GMC Sierra 2500 HD vs. Dodge Ram 1500

GMC Sierra 2500 HD Overview

Sometimes you need a pickup truck that can take a lot of abuse and perform flawlessly every single day. The 2008 GMC Sierra 2500 HD has the capability to be comfortable around town, yet also a seriously powerful work truck with no compromises.

Available in three trim lines - basic WT, well-equipped SLE, and top-of-the-line SLT - the Sierra 2500 HD is offered in Regular, Extended Cab, and four-door Crew Cab models. All models have standard rear-wheel drive (in single rear wheel or dually) or optional four-wheel drive for improved off-road handling and control. Two powerful engines are available, starting with a 6.0 liter V8 making 353 horsepower and 373 lb.-ft. of torque for serious hauling capability and low-end grunt. For maximum power and towing, the Duramax 6.6 liter V8 turbo diesel can run on gasoline or a B5 biodiesel blend, pumping out 365 horsepower (312 in dual rear-wheel models) and a mountainous 660 lb.-ft. of torque for ferocious pulling power.

The optional heavy-duty trailering equipment package allows a maximum towing capacity of 13,000 lbs. with the optional diesel engine and 4-wheel drive. Standard dual front airbags protect passenger in a collision, while standard four-wheel anti-lock brakes prevent wheel lockup during braking. The brakes also include Dynamic Rear Proportioning, which regulates front and rear brake pressure to optimize performance under varying load conditions. Traction assist is available on select 2WD models, limiting wheel slippage on wet or slippery surfaces.

Interior amenities include an optional DVD entertainment system with a flip-down seven-inch display, remote keyless entry, and an AM/FM stereo with in-dash six-disc CD changer and Bose® speakers. Crew Cab models include rear audio controls.

Heavy-duty pickups are built to take a beating, and the 2008 GMC Sierra 2500 HD has the toughness and durability to handle the roughest jobs.

GMC Sierra 2500 HD & Dodge Ram 1500 Comparison

Utility

Neither the Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 nor the GMC has a marked advantage with respect to seating capacity. The GMC Sierra 2500 HD is a better choice than the Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 when it comes to hauling capacity, especially if you often need to carry a lot of equipment or big animals. The GMC Sierra 2500 HD outpulls the Dodge by a sizeable margin.

Performance

With the kind of horsepower the GMC has, it's much faster than the Dodge Ram 1500.

Dimensions

The GMC Sierra 2500 HD is slightly larger than the Dodge Ram Pickup 1500. It costs more money every time you fill up the Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 than the GMC Sierra 2500 HD because it uses slightly more gas and the gas tank is bigger. The GMC Sierra 2500 HD rides lower than the Dodge Ram Pickup 1500, which is a good thing for its center of gravity and ease of access. The Sierra 2500 HD and the Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 are basically require basically the same amount of space when it comes to parking.

Cost

The destination charge is a standard charge for transporting the vehicle from its point of origin to the dealer. It costs roughly the same to get the Sierra 2500 HD to the dealership as the Ram Pickup 1500. With respect to MSRP, the GMC Sierra 2500 HD costs roughly as much as the Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 (though the Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 is a tad cheaper).

GMC Sierra 2500 HD Pricing

MSRP   $24,370 to $40,450
Invoice Price  $22,299 to $37,012

GMC Sierra 2500 HD EPA Fuel Economy

City: N/A
Highway: N/A

Dodge Ram 1500 Pricing

MSRP  $21,485 to $40,685
Invoice Price  $19,157 to $35,854

Dodge Ram 1500 EPA Fuel Economy

City: 12 - 16
Highway: 16 - 19

Handling

With their similar turning circles, the Sierra 2500HD and the Dodge Ram 1500 handle about the same.

Drivetrain

The Sierra 2500HD's engine is substantially more sizeable than the Dodge Ram Pickup 1500's. Note that larger engines may use more gas than smaller ones. Torque is the force that lets you accelerate quickly, and in this respect, the GMC is considerably more powerful than the Dodge Ram Pickup 1500. Torque equals pickup, and the GMC Sierra 2500HD will have picked up and gone by the time the Dodge Ram Pickup 1500 finally gets moving.

GMC Sierra 2500 HD Available Engines

353-hp, 6.0-liter V-8

GMC Sierra 2500 HD Available Transmissions

6-speed automatic w/OD
6-speed automatic w/OD and auto-manual

Dodge Ram 1500 Available Engines

345-hp, 5.7-liter V-8
310-hp, 4.7-liter V-8 (flexible)
215-hp, 3.7-liter V-6

Dodge Ram 1500 Available Transmissions

5-speed multi-speed automatic w/OD
6-speed manual w/OD
4-speed automatic w/ODickup 1500 doubtless handle about the same into and out of tight spots.

Comfort

While the front cabin in the GMC Sierra 2500 HD offers a bit more head room than the Dodge Ram Pickup 1500, there frankly isn't much of a difference. The Sierra 2500 HD is not particularly roomier for your passengers than the Ram Pickup 1500.