2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD vs 2023 RAM 1500

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD reached a level of visual boldness that was hard to match, following its redesign for the 2020 model year. With a tall hood, squared-off lines, and an immense grille, the Sierra 2500HD commanded an extraordinary presence, particularly from the front. Many considered it as one of the most attractive heavy-duty trucks available, although design appeal can be subjective.

Inside, the situation was a bit different. While the interior was presentable and functional, it fell short in material quality, especially on the upper trims when compared to competitors from Ram and Ford. The Sierra 2500HD's cabin, although spacious, didn't quite match the roomy interiors of the Ram 1500 and the Ford Super Duty in terms of comfort.

This truck was available in five trim levels and three body styles—regular cab, extended cab, and crew cab. It also offered two pickup bed lengths. The Pro trim focused on utility, with no luxury frills, making it perfect for fleet operators and contractors. The SLE and SLT trims added more comfort features for mainstream buyers. The AT4 trim catered to off-road enthusiasts, and the Denali trim provided a luxury touch—both offered exclusively in crew cab form.

For this review, the AT4 trim was tested. This trim featured black chrome accents, C-shaped LED lighting, a hood air-induction system, red recovery hooks, 20-inch wheels with high gloss black accents, and an optional high-clearance step. Inside, it boasted Jet Black with Kalahari upholstery and embroidered AT4 accents, heated and ventilated front perforated leather seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, premium front and rear floor liners with removable carpet inserts, a premium GMC infotainment system, a wireless charging pad, and Bose premium audio. Collectively, the AT4 presented a rugged yet luxurious appeal, making it a standout in the heavy-duty off-road category.

The 2023 RAM 1500 could be configured with either a quad cab or a more spacious crew cab. The crew cab came with a choice of a 6-foot, 4-inch bed or a 5-foot, 7-inch bed, as seen in our review model. The Limited trim, just below the top tier among the eight available trims, presented a nearly top-of-the-line experience: Tradesman, Tradesman HFE, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Rebel, Limited Longhorn, Limited, and TRX.

While other trims showcased plenty of chrome, the Limited trim tested came with the $4,145 Night Edition option, giving it a more stealthy aesthetic. This package included a blacked-out grille, black badging, black headlamp bezels, and mirror caps, and impressive black 22-inch aluminum wheels—ideal for those who preferred less shine and more shadow.

Inside, the Ram 1500 Limited was a festival of leather. The seats and center console embossed with the Limited logo were accentuated by contrasting stitching. The use of open-pore wood on the dash, with metallic trim running horizontally, added an extra touch of sophistication. The steering wheel also boasted wood and leather trim, enhancing its upscale feel.

One of the standout features was the 12-inch portrait-oriented screen, which provided a unique look to the interior with chunky volume controls and a Ram logo on the dash. This truck also sported a Limited logo between the seats, ensuring the driver would never forget which truck they were piloting.

The Sierra 2500HD’s performance statistics were nothing short of impressive, with its optional Duramax diesel engine delivering 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque. The maximum payload capacity stood at 3,597 pounds, and it could tow up to 18,500 pounds. Despite these robust figures, within the niche of diesel-powered heavy-duty trucks, it was still considered somewhat underpowered relative to competitors.

General Motors maintained a reputation for superior powertrains, and both of the Sierra 2500HD's 6.6-liter V8 engine options—standard gas and optional turbodiesel—were strong performers. The 10-speed automatic transmission by Allison, paired with the Duramax diesel, added to the truck's capability even though it wasn't the most powerful in its class.

For comparison, Ford's 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8 boasted 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque, supporting a maximum tow rating of 22,800 pounds. Ram's 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel inline-six offered 370 horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque, with a 20,000-pound tow capacity.

Our test truck with the Duramax diesel/Allison automatic combination demonstrated abundant power, requiring firm pressure on the brake pedal when shifting out of Park to prevent unintended rolling. The Sierra 2500HD felt remarkably quick for its size, with smooth shifts from the Allison 10-speed transmission. The ride was jittery on uneven pavement but improved under added weight.

Off-road performance was where the AT4 trim truly shined. Equipped with features like an automatic-locking rear differential, a two-speed transfer case, a traction-select system, heavy-duty air cleaner, X31 off-road suspension with twin-tube Rancho shocks, skid plates, all-terrain tires, a trailering package, and a trailer brake controller, the AT4 handled off-road challenges with ease. However, a slight vibration from the steering column was noted when navigating rough terrains.

The 2023 RAM 1500 offered versatility with choices between rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). A 3.6-liter V6 with Ram’s eTorque 48-volt mild hybrid system was standard on lower trims, while a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with eTorque was optional on lower trims and standard on upper trims. Additionally, a 3.0-liter diesel engine was available for all but the top TRX, which hosted a supercharged 6.2-liter V8.

The eTorque mild hybrid system bolstered fuel economy and delivered extra power bursts, offering up to 130 lb-ft of supplemental torque at takeoff. In tandem, the V8 produced 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, making the Ram 1500 extremely strong off the line. The eight-speed automatic transmission worked seamlessly, ensuring silky-smooth shifts.

The EPA rated the V8 4WD eTorque models at 17 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. However, real-world testing showed slightly lower fuel efficiency, with a recorded 18 mpg during the test week.

The ride quality in the Ram 1500 was exceptional due to its coilover rear suspension, superior to the traditional leaf springs found in many trucks. The available air suspension, standard on the Limited trim, further enhanced ride comfort by smoothing out pavement imperfections. The truck's braking, powered by 14.9-inch rotors, was confident, and the steering was precise with a quick ratio.

The RAM 1500 could tow up to 12,750 pounds and haul up to 2,300 pounds, though these figures varied by configuration. The test model, optimized for trailering with an optional 3.92 rear axle ratio, did not reach these maximum capacities. The available $1,095 Trailer Tow package included features like Trailer Reverse Steering Control, simplifying trailer backing.

For off-road adventures, the RAM 1500 offered the Rebel trim with a 1-inch lift, skid plates, and hill-descent control, or the TRX trim, which featured a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 producing 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. The TRX was exceptionally quick and well-equipped for handling extreme terrain with Bilstein active performance shocks.

With its three cab configurations, two pickup bed lengths, and available 4WD, the GMC Sierra 2500HD was built for functionality. It primarily seated five but could accommodate up to six passengers with a front-row bench seat. Ample headroom, legroom, knee room, and hip room ensured comfort for both front and rear passengers.

Getting into the tall Sierra 2500HD required some effort, particularly with the added lift from the AT4 package. The flat side step, coated for traction, and an inside A-pillar assist handle made entry easier, even in wet conditions.

Inside, storage solutions abounded. A wide, deep center console could hold an iPad or small laptop. Dual glove boxes, hidden storage compartments in the rear seats, a rear-center fold-down armrest with cupholders, and extra storage beneath the flip-and-fold back seat added to the truck’s practicality.

The optional 120-volt outlets in the cabin and the bed, along with USB ports and a wireless charging pad, provided charging options for various devices. The MultiPro tailgate, standard on SLE and above, featured six functions to ease loading and unloading, further enhancing the truck’s utility.

The RAM 1500 was designed to be a storage haven with numerous cubbies, including a standout two-tiered center console. This upper-level cupholders and storage bin could slide to reveal another storage area, big enough to fit a laptop, purse, and a large box of snacks.

The Limited trim offered comfort with heated and cooled front seats, eight-way power adjustments for both front seats, and power-adjustable pedals. The rear seats, reclinable up to eight degrees, provided considerable legroom in the crew cab configuration, boasting 45.2 inches—almost 10 inches more than the quad cab.

The multifunction tailgate of the RAM 1500 could open as a 60/40 split door or like a traditional tailgate. With the optional air suspension, the tailgate’s height from the ground was minimized, facilitating easier loading and unloading. The RamBox storage system, integrated into the rear quarter panel, offered lockable storage for tools and other items, worth its $995 price.

In terms of payload and towing capacity, the Sierra 2500HD outperformed the RAM 1500 with a maximum payload of 3,597 pounds and a towing capacity of 18,500 pounds. The RAM 1500, on the other hand, had a towing capacity of 12,750 pounds and a payload capacity of 2,300 pounds at its max configuration.

Entertainment and connectivity did not take a backseat in the Sierra 2500HD. It offered a range of infotainment systems with either a 7-inch or 8-inch color touchscreen, depending on the trim level. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on SLT and above, with navigation available on the SLT and AT4 trims and standard on the Denali.

Standard features included hitch guidance for trailers and Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims received SiriusXM satellite radio, a WiFi hotspot, and OnStar with connected services. The Bose premium audio system in the test vehicle provided excellent sound quality.

One standout was the truck's 15 available camera views, which aided in trailer hookup and monitoring. The "transparent trailer" view was particularly impressive, and the rear camera mirror enhanced visibility, crucial when the rear view was blocked by passengers or cargo.

The 2023 RAM 1500 received tech upgrades, featuring an available reconfigurable 12-inch gauge cluster with customizable menus and information tiles. Although not included in our test model, it was a notable enhancement.

Standard on lower trims was a small 5-inch infotainment screen, while mid trims received an 8.4-inch touchscreen. The 12-inch portrait-oriented screen, available on upper trims, allowed simultaneous display of multiple functions like audio and navigation. It supported connecting two phones to Bluetooth, one for music and one for calls. However, it did show some lag, particularly with Apple CarPlay.

Also included in the Limited trim’s Equipment Group 1 package were a head-up display and a digital rearview mirror with a wide-angle lens, improving rear visibility. The surround-view camera system was invaluable for parking.

Multiple USB-A and USB-C outlets, a wireless charging pad, two 115-volt outlets, and a 12-volt outlet ensured that all devices could stay charged during long trips.

The GMC Sierra 2500HD came equipped with an array of high-tech safety and driver-assistive features. Optional systems included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, following distance indicator, hill-descent control, and front and rear park assist.

Standard safety features included HD Surround Vision, a rear-seat reminder system, driver Safety Alert Seat, and a Teen Driver system to help parents monitor and control their teenager's driving behavior.

Due to its weight classification, the Sierra 2500HD had not been rated by either the NHTSA or IIHS for crashworthiness.

The RAM 1500 lagged in offering standard advanced driver-assist systems. None were universally standard, and features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning were optional or part of a package.

When equipped, blind-spot monitoring covered any attached trailer’s length, a valuable feature in congested areas.

Despite this, the NHTSA awarded the 2023 RAM 1500 crew cab a five-star overall safety rating. The IIHS gave it Good marks in most categories, except for Marginal grades in seat belt reminders and LATCH ease of use. The headlights on Limited, Longhorn, and TRX trims received Good grades, while other trims earned Marginal ratings.