2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD Review
2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD Review
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GMC Sierra 2500HD model years
GMC Sierra 2500HD types
- Crew Cab
- Regular Cab
- Extended Cab
See Edmunds pricing data
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Impressive hauling and towing capabilities
- refined and quiet ride
- solid build quality
- responsive steering.
Cons
- Small buttons on center stack
- some drivers may not like the seating position.
What’s new
For 2013, the GMC Sierra 2500HD gains a new bi-fuel-compatible 6.0-liter V8. This engine option allows owners to run either compressed natural gas (CNG) or gasoline.
Edmunds says
With its considerable capabilities and comfortable nature, the 2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD is an excellent choice for a heavy-duty truck.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD Work Truck 2dr Regular Cab LB (6.0L 8cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of N/A undefined in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
Not EPA tested for Sierra 2500HD Work Truck
Sierra 2500HD Work Truck
vs
$257/mo
Avg. Large Truck
Vehicle overview
Although GMC is known as the truck division of General Motors, it's no big secret that its vehicles are under-the-skin-twins to various Chevrolets. As such, the 2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD shares its Silverado relative's strengths and weaknesses. There's much more of the former than the latter, making the Sierra 2500HD a serious slugger in a game of heavy hitters.
A 2013 Sierra may not look much different from a 2007 (when it was last fully redesigned) but there have been plenty of steady improvements -- including a stouter frame, a more powerful turbodiesel engine, a new Allison transmission and a revised suspension – made since then. Altogether, these upgrades contribute to the current Sierra's comfortable ride, strong performance, confident handling and substantial hauling/towing capacities. How substantial? How about a maximum towing capacity approaching 18,000 pounds?
Pitted against the competition, the 2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD doesn't quite match the Ford F-250 Super Duty for all-out hauling and towing capacities, nor equal the Ram 2500 in terms of interior refinement. But the GMC boasts the best all-around performance and feels the most composed while towing a very heavy load, thanks to its more precise steering and arrow-straight tracking. Honestly, you can't lose by picking any one of these heavy-duty pickups, so your decision could likely come down to styling preference or brand allegiance.
Performance & mpg
The standard power plant for the 2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD is a 6.0-liter V8 engine that produces 360 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic is the only available transmission. New for 2013 is a bi-fuel option for this engine, allowing the truck to run on either gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG). When operating with CNG, power output drops to 301 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque.
An optional 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 is the engine of choice for those who plan on towing or hauling on a regular basis. This Duramax turbodiesel produces 397 hp and 765 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a beefier six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control. In Edmunds performance testing, a Sierra 2500HD with this engine accelerated from zero to 60 mph in a truly extraordinary 7 seconds. This engine uses a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) injection system for cleaner emissions.
Rear-wheel drive is standard for all models, with four-wheel drive optional. The Work Truck 4WD has a traditional floor-mounted transfer case. Optional on the 4WD Work Truck and standard on the other 4WD trims is Autotrac, a knob-controlled electric transfer case that features an automatic setting that engages 4WD when it detects wheel slippage.
Properly equipped, a 2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD can haul up to 4,212 pounds of payload and tow up to 13,000 pounds with its standard ball hitch, and 17,800 pounds with a fifth-wheel connection. Aiding trailering on downhill grades, the diesel engine also features a big-rig-inspired exhaust braking system to increase control and reduce brake wear.
Safety
The 2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD features antilock disc brakes, stability control, hill-start control and trailer sway control as standard. Front side and side curtain airbags are available as an option. Power-adjustable pedals and rear parking sensors are standard on the Denali (optional on others) and a rearview camera is available for all models.
In Edmunds brake testing, a 2500HD Denali came to a stop from 60 mph in 144 feet, which is long, but common for a heavy-duty truck.
Driving
The 2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD manages to provide a comfortable ride along with its strong work capacity thanks to its stiff frame and a suspension that can not only handle higher loads but also smooth out rough roads.
When stacked up against the Ford F-250 and the Ram 2500, the GMC 2500 has a few clear advantages. Superior steering precision compared to the Ford and a smaller turning circle than either rival are readily apparent and appreciated in everyday driving. And when towing a trailer, the Duramax turbodiesel accelerates with more authority and climbs grades with less diesel clatter, while also delivering superior fuel economy. When descending a grade, the Duramax's exhaust brake works with well-timed downshifts from the transmission to lend an edge in vehicle stability over the Ram.
Interior
As expected, the Work Truck has the most utilitarian interior of the lineup with vinyl seats, rubber floor covering and very little in the way of creature comforts. The SLE offers a more inviting cabin with cloth seats and carpeting, but both models come standard with a three-person front bench that requires a more trucklike dash. Opting for the bucket seats will add a center console with storage. The SLT and Denali are the classiest of the bunch.
The front seats are quite comfortable, though some drivers might find the driving position a bit awkward because of the tilt-only steering wheel (it's too close to the dash) and gas and brake pedals that are far apart in order to accommodate work boots. We're also not particularly fond of the small and finicky buttons on the higher trim's center stack.
The extended cab's rear fold-up seats are acceptable in terms of comfort but more suited for children. On the plus side, the extended cab's rear doors swing out 170 degrees to aid with loading the backseat in tight spaces. The crew cab also features a fold-up rear seat and is much roomier, but falls short on most dimensions when compared with the competition.
2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD models
The 2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD is offered in regular cab, extended cab or crew cab body styles. The regular cab is only available with a long bed (8 feet), while the extended and crew cabs also can be had in standard bed lengths (6.5 feet). Trim levels start at the base Work Truck and climb to the SLE, SLT and range-topping Denali.
The Work Truck trim level includes 17-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, cruise control, a trip computer, rubber floor coverings, a 40/20/40-split front bench with fold-down center armrest, vinyl upholstery, a tilt steering wheel and a four-speaker AM/FM stereo.
Stepping up to the SLE adds alloy wheels, tinted rear windows, keyless entry, full power accessories, carpeted floor coverings, cloth seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, driver-side lumbar adjustments, OnStar, satellite radio and a CD/MP3 player. Many of the SLE features are available on the Work Truck as options.
The SLT trim level is only offered on extended and crew cab body styles and augments the SLE's features list by adding 18-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a locking rear differential, a heavy-duty trailering package (with integrated trailer brake controller), heated mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, steering-wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, remote starting, heated leather front bucket seats with power adjustments, a front center console, Bluetooth and an upgraded Bose stereo system with a USB port. Some of these features are available as options for the SLE.
On top of the SLT features, the Denali will get you a four-bar chrome grille, chrome exterior accents, rear parking sensors, the EZ-lift tailgate, skid plates, power-adjustable pedals, heated and ventilated front seats and brushed metallic interior trim. Many of these features are available on lower trim levels as options.
Additional options are dependent on trim level and include 20-inch wheels, a protective bedliner, a stationary tool box, a sunroof, power-sliding rear window, a heated steering wheel, a navigation system, mobile WiFi, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system and a rearview camera. Four-wheel-drive models can add the Z71 Off-Road package (includes skid plates and off-road suspension components) and a Snow Plow Prep package.
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Starting MSRP$42,000
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*The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment. Dealer sets final price. Click here to see all GMC vehicles’ destination freight charges.
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*The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment. Dealer sets final price. Click here to see all GMC vehicles’ destination freight charges.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
3 out of 5 stars3/5Above Average
#10 out of 19 among Fullsize Trucks
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the GMC Sierra 2500HD from 2008-2022.$840/yr
vs. $752/yr
for Average Fullsize Truck
for Average Fullsize Truck
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).0.67x/yr
vs. 0.98x/yr
for Average Fullsize Truck
for Average Fullsize Truck
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).22.3%
vs. 19.9%
for Average Fullsize Truck
for Average Fullsize Truck
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD.
5 star(81%)
4 star(13%)
3 star(3%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(3%)
31 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.88 out of 5 stars
Very Pleased
Richard Smith, 07/08/2010
2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.0L 8cyl 6A)
Overall I am very pleased with this car and would prefer it to the rest in the bunch. The RAM did have a slightly better ride, but the towing capacity just wasn't up to par. There are several annoying things though:
1.The dash and center stack are kinda ugly and just dont look right
2.The headrest are in a akward position
3. The steering wheel doesn't telescope
4.38 out of 5 stars
StyleandComfort
lawnman24, 01/13/2013
2012 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.0L 8cyl 6A)
I traded my 2003 Chevy 2500HD 6.0 for a 2012 GMC. The truck is mocha with ebony interior. This truck is comfortable and looks very good at the same time. It was cheaper than a Ford but less powerful. I use the truck for my lawn care business and normally pull around 6000 pound trailers so the gas mileage is about 9-10 mpg without a trailer the mpg is still only 13-14. If you are pulling … heavy loads you will not like the 6.0 engine. For pulling my mowers, power is sufficient but it is not for heavy loads. The truck is very reliable and handles very well. I do look forward to seeing the new body style. I hope the new trucks have at least 400 HP and 400 pounds of torque.
4.75 out of 5 stars
It's big!
marty, 07/02/2010
2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE 2dr Regular Cab LB (6.0L 8cyl 6A)
My 1st 3/4 ton. I have the 6.0 gas with a 6 speed hydramatic. Everyone told me it would be a gas hog. I get an average of 18 mpg mixed driving. For a gasoline engine, it's a torque monster. I think it would pull a mountain. Very powerful acceleration, smooth and quiet for an HD truck. On a bumpy street, you will spill your coffee! It is a big, intimidating looking "AMERICAN" … vehicle. Nice standard features like the satellite radio, onStar and integrated trailer brakes. My only complaint is that the cab "creaks" when you hit a harsh bump. This is a truck for real truck lovers. Volvo, Honda and Toyota drivers stay way. This is a real truck, built to do a real truck's job.
4.75 out of 5 stars
Great "novelty" HD pick-up truck!
dmaxwellh, 08/20/2011
2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (6.0L 8cyl 6A)
No one really needs a heavy duty pick-up with cooled seats and a heated steering wheel, but wow, this truck makes me smile!
The driving dynamics are excellent, and I find the seating very comfortable, even on long hauls!
The exterior look is awesome, as well.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sierra 2500HD since its last redesign.
2013 Sierra 2500HD Highlights
Crew Cab
Work Truck
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $33,335 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Flex-fuel (ffv) |
Seating | 6 seats |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Max Towing Capacity | 13,000 lbs. |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Sierra 2500HD include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
- Post-collision safety system
NHTSA Overall Rating
2 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall2 / 5Driver2 / 5Passenger2 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall2 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5PassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat2 / 5Back SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover20.4%
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