GMC Sierra 2500HD vs Ford F-150

Sitting at the top of the Sierra’s six available trims, the Denali Ultimate is newly added for the 2024 model year and comes with nearly every available option that can be included on this full-size truck.

The Denali Ultimate trim level is offered on both the 2500 and 3500 HD models. Each provides a higher degree of towing and payload capacity than what’s available in the standard GMC Sierra 1500. To put it bluntly, the Sierra HD models are pickup overkill for anyone simply looking to tow a couple of jet skis or haul a moderately-sized camper. The “HD” in the name stands for “Heavy Duty,” and its capabilities (and price) reflect this.

Powered exclusively by a 6.6-liter turbocharged Duramax diesel V8, the HD Denali Ultimate we test drove has a maximum towing capacity of 22,500 pounds—a 4,000 pound increase versus the 2023 model. Need to tow something along the lines of construction equipment or, say, a small island? Stepping up to the Sierra 3500 HD equates to a max tow rating of 36,500 pounds when using a gooseneck trailer hitch.

Okay, so the Sierra HD lineup has serious chops for getting tough tasks done. But how does it stack up against the competition? Hop aboard as we take a look at every aspect of the HD Denali Ultimate, from how it drives, to the user-friendliness of its infotainment system, trailer tech, and whether this new top-of-the-range trim is worth the price.

Available in three cab styles with three bed lengths and eight trim levels, there is a 2025 F-150 for almost any budget or requirement. Six powertrains are also on the menu, and you can opt for an electric version called the F-150 Lightning. For the 2025 model year, Ford has added a slew of new standard and optional driver-assistance systems to the F-150, and a plush new Platinum Plus option package offers extra decadence for luxury-truck buyers.

Verdict: The depth and breadth of the 2025 Ford F-150 lineup are downright staggering. Fortunately for Ford, each version of this truck boasts serious substance, and while some rivals may be more appealing in one way or another, considered as a whole, the F-150 is the best light-duty pickup truck your money can buy.