015 GMC Sierra HD - just like its light-duty counterpart - can be had in a trio of different body styles.  The base regular cab GMC Sierra HD offers two doors and seats three people across, and is the rarest configuration when it comes to assessing the popularity of these heavy duty models as a whole.  Far more buyers purchase either an extended (double in GM-speak) cab or crew cab model, which feature larger, up to six-passenger cabins as well as an additional set of doors at the back.  New for 2015 is the move from a rear-hinged door to a front-hinged door for extended cab pickups, which greatly improves their practicality and ease-of-access in the real world.

05. The 2015 GMC Sierra HD Starts Out With A Gas V-8

The 2015 GMC Sierra HD makes use of a 6.0-liter, gasoline V-8 as its base engine.  Tuned to provide 360 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque, the GMC Sierra HD's gas motor is matched with a standard six-speed automatic transmission that features a tow/haul mode in order to better handle a full load of cargo or heavy trailer.  Unlike its light-duty counterparts, the HD's 6.0-liter mill does not offer cylinder deactivation in an effort to improve fuel mileage.  It's largely academic, in any case, to consider the fuel economy of a truck that works as hard as the Sierra HD for a living - even the EPA doesn't require the publication of mileage data for this class of pickup.

06. The 2015 GMC Sierra HD Offers Optional Diesel Power

The 2015 GMC Sierra HD continues to offer the same turbodiesel engine option that it did last year, the venerable 6.5-liter Duramax diesel V-8.  Output from this behemoth checks in at a whopping 397 horsepower and 765 lb-ft of torque, and while the turbodiesel motor is also managed by a six-speed automatic, it's a different design than is found with the gas engine.  Allison supplies the unique gearbox for the GMC Sierra HD Duramax, and it features special braking programming as well as an exhaust brake, all of which are integrated into the truck's cruise control system for maximum control over vehicle speed at all times.

07. The 2015 GMC Sierra HD Adds A Bi-Fuel Engine

One new addition to the 2015 GMC Sierra HD's drivetrain list is a bi-fuel version of the 6.0-liter, eight-cylinder engine.  This special unit is able to operate not just on gasoline, but also on natural gas, which is an alternative fuel that has been adopted by a number of fleet operators looking to take advantage of its lower costs.  Although the bi-fuel option for the GMC Sierra HD is a factory option, the modifications necessary to make the truck work with natural gas are performed by a third-party outfitter in partnership with General Motors.  Nevertheless, the pickup comes with a full factory warranty and can be serviced through a GMC dealership.

08. The 2015 GMC Sierra HD Provides Exceptional Towing Capability

With such a robust frame and chassis, and an array of exceptionally powerful engines, it naturally follows that the 2015 GMC Sierra HD would offer top-tier towing capability.  The GMC Sierra HD certainly doesn't disappoint in this measure, as its possible to pull 19,000 lbs behind the rear bumper of a 3500 series truck.  GM claims this is a class-best, and it represents an improvement of 3,000 lbs compared to the year before.  Installing a fifth-wheel hitch on a dual-rear wheel Sierra 3500 HD bumps towing capacity to 22,300 lbs, and in terms of cargo carrying, the GMC can haul up to 7,374 lbs in its bed due to a new rolled steel design.

09. The 2015 GMC Sierra HD Can Be Had In Three Trim Levels

In addition to its weight classes, the 2015 GMC Sierra also offers three trim levels.  The Sierra trim represents the base model for the GMC, and it offers a stereo with a 4.2-inch LCD display, cruise control, power door locks, tilt steering, air conditioning, and vinyl floor mats.  Stepping up to the SLE trim introduces the GMC IntelliLink vehicle interface, Bluetooth connectivity, a color driver information center, an upgraded audio system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power windows, remote keyless entry, satellite radio, and steering wheel audio controls.  The SLT trim, which is only available on extended and crew cab models, introduces additional power points throughout the cabin, dual automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a theft deterrent system.

10. The 2015 GMC Sierra HD Also Offers The Denali Edition

The 2015 GMC Sierra HD Denali is the most luxurious version of the heavy duty pickup available.  The GMC Sierra HD Denali benefits from its own unique styling cues, including a mesh grille, body-color trim, and special 18-inch rims.  It also turns up the comfort by way of a Bose audio system, an LCD gauge cluster, power adjustable pedals, heated and cooled leather seats, a heated steering wheel, a remote starter, and a rearview camera.  The Denali edition can only be ordered on crew cab pickups, but it's available for both 2500 and 3500 editions of the Sierra HD.