Used 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 for Sale nearDes Moines, IA

How much does the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 cost?

Prices have softened 8.57% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 6,812 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing trims and prices.

Is the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 a good car?

Generally — the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 earns a 4.3/5 user rating and an 8.3/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Form and function at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise the spacious interior, advanced technology, strong performance, smooth ride, and the range of available options. The truck is also described as comfortable and useful for everyday life, with a cabin that can feel SUV-like in how usable it is.

The main trade-offs are that advanced safety features are not standard, and some owners reported engine-related frustrations, including oil burning and recalls. It fits you best if you want a truck that can handle worksite duties and the daily commute without feeling stripped down.

Good and great deals account for 34.4% of listings, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.3/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owners’ feedback points to a truck that many people find dependable over time, with praise for its strong performance and comfortable daily use. The expert review also emphasizes that the Sierra is built around practical, usable truck hardware and straightforward controls, which supports confidence in long-term ownership.

If you’re shopping used, the main risk is that some trucks may have engine-related issues in their history, so a careful inspection and service-record review matter.

What should I look for when buying a used 2020 GMC Sierra 1500?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the vehicle history report carefully, because accident-free status does not guarantee a trouble-free truck. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on engine condition, signs of wear, and whether the truck’s equipment matches the way you plan to use it. It also helps to compare trim content closely, since the Sierra’s equipment spread is wide.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Base truck comes decently equipped with a V6 engine, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port, and LED “light blade” headlights. Moving up to the SLE adds an additional USB port, a WiFi hotspot, a larger 8-inch touchscreen, and remote keyless entry. The Elevation adds heated front seats, remote engine start, and a heated steering wheel, while the SLT adds many of those features with more classic chrome styling. The AT4 is the off-road-oriented version with all-terrain tires and red tow hooks, and the Denali adds a head-up display, navigation, and wireless device charging.
• Powertrain: The Sierra offers five engines, including a 4.3-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque, a 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 310 hp and 348 lb-ft, a 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft, a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft, and a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. Every engine routes power through an automatic transmission to rear-wheel drive or available 4WD.
• Safety package: Standard safety features include a reversing camera, traction control, and a full array of front- and side-impact airbags. Available driver assistance features include a vivid surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. Some of these features are not standard.
• Infotainment: The Base truck has a 7-inch touchscreen, while the SLE gets a larger 8-inch touchscreen. The system includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a sensible menu layout with tactile controls. Wireless charging and a head-up display are available on higher trims.
• Fuel efficiency: The AT4 returns 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 17 combined. The 2.7-liter turbo returns 20/23/21, the turbodiesel with rear-wheel drive returns 23/30/26, and the 5.3-liter V8 with rear-wheel drive returns 17/24/20.

Which 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 trim should I buy?

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 is offered in 6 trim levels: Base, SLE, Elevation, SLT, Denali, AT4.

Here's the short version:

• Base: This is the most affordable entry point and already gives you a V6, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, a USB port, and LED headlights. It makes sense if you want the Sierra’s core utility without paying for extras.
• SLE: This adds an extra USB port, a WiFi hotspot, an 8-inch touchscreen, and remote keyless entry, plus access to more option packages. It’s the best-value choice if you want a more complete daily driver without jumping too far up the price ladder.
• Elevation: This trim adds a more distinctive look with body-color exterior pieces, 20-inch wheels, black accents, heated front seats, remote engine start, and a heated steering wheel. It suits you if style and comfort matter as much as capability.
• SLT: This trim keeps many of the Elevation’s comfort features but with more classic chrome styling and a more road-friendly setup. It’s the trim to consider if you want a well-equipped truck that feels more comfortable on pavement.
• Denali: This is the luxury-focused trim, with chrome accents, 22-inch wheels, a head-up display, navigation, and wireless device charging. It fits you if you want the most upscale Sierra experience.
• AT4: This is the off-road-oriented trim, with all-terrain tires, red tow hooks, beefed-up skid plates, upgraded suspension components, hill-descent control, knobby off-road tires, and Rancho off-road shocks. It’s the right pick if you want rugged capability and don’t mind a rougher ride.

Advanced safety features are available, but they are not standard.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2020 GMC Sierra 1500?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but should move quickly on strong listings.

• Deal availability: 34.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 6,812 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.57% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $32,581, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500's resale value?

The current average of $32,581 sits slightly below last year's $35,634.

That price movement suggests the market has cooled, which can help you buy more confidently now but may temper near-term resale upside. If you plan to sell later, the current softness means your return will depend heavily on trim, condition, mileage, and maintenance history.

The Sierra’s broad appeal and strong owner satisfaction should help support demand when it’s time to resell. Well-kept trucks with desirable equipment and clean history reports should hold up better than average.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.3/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 safe?

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 earns a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard safety features include a reversing camera, traction control, and a full array of front- and side-impact airbags. Available driver assistance features include forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, a surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, and the rear camera mirror.

Advanced safety features are not standard, so you’ll want to check carefully whether the truck you’re considering includes the driver-assistance equipment you want.

Should I buy a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2020 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2020 if:

• 34.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.57% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.3/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• It blends pickup utility with SUV-like comfort and easy-to-use technology.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $30,822, the 2019 costs less than the current year's $32,581 average.
• It was completely redesigned and feels bigger, more capable, and more useful.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $34,220, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $32,581 average.
• It adds unique features like an optional carbon-fiber composite cargo bed.

The bottom line: Choose the 2020 if you want the strongest mix of value, comfort, and available equipment in this price window. If you’re especially price-sensitive, the 2019 is the better budget path, while the 2021 makes sense if you want the newer-year updates and are willing to pay more.

How does the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 compare to the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2020 GMC Sierra 1500:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Easy-to-use technology.
• Cons: Advanced safety features are not standard.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Comfortable.
• Cons: Advanced safety features are not standard, Poor value for money.

Our experts score the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 8.3/10 and the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 7.2/10. The Sierra comes out ahead on expert scoring, while both trucks share the same core engine and fuel-economy specs. The Silverado’s lower average used price and larger listing count may appeal if you want to spend less, but the Sierra offers the stronger overall expert verdict.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.