Comparing the GMC Sierra 3500 HD vs Ram 3500: Clash of the Titans
The 2024 GMC Sierra 3500 HD heavy-duty truck is a fusion of advanced technology, top-notch engineering, and upscale materials and features beyond what you would typically expect in robust work vehicles. Whether you choose the gas or diesel V8 engine, the Sierra 3500 HD excels in power, class-leading towing capabilities, and handling hefty loads, all while offering technology like ProGrade trailering and high-end options like massaging seats. The Sierra 3500 HD displays GMC’s commitment to taking work seriously, without compromising comfort or luxury.
The Ram 3500 is one of the Sierra HD’s key competitors. Ram offers a trio of powerful engines—both gasoline and diesel-powered—along with excellent towing and hauling capabilities and a broad array of technology features. Like the Sierra 3500 HD, the Ram 3500 has been built to work and to help make your own job more manageable in the process. A comparison of these two heavy-duty workhorses reveals many similarities but also some key differences in both capability and utility.
The Engines
Central to any heavy-duty truck is its engine, and GMC keeps the options straightforward but powerful in the Sierra 3500 HD. The standard offering is a robust 6.6L V8 gasoline engine coupled with a durable Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine, with a 10.8:1 compression ratio, churns out 401 hp and 464 lb.-ft. of torque. The ten-speed transmission allows the engine to maintain optimal power throughout its range. Properly configured for trailering, this V8 offers an 18,400-pound tow rating.
Alternatively, there’s GMC’s 6.6-liter Duramax Turbo Diesel V8 engine, now with an updated turbocharger along with the Allison transmission. This powerhouse of a motor delivers 470 hp and a remarkable 975 foot-pounds of torque. The 2024 model boasts a 25% increase in low-end torque over its predecessor, offering exceptional pulling power. Additional enhancements like better exhaust brake performance and a stronger turbo vane actuator improve control and safety, especially when towing heavy loads. All of this adds up to a maximum tow rating of 36,000 lbs.
Ram offers an interesting approach to delivering power since its two diesel options are inline six-cylinder power plants, both 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesels. The standard version of this engine generates 370 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque, good for a 22,660 lb tow rating. The optional high-output Cummins engine generates 420 hp and 1,075 lb-ft of torque, good for a 37,090 lb tow rating. It should be noted that both of these diesels are matched with a six-speed automatic transmission, compared with the ten-speed in the GMC.
The Ram’s other engine is the gasoline-powered 6.4L HEMI V8, which produces 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque. This is paired with an eight-speed automatic for an 18,210 lb tow rating. It is the standard engine in the Ram 3500 lineup.
So, which truck gets the edge in the power department? The gas-powered V8s in the Sierra HD and the Ram are very similar in power and torque, but the GMC has an edge in towing capacity at 18,400 lbs versus 18,210 for the Ram. However, the Ram’s high-output Cummins Turbo Diesel edges the Sierra HD’s Duramax diesel in the towing department.
Here, it should be noted that this is the Ram’s top-of-the-line option and costs more, with the cheapest high-output Cummins in Ram’s pricing configurator coming in at $60,070 versus $58,360 for the cheapest Duramax-equipped Sierra 3500 HD. Also, if you want V8 diesel power, the Ram 3500 doesn’t offer that at any price. The Sierra does.
Trailering Tech
GMC claims that the Sierra HD 3500’s ProGrade suite offers its class’s most advanced trailer tech. The Transparent Trailer View virtually eliminates blind spots, while the Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert and the all-new GCW (Gross Combination Weight) Alert both help to ensure safety and compliance with weight limits, respectively. Adaptive Cruise Control is tailored for towing, considering additional drag and braking distances. Up to 14 camera views aid in trailering, including Hitch Guidance with Hitch View, Bed View with Zoom, and a Trailer Length Indicator for safer lane changes.
The Ram 3500 offers technology to assist with trailering, too. Its 12-inch Driver Information Digital Cluster Display provides data like the trailer brake status and a trailer light check. Its digital Rearview Mirror offers views from a rear-facing camera and cameras on the side mirrors. The wired tow mode reveals what’s behind your trailer. An optional 360-degree Surround View camera provides a birds-eye view of your surroundings. Trailer Reverse Steering Control makes backing up with a trailer as easy as turning a knob in the direction you want the trailer to go while the system takes over the steering wheel for you. Adaptive Cruise Control is also available to make long trips less stressful while towing.
So, which truck gets the edge in trailering tech? We’re inclined to go with the GMC. The Sierra HD’s ProGrade suite simply offers more features, like Hitch Guidance, and is a fully integrated technology suite that makes every step of the trailering process into one smooth workflow.
Inside the Cabin
Inside, the GMC Sierra 3500 HD features a 13.4-inch-diagonal tablet-style touchscreen, the largest in its class, offering a user-friendly and customizable interface. The 2024 Sierra HD also introduces a multicolor 15-inch-diagonal head-up display and a 12.3-inch-diagonal digital instrument cluster, keeping all essential information and features easily accessible to the driver. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the model range.
The Ram 3500 also offers a center touchscreen, a 12-inch model that also incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Like the Sierra, it features an advanced digital instrument cluster, a 12-inch display that offers safety and security alerts, optional in-cluster turn-by-turn navigation, tire pressure monitoring, and vehicle diagnostics.
We’ll give the edge to the Sierra in this category, too. While the capabilities in both trucks are similar, both the center touchscreen and the driver’s digital instrument cluster are larger in the GMC, and the Ram doesn’t offer a head-up display like that in the Sierra.
The Winner
Both the 2024 GMC Sierra 3500 HD and the RAM 3500 are formidable contenders in the realm of heavy-duty trucks, with each bringing its own strengths to the table. The GMC Sierra 3500 HD shines with its advanced technology and engineering, offering powerful engine choices, both in gasoline and diesel, with impressive towing capabilities and luxury features. The RAM 3500, on the other hand, presents a diverse engine lineup, including the unique high-output Cummins Turbo Diesel, and boasts substantial towing prowess and a suite of technological and luxury features.
However, when these trucks are weighed against each other, the GMC Sierra 3500 HD edges out its competitor. The GMC’s gas engine has a higher tow rating and it has a more cost-effective diesel option. Additionally, the Sierra 3500 HD stands out with its high-tech offerings, including larger screen displays and a more comprehensive ProGrade trailering technology suite. These aspects collectively position the GMC Sierra 3500 HD a step ahead in a head-to-head comparison, making it a slightly more appealing choice for those prioritizing a blend of power, technology, and value.