2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD Consumer Reviews

A refined, well built truck

Written by: MountainMan on 09/19/2008

Vehicle

2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT 4dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (6.0L 8cyl 6A)

Review

Well designed, well built truck that is a pleasure to drive, but it struggles to pull my small 6000lb 5th wheel trailer over some moutain passes. ATF temps up around 215 deg although total weight well within published rating. Front end styling is ugly.

Favorite Features

Good interior styling. Good handling. Excellent transmission. Control features. Solid build quality

Suggested Improvements

Reduce engine noise Add higher capacity transmission cooler Refine front end styling Add passenger grab handle (like on 2003) Include mud flaps and side step bars - (these are essentials)

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Excellent HD choice & great value

Written by: Dave on 07/24/2008

Vehicle

2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE1 4dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (6.0L 8cyl 6A)

Review

I got one of the first 08 2500HDs off the line as a custom order back in Aug. 07. For what I paid, this truck is an amazing value when compared to the F250s and Ram 2500s out there. The gas V8 has plenty of power and tows a 5000 lb trailer with ease. At first I had a problem with the transmission not downshifting easily in the 25-50 mph range, but the dealer flashed the ECU and now it's more responsive (although a bit less smooth- shifting - before it was like silk). Fuel economy has been mostly around 10-11 in the city, anywhere from 12-18 on the highway (the faster you go, the worse it gets). Most impressive is the quality. The interior and overall feel of the 2500HD is very solid.

Favorite Features

Gas V8 power. Smooth 6-speed auto. Front seat comfort. Interior look & quality. Exterior build quality. Not that rough of a ride (much better than my 01 Dodge Dakota and 04 Tacoma). Superb value for what you get.

Suggested Improvements

Make sure you get the ECU flash for the tranny, which makes it more responsive downshifting in the 25-50 mph range. Otherwise, 11 months and 12,500 miles later, no issues.

10 out 10 people found this review helpful

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Great truck but a kidney blaster empty

Written by: Steve on 07/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD Work Truck 2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB (6.0L 8cyl 6A)

Review

I love this truck but when I am not towing or under load she will shake you on bad michigan roads. I decided to weigh it down a bit in the back and that has smoothed it out for sure. MPG is 12. 12 @ 74 towing the boat, 12 at 35 around town. I got 14 on the highway going 65 but that was hard to take for a 2mpg gain. Love the solid feel of the truck!

Favorite Features

Solid feel

Suggested Improvements

Soften the ride just a bit

3 out 5 people found this review helpful

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This is one super 3/4 ton truck

Written by: Bill on 07/14/2008

Vehicle

2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE2 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.0L 8cyl 6A)

Review

Bought an 08 Duramax 4x4 last month and just love the this truck. Ride is very predictable for a 3/4 ton, little harsh but if you wanted a smooth ride go with the 1/2 ton. The diesel has got a lot of horsepower. I love the quick acceleration this truck offers. I pull a trailer that goes about 6000 lbs. If you're looking for a truck to tow and gets generous fuel economy this is the truck.

Favorite Features

The new outside style and interior are my favorites. Dual electric seats up front is great and large trailer mirrors work great. I think GM hit a home run with this truck. I get about 17 MPG on the highway

Suggested Improvements

Fold down arm rest for the front seats, and extension in the sun visors would be great.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Transmission/ride

Written by: Craig on 06/19/2008

Vehicle

2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.0L 8cyl 6A)

Review

This truck is by far the worst riding vehicle i have ever owned. I understand it is a HD, but come on GM, you're not always towing with it 100% of the time. I cannot believe the research and development guys at GM designed it that way. The rear end bounces 60% the time when empty or partially empty. tryed changing shocks and tire pressure adjustment. helped out about 5%. The new 6 speed tranmission in my truck needs work. There is a delay in shifting between 2nd and 3rd gear. This happen 10% to 20% of the time but is annoying.When the delay happens engine racing anywhere from 200 rpm to 1000 before the shift takes place.Tranmission engages harshly when shift happens. Look elsewhere.

Favorite Features

Exterior body style. Interior appointment

Suggested Improvements

Transmission. Delay in shifting. Interior noise due to shifting of plastic and weatherstripping around doors. Horrible ride when transporting family around town.

3 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Happy I switched to diesel

Written by: SLC, UT on 06/11/2008

Vehicle

2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE1 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.0L 8cyl 6A)

Review

I traded in a 2004 F150 4.6L with 25,000 miles to get a 2008 GMC 2500 6.6L diesel. The performance is unreal. I am getting over 13 mpg, which is the same as the 150 on Premium and I get 3 times the power. The ride, fit and finish are as good or better and the information center is a real boon. The shakedown will continue for another six months but for the first 30 days I could not be more pleased.

Favorite Features

The info center and the rear seat room are real improvements.

Suggested Improvements

Standard under the rear seat compartment would be great, to keep paper towels and small items in place.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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6.0 L Gas engine no slouch

Written by: my new truck on 06/05/2008

Vehicle

2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE1 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.0L 8cyl 6A)

Review

This is the first 3/4 ton truck I've ever owned and it is great. I've had Fords in the past and know people with both the F250 and F350. They've had too many problems for me to even consider a Ford. The GMC is built stout, and while the gas engine lacks the torque that the diesel engine has it is the perfect engine for someone who does not tow all of the time. It has plenty of get up and I'm getting around 14 MPG right now on the freeway at 75-80 MPH. Many of thr trucks I see pulling large trailers these days are GMC or Chevy, they must be doing something right. PS, while gas prices are high right now the purchase incentives are even higher, good time to buy a gas hog!

Favorite Features

Driver information center, the interior is a lot quieter than Ford or Dodge, and the manual shift button.

Suggested Improvements

Bigger stock tires and wheels, one touch window up buttons.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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GMC Sierra 2500HD 4WD 6.6L

Written by: James Nichols on 05/12/2008

Vehicle

2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.0L 8cyl 6A)

Review

First off, after researching diesel trucks for over a year, it was clear that the Duramax/Allison power train was the "gold standard". I recently installed a Banks air intake, programmer, and exhaust system ($2500) and the performance is startling. Stock, average fuel economy was 16.2 (70 mph+ freeway); I hope the Banks package increases that up to 2 mpg. I stopped to watch a local, weeknight rodeo event in Paso Robles, CA and there were eventually 40+ trucks with 20-30' trailers, all diesels: 1 Chev, 3 Fords, the rest GMCs.

Favorite Features

Far quieter than Ford or Dodge diesels. Heated leather seats. Separate temp control for the passenger.

Suggested Improvements

Electric radiator fan(s). Bigger intercooler. Of all the info stored in the computer, only the engine hours resets when the battery is disconnected (i.e., any kind of service).

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Poor Gas Mileage

Written by: Sailer on 03/20/2008

Vehicle

2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT 4dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (6.0L 8cyl 6A)

Review

9.5 mpg city 10.7 highway. Door handle under armrest is a pain to get to. 5.3 engine would give enough power as I run empty 95% of time Needed 2500 to plow snow. Needs cup holders in dash.

Favorite Features

Handles V Plow with ease. Large windows gives excellent view all around

Suggested Improvements

For better fuel economy. Drop out 2-4 cyl for highway driving like smaller eng. Large mirrors on all trailer tow packages. Flex Fuel

2 out 7 people found this review helpful

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7 months of ownership & still great!

Written by: GMCcowboy on 03/10/2008

Vehicle

2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE1 4dr Extended Cab 4WD LB (6.0L 8cyl 6A)

Review

Bought my 2500HD 4x4 back in August. 8500 miles later, I still love the performance, comfort, and looks of it. I've made one 900+ mile trip towing a 4,000 lb. trailer, and it drove like there was nothing attached to it. The interior comfort is excellent. The seats are very comfy, and the quality is outstanding. I have not had any problems to speak of. I'm real impressed with this truck. The only downside is the gas mileage (to be expected). I average 12/13 in the city, 16-18 highway (depending on speed) and 12.5 towing a trailer on the interstate. Reckon the 6-speed auto helps the MPG a bit.

Favorite Features

Front seat comfort, acceleration (with 6.0 gas V8), ride for a HD truck, interior, good sounding stereo, quality, towing capability, solid build

Suggested Improvements

None

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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