Used 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings.

We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology.

Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing.

Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.)

We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.