2001 GMC Sierra 3500 Review
2001 GMC Sierra 3500 Review
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Used Sierra 3500 for sale
Appraise This CarGMC Sierra 3500 model years
GMC Sierra 3500 types
- Extended Cab
- Crew Cab
- Regular Cab
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Most powerful engines you can buy, class-leading towing and payload.
Cons
- Generic styling, unproven build quality and service record.
What’s new
The General's brand-new HD truck lineup debuts with stronger frames; beefed-up suspensions, axles, brakes and cooling systems; new sheet metal; bigger interiors; and a trio of powerful new V8s -- a 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel and two gas engines, a hefty 8.1-liter and an improved 6.0-liter. One of the four transmissions, a new Allison five-speed automatic, is designed especially for towing and hauling with GM's helpful tow/haul mode and a new "grade-braking" feature.
Edmunds says
The biggest, most powerful pickup you can drive without going to trucking school.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2001 GMC Sierra 3500 2dr Regular Cab SL 2WD LB DRW (6.0L 8cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
Not EPA tested for Sierra 3500 SL
Sierra 3500 SL
vs
$264/mo
Avg. Large Truck
Vehicle overview
GM's all-new heavy-duty trucks have finally arrived, replacing the so-called "Classic" workhorse versions that were based on the previous-generation C/K. With a slightly bolder look than its 1500 Series light-duty counterpart, the 3500HD Series Sierra is fresh from the frame up. The 3500 Series (all have dual rear wheels) models are available in Regular Cab, four-door Extended Cab, Crew Cab or Chassis Cab versions.
As with the 1500 Series, these trucks share platforms and componentry with Chevrolet's Silverado, but Sierra gets some styling and feature enhancements to position GMC as the "professional grade" truck. To that end, the Sierra rides on a chassis that sits 2 inches taller than the Silverado for added road stature. But looks and special content aside, the biggest draw for GMC's big pickup is its exceptional powertrains, outstanding payload capacity, and unparalleled towing and hauling ability. And at the heart of all this newfound capability is the engine lineup.
The Duramax 6600 is an all-new turbodiesel V8 developed jointly with Isuzu that cranks out 300 horsepower and a whopping 520 foot-pounds of torque. (That's 65 horses and 20 foot-pounds more than Ford's PowerStroke, and 55/15 over the Dodge Cummins diesels.) When it comes to gasoline power, GM leads the pack there, too. The all-new Vortec 8100 V8 puts out 340 horsepower and 455 foot-pounds of torque - both numbers eclipsing those of the V10s being offered by competitors. Even the base Vortec 6000 V8 has been juiced to 300 horses.
An electronically controlled Allison transmission boasts a patented "grade-braking" feature that automatically finds the optimum gear to supply downhill engine braking without manually downshifting, allowing you to concentrate on the road. It also touts "shift stabilization" to prevent ill-timed upshifts and downshifts, and even has bolt-on "Power Take Off" capability that allows owners to run PTO-driven equipment on-site, delivering 250 foot-pounds of continuous torque.
Save for commercial applications, the interiors are much like you'll find in GM's light-duty pickups and SUVs. With comfy seats and plenty of the latest features, the big Sierra sports a roomier cabin and extra wide-opening doors, though nothing beats a Crew Cab when taking along passengers. GM says nothing beats its new HD trucks in the numbers department, either. They've got the most power, gas or diesel, the highest GVW and GCVW payload ratings for the one-ton model, plus the most towing and hauling capacity as well.
While we're not sure if the evolutionary styling of the new Sierra carries the brute appeal of a Ford Super Duty or the big-nosed 3500-series Dodge, we do know that it'll beat them when it comes to good ol' pullin' and haulin.' Because power speaks volumes in the HD truck market, the 3500 Series GMC Sierra is sure to make a lot of noise on the sales front.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2001 GMC Sierra 3500.
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5 out of 5 stars
Great truck
N.E. TM RPR, 03/06/2002
2001 GMC Sierra 3500 4dr Crew Cab SLT 4WD LB DRW w/OnStar (6.0L 8cyl 4A)
Bought this truck end of July. Installed Una-Goose ball hitch in bed and drive it every day. I have 29,000 plus miles and have no reason to take it to dealer yet. I do all my own general service. I have towed loads as heavy as 16,000 without any problems. Trans handles all loads with ease with the grade braking. Only problem is keeping speed down,lots of power and I find myself going too … fast.
2001 Sierra 3500 Highlights
Extended Cab
SL
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $27,656 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Seating | 6 seats |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Max Towing Capacity | 12,000 lbs. |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Sierra 3500 include:
- Alarm
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