2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD Consumer Reviews

Sad but true

Written by: gm again on 09/13/2008

Vehicle

2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE1 2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB (6.0L 8cyl 5M)

Review

This truck was without question the nicest riding, looking and driving truck I have ever owned. Good power for towing or snow plowing with the standard 6.0 gas engine. This truck, despite its terrible fuel economy [avg 10 mpg with 4.10 axles] was always a pleasure to drive. Two days ago I started up the truck to hook up the job trailer it was hard to pull out of park. I noticed the check engine light on and noticed rough running along with a burning smell. I had it towed to the dealer and got a phone call that mice had eaten wiring in the power center under the hood and that all the wiring and the power center would need to be replaced. After seeing in person what a catastrophe it must go.

Favorite Features

Both front windows express down, rear window defogger and heated mirrors, lights in the door panels and factory wiring for roof plow light. The new identical model and color 08 truck with a sticker price in excess of 42K with a diesel engine does not have express down both windows or the door lights

Suggested Improvements

Seal this big power box under the hood to the fender well. This truck will always be my favorite although it didn't last long.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Wanting just a bit more

Written by: Steve on 07/31/2007

Vehicle

2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.0L 8cyl 4A)

Review

I use this for trailering, hauling wood, pulling trees, hunting and fishing trips, and occassional weekend trips with the wife and friends. Most everyone loves the truck and the way it looks. I love the 4x4 rear end as it takes me nearly anywhere. Plenty of power, plenty of leg room, and I like the visibility (less blind spots than my '97). I'm not afriad to take it anywhere. I have been in 10" of new snow and on muddy paths in the woods and it just goes. The AC is great and the warms up fast in the winter. I get about 12-13 mpg in town, and 15 on the highway. It does a good job driving with a cross wind. It looks like a truck that is designed to work - not pretty, but tough.

Favorite Features

The traction I get from the rearend. Plenty of leg room. Great visibility. Dual zone climate control. The power I get from the 6.0 engine. Very little outside wind noise. Good braking.

Suggested Improvements

Front end steering. I know it is a HD but that front end needs some work as it tends to bump-steer. Interior compartment storage is really lacking. The bed of the truck seems really light. Better driver's seat, not as good as the 97. Better gas mileage. Replaceable lower piece on front bumper.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Not your grandfather's diesel.

Written by: Paul Connell on 12/16/2006

Vehicle

2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.0L 8cyl 4A)

Review

Replaced my 2001 8.2 L Silverado HD crew cab with this truck. Basically the same vehicle, but with a 6-speed Allison tranny and a Duramax diesel. Compared to the older truck, it has a little better build quality, (not quite up to Japanese standards, but very good--not enough to really matter) vigorous acceleration, and incredible torque. Diesel is surprisingly quiet, and GM is less "trucky," compared to Dodge and Ford. Mileage averages around 16-19 mpg, with 12 mpg towing a 35ft. 5th wheel. Rugged enough for big truck jobs, but civilized enough to use as an everyday vehicle. Nice balance. Reliable, handsome. Quantum improvement over diesels even from a few years back.

Favorite Features

Diesel engine rocks! Almost the acceleration of the 8.2 Liter gas engine, but with far more torque--650 ft lbs! I can tow a 12k lb fifth-wheel trailer and actually pass people on an uphhill grade. Awesome. Big, fast, comfortable and fun to drive (for a truck).

Suggested Improvements

Put a programmable individual override on those vile warning gongs that blast out of the radio speaker. Let the owner decide which ones to activate. I know my door is ajar, etc. One I use--if the directional is left on, it's hard to hear at high speeds. Add an MP3 input jack for an

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Great Camper Truck

Written by: Doc on 11/12/2006

Vehicle

2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT 4dr Extended Cab SB (6.0L 8cyl 4A)

Review

I purchased my GMC 2500HD SLT 4x4 with the 6.0 engine and locking rear differential to haul my new 8.5 foot slide-in camper. I picked the camper up at the factory and proceeded on a 4500 mile test run. Encountering heavy cross winds in the Dakotas and steep passes in the Rockies had little or no effect on the draiveability of the truck or it's performance. The camper weighs 2370 pounds dry and yet the truck responded with little difference than with an empty bed! Mileage on the way to the camper factory in the midwest ran between 14-16,at speed limit empty and 11-14 with the camper loaded.

Favorite Features

The ride and quiet are a big plus! The load capability is great and better than other 3/4 ton HD trucks. The mileage is good for the use I put it to.

Suggested Improvements

E85 conversion kit and better mileage.

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2006 GMC reveiw

Written by: John on 10/08/2006

Vehicle

2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.0L 8cyl 4A)

Review

This truck has been everything and more than I expected. I tow a 27 foot camper and it pulls it with ease. Driving this GMC truck is a pure pleasure. Rides as good, if not better than, my Chevy Tahoe.

Favorite Features

The controls on the streering wheel are very handy. Automatic seat adjusters.

Suggested Improvements

Need a light in glove box. Power windows come down very hard, I am concerned about how long they are going to last before something breaks. Same problem on my 1999 GMC truck which I have to replace both sides.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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GMC Duramax 2500HD SLT

Written by: alybry4 on 07/11/2006

Vehicle

2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.0L 8cyl 4A)

Review

Looked a long time for a new truck and this one was the best. The Dodge MegaCab has a larger interior but the GMC has nicer creature comforts. Tremendous acceleration and quiet ride. I got the rear seat entertainment package with the DVD and the kids are having a great time.

Favorite Features

6 Speed.

Suggested Improvements

17 inch wheels with more ride height. Navigation. 2500HD Denali - People will pay for a luxury truck.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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GMC Duramax 360HP w/6 speed Allison

Written by: Charles Kendrick on 06/03/2006

Vehicle

2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.0L 8cyl 4A)

Review

The new Duramax engine is better than I hoped for. It has tremendous acceleration, quieter than ever and reminds one of a sports car. The 6 speed Allison has smoothed the shifting much better than the 5 speed Allison. Cruising at high speeds is unbelievable for a heavy duty truck. This is my third Duramax 4WD 2500HD and they keep getting better.

Favorite Features

Acceleration, quietness and the great ride are my favorite features.

Suggested Improvements

The only thing would be to come from the factory with 17 - 18 inch tires matched to the Allison and drive train for performance.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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It works

Written by: Darryl Clapp on 05/13/2006

Vehicle

2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.0L 8cyl 4A)

Review

I have bought GMC or Chevy my entire life excpet for 2 Fords I bought that were cheaply made, broke down with either engine or A/C problems. The Fords were cheaper with certain truck models but with the truck workmanship and problems with dealers fixing warranted items. I stayed or went back to GMC. The 2500 H/D 4WD Crew Cab I bought is the best GMC or Chevy had to offer. They are over priced but working with the right dealer you might find one you can live with.Some of the Dodges looked nice, but the way they are priced and the overall sales depts over the country are not customer friendly, nor will they work with you on the price.Its thier price or you walk out. Forgien trucks or just that .

Favorite Features

The 2500 H/D Crew Cab 6.0 v-8 is the best riding truck I have ever driven. It smooth,handles well and the 6.0 v-8 can get you there even towing.The 4 door crew cab is such a feature that makes the truck worth it. You comfortably fit people or extra stuff in the back with room to spare.

Suggested Improvements

I would offer more colors,better gas mileage or a hybrid or ethonal fuel option or both. I would recomend GMC or Chevy bring back the manual 4 speed to help with gas mileage as a basic option. You can only get a 4 speed manual is ordering it only in the work truck series.

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Great Reliabilty Poor Interior

Written by: GMC2500HD on 04/13/2006

Vehicle

2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE1 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.0L 8cyl 4A)

Review

Better fuel mileage, reliability and smoother suspension than the comparable Ford. However, position of side view mirrors creates dangerous blind spots. Cup holders in front difficult to access. Front middle seat very uncomfortable. Front passenger seat lack of foot/leg room r/t air box, this lack of space is even worse when there are passengers in back seat and you have to move front seat forward to allow more space for them. Lack of leg space for back row and you have to turn your foot sideways to get in/out of vehicle due to the lack of space between the seat and exterior section of vehicle where door attaches. There's more. Overall this is NOT a vehicle for a crew. This is no CrewCab.

Favorite Features

Good fuel mileage. Handles very smoothly. Starts everytime. Good cloth interior. No burning and sticky sweating to it in summer and no freezing your tail off in winter.

Suggested Improvements

Better design for side view mirrors (fix that blind spot). Interior Ergonomics! Your passengers will be fighting you for that front driver's seat for any ride over 20 minutes. And it's not because they want to drive.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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GMC Newbie

Written by: Matt on 03/16/2006

Vehicle

2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE1 4dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (6.0L 8cyl 4A)

Review

This is my first GMC truck and so far I'm pretty happy with it. I have to say though I got what I expected from a 3/4 ton truck. Pulls the loaded dump trailer with ease. Fuel economy is rather dismal but it is a full size pick up with a 6.0L V8 so what can you expect. My power steering pump "whines" which the dealer tell's me that its just the way a 2500HD is. That is the one thing that bothers me the most about the truck.

Favorite Features

Comfortable seats. Love having the seat belts in the seats.

Suggested Improvements

More storage on the lower trim levels. More space between the rear seat and the front seats in an extended cab. Quieter interior. Improve fit and finish of interior and exterior. I expect the 900 series will have these things.

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