Owner Says His 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Duramax Delivers Shockingly Good 23.5 MPG Even on Logging Roads, Yet Its “Aircraft-Carrier” Turning Radius and Poor Seat Comfort Have Him Longing for His Wife’s Ford F-150

There is a particular clarity that surfaces only after thousands of miles behind the wheel. That clarity is exactly what Reddit user StumpJump_94 brought to the table when he waited until 20,000 miles had rolled under the tires of his 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Duramax before sharing his evaluation on r/gmcsierra. The tone was patient and grounded in lived experience. No theatrics, no instant judgments, just a man who spent enough time on logging roads and long stretches of highway to know what matters and what does not.

“I thought I would share my thoughts on my 2025 GMC Sierra 1500 with the 3.0 Duramax I bought earlier this year. For context, my last truck was a 2020 Silverado 2500 HD with the Duramax, and my wife drives a 2018 F-150 with the 2.7. Pros: -Great mileage. I put a lot of miles on and tow a fair amount, and I have been very happy with the performance and mileage I’m getting out of the truck, especially compared to the HD. Averaging 23.5 at this point with heavy 10 ply tires and traveling a lot of logging roads. -Looks and drivability. I personally think the truck looks great, and it drives really nicely. The infotainment system is set up to be really user-friendly imo. Cons: -Ride height. It sits ridiculously low, and I need to lift it. -Seat comfort. I feel like the Ford is way more comfortable to sit in. My Chevy was also not the greatest when it comes to seat comfort, and I feel like GM has a ton of room for improvement in this regard. That being said, it’s still plenty comfortable enough to take on a long trip. -Turning radius. Idk what the deal is, but I feel like I’m trying to turn an aircraft carrier when I drive this thing, especially compared to the Ford. -I’ve had one check engine light for the fuel system, and the dealer tested everything and cleared the code, and I haven’t had any issues since.

Overall, if the 3.0 diesel fits your driving needs, I feel like this is a great truck. If you’re looking for a gasser, idk how the 5.3 or the 6.2 would compare to the Fords, but I would seriously research and test drive both brands before pulling the trigger. Just my opinion and hope this helps anyone that might be truck shopping right now!”

What makes his review compelling is its evenhanded tone. He gives the Sierra credit where it deserves it, especially on the fuel economy front. Getting 23.5 miles per gallon on 10 ply tires while spending substantial time on logging roads is the kind of real-world number that causes even skeptical truck owners to raise an eyebrow. Other owners validated his findings with data of their own. One user, tripledigits1984, reported 27.2 miles per gallon lifetime after 36,000 miles and a year of ownership. When multiple independent drivers arrive at similar figures, you start to see a pattern that no marketing brochure can fabricate.

GMC Sierra Duramax: Diesel & Its Downfall

• The Duramax V8 represents the peak of American light-truck diesel engineering—high torque, long-haul reliability, and heavy-duty towing with minimal fuss.
• But tightening emissions rules and after-treatment complexity have made modern diesels heavier, costlier, and maintenance-intensive, undercutting their old-school simplicity.
• Electrification and turbo-gas engines have eaten into diesel’s traditional advantages, offering similar torque with cleaner emissions and lower operating barriers.
• As cities clamp down and consumers shift preferences, diesel’s image has eroded from “workhorse standard” to a niche tool for those who truly need max tow and nothing else.

Seat comfort was the surprising pivot point of the discussion. StumpJump_94 noted that the F-150 in his own driveway offered more comfortable seating. It is a small detail until you consider how vital seat ergonomics become during long hauls. Yet the comments showed that comfort is subjective. A user named niceabear passionately defended GMC’s cloth seats, even recounting a four-hour ride in the back of an extended cab that left her impressed rather than sore. The split opinions reveal something important. GM’s seats work well for some drivers and less so for others. The Sierra wins points for long trip livability but still leaves room for refinement.

The turning radius, on the other hand, was the one consistent sore spot. Describing the truck as maneuvering like an aircraft carrier is a vivid image and one echoed by others. As Savings_Nectarine_36 joked, it feels like you need an acre to swing it around. Users like redbaron297 pointed out that the standard bed configuration naturally compromises turning ability due to the longer wheelbase. This tradeoff is common in full-size trucks, yet it becomes particularly noticeable when compared directly with a more agile F-150, especially on tight rural roads or in crowded towns.

Ride height also emerged as a point of criticism. The Sierra sits lower than expected for a truck regularly exposed to difficult terrain. It was not framed as a stylistic concern but a practical one. Drivers who spend time on uneven roads want additional clearance. That StumpJump_94 is already planning to lift the truck reinforces the point. It speaks not to dissatisfaction with the truck overall but to a desire to tailor it to real-world needs. That level of active engagement is something you see in people who use trucks as tools rather than status symbols.

The single check engine light that cleared without returning helped round out the narrative. It reminded readers that modern vehicles with complex emissions systems occasionally throw codes that amount to little more than diagnostic curiosities. He treated the incident with a calm maturity that is rare in a landscape where minor issues often become rallying cries for outrage. This restraint made the rest of his observations more credible. When someone does not exaggerate the small things, you can trust them on the big ones.

By the end of his review, the owner delivered advice that cut through the noise. Know your needs, test drive both GM and Ford, and choose your truck based on real use rather than loyalty or trends. At 20,000 miles in, the Sierra has proven itself efficient, capable, and enjoyable, even as it leaves the door open for preference toward the F-150 in certain daily comfort situations. It is a balanced view from a driver who has spent enough miles in the saddle to speak with genuine authority.

Image Sources: GMC Media Center

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.