2013 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE

The Sierra 2500HD is GMC's heavy-duty pickup, the one you pick when you need serious towing and payload capacity beyond what a half-ton offers. It drives like a proper work truck: a firm, commanding ride and a steering feel that's heavy but predictable, which you'll appreciate when you're loaded up. Inside, the cabin is straightforward and durable, with hard plastics that shrug off work-site abuse, and the available crew cab gives you real space for passengers. Reliability is a strong point for this generation, though some owners mention the occasional electrical glitch, like a finicky door lock actuator. The SLE splits the difference between the basic Work Truck and the luxury Denali, adding carpeting, cruise control, and power windows without the chrome and leather of the top trims. Its 6.6L V8 makes 360 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque, routed through a six-speed automatic to four-wheel drive, and you feel that torque low in the rev range when pulling a heavy trailer. The SLE includes a tow-haul mode that holds gears longer and firms up shifts, and with the 4WD system you get a manual-locking transfer case for off-road creep work.