The GMC model, for the uninitiated, is General Motors’ barely extra luxurious model of Chevrolet. Though their underpinnings and powertrain choices are equivalent, GMC automobiles supply a extra elegant exterior design, higher supplies, extra normal options, and a singular inside. Okay, distinctive could be a stretch, however late-model GMCs are definitely extra distinguishable from their Chevy counterparts than up to now.

Like their bow-tie-badged stablemates, the GMC Sierra and 1500 have been very competent performers over the past quarter-century. That stated, a truck’s means to tow and haul cannot be utilized if the truck is within the store. The Sierra 1500 has a 3.5/5.0 reliability rating on Repair Pal, the 2500 a 3/5, and the 3500 a 2.5/5.0. The mid-size GMC Canyon scored a extra spectacular 4/5.

Despite the excellent news for General Motors followers, this does not imply the Sierra or Canyon are with out flaws. Hopefully, this checklist will allow you to goal essentially the most dependable years and powertrain choices for the potential you require.

In order to provide the latest and correct info doable, the information used to compile this text was sourced from varied producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with Media.gmc.com, CarComplaints.com, and Repairpal.com. Cars.com and J.D.Power.com have been each utilized to supply the reliability scores by which every mannequin is ranked from lowest to highest. Each automobile is ranked with consideration given to towing capability and reliability.

10 2018 GMC Sierra 2500 6.0L

Reliability Score: 74/100 (J.D.Power)

Towing is a high precedence for truck consumers, and although the 6.0-Liter Vortec is a fuel engine, it nonetheless tows a powerful 14,500 kilos! A 6.2-Liter fuel V-8 geared up Ford F-250 can tow as much as 15,000 kilos, however solely with a 4.30 rear gearing; with 3.73, 13,300 kilos is all you are getting.

It’s an analogous story for the 2018 Ram 2500, which does beat out the Sierra’s towing capability with its extra aggressive 4.10 closing drive, however with its base 3.73, it tows slightly below 13,000 kilos. Clearly, American vans on this section are fairly aggressive, however as a result of the 2018 Sierra 2500 6.0-Liter solely comes with a 4.10 closing drive, buying within the used market might be a bit extra streamlined.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from media.gmc.com)

The 2018 mannequin yr is the final yr (the second to final yr of the HD vans) of the fourth-generation GMC Sierra. Typically, the ultimate years of a era are the most certainly to have all of the kinks ironed out. The 2018 Sierra is an envoy for this car-buying truism, boasting the lowest number of issues reported on CarComplaints for the GMT-K2XX era.

Though the 74/100 reliability rating is a notch decrease than the remainder of the fashions on this checklist, the 6.0-Liter Vortec, although a bit old style, has been reported to be a extremely reliable and brawny powerplant. It can tow and haul a powerful quantity with out the monetary concern a diesel represents when upkeep and gas prices come knocking.

9 2007 GMC Sierra 1500 Classic

Reliability Score: 80/100 (J.D.Power)

What checklist in regards to the reliability of a General Motors truck can be full and not using a consultant of the GMT-800 chassis? If you are a GM truck man, we’re guessing certainly one of these is already in your shortlist. The GMT-800 was on sale between 1999 and 2006 however was bought in 2007 because the “Classic.”

Despite having been on sale lower than twenty years in the past, this period of GM vans is shortly changing into a basic within the extra conventional sense. The 2007 GMC Sierra Classic is the final of the Sierra line to come back devoid of the dreaded “Active Fuel Management.” Simply put, AFM permits half of the cylinders to be deactivated throughout sure driving circumstances in an effort to save gas.

While the concept is implausible in precept, its execution resulted in some AFM-equipped vehicles experiencing excessive oil consumption, AFM lifter failure that may probably result in additional engine injury, and even misfires leading to engine hesitation and stalling. Given the “Classic” doesn’t have AFM, any points ensuing from the system are averted by going with these older vans.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from media.gmc.com)

The 2007 Sierra Classic on this checklist isn’t solely presumed to be fairly dependable given the repute of its 5.3L LS-based small block V-8, but it surely’s additionally the Sierra 1500 with the bottom annual restore price at $470, based on Repair Pal. The common restore price between 2007 and 2018 is $679, so the 2007 Classic is kind of low-cost regardless of its age.

Additionally, although the 4L60-E transmission is not thought to be essentially the most sturdy transmission, many homeowners report points being extra prevalent with modified engines. Admittedly, although charming to some needing a extra analog machine, the age of this mannequin does imply the know-how is at a naked minimal, so if that may be a deal-breaker, you could need to go for one other truck on the checklist.

8 2020 GMC Canyon V-6

Reliability Score: 80/100 (J.D.Power)

Not everybody wants a full-size pickup truck. Some people require some primary utility within the type of mattress area and sufficient towing capability to tow an RV or small trailer. As full-size vans price each arms and each legs today, a mid-size pickup could be the ideal compromise. The GMC Canyon, when fitted with a V-6, tows a wholesome 7,000 kilos.

Though edged out by the Ford Ranger (when geared up with the elective trailer tow package deal) and Jeep Gladiator, the Canyon tows greater than The V-6 Toyota Tacoma, Honda Ridgeline, and Nissan Frontier. Despite the Ranger’s barely larger towing capability, sure truck consumers might want the bigger displacement V-6 provided within the Canyon over the two.3-Liter Ecoboost four-cylinder within the Ranger.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from media.gmc.com)

In addition to being cheaper to buy than a full-size pickup, the Canyon can be cheaper to keep up and restore. Not solely does the Canyon rating a 4/5 on Repair Pal, however Repair Pal additionally stories the average annual repair cost of the second-generation Canyon to be $548.

According to CarComplaints, the early years of the present era have been riddled with transmission and energy steering issues, however by 2020, issues appear to have been sorted out. The 2020 mannequin yr seems to be one of many least problematic on file, has a really respectable towing capability, and, not like the 2007 Sierra, advantages from trendy creature comforts, together with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

7 2020 GMC Sierra 1500

Reliability Score: 84/100 (J.D.Power)

Modernity is great – full cease. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, adaptive cruise, heated and ventilated seats, cameras galore, and even a substitute for “Active Fuel Management” known as “Dynamic Fuel Management.” Instead of shutting off a single financial institution of the V-8, DFM can shut off two, 4, or primarily any of seventeen mixtures of cylinders in an effort to save essentially the most gas.

This presents potential future points based mostly on GM’s rollout of AFM, however DFM is a bit too new to make claims about its long-term viability. Thus far, J.D. Power has rated the presumed reliability extremely, and CarComplaints has no noteworthy stories in addition to just a few recollects that each potential purchaser ought to examine earlier than shopping for any automobile.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from media.gmc.com)

Thankfully, along with the great options discovered within the 2020 GMC Sierra, you also get some serious towing capability. The 6.2-Liter V-8 packs fairly a punch and might tow over 12,000 kilos when geared up with NHT, which is GM’s “max trailering package” that may be geared up with sure specs.

Even with out the NHT, the Sierra can nonetheless tow 9,100 kilos, which is probably going greater than sufficient for the typical shopper. Though any new and complex engine administration know-how is a danger, to this point, the 2020 GMC Sierra is trying like a strong guess concerning reliability. Besides, with out DFM, we in all probability would not be given the privilege of naturally aspirated V8 goodness.

6 2011 GMC Canyon 3.7L

Reliability Score: 85/100 (J.D.Power)

In the spirit of shopping for what you want, the five-cylinder GMC Canyon of the primary era is a wonderful possibility for the customer who wants Honda Ridgeline capability however would not need to spend Honda Ridgeline cash. When fitted with the three.7-Liter Vortec inline five-cylinder, the Canyon can really tow greater than a brand new Honda Ridgeline at a really cheap 5,500 kilos.

This is the least succesful truck on the checklist, however towing 10,000 plus kilos isn’t on each potential truck purchaser’s checklist of “must-haves.” Besides, what’s the smartest thing concerning the first-generation GMC Canyon? It’s really mid-size. If you want a small truck for towing a small boat, take a Miata to the observe, or haul some mulch within the mattress, the Canyon will not take up a lot area in your driveway, and it will not break the financial institution both.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from media.gmc.com)

A used 2011 Canyon can be purchased for around $10,000 or less, and based on Repair Pal, it would solely set you again an estimated $528 in annual restore payments. The early 3.5-Liter five-cylinder powerplant has been reported to have points with the cylinder head design, which the three.7-Liter is reported to have remedied, so we advocate going with a 2007 or newer.

That stated, the yr with the least reported issues on CarComplaints is the 2011 mannequin yr. Inexplicably, a V-6 Tacoma will get higher gas economic system, however the five-cylinder Canyon is a superb selection for a bit utility truck that ought to have the ability to final fairly a very long time on a restricted finances.

5 2013 GMC Sierra 1500

Reliability Score: 86/100 (J.D.Power)

2013 is the ultimate yr of the GMT-900 chassis vans, which unsurprisingly resulted in certainly one of this era’s least problematic years, based on CarComplaints. There are just a few stories of extreme oil consumption, most certainly as a result of aforementioned “Active Fuel Management,” however these points appear much less prevalent in 2013.

If you need to keep away from AFM within the 2013 mannequin yr, you’ll be able to go for the 4.3L V-6 or the 4.8L V-8. Unfortunately, this explicit yr is topic to the infamous Takata airbag recall, so be sure that it has been sorted out earlier than buying certainly one of these vans.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from media.gmc.com)

Recalls apart, the 2013 Sierra 1500 ought to solely set you again $693 yearly, based on RepairPal, and J.D. Power gives it an impressive 86/100 for reliability. If you’ll be able to sustain with the upkeep and any repairs wanted, the 5.3L engine will assist you to tow practically 10,000 kilos and obtain practically the identical gas economic system because the five-cylinder Canyon. The 2013 1500 is an efficient mixture of old-school simplicity with greater than a splash of contemporary tech and security, making it a wonderful possibility for a reliable work truck.

4 2023 GMC Sierra 2500HD Duramax

Reliability Score: 87/100 (J.D.Power)

The 2023 GMC Sierra 2500 has an exceptional 18,500-pound towing capacity, and the huge diesel engine produces a torque quantity simply south of 1,000. Obviously, the specs are hilariously spectacular, however the upkeep will doubtless be barely much less humorous. The Duramax below the hood of this 2500 is known as the LP5.

The LP5 is taken into account to be a fairly dependable energy plant, however with trendy diesel emissions, the upkeep will doubtless be round $1,000 yearly. Repair Pal would not but have information for any 2500 after 2017, however based mostly on out there information from earlier years, we suspect it is going to be someplace between $800 and $1200 yearly to maintain these on the highway. It’s value noting that, although costly, this does not signify a big deviation from the price of another trendy diesel truck.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from gmc.com)

Though this truck is each costly to purchase and preserve, it does the job it was designed for. This will definitely not attraction to the identical purchaser because the 2007 1500 Sierra Classic beforehand listed, but it surely does come full of all the trendy goodies. If you go for the Denali trim, you may be swaddled in lovely leather-based as you drive down the freeway with adaptive cruise management, barely conscious of the six Toyota GR86s you are towing behind you. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are nonetheless out there for the 2023 mannequin yr.

3 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 6.2L

Reliability Score: 89/100 (J.D.Power)

If you desire a extra trendy truck with a big displacement V-8 and concurrently need to keep away from any potential points from AFM, the 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 geared up with the 6.2-Liter Vortec V-8 is the appropriate software for the job.

The 6.2-Liter in query additionally known as the L9H, was a non-AFM possibility for Sierra and Silverado consumers by way of the 2013 mannequin yr. Of the GMT-900 era vans, 2012 has the least number of reported issues on CarComplaints. Being a 2012, this Sierra can be affected by the Takata airbag recall, in order with the 2013 Sierra 1500, that’s one thing to think about earlier than buy.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from media.gmc.com)

The excellent news is that RepairPal stories the 2012 mannequin yr to have an annual restore price of solely $666. That is a comparatively small value to pay for a truck that may tow simply shy of 11,000 kilos. With a theoretically trouble-free engine, plenty of grunt, and a low annual restore price, the 2012 Sierra 1500 is all the pieces the 2013 1500 5.3L is, plus a bit further.

2 2007 GMC Sierra 3500 Classic Duramax

Reliability Score: 4.7/5.0 (Cars.com)

Having a GMT-800 on this checklist is good, however having a GMT-800 with an LBZ Duramax is a should. The LBZ is the final of the Duramax engines to not be saddled with trendy emission controls. Now, this is not essentially nice for the native air high quality, however it’s good for simplicity and sturdiness.

The LBZ has the respect of being thought of, by some homeowners, to be some of the dependable diesels of the period. Though its 12,000-pound towing capability cannot come near maintaining with the brand new LP5, the 5,511-pound payload capability remains to be very aggressive with trendy vans.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from media.gmc.com)

Repair Pal estimates the annual repair cost of the 2007 GMC Sierra 3500 Classic to be only $625. Given the following most cost-effective 3500 is estimated at $901 yearly, the 3500 Classic reveals the ability of old-school simplicity. With practically no points reported on CarComplaints, the 3500 Classic is way from assembly a contemporary truck purchaser’s tech and luxurious expectations. That stated, for those who want a sturdy hauler that does truck stuff, the LBZ-equipped 3500 is about pretty much as good because it will get.

1 2016 GMC Sierra 3500HD Duramax

Reliability Score: 4.8/5.0 (Cars.com)

Under the hood of the 2016 3500HD is a 6.6-Liter LML Duramax. Though the LML is supplied with extra trendy emissions gear, homeowners report constructive experiences over the course of their possession. A extra trendy truck with a extra trendy diesel does have just a few drawbacks.

Repair Pal stories the annual price of possession to be $1,082. Admittedly, this can be a price enhance your pockets will discover over the LBZ, however the 2016 3500 is much better suited to every day use. Notably, 2016 is the primary yr for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, which is a necessity for a lot of potential consumers.

Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from media.gmc.com)

In addition to the trendy facilities and usefulness, the 2016 3500HD is a way more succesful tow rig than older diesel choices. With a minimal towing capability of over 17,000 kilos, the LML-powered Sierra can sort out most jobs. The 2016 mannequin yr is not the final of this era, but it surely would not have a single reported situation on CarComplaints, which is more likely to be a superb signal for long-term possession. A great combine of contemporary and old style, the 2016 Sierra 3500 is a worthy entry to high the checklist.