Reviews on 2013 Gmc 1500 Denali 62 Engine
The Car Connection Practiced Review
Senior Editor
May 18, 2012
Likes
- Handles well for a big truck
- Wide lineup of models, engines
- Simple, nicely trimmed interior
- Hybrid'south class-leading mileage
Dislikes
- Plain looks (even compared to the Silverado)
- Unsupportive front end seats
- Rear seat dorsum is as well vertical
- Loftier pricetag for Hybrid, Denali
Buying tip
features & specs
2WD Coiffure Cab 143.five" Denali
2WD Crew Cab 143.5" SL
2WD Coiffure Cab 143.v" SLE
Among increasingly assuming full-size trucks, the 2013 GMC Sierra is elementary in looks and strong in operation—with the Sierra Hybrid remaining a fuel-efficient standout.
The GMC Sierra 1500 is virtually identical to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and still in that location's something that keeps a certain kind of shopper coming back for the GMC version of this full-size pickup. Whether it's the allure of the GMC badge, the working-man imagery at GMC's roots, or its subtle trim differences, some people just prefer the Sierra. Along with the Silverado, the Sierra takes on the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 in vying for truck traditionalists.
Although terminal redesigned in 2007—and without any serious design changed since then—the Sierra is still one of the amend choices for truck buyers of all kinds, from commercial users to personal-luxury seekers, thank you to a wide variety in powertrains, pleasant handling, and titanic towing capacity.
The Sierra's conservative, tasteful look totally hinges on the power of the rectangle. The grille says information technology all: information technology's a big, squared-off slice, with big, squared-off "GMC" lettering. It's simple, straightforward, and well-nigh stark--like the residual of the truck—until you lot get within one of the more luxurious versions, like the Denali and its plush upholstery, soft-touch plastics, and woodgrain trim.
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Whether you're happy with the Sierra—and whether it's competitive with the latest from Ford and Ram (Dodge)—depends on which engine you select. The bones workhorse engine is a 195-horsepower, 4.3-liter Five-vi, meant mostly for fleets and very tight budgets; and it's underwhelming with its four-speed automatic manual. There's a small-block, flex-fuel, 302-hp 4.viii-liter V-8 on some low-mid trims, but it too comes with the four-speed and it'southward definitely worth moving up a notch to the flex-fuel 5.3-liter V-viii that's the most common Sierra powerplant. That engine has 315 hp and cylinder deactivation that helps mitigate the Sierra's thirst for gas--and information technology's the basis for the Sierra XFE, the most efficient, non-hybrid Sierra you can purchase. Top Denali models include a 6.ii-liter, 403-hp, flex-fuel V-eight that'due south shared with the Cadillac Escalade; unfortunately the Escalade'south thirst is also shared.
Iv-wheel drive available on every body style and with every drivetrain, though the system on Denali models technically is on-demand "Autotrac" all-wheel bulldoze. Like the Silverado, the Sierra has upwardly to x,700 pounds of towing chapters. Also for 2013, all Sierra models with the six-speed automatic transmission get a new grade braking feature to enhance stability when towing downhill.
The ho-hum-selling Sierra Hybrid is oft overlooked and deserves special mention. With its complex, two-style hybrid drivetrain—a combination of batteries, motors and a 6.0-liter V-8 with cylinder deactivation—it nets the equivalent of 332 horsepower and 367 pound-feet of torque. In return yous get stiff dispatch—close to the output found in the five.3-liter V-viii--simply with eerily smooth, tranquility dispatch. The Hybrid can run on battery power lonely up to about 25 mph.
Across the lineup, the Sierra steers and handles well for such a big truck—which at least in function helps you forget that you're driving such a big truck. The merely exception is the Hybrid, which has electrical power steering that tends to give it a more numb, detached feel. Ride quality is generally smooth and well-sorted, except on the off-road packages; hefty curb weight and long wheelbases aid a lot here.
The Sierra is comfortable inside, just its seats could be a lot meliorate. Although there are a few configurations, front end seats are broad and flat, and they could use more than lateral back up. Meanwhile the back seats in Coiffure Cabs tend to be underpadded, with a seatback that'south tilted too far upright. Five-seat trucks take a broad center console with phenomenal storage capacity, while six-passenger versions get a simpler dash and a forepart demote seat. Both versions have clear displays and large controls, meant to be operated with work-gloved easily. Regular-cab versions have a little storage space behind the front end seats, and Extended Cabs have simply plenty space behind rear-hinged access doors for a toolbox and work gear. Bed lengths vary past model. Hybrids and Crew Cabs have a 5'8" bed; a half dozen'6" bed can be selected on any manner except the Hybrid, as can an 8' bed.
From stripped-down Work trucks to costly Denali models, the 2013 Sierra offers a broad range of equipment to cover different needs and budgets. Base trucks become vinyl seats and manual door locks, while Denali models have leather ventilated seats, hard-bulldoze navigation systems, Bluetooth and DVD amusement systems. Hybrids are equipped at the luxury cease of the spectrum, and they and Denali versions can easily accident by the $50,000 mark.
The 2013 GMC Sierra is tasteful and handsome--refreshingly restrained from the over-the-top boldness that'southward somehow get the norm.
It's been about 6 years since the GMC Sierra got its last full redesign (for the 2007 model year), but this truck's rather formal, conservative look has stood well to the examination of time.
Just equally its Chevrolet sibling, the Silverado 1500, the Sierra 1500 is very bourgeois from the outside, and it doesn't depend on a lot of styling tricks to convey what it's selling--durability, dependability, toughness. The large rectangular grille is simplicity itself, and the corners are merely a bit more pronounced than on the essentially identical Silverado. With the large GMC logo on the grille, in that location's piddling risk of mistaking the 2013 Sierra for any other model, but from the side or rear, it can appear but a little too plain for some tastes. That plainness is a pleasing contrast to some buyers next to the somewhat overwrought Toyota Tundra toe a weirder line, and while the Ram 1500 gets fifty-fifty softer and more than carlike on the inside for 2013, it remains intimidatingly (for some, embarrassingly) tall and tough on the outside.
The Sierra'south interior is where it's starting to look a bit dated. Less expensive versions even so sport a elementary, upright design with larger controls and door handles--taking aim at those who want a piece of work-duty truck--while pricier versions get a cabin that feels nearly directly borrowed from GM's full-size SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe. With the latter design comes a lower, smoother instrument panel blueprint, with materials and trims upgraded accordingly. The only trims that don't quite fit are the woodgrain ones, which are neither convincing on a luxury basis or plumbing equipment in with the Sierra's mission.
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The 2013 is shine, potent, and well-mannered; though the base of operations V-half-dozen has functioning that lags rivals' base engines.
The 2013 GMC Sierra still compares well to most other full-size pickups, especially in terms of handling, although its base of operations V-half dozen isn't quite up to snuff.
With iv different gasoline engines as well as a gasoline-electrical Hybrid model on offer, the Sierra allows plenty of room for the widely varied needs of truck shopper--some looking for low-cost armada truck, others seeking a personal-luxury vehicle capable of towing a big boat, for instance. The base 4.3-liter V-6 makes simply 195 horsepower, and it's not all that refined; it's really only aimed at those fleet buyers, and contractors. While the price is skilful, fuel economic system isn't so impressive with the four-speed automatic--the sole transmission offered--and it strains to extract power from the six. The next step upward is a a flex-fuel 4.8-liter Five-8 with 302 horsepower, only this engine too is aimed at fleet use and has the four-speed automatic.
For near buyers, the flex-fuel-capable five.3-liter V-viii, making 315 hp and with cylinder deactivation, is the best pick, with stiff acceleration and reasonable gas mileage. Standard in the fuel-saving Xtra Fuel Economic system (XFE) models and optional on other Sierras, this engine delivers a ripe exhaust notation, smart acceleration and the best non-hybrid fuel economic system of the lineup. It pairs with a six-speed automatic that shifts pretty smoothly, and helps information technology go that improved fuel economy while cutting down on dissonance.
A half dozen.2-liter, 403-hp V-8 is at the top of the range. It can run on E85 and is identical to the V-8 found in the Cadillac Escalade. Dispatch is downright baking when there's no cargo, and gas mileage is predictably very depression. But it remains the best option for those who tow heavy loads regularly.
Across the entire lineup, the Sierra can be had with either rear- or four-wheel drive; a single-range transfer instance is standard on base versions, while dual-range 4WD is an option. An "Autotrac" electronically controlled four-bike-bulldoze system is featured on Denali models. Towing ratings range upwards to ten,700 pounds.
The 2013 GMC Sierra Hybrid comes with a vastly more complex drivetrain, pairing a 6.0-liter Five-8 with cylinder deactivation to an electrically variable transmission (EVT) with two electric motor/generators, four fixed-ratio gears, and a 300-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery pack. Altogether, it makes the equivalent of 332 horsepower and 367 pound-feet of torque, giving the Hybrid acceleration pretty close to that of models outfitted with the 5.3-liter V-viii engine. There'southward an eerie smoothness to the way in which the Hybrid's powertrain goes about its business, and it can go about 25 mph for short distances with electrical power alone. Nearly the merely thing we don't like as much about the Hybrid is that its electric ability steering is more than vague in experience.
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Beyond the rest of the Sierra 1500 lineup, y'all get quick, almost carlike steering and well-sorted handling. It's one of the easiest full-size pickups to drive rapidly, thanks to chatty steering that's better than that in most other full-size pickups, though the Ford F-150'southward new electronic ability steering sets a new high-h2o marking amid trucks. Body lean is a given in any truck, but the Sierra manages it well, while providing a ride that's not jouncy or brittle, except possibly in the most extreme off-road versions.
The GMC Sierra rides well, but its seat comfort lags that of other full-size trucks.
The 2013 GMC Sierra isn't quite as comfy as some of its direct competitors, although cabin quality remains top-notch across nearly of the model lineup.
Rather flat, wide, and unsupportive front seats are at the root of why we find the Sierra non to exist all that comfy--especially for longer trips--even though they practice fit wide folks quite well. Crew Cab models also have a back seat that'due south more thinly padded than expected, with a seatback that'south too close to vertical. Six-rider versions accept a higher, more workmanlike dash that leaves plenty space beneath for a heart rider to detect decent leg room.
The Sierra can also exist configured as a five-seater, one with a large heart console that splits front passenger space, while information technology too give the nuance a more upscale appearance. Big controls and clear displays make the Sierra's climate and audio systems easy to decipher.In back, there's less expert news.
Three dissimilar trunk styles are available, too as 3 different bed lengths (four'-8", vi'-half dozen", and viii'), with the standard Regular Cab having very lilliputian space behind its front end seats for anything other than narrow objects. The Extended Cab gets a flake more room--enough for gear and tools--and a pair of rear-hinged access panels to make that space more than accessible. Sierra Crew Cabs have 4 forepart-hinged doors that can accommodate upwardly to half-dozen passengers.
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Route and current of air racket are quite low, either compared to other full-size pickups or to previous versions of GM'south trucks. And throughout virtually of the lineup, materials experience better than utility-grade, with high-end versions offering richer trims.
A strong prepare of safety features helps mask an otherwise unimpressive prepare of ratings.
The 2013 GMC Sierra has a puzzling mix of crash-test scores that might put some doubt into your mind, although its list list of safety engineering is reassuring.
Although safety scores hadn't yet been extended to the 2013 Sierra at the fourth dimension of posting, the 2012 model received a mix of five- and iv-star ratings from the federal government, depending on body styles. Crew Cab 4-doors become an overall rating of five stars, equally Regular and Extended Cab models earn 4 stars overall. Every Sierra gets the NHTSA'due south summit score for side-impact safety.
On the other hand, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) calls the Sierra'southward front-bear on protection "adept," and says its side protection is "acceptable"--but in a new roof-crush test, the Sierra gets a "marginal" rating.
Side curtain airbags, stability control, and anti-lock brakes are included in all Sierra models, as is OnStar hardware. Ability-adaptable pedals may help very short drivers get more comfortable, and we do recommend the optional rearview camera organisation, which tin can help visibility over the tall tailgate when backing up. Also for 2013, all Sierra models with the 6-speed automated transmission become a new grade braking feature to enhance stability when towing downhill.
There's stiff value for the money in base Sierra piece of work trucks, but Hybrid and Denali models are equipped like Cadillacs.
Truck shoppers considering the Sierra have vastly dissimilar expectations and needs, and then it'southward not surprisingly that this truck comes in hundreds of different configurations, with choices for everything from powertrains, trunk styles, bed lengths, trim levels, and options. On one manus, you can get a Sierra that merely does the task as a piece of work truck; or you could pay thousands more for a rugged off-road-capable truck or a lavish tow rig.
From Piece of work Truck editions, through SL, SLE and SLT versions, into the luxurious Denali versions, the 2013 Sierra gathers more equipment and progressively plusher interior appointments. At the base level there'south a minimum of standard gear:a basic AM/FM radio, and the option to delete it; vinyl bench seat; manual locks; and crank windows. Most Sierras have a standard USB port and an auxiliary jack for media player connectivity; Bluetooth is offered, too. More expensive Sierras now can be had with DVD navigation and real-time traffic information; a sunroof and a power-sliding rear window; 22-inch wheels; leather upholstery; fifty-fifty a factory-installed bedliner.
And at the height of the line, the Denali includes Bose premium sound, heated-and-cooled ability front seats, a heated steering wheel, ability-adaptable pedals, remote commencement, a universal remote, dual-zone climate control, rear parking assistance, a trailering package, and sideslip plates. Hybrid models are equipped nearly too every bit the Denali (with a navigation system, Bose audio, and leather in a Premium version), while for off-road specialists, the Sierra's All-Terrain package adds on tow hooks, skid plates, and rescue fittings.
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The 2013 GMC Sierra Hybrid remains a standout for gas mileage among full-size pickups, just the other models are unremarkable.
The 2013 GMC Sierra Hybrid is one of the most fuel-efficient total-size pickup trucks--although neither the base V-6 versions nor the other V-eight are particularly frugal.
As you might expect, the GMC Sierra Hybrid earns the best EPA gas mileage ratings, at 20/23 mpg. Just behind that, however, is the 5.three-liter V-8 edition, which has cylinder deactivation technology and half-dozen speeds in its transmission, plus an XFE model with aerodynamic add-ons. Information technology's rated as loftier 15/22 mpg--better than the Sierra with the base of operations 4.3-liter Five-6 and its 14/20 mpg. Both the V-6 versions and those with the 4.eight-liter engine take an outdated four-speed automated manual, which puts a dent in gas mileage. And the luxury-edition Denali'due south big V-viii is by no means, at xiii/18 mpg.
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Source: https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/gmc_sierra-1500_2013
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