2013 GMC Sierra

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 basic workhorse engine is a 195-horsepower, 4.3-liter V-6, meant mostly for fleets and very tight budgets; and it's underwhelming with its four-speed automatic transmission. There's a small-block, flex-fuel, 302-hp 4.8-liter V-8 on some low-mid trims, but it also comes with the four-speed and it's definitely worth moving up a notch to the flex-fuel 5.3-liter V-8 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 it's the basis for the Sierra XFE, the most efficient, non-hybrid Sierra you can buy. Top Denali models include a 6.2-liter, 403-hp, flex-fuel V-8 that's shared with the Cadillac Escalade; unfortunately the Escalade's thirst is also shared.

Four-wheel drive available on every body style and with every drivetrain, though the system on Denali models technically is on-demand "Autotrac" all-wheel drive. Like the Silverado, the Sierra has up to 10,700 pounds of towing capacity. 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 slow-selling Sierra Hybrid is often overlooked and deserves special mention. With its complex, two-mode 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 you get strong acceleration—close to the output found in the 5.3-liter V-8--but with eerily smooth, quiet acceleration. The Hybrid can run on battery power alone up to about 25 mph.

Depending on which body and powertrain configuration you’re looking at, the Sierra 1500 can haul a payload of up to 1,937 pounds, and with the 6.2-liter V8 and the maximum towing package, it can tow up to 10,700 pounds. If you need the ability to tow a heavier trailer, check out the Ford F-150, which can tow up to 11,300 pounds with the optional EcoBoost V6, or a heavy-duty pickup, all of which have higher tow ratings. Reviewers say that any of the V8 options available in the Sierra are up to the task of pulling a trailer. Trailer sway control is standard on the Sierra 1500, and an integrated trailer brake controller is available on most models.

  Vortec 4.3L V6 2WD    Vortec 4.8L VVT V8 2WD
Powertrain
Horsepower @ RPM 195 @ 4600 302 @ 5600
Torque @ RPM 260 @ 2800 305 @ 4600
Fuel Type Gas Gas/E85
 4-speed Automatic Transmission Standard
 6-speed Automatic Transmission
 Transfer Case, manual
 Transfer Case, automatic
 3.08 Rear axle ratio
 3.23 Rear axle ratio Standard
 3.42 Rear axle ratio
 3.73 Rear axle ratio
 Differential, Locking rear
 4-wheel antilock front disc/rear drum Standard
Fuel Economy
City (MPG) 15 14
Highway (MPG) 20 19
Fuel Tank Capacity (gal) 26 26
Steering & Suspension
 StabiliTrak Standard S
Front Suspension Independent, Coil-Over-Shock Independent, Coil-Over-Shock
Rear Suspension Two-Stage, Multi-Leaf Two-Stage, Multi-Leaf
 Turning Diameter (ft.) 39.7