2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $37,228–$49,323 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 6.9/10, the 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD earns a Good rating among the trucks we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.3/10. It's a capable but unexceptional truck — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 7.5/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 8.3/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
The 8.1/10 performance score reflects a chassis and powertrain that punch above the segment norm — this is a truck you choose partly for the drive itself. Technology comes in at 7.5/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $37,228–$49,323, 10 MPG, seating 5, the GMC Sierra 2500HD sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. Value lands at 7.5/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD, but it needs the right buyer. and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD ranks #457 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 11% of the segment. Its 6.9/10 overall score is 0.5 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $37,228 starting price is about 6% above the segment's median of $35,138.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking → · Best Trucks under $50k →
| Fuel (75,000 miles) | ~$26,250 ($5,250/year at $3.50/gal) |
|---|---|
| Insurance | Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying |
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Smart-money pick: the 2015 GMC Sierra 2500HD scores 6.7/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 6.9 — and starts roughly $4,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.3/10 | $46,762 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.2/10 | $45,400 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.1/10 | $44,038 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.2/10 | $42,676 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.1/10 | $41,314 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.0/10 | $39,952 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.0/10 | $38,590 | Read review → |
| 2018 (this review) | 6.9/10 | $37,228 | |
| 2017 | 6.8/10 | $35,866 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 6.8/10 | $34,504 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 6.7/10 | $33,142 | Read review → |
We rate the 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD's reliability 7.5/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class.
It scores 6.9/10 overall, ranking #457 of 515 trucks in our database (better than 11% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD starts at $37,228 and ranges up to $49,323 across trims (MSRP when new). At 10 MPG, expect roughly $5,250/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Sierra 2500HD years we've rated are 2015 (6.7/10), 2017 (6.8/10), 2016 (6.8/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.3/10). See the full year table above before deciding.
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Explore the full lineup of GMC models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.