2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs 2020 GMC Sierra 1500

Spend enough time reading about new cars, and you may realize that some corners of the auto market appear to be in the middle of a modern-day arms race. One particular corner is that of the full-size truck market. It seems like every year, the American Big Three automakers each attempt to one-up one another with horsepower, torque, payload, and towing numbers that seemingly have no end in sight.

But beyond these monstrous numbers, the modern work truck has become more comfortable and sophisticated than ever. Just look at the 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty. Still a brutish machine designed for serious work, it's also available in several trims worthy of luxury-car status.

Automakers know that just because a truck is designed for work doesn’t mean it can’t include some creature comforts. The only issue becomes price, and some of the invoices on trucks can get out of hand fast. So, does the F-250 Super Duty make practical and financial sense for folks who need a heavy-duty truck, or is this modern era of pickups one of overpriced overkill?

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It’s no surprise that trucks have improved and evolved over the years. After all, think about an average sedan from the early 1980s compared with a modern 2020 vehicle. Yet because pickup trucks are largely confined to a common shape, many shoppers are still surprised to see how nice they have become. This is especially true if your memory of trucks includes a vinyl bench seat.

Modern trucks heavily incorporate utility-minded innovations. Cargo-management tools, side steps, and bed steps make for a more useful vehicle. Under the hood, turbocharging has made V6 and even 4-cylinder engines usable, delivering the power of the larger engines they aim to supplant. And finally, cabins have become nicer and more comfortable than previously imagined for a pickup.

This evolution speaks to how trucks get used as family vehicles that can also do work. There are the work trucks, but there are also trucks like the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500, which has many of the creature comforts of SUVs and crossovers. It says “I want a truck, but I could probably be used as a minivan.”

But somewhere in the middle sits Sierra's AT4 trim. It’s comfortable, sure, but it’s also capable. Does that make it a good fit for both the worksite and the daily commute?