The GMC Sierra 3500HD has a lot of trims, but the Regular Cab is only available in the base Pro trim and the SLE trim. It is also available only with the 171-inch long bed as an option. Also, transmission responsibilities are done either by a six-speed automatic or a ten-speed automatic with the choice of an RWD or 4WD drivetrain. As standard, the base Pro trim features plenty of features and amenities and does not feel industrial at all, while the SLE trim adds more convenience features to add more value to your work truck. 

There are also lots of packages to choose from. There is the 1SA Driver Alert Package I, including front and rear park assist, lane change alert with side blind zone alert, rear cross-traffic alert, etc. The 1SA Safety Confidence Package includes forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, cruise control, etc. There is the Convenience Package, Fleet Convenience Package, GMC Protection Package, Hitch Package, Trailering Package, etc.

Which Trim should you buy?

Since the regular cab variant is only available in two options, it becomes easy to pick one of them. And according to us, you should go for the top-end SLE trim as it adds some nice features as compared to the rather utilitarian base trim. However, if the price difference seems too high, the Base Pro trim won't be disappointing by any means.

Release Date

GMC hasn’t unveiled the launch details of the 2022 GMC Sierra 3500HD yet, but with the changes being minimal and as per the year on year trends of GMC, we expect the 2022 Sierra 3500HD to be launched by the end of the third quarter, and deliveries should begin in the last quarter.

A big truck needs a big engine, and that is why the 2022 GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab is equipped with a massive 6.6-liter V8 gasoline engine that produces a thumping 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque. However, you can also equip the truck with a 6.6L turbocharged V8 diesel engine that churns out 445 horses and a gigantic 910 lb-ft of torque. The transmission duties are handled by a six-speed automatic. However, the diesel engine only comes with the ten-speed Allison automatic, which is also available with the gasoline engine. 

The gasoline engine will do a 0-60 MPH sprint within 7.5 seconds, which is decent enough for a mammoth like this. It also finishes the quarter-mile in about 15.3 seconds. If you want more speed, the diesel variant will do the same sprint in around 6.9 seconds. The towing capacity with the base engine is rated at 14,500 lbs, while the dual-rear-wheel drive hikes the capacity to 16,800 lbs and the payload capacity is rated for over 4,400 lbs.

The Sierra was made to tow, and it is a heavy and bulky truck, to say the least. Despite that, it handles well. It offers a stable and predictable driving style. While cruising around town, the steering is decent and responsive. GMC’s ProGrade trailering system and digital variable steering system are two interesting pieces of tech that handle and tweak the steering weight and responsiveness based on road conditions. While the ride quality is decent, the AWD provides extra stability. 

The GM trucks offer a pretty good amount of power and torque figures. However, the RAM is the one with the most power in this list. The RAM 3500 is also the quickest off the line, but there is very little difference in the 0-60 timings of all of these trucks. The RAM 3500 also has the highest towing and payload capabilities, while the Ford F-350 has the lowest towing capacity. When comparing the price tag, the GMC Sierra is the most expensive option in the competition.

As we already know, the EPA does not rate mileage figures for full-size pickup trucks. So, there is no concrete figure which states the exact gas mileage. However, the gas engine will definitely deliver a lower economy than the diesel engine. If you are curious, the massive engine will not be very friendly and will offer a figure somewhere in the teens. The gas tank size is a massive 36 gallons, but since we do not have the fuel economy figures, we cannot calculate the range, expect it to be pretty high though, on a full tank.

Both the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD and GMC Sierra 3500HD have the same powertrain setup and hence have close identical engine and performance figures. Thus, we can expect the two trucks to offer similar numbers in the fuel economy department too. They also employ pretty large gas tanks, which are the largest in the segment. The RAM 3500 has the smallest fuel tank capacity, which will adversely affect its driving range.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab has a pretty good-looking interior. Although no information has been released, there might be minor tweaks made to the interior. However, we believe the interior to remain mostly the same. The design clearly states the intention that it is meant to be a work truck. With large boxy interior styling with curved off edges, the truck looks pretty modern. A large center console area can double up as a small table to keep stuff on. The materials used are good and of decent quality. 

The upholstery is regular cloth, but you get a leather-wrapped steering wheel. There is seating for three people inside the cabin. The driver’s seat is 4-way manually adjustable and the passenger’s seat is also 4-way manually adjustable. The seats are in a 40/20/40 split-bench configuration. Three people can be seated as the cabin is pretty wide. Headroom and legroom are massive and well over enough for anyone. Inside the cabin, there is a large center armrest, under-seat storage, and other storage spaces.

The GM trucks offer the best interior space with class-leading headroom and legroom. The cargo bed capacity is also the best on the Sierra and Silverado as compared to the RAM and F-350. Ford offers a much more spacious cabin than the RAM, which is the most cramped. The bed is also larger than the RAM in the Ford F-350. Some of the key interior features include:

• Cloth seat trim
• 4-way manually adjustable front seats
• Rubberized-vinyl floor mats
• Remote keyless entry
• Single-zone air conditioning
• Assist handles

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The base model comes with a 7” infotainment touchscreen integrated into the dashboard. You also get a 3.5” driver information screen. Upgrade to the SLE, and you are greeted with an 8” touchscreen and a 4.2” driver information display. The system is good, intuitive, and also quite responsive. The base Sierra comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, etc. The SLE trim adds AM/FM radio, SiriusXM radio, etc. The sound is blasted via a 6-speaker sound system. Not a whole lot to brag about, but the feature set is still quite rich for a heavy-duty pickup truck. Highlights of the infotainment system include:

• 8” infotainment system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• SiriusXM Radio
• AM/FM radio
• 4.2” driver information display
• Bluetooth
• 6-speaker sound system

Well, we would leave it up to you to form your final judgments about the truck’s looks. However, we think it looks pretty cool. Once again, no concrete information is available, as of yet, to determine whether there will be significant changes made to the exterior or not. The exterior clearly defines the boldness and the brawniness of the truck. With modern styling and a muscular exterior, the truck will surely satisfy people who love trucks. The front fascia houses the hunky headlights with the massive grille across.

The LED headlamps have a classic “C”-shape. On the rear, the SLE trim gets a six-function MultiPro tailgate, allowing the tailgate to open up in six different configurations. The massive size also allows for good visibility outwards. The base trim rides on 17-inch steel wheels, while the SLE trim rides on 18-inch machined aluminum wheels. Also, you get the side running boards to help you climb onto this massive truck. The tailgate also includes the EZ Lift feature with power lock and release. You also get a hitch area light.

Dimension-wise, the GM trucks are the longest, widest, and tallest in this comparison. They also have the highest ground clearance on offer, with the Sierra 3500HD offering the highest ride height. The RAM 3500, on the other hand, is the most compact and also rides the lowest to the ground. The Sierra is the heaviest of the lot, while the Ford F-350 is the lightest due to the aluminum construction of its body panels. Some of the key exterior features include:

• 18” machined aluminum wheels
• CornerStep rear bumper
• Bed Step
• LED headlamps
• LED signature DRLs
• GMC MultiPro Tailgate 
• Heated outside mirrors

The 2022 GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab is a heavy-duty truck and is not required to be tested by either NHTSA or IIHS. However, the 3500HD’s younger brother, the Sierra 1500 performs very well in the crashworthiness tests conducted by IIHS. Even though the 3500HD might not get the “Top Safety Pick” if it were to be tested, rest assured that the occupants inside have nothing to worry about. You are also greeted with the option to include driver assistance features if you add some packages. The standard and optional features include:

• StabiliTrak and Proactive Roll Avoidance
• OnStar and GMC Connected Services
• Rear Vision Camera
• Hitch guidance
• Teen Driver mode
• Front and rear park assist (optional)
• Lane change alert with side blind zone alert (optional)

2022 GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab vs 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Regular Cab

There is not much to compare here as both are identical to each other. From interior dimensions to exterior dimensions, from the engine to the transmission, from fuel economy to range, everything is exactly the same. The only difference is in how they look. Some might prefer the Sierra’s looks, but some people might like the Silverado’s more. The lower price tag of the Silverado is what attracts most buyers. 

2022 GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab vs 2021 RAM 3500 Regular Cab

The RAM is a pretty tough competitor to the Sierra. Both brands lock horns as both are very well-known for the trucks they produce. The RAM 3500 performs slightly better and has lesser weight, which adds to better handling. In practice, the payload capacity of the RAM is also higher than the Sierra. However, the RAM cannot carry as much cargo as the Sierra in its base configuration. Looks are subjective, once again, but we do prefer the RAM’s Dodge-esque look more than the Sierra. 

2022 GMC Sierra 3500HD vs 2021 Ford F-350 SuperDuty Regular Cab

The Ford F-350 is a pretty good competitor to the 3500HD. Even though it is underpowered compared to the Sierra, it still is slightly faster with its acceleration, which can be attributed to it being slightly lighter. The payload and towing capacity are not as much as the Sierra, and it also does not have a similar cargo capacity. The F-350’s looks are also decent, but just like the 3500HD, it can be polarizing. 

If you are looking for a heavy-duty truck, you are limited on options. The American powerhouses – GMC, Chevy, RAM, and Ford are your best options. The GMC Sierra 3500HD is meant for the heaviest of duties, and it does its job quite brilliantly. With an impressive towing and payload capacity, the Sierra will be fit for those who want to carry more. The MultiPro tailgate is another selling point. So, yes, you can definitely consider and buy the 2022 GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab.