For the 2024 model year, the GMC Sierra HD will receive a mid-cycle refresh. Introducing a bevy of updates and revisions to the heavy-duty pickup, the decision to keep the column-mounted shifter left some wondering why do so on the Sierra HD while move it to the center console on the refreshed Sierra 1500. Today, GM Authority has the answer.
The column is “where customers like it because it gets the shifter out of the console, giving them more space,” GMC design team members explained to GM Authority Executive Editor, Alex Luft, during a recent interview.
GM’s strategy with the refreshed 2024 GMC Sierra HD represents a departure from that of the refreshed 2022 Sierra 1500, which saw its shifter relocated from the column to the center console on the Elevation 3SB trim as an option, and on SLT trim and above as standard.
For those unaware, here’s the rundown on the mid-cycle refresh of the Sierra HD. The 2024 GMC Sierra is highlighted by the introduction of an all-new trim level, the Denali Ultimate. These range-topping models are distinguished by Vader Chrome exterior accents, 20-inch Ultra-bright wheels, and a unique Alpine Umber interior appointment.
On the outside, the 2024 GMC Sierra HD revises the front fascia to include updates to the bumper, grille and headlights. Six new exterior colors are added to the palette. Meanwhile, the revised truck gets unique interior treatments for SLE and SLT trims, while the AT4, Denali, and Denali Ultimate trims feature a premium interior design.
As for powertrain specifications, the 2024 Sierra HD is equipped as standard with the naturally aspirated 6.6L V8 L8T gasoline engine, which is rated at 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque. Optional on most trims and standard on the Denali Ultimate is the 6.6L V8 L5P turbodiesel Duramax engine, which is now uprated at 470 horsepower and 975 pound-feet of torque. This represents a 25 horsepower and a 65 pound-feet of torque upgrade over the pre-refreshed models.
No matter the engine choice, every Sierra HD truck is equipped with the Allison-branded 10-speed automatic transmission. This 10-speed replaces the GM six-speed used by gasoline models prior to the mid-cycle refresh.
For those keeping track, the 2024 Sierra HD’s corporate cousin – the 2024 Silverado HD, also keeps the column-mounted shifter.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more GMC Sierra news, GMC news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
The new GMC 3500 Denali that’s what happens when you mix sexy and bad ass at the same time that’s what you get, I think the column shift is so smart makes a lot of sense and it’s still the field of old school cause I’m an OG I’ve had lotta column shift I like it I just gotta save all my money now and build but I want to lose bad boys I don’t even need a 3500 I would just love to drive in the 22 or 23 every day right now I’m driving mine 2017 equinox premier with 20,000 miles on it all wheel drive Yes I would be OK with doing that in a new truck but it’s been a great great vehicle and actually even like to drive the new equinox probably gonna go to Van Chevrolet today and try some of the new stuff. Don’t think I’m just ready yet to pull the trigger, but that you like to , Matt Cerretto does a great job at Van Chevrolet in Scottsdale Arizona. That’s why I was doing Chevy business is it to earlier family we still have the medicine Chevrolet on McDowell and Scottsdale Road many years ago sure wish we still had it anyways merry Christmas everybody and have a safe new year Ford and Dodge or should I say ram get out of the way it’s Chevy time.
@Chip… hitting the eggnog pretty early this Christmas Eve ?
Read (Chip Saggau)To By Music Of Led Zeppelin…”Ramble On”!….LOLOL
Translation please.
GMC has lost me as a loyal owner because the Yukon and Acadia do not offer a shifter anymore.
I understand what your saying I wasn’t sure I would like the new push and pull system I have a 22 Tahoe and 22 Vette with no shifters it takes a little getting used to but now I find it much faster to put them in the drive or park position and I don’t have to look at the PRINDL to see what gear I’m in. After a year when I get into our Equinox, the shifter seems like too much to use. This is all hard for me to understand because I have 2 1959 cars with manual trans that I wouldn’t trade for the world. I just sold a 6-speed 98 Vette that I miss the shifting of gears and almost didn’t buy the C8 because it is automatic. I guess once I got used to it and enjoy the extra room and speed of the new systems I like them.
I had a 2021 GMC Terrain , and it has the push pull buttons on the lower dash to shift, and i really liked it!!
I had over 43 new cars/ trucks in my life so far, (67 years old) and after 2 days was completely used to it.
When I stepped into one of our other vehicles with a console mounted shifter it felt antiquated !!
I also like the space it frees up here and the space for storage under the console.
Those who complain about this in smaller vehicles likely have not had much drive time in one!!
How else do you get it in to drive? It has a shifter… Oh, it doesn’t have one that you like? You would rather it be located in the center console and take up space? Listen, vehicles these days the automatic transmissions are so smart you never touch it but three times you drive in most cases. Very few need to put it in manual mode and if so those rare occasions the options are there. I could care less what kind of selector it has as long as it isn’t a console shift. Put it as some buttons on the overhead console, put it as a knob or whatever. I touch it three times a drive ( P to R, R to D and D to P), I am not simple minded where it won’t take long to have it second nature for it to be somewhere else. Shoot, it took my less than a day to learn the Dodge dial shifter, I kind of liked that as it freed up so much space. Glad you are gone as a customer because you are so petty a gear selector would make you leave, chances are you would be a problem customer anyways driving down ratings and over exaggerating problems with your unrealistic needs that never can be fulfilled…
The 2024 models are the first in a long time that make me consider moving out of my 09 3500. There is enough new technology and improved styling to make me consider it. Just want to know price points for the 2024.
I have a ’20 Denali 3500 dually. It has 14k on the clock. I am looking but several things are bothering myself. Yes if I do it will be a special order truck. AND OH HELL NO to ADM! They have chosen to hike the prices the they better hike the turn in price on mine. Yes I do tow a 48 ft gn trailer. So all those comforts do count. Oh I started with a stick truck back in ’60 a 52 Dodge dump truck. Prefers a stick.
Chuck
Shifter don’t matter how about some interior lights. 92K for a 2023 3500 drw no dome lights ?
OH? yes they do… they have that cute LED dim lights that in poitch black night don’t even light up the top of the dash. Its above the edge of the darn dash. Well at least my 20 got those…. I have to carry a flash light. Also how about a larger 120 volt resource. Not the minscule token 60 or soo watts but something that is comaprable to the competitors.
Chuck
Guess what? This 1500 owner is a customer also and wants the shifter, “where customers like it because it gets the shifter out of the console, giving them more space.” The only use I see for a console shifter is for my wife. She hangs her purse straps around it….
It’s better for snow plowing, too, for the few that will be used that way, no need to look down every time you shift between R and D.
No, it’s the opposite. GM’s E-shifters and push buttons are far better for snow plowing. You don’t realize this until you actually try it and realize how annoying conventional shifters are.
With a column shifter, going from D to R you can overshoot and hit P. That’s not a problem with push buttons (full size SUVs), but especially on the lever shifter on the 1500s, you simply push full forward for R and full back for D.
This is exactly why forklifts and tractors are shuttle shift.
BS on the shifter reason. They put the trailer brake controller exactly where you need open room. Terrible design.
Bring back the big and comfortable 60/40 front bench seat.
Exactly. Make the trucks comfortable, but no reason to pretend they are sports cars with bucket seats and the shifter easily falling to hand. Even as it is a 60-40 bench suffers because the dash, without the console, still dips down in the center, taking away legroom from someone who might try to sit there. All the fancy electronics though is housed in the center console – so if you do get a truck without bucket seats you end up losing on some of the most modern safety driving aids.
With the decreased visibility out of the truck and an aging buyer (because of the prices) we need those safety features.
Personally, I think I would like the console shifter over the column shifter. To me it seems outdated. I have several GM cars with 6 speed stick, and a 2006 Envoy Denali with the console shifter. My youngest daughter bought a 2021 Equinox because of the console shifter over the Terrain which had the push button. JMO
I have a 2022 1/2 refreshed with floor mounted shifter. DO NOT LIKE IT!!!!!. waste of real estate. Would gladly return to colum shifter.
The only way I knew/know of to get a column shift was to find/order the split bench seat. Can one still do that? FWIW, this allows for 3 person seating up front as well.
If that is their excuse then why not put them all on the column? I’m sure it had more to do with cost cutting rather then what customers wanted, Another reason why GM is no longer the largest automaker in the world, they actually just lost the #3 spot and are at 4 or 5..
GMC trucks are starting to look better than Fords but I fear the diesel. They have become too complicated, too messy to work on, and require huge money just to repair minor things. A no-no for me.
As for shifter placement, I prefer the column shifter and free space in the center console. Just my preference for my needs.
Also- not sure who checks the facts in these articles:
1). “All new trim level, the Denali Ultimate”- The Denali Ultimate has been around for a few years, so it’s not an all new trim level. I have a 2020 HD Denali Ultimate. Maybe the features included in the package have been changed, but certainly not an all new package. .
2) “ This 10-speed replaces the GM six-speed used by gasoline models prior to the mid-cycle refresh.” – again not true. The Allison 10 speed has been around for a few years. My 2020 HD has it.
Your “facts” are wrong and the article is correct.
1. Denali Ultimate wasn’t a trim level before but a package on top a Denali trim. On the refresh trucks, both the LD and the HD, Denali Ultimate is a separate trim level. This helps value when reselling, as automated listings and price guides will distinguish.
On the HDs, Ultimate was simply the tech package plus a sunroof and enabled the motor running board option. The order guide isn’t out yet, but on the LDs, several features, like enhanced sound system, are only available on the Ultimate trim and not on standard Denali.
2. Wrong. The “Allison” 10 speed was only available on the diesel, the gas trucks got the 6L90 6-speed. Now gas trucks are getting the 10 speed, as correctly stated in the quote.
So they got enough blowback and realized that HD customers prefer stuff that makes sense…
A column shifter is the place to have it in any pickup 1/2 3/4 0r 1 ton.. its just natural. Only thing on the floor should be a 4 or up to 6 speed manual
really any vehicle should have the column shift. Just make it small and electronic like your blinker for smaller SUVS and cars and even trucks too
All that room in the front and the factory putsa shifter there? You pay all that moolah and lose seating for a six inch stick? Sounds like style over substance! But if that’s what grinds yer gears,as the saying goes . . .
Try getting a truck unstuck with a knob or a push button it just doesn’t work
Easy, when rocking a vehicle, you don’t jam it from R to D and back without stopping. You rock back as far until momentum stops, apply brakes to hold, put it in D and rock forward until it stops, apply brakes so it doesn’t move and repeat. You just fry your transmission rocking back and forth all crazy with no pause. Numerous times I have gotten unstuck by rocking a vehicle gently back and forth. A gear selector doesn’t add much if any additional time, especially if it is your vehicle and you are custom to using it efficiently. I could do that with buttons, a knob (have had friends in their Ram do that without issue) or any other selector. Maybe try learning to drive properly and not placing the blame on how a gear selector operates…
Most importantly, when will GM start producing these? Now that they keep teasing us with these awesome redesigned trucks who wants to drop that much money on an inferior ‘23? Start producing the new 2024’s NOW! They have ‘22’s and ‘23’s they can’t get sold.
Column shifter is fine and it’s great that it’s not taking up space in the console, HOWEVER the shift lever needs to be shortened because it is DIRECTLY BLOCKING THE VIEW of the new 15-in infotainment screen. This kind of major design oversight reminds me of the low hanging DEF tank and DEF fill locatiob on the 2018 duramax I just upgraded from.
The issue isn’t having a column shifter. It is designing the column shifter size, shape, and placement in a way that it blocks the driver’s view to half of the center touch-screen! So instead of keeping eyes on road and using peripheral vision to make adjustments, you must lean over and look under the shifter to see what you are doing while taking your eyes off the road. It is unsafe.
100% agreed with KK. I own a 2024 Sierra 2500 HD with the column shifter that blocks the view of the new display screen. It’s absurd that GM either overlooked this design flaw or simply said ‘screw it, who cares?’ and produced the truck anyway.
The new display screen was introduced with the 2022 1500 model which has a console mounted shifter. Using the same screen on the 2500 model would have been fine had GM simply shortened the length of the column shifter to prevent blocking the view of the display screen. After spending $100k on my new truck, I think it’s only fair that GM should offer to swap my column shifter lever out for a shorter one that doesn’t block the view! – Anyone else agree?
Exactly. Great idea. I’ve been watching to see if someone in aftermarket comes out with something but GM should address it. I paid a lot for my 2500HD Denali Ultimate and this was a glaring error in an otherwise superb vehicle.
I traded in my 2023 GMC Sierra HD 2500 for the 2024 HD. I really wanted to new dash and the upgrades to the outside of the truck . But as for the column mounted shifter, it blocks the new large display screen. And I had no idea until I went to pick up my ’24. About 10 seconds after moving the lever from Park to Drive and then pulling out of the lot, I was like “what the hell?” I only wish the shifter was located on the console
will the refresh include putting the trailer brake controller back on the dash? This truck was perfect until they decided to put the trailer brake in a precious area in the center console. wtf
I have a 2022 1/2 1500 with the larger display and floor monted shifter and would prefer the colum mounted shifter with a shorter lever. SO many things on this truck are hidden or require taking your eyes off the road. The headlight switch is perfectly placed behind the steering wheel web so turning on the fog lights without stopping to find the ever so small fog light switch is very difficult. I find the entire interior lighting system inadequate. I have sunroof so lights are places in overhead console but with jet black interior and limited lighting finding things dropped in the dark impossible