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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2013 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab

Overview

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2013 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 7.4

On the surface, GMC's Sierra half-ton pickup for 2013 may look like a Chevy Silverado clone, but dig a little deeper and you'll find some subtle and some not-so-subtle differences. The Sierra's engines, transmissions and body configurations are the same, as are the specifications for power, fuel economy and towing. But the 2013 GMC Sierra displays a more professional appearance, with copious amounts of chrome in the grille and more stylish wheel options. There's also the Denali trim that elevates the Sierra to near-Cadillac status. Of course, the 2013 GMC Sierra is still a work truck and so it is equipped with a number of helpful workplace features and options. There is even a Hybrid model, something no other manufacturer outside of GM offers.

You'll Like This Car If...

If your towing needs run in the 7,000-10,000 pound range, a compact pickup isn't going to cut it; the full-size 2013 GMC Sierra, on the other hand, will. Models range from a basic Work Truck to the frugal 23-mpg Sierra Hybrid to the luxurious Denali.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If your truck needs revolve around light towing and recreational outings, a smaller mid-size or compact pickup might be more desirable. Not only will you save money at the pump, the sticker price is likely to be lower as well.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

7.4
Driving Dynamics

6.9
Comfort & Convenience

6.9
Design: Interior & Exterior

7.1
Value

7.1
Safety

7.9

How It Ranks

#13

out of 18

MPG

#26

out of 29

Horsepower

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

8.9 out of 10

View all
consumer ratings

2013 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Low/wide front photo

What's New for 2013

Changes to the 2013 GMC Sierra half-ton are limited to two new exterior colors and the addition of powertrain grade-braking that uses transmission downshifting to ease stress and temperature build-up on the brake rotors.

Driving the Sierra 1500 Crew Cab

2013 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions Ample power and a civilized ride are two of the 2013 GMC Sierra's most welcome attributes. The Sierra's rigid chassis and tight panel fitment are made possible by the...

fully-boxed ladder frame, while the coil-over-shock front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering provide a level of control uncommon in such a high-center-of-gravity vehicle. Our time in the Sierra covered a number of road surfaces and conditions. Even over the roughest surfaces, the half-ton Sierra's cabin remained calm, bothered neither by noise or vibration. As for engine choices, we think the 4.3-liter V6 is adequate for most light jobs, but we prefer the pulling and passing power provided by the 5.3-liter V8. The ultimate power play belongs to the Denali, which has a 403-horsepower 6.2-liter V8. All of the Sierra's V8 engines can run on E85, and the 5.3-liter V8 includes Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation technology for maximum fuel efficiency.

Favorite Features

HEATED AND COOLING SEATS
Standard on the Denali and available on SLT trims, these seats almost guarantee to keep the front occupants cozy in winter and summer.

ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT
The Active Fuel Management system available on the 5.3-liter V8s cuts the operation of four cylinders when they are unneeded and thus enhances fuel economy.

2013 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Details

2013 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

For 2013, the GMC Sierra pickup offers two distinct interiors aimed at satisfying two distinctly different customers. On WT, SL and SLE trims, GMC's "pure pickup" interior theme includes more use of vinyl on the floor coverings, as well as larger door handles and instrument-panel knobs. Moving to the SLT and Denali trims brings the same upscale interior found on the GMC Yukon, providing plenty of soft-touch surfaces, wood-grain trim and, on Denali models, a heated steering wheel. Crew Cab models feature a 60/40-split rear seat with a fold-up seat bottom that creates a large, uninterrupted load floor.

Exterior

The 2013 GMC Sierra distinguishes itself from its Chevrolet cousin with a bold 4-bar grille design, more expressive front and rear fender flares and more stylish 20-inch alloy wheels. The GMC Sierra features a large box area with high walls to maximize cargo capacity, although this same design can make it difficult to reach the center of the bed, as is required when accessing a bed-mounted tool box. Another feature we like are the Extended Cab's rear access doors that swing out 170 degrees, making it easy to load people or items into the rear of the cab.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

GMC's 2013 Sierra 1500 comes in seven trim levels, from basic to sinfully luxurious. Cloth seats are standard on WT, SE and SLE models, and leather seating is available on SLE models. The Denali is a distinct model unto itself and includes as standard a 6.2-liter V8 engine. SLT models include standard leather seats, the "luxury" instrument panel, 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, Bose speakers and Bluetooth. The crew-cab SLT version is even more luxurious with rain-sensing windshield wipers and a rear-seat audio system. Even the base trim level includes cruise control, air conditioning, XM Satellite radio and side-impact and head-curtain airbags.

Optional Equipment

Convenience features offered on SLE and SLT models include touch-screen navigation/sound system, power-operated moonroof, rear backup camera and a power-sliding rear window. The Denali trim offers heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel and rear backup camera as standard. The 2013 GMC Sierra offers five distinct suspension systems, each tailored to suit specific driving requirements. They include Z83 for a solid, smooth ride; Z85 for enhanced handling and trailer towing; Z71 for enhanced off-road capability; Z60 for street performance with 20-inch wheels; and NHT for maximum towing capacity.

Under the Hood

2013 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Engine photo

While we expect the 4.3-liter V6 and 4.8-liter V8 to be more than adequate in Work Truck applications, we recommend the 5.3-liter V8 engines, most with cast-iron blocks and some with aluminum, but all with Active Fuel Management and variable valve timing. And for those who want more power or towing capacity, the 6.2-liter V8, available only on the Denali trim level, is tops in its class, offering significantly more power and torque with very little penalty in fuel economy. The 2013 Sierra Hybrid truck features a 6.0-liter Vortec V8 with an electric motor/generator built into the transmission. The two-mode system employs two 60-kilowatt electric motors that can power the truck on pure electric at low speeds or assist the gasoline engine at higher speeds.

4.3-liter V6
195 horsepower @ 4,600 rpm
260 lb-ft of torque @ 2,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/20 mpg (2WD), 14/18 mpg (4WD)

4.8-liter V8
302 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
305 lb-ft of torque @ 4,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/19 mpg (2WD), 13/18 mpg (4WD), 10/14 mpg (E85, 2WD), 10/13 mpg (E85, 4WD)

5.3-liter V8 Flex-Fuel
315 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm
326 horsepower @ 5,300 rpm (E85)
335 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
348 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm (E85)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/21 mpg (gasoline), 11/16 mpg (2WD, E85), 15/22 mpg (XFE), 11/16 mpg (XFE, E85), 15/21 mpg (4WD), 11/16 mpg (4WD, E85)

6.2-liter V8
403 horsepower @ 5,700 rpm
417 lb-ft of torque @ 4,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/18 mpg (2WD), 12/18 mpg (4WD), 9/13 mpg (E85, 2WD), 9/13 mpg (E85, 4WD)

6.0-liter V8 hybrid
332 horsepower @ 5,100 rpm
367 lb-ft of torque @ 4,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/23 mpg

Pricing Notes

The 2013 GMC Sierra 1500's starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of around $23,500 delivers a capable but plain Work Truck. The SLE trim level with substantial equipment starts closer to $30,000. The SLT Extended Cab model begins at an MSRP close to $37,000, and a fully-loaded all-wheel-drive Denali approaches the $55,000 mark. Be sure to check the Incentives tab to see what savings may be on the table. We advise that you check the kbb.com Fair Purchase Price to see what consumers are paying in your area. The Sierra offers good projected resale values for its segment, higher than those for the Ram 1500, on par with those of the Nissan Titan, but below those of the Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra.

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2013 GMC Sierra 1500 Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.9

Out of 10

Based on 664 Ratings for the 2007 - 2013 models.

Review this car

Value

9.0/10

Quality

9.0/10
Reliability

9.3/10

Performance

9.2/10
Comfort

9.2/10

Styling

9.1/10

Best value for the money.

By Rodney20 (PA) on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 70,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Value, classic looks, low ownership cost, reliable"

Cons: "interior styling lags behind Ford F150"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Other than the interior styling (which I think Ford is light-years ahead of all other manufacturers), I have absolutely no gripes about this truck. I test drove the F150, Titan, Ram, and Tundra. The only truck I imediately nixed after driving was the Tundra (after driving the Tundra, I was completely disappointed and cannot understand the infatuation Toyota loyalists have with that truck...way over-hyped and over-priced, and if you don't believe me, drive one and then drive/price any of the other four...unless you are a Toyota apologist, you will be disappointed). The only truck that I actually liked better than the Sierra was the F150. However, considering I could get a comparably equipped Sierra for a few thousand $$ less, the Sierra was definitely the better value. So far, I've had absolutely no problems...even the original tires lasted over 60,000 miles. My family has owned a number of different makes and models of vehicles in the past, including Chevy, Ford, Dodge, Honda, Toyota, Hyundai. A client of mine encouraged me to check out GMC, as he runs GMC's for his business and routinely gets 300,000+ miles out of his work pick-ups. Definitely glad I did check out the Sierra. One of the best vehicles (car/truck/van) I have ever owned. Will definitely buy again if I can get another reasonable deal."

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Poor performance and fuel mileage.

By LL (TX) on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 13,000

10 2.0

overall rating 2 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 2/10
Value: 2/10
Reliability: 2/10
Quality: 1/10
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 5/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"Lost 6mpg as compared to 2007 model equiped same. Extremely low oil pressure. Excessive tire wear and vibration thru out vehicle. DEALER SAYS JUST DRIVE IT."

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I own a 2013-no real changes from 2012

By SanJuanWilly (CO) on Tuesday, April 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 1,400

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Plenty of horsepower and torque"

Cons: "sits up rather high"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I love this truck. I think its only drawback is that it sits up rather high. I think it could be a little lower to the ground. Mine is a 2013 SLT crew cab regular box Duramax 4 wheel drive. Plenty of power to pull our 29 1/2 ft fifth wheel. I love driving this rig, and plan on keeping it for quite a while (I still have my 2002 Duramax with 275000 miles as a work vehicle) I would recommend this truck to anyone who tows a trailer."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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Best truck value there is!

By Or Vett 50 (OR) on Sunday, March 31, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 54,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Towing, reliability, durability, mileage, COMFORT"

Cons: "None"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This truck was purchased to meet the following needs: - It had to tow an 8000# travel trailer in mountain terrain. - It had to have 4 wheel drive and off road capability. - It had to have enough back seat area for 4 dogs, 1 large, 1 medium and 2 small. - It had to be COMFORTABLE! I have a bad back and can't tolerate cheap seats. - Fuel mileage was secondary, but 19 mpg highway and 12 mpg towing is quite good. This truck has exceeded all my expectations. It tows a trailer effortlessly. It is driven in 4WD almost daily when I take my dogs to the beach. When driven on long trips, it is exceedingly comfortable, especially with the leather heated seats. I have ridden in many vehicles, some over $100K Europeans. None have as comfortable seats. It has had absolutely zero unscheduled maintenance. One of the best surprises was that it has only depreciated about $3000 from what I paid almost 4 years ago."

4 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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Best

By Dennis (NY) on Friday, March 22, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 2,169

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Everthing"

Cons: "cant drive it 24X7"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have a SLT Z71 black on black loaded with lots extras she has the 5.3 V8 I am getting great MPG my average is 17.8 does it have a fault yeah it has a few have to reach to adjust the radio,the interior is a little dated but I look forward to driving this truck to work everyday"

2 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Buyers remorse on getting the hybrid

By Hybrid (IL) on Saturday, March 16, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 2,500

10 1.0

overall rating 1 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 1/10
Value: 1/10
Reliability: 5/10
Quality: 5/10
Performance: 1/10
Styling: 7/10
Comfort: 4/10

Pros: "Nice idea"

Cons: "Hybrid tech doesn't work in the cold during short"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"I ordered and bought this truck to be my winter driver. I picked it up in May and only drove it a couple hundred miles during the warm weather and the hybrid tech seemed to work just fine . As I put my other vehicles in storage and the weather got cold, the hybrid tech only kicks in after driving for 15 minutes or more, which is an issue since I only live 5 minutes from work. So the main reason on buying this truck and giving up on several options because of the hybrid, doesn't even work during conditions for which I bought it for. Because of the hybrid, I couldn't order a rear sliding window, storage under the rear seats, heated seats, bigger wheels, interior choices were limited just to name some. And i ordered every option and highest package possible except for a sunroof. Advertised mpg is 21, but only getting 17. After knowing all of this I would have ordered a different truck or even a different make of truck. This rating is so low just because the sole reason of purchasing this truck in a hybrid is completely useless for my driving needs. The truck does perform well in snow as far as traction so at least that is good. Hybrid also causes you to give up towing capacity, but 99% of the time for me I'm not towing large loads."

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