2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD Review

The 2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD receives only a few minor upgrades following a major redesign last year. Highlights of the latter are a hard-drive-based navigation system and heated/ventilated seats for upper trim levels.

With its considerable capabilities and comfortable nature, the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD is an excellent choice for a heavy-duty truck.

In the General Motors family, GMC is positioned as the truck division. And although the brand's models are essentially twins to their Chevrolet Silverado relatives, GMC's Sierra pickups are nonetheless heavy hitters. The 2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD, in particular, is a slugger among some very tough competitors.

Although it may not look as if the Sierra has changed much since 2007, it has been upgraded steadily over the years. Last year brought a number of substantial improvements that included a stronger, fully boxed frame, a revised suspension, a more powerful turbodiesel engine option and a new Allison transmission. They all added up to a more comfortable ride, better performance and handling dynamics and higher hauling/towing capacities.

Speaking of that turbodiesel, it's rated at an impressive 397 horsepower and 765 pound-feet of torque. That translates into serious work potential, including a maximum payload of 6,635 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of nearly 22,000 pounds (with a fifth-wheel connection).

Put wheel-to-wheel against its rivals, the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD (and Chevy Silverado twin) can't quite match the Ford F-350 Super Duty in terms of all-out hauling and towing capacities nor, in the lower trims, match the Ram 3500 in terms of upscale cabin ambience. But the GMC boasts the best all-around performance and feels the most composed while towing a very heavy load, thanks to its more precise steering and arrow-straight tracking.

None of these heavy-duty pickups represents a clear winner or loser. It's like trying to pick among Babe Ruth, Ted Williams and Willie Mays. In the end, choosing the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD over the rest could come down to something as small as styling preference or brand allegiance.

The standard power plant for the 2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD is a 6.0-liter gasoline V8 engine that produces 360 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic is the only available transmission.

An optional 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 is the engine of choice for those who plan on towing or hauling on a regular basis. It produces 397 hp and 765 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a beefier six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control. In Edmunds performance testing, a 3500 Denali with the turbodiesel engine and standard rear axle went from zero to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, about a second quicker than the diesel-powered Ford F-350.

Rear-wheel drive is standard for all models, with four-wheel drive optional. The Work Truck 4WD has a traditional floor-mounted transfer case, while the other trim levels get Autotrac, a knob-controlled electric transfer case that features an automatic setting that engages 4WD when wheel slippage is detected.

Properly equipped, a 2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD can haul up to 6,635 pounds of payload. It can tow up to 17,000 pounds with its standard ball hitch and pull 21,700 pounds with a fifth-wheel connection. Aiding trailering on downhill grades, the diesel engine also features a big-rig-inspired exhaust braking system to increase control and reduce brake wear.

The 2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD features antilock disc brakes, stability control, hill-start control and trailer sway control as standard. Front side and side curtain airbags are available as an option. Power-adjustable pedals and rear parking sensors are standard on the Denali (optional on others) and a rearview camera is available for all models.

In Edmunds brake testing, a 3500 Denali with the single rear axle came to a stop from 60 mph in 147 feet, a short distance for a heavy-duty truck.

The 2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD manages to provide a comfortable ride along with its strong work capacity thanks to its stiff frame and a suspension that can not only handle higher loads but also smooth out rough roads.

When stacked up against the Ford F-350 and Ram 3500, the GMC 3500 has a few clear advantages. Superior steering precision compared to the Ford and a smaller turning circle than either rival are readily apparent and appreciated in everyday driving. And when towing a trailer, the turbodiesel accelerates with more authority and climbs grades with less diesel clatter while also delivering superior fuel economy. When descending a grade, the diesel's exhaust brake works with well-timed downshifts from the transmission to lend an edge in vehicle stability over the Ram.

As expected, the Work Truck has the most utilitarian interior of the lineup with vinyl seats, rubber floor covering and very little in the way of creature comforts. The SLE offers a more inviting cabin with cloth seats and carpeting, but both models come standard with a three-passenger front bench that requires a more trucklike dash. Opting for the bucket seats will add a center console with storage. The SLT and Denali are the classiest of the bunch, with an interior similar to that of the Yukon SUV.

The front seats are quite comfortable, though some drivers might find the driving position a bit awkward because of the tilt-only steering wheel (it's too close to the dash) and gas and brake pedals that are far apart in order to accommodate work boots. We're also not particularly fond of the small and fiddly buttons on the center stack in higher trim models.

The extended cab's rear seats are acceptable in terms of comfort, and the crew cab is certainly roomier, though the crew cab trucks from Ford and Ram provide slightly roomier rear quarters.