Overview & Reviews

For 2006, the Duramax diesel engine receives a host of power and refinement upgrades, as well as reduced emissions. The Allison automatic transmission is now a six-speed, and features a tap-shift range selection mode. The camper-style mirrors have been replaced by a folding and extending design with a built-in convex spotter glass. Trim levels and packaging have also been juggled.

• Powerful engine lineup, multiple drivetrain configurations, substantial towing and hauling capacities.

• Spotty build quality, mediocre design and interior materials.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 19.00

• 

  Wanting just a bit more - 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Steve - April 24 - 8:36 am

  I use this for trailering, hauling wood, pulling trees, hunting and fishing trips, and occassional weekend trips with the wife and friends. Most everyone loves the truck and the way it looks. I love the 4x4 rear end as it takes me nearly anywhere. Plenty of power, plenty of leg room, and I like the visibility (less blind spots than my 97). Im not afriad to take it anywhere. I have been in 10" of new snow and on muddy paths in the woods and it just goes. The AC is great and the warms up fast in the winter. I get about 12-13 mpg in town, and 15 on the highway. It does a good job driving with a cross wind. It looks like a truck that is designed to work - not pretty, but tough.

• 

  Not your grandfathers diesel. - 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Paul Connell - February 7 - 12:23 am

  Replaced my 2001 8.2 L Silverado HD crew cab with this truck. Basically the same vehicle, but with a 6-speed Allison tranny and a Duramax diesel. Compared to the older truck, it has a little better build quality, (not quite up to Japanese standards, but very good--not enough to really matter) vigorous acceleration, and incredible torque. Diesel is surprisingly quiet, and GM is less "trucky," compared to Dodge and Ford. Mileage averages around 16-19 mpg, with 12 mpg towing a 35ft. 5th wheel. Rugged enough for big truck jobs, but civilized enough to use as an everyday vehicle. Nice balance. Reliable, handsome. Quantum improvement over diesels even from a few years back.

• 

  2500HD crew cab, SB with 8.1 v-8 - 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By happy GMC owner - December 25 - 1:50 am

  Nice truck overall. Really gets the job done. Best tow vehicle Ive ever owned. 8.1 V8 has plenty of torque. Gets better mileage than 454s Ive owned previously.

• 

  Dons 2500 HD - 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Don - December 15 - 7:00 pm

  I had an 04 2500 HD and liked it enough that I traded it for an 06 equipped the same. The employee discount was the reason for the switch. It does have a stiff ride, but then, it is a HD instead of a softer pulling 1500. I can pull my 3,000 lb steel horse trailer with 2 horses with an average weight of 1,000 lbs each, and I do not know it is behind the truck. No matter what type of terrain or road condition, as long as it isnt ice covered. We havnt had snow or ice so I havnt had a chance to put it to the real test as yet, other than pulling the horse trailer.

• 

  Honestly a Great Truck Overall - 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Anthony - September 23 - 4:10 am

  I am a farmer and I use my truck very hard. But I do take very good care of it. I like the feeling that I know I can rely on my truck. I also hunt with my truck and I couldnt ask for a better, more dependable truck. I never yet have gotten stuck with it or ever had a problem with it stalling or anything like that. Ocassionally I take trips to northern Maine. I live in Southern Connecticut so it is quite the ride. Although with my Duramax deisel engine I can go there and back and have enough fuel to drive around. I like the chrome on the front bumper ecspecially it really makes the truck look solid. I know people that own Dodge trucks and Ford trucks and my truck definetly more dependable.

• 

  GMC Duramax 2500HD SLT - 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By alybry4 - October 6 - 1:50 am

  Looked a long time for a new truck and this one was the best. The Dodge MegaCab has a larger interior but the GMC has nicer creature comforts. Tremendous acceleration and quiet ride. I got the rear seat entertainment package with the DVD and the kids are having a great time.

• 

  Great Camper Truck - 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Doc - August 2 - 7:06 pm

  I purchased my GMC 2500HD SLT 4x4 with the 6.0 engine and locking rear differential to haul my new 8.5 foot slide-in camper. I picked the camper up at the factory and proceeded on a 4500 mile test run. Encountering heavy cross winds in the Dakotas and steep passes in the Rockies had little or no effect on the draiveability of the truck or its performance. The camper weighs 2370 pounds dry and yet the truck responded with little difference than with an empty bed! Mileage on the way to the camper factory in the midwest ran between 14-16,at speed limit empty and 11-14 with the camper loaded.

• 

  GMC Newbie - 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Matt - August 3 - 3:33 am

  This is my first GMC truck and so far Im pretty happy with it. I have to say though I got what I expected from a 3/4 ton truck. Pulls the loaded dump trailer with ease. Fuel economy is rather dismal but it is a full size pick up with a 6.0L V8 so what can you expect. My power steering pump "whines" which the dealer tells me that its just the way a 2500HD is. That is the one thing that bothers me the most about the truck.

• 

  GMC Lover - 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By Brad Largent - June 22 - 10:23 am

  I have owned 7 GMC/Chevy Trucks over the last 25 years. This truck measures up to the others very well. The only real complaint I have about it is the fact that that it is very light in the rear end. I am a disabled veteran and need to be able to move around in the cab quite a bit in order to stay comfortable and find that this truck gives me the freedom to do so very easily. Riding in friends trucks has shown me that I certainly made the correct decision when I chose this vehicle.

• 

  Excellent family recreation truck - 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD
  By irideharley - February 15 - 6:33 am

  Was considering the Dodge Cummins for its tough reputation but couldnt swallow the tight back seat for a growing family. A friend had the Chevy Duramax and I havent looked back since. The GMC Duramax and 6 speed Allison tranny are incredible. Quiet ride, plenty of room in the back seat, power a plenty to pull the bass boat with a camper on top. With or without a load, city and hgwy driving we still average 18 mpg, and at least temporarily diesel is cheaper than unleaded in my neck of the woods. Absolutely no buyers remorse with this truck. Two thumbs up all around.