2017 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali HD Review

The 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali HD strikes a monstrous pose thanks to a dominating grille and, with the all-new 6.6L Duramax Diesel engine, you have all the power you need to back it up.

This is a pickup that’s ready to work, but still delivers all the creature comforts inside thanks to the Denali upgrades. Once you factor in the driver assistance features and the technology, it’s clear why we love this truck.

Here’s what buyers need to know about the 445 horsepower Deisel powered Sierra 2500 Denali HD.

The 2017 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali HD starts at $55,395, which is a massive jump up from the base Sierra 2500HD.

You’ll need to tack on the Duramax Plus Package at $9,550 to get the new Duramax Diesel V8 and all the power it brings to the table. You’ll also want to spring for the upgrade to 4WD. This bumps you up to $68,390 and frankly, it’s worth it.

Depending on your application, the Off-Road Suspension Package that adds Hill Descent Control and Twin Tube Rancho Shocks is worth looking into.

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2017 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali HD Power, Performance & Driving

There is no doubt that the new Duramax Diesel in the 2017 Sierra 2500 Denali HD is a beast. This thing has a lot of power, gulps in air through the functional hood scoop and sounds good while doing it.

Thanks to the 495 horsepower and 910 lb.-ft of torque, the Sierra 2500 Denali HD is ready to go. Capable of towing 14,500 pounds with a conventional trailer, you can also configure this with an optional Fifth-Wheel Gooseneck Prep Package that can handle 15,400 pounds when hauling with a fifth wheel setup.

This is the same engine and transmission as the Chevy Silverado 2500HD which we tested hauling an 8,000-pound load. Check out that video demo for a closer look at the power you’ll get in the GMC Sierra 2500 Denali HD.

We came away impressed with the maneuverability of the Sierra 2500 HD, pulling in and out of Lowes for multiple trips. On the road, we easily wound our way through hectic Michigan traffic on I-75 to the M1 Concourse and through side-roads and curvy streets on the way home thanks to ever-present closures. It handled Michigan roads well, though the ride is bumpy when unloaded. We saw 20.2 miles per gallon on the highway without hauling a load.

2017 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali HD Features & Design

The 2017 Sierra 2500 Denali HD looks great and includes many excellent features that help you do more with the truck on the road and once you arrive.

We love the look of the big bold grill and the aggressive style that the functional hood scoop adds. Inside, prepare yourself for your own luxurious 4WD experience. Heated and ventilated leather seats, emblazoned with Denali, greet you in this upscale interior. High-end materials and accents set this pickup apart. It looks more like a luxury car than a work truck. It’s also quieter inside than you’d expect, thanks in part to triple door seals and a new mirror design that eliminates some wind noise.

Bright work lights toggle on to light up the bed and throw a lot of light around the truck so that you can get work done even after the sun sets. Steps in the bumper make getting in and out of the bed easy, as opposed to the need to spend time waiting for mechanical steps to deploy on other trucks.

The bed is protected with a spray on bedliner on our model, and the bed also includes a number of tie downs to secure cargo. This came in handy while hauling a dishwasher home and then delivering our old one to a friend.

Inside, there is a lot of room for passengers and cargo. The backseat is spacious and can easily fit three adults with plenty of legroom and headroom. The seats fold up, clearing the floor for cargo. This is especially handy when you need to lock up something you are hauling.

2017 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali HD Tech & Safety

On top of the work-ready features that you need to tow and haul, the GMC Sierra 2500 Denali HD is ready on the tech side as well.

GMC includes OnStar to connect you to an operator for directions and help. You also get support for the OnStar RemoteLink app that allows you to lock or unlock the truck, remote start and check your range.

With a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot built-in, you can connect your laptop, tablet and other gear to the Internet wherever your truck is. There’s no need to drain your phone battery as a hotspot. The Sierra hotspot covers a 50-foot range around the truck.

The 8-inch touchscreen offers access to GMC’s apps and navigation, or you can plug in an iPhone or Android phone to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The HMC software is useful, but we prefer using these third-party options. There are plenty of charging points in the Denali and even a normal outlet to charge up a laptop, drone or tools.

If you haul large loads, you’ll want to check out the Trailering Camera System that allows you to see more than just a standard rear camera. You can even place a wireless camera on or in your trailer.

Safety features include a lane departure warning that will vibrate your seat if you are going over the line. A forward collision alert will sound an alert that will let you know if you are almost about to hit another car. This works with the Safety Alert Seat to vibrate when a potential crash is detected. These features will not automatically stop you or steer you back in your lane. Those features are available on the Sierra 1500 Denali though. You can turn the lane departure warning feature off, which is handy on very narrow roads and you can adjust the monitoring distance for the forward collision alert.

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