2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD vs 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty

The 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty was a standout example of the full-size truck class. Everything about it screamed "biggie-biggie," with its oversized structure looking like it could easily consume smaller cars. The roots of the Super Duty traced back to its 2017 redesign, and the truck remained massive, featuring a big dual-bar grille and bulky, squared-off headlights that gave the front end a powerful aesthetic. The F-250 offered six trims: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited, each with its unique personality. The base XL trim prioritized functionality with dark plastic front bumpers and 17-inch steel wheels. The XLT bumpers were chrome and had 18-inch painted aluminum wheels. The Lariat had a sport styling package that included a unique black appearance for the grille and wheels, and the King Ranch stood out with chrome wheels and a two-tone paint scheme. The upscale Platinum and Limited trims included 20-inch wheels and body-color bumpers.

Inside the F-250, the cabin felt incredibly spacious and loaded with practical features like bins, cupholders, and rear-seat lockers in the Crew Cab. Basic XL trims had no-nonsense vinyl seats, crank-up windows, and a 4.2-inch SYNC infotainment system. From the XLT upwards, an 8-inch SYNC 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was standard. The Lariat trim offered a combination of luxury and practicality with leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, and an 8-inch color driver-information screen. The King Ranch added a western-themed interior with remote start and navigation, while the Platinum included massaging front seats. The Limited trim was fully loaded with every possible feature, including a panoramic moonroof.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD emphasized its immense size, placing function above form. No matter the trim—Base, SLE, SLT, or Denali—the truck was built for serious work. The Denali, distinct with its extensive chrome decor and Onyx Black color, was especially flashy. The Sierra 2500HD Denali had 8-lug chrome wheels and fitted an impressive chrome grille.

The Base Sierra came standard with a V8 engine and 7-inch touchscreen, while the SLE added 17-inch aluminum wheels, body-color door handles, and tinted glass. Inside, the SLE offered a 4.2-inch color driver-information screen and standard WiFi. The SLT improved aesthetics with 18-inch wheels and included a power-release tailgate with GMC's Multi-Pro six-way tailgate. The Denali trim boasted a leather interior, wood-grain inserts, navigation, wireless charging, and a Bose sound system, offering significant upgrades over the previous trims.

The 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty came with robust V8 powertrain options. The standard 6.2-liter V8 engine provided 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Our test truck featured the 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8, which produced an astonishing 450 horsepower and 935 pound-feet of torque. Despite these impressive figures, the diesel engine was also paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, resulting in moderate acceleration. The F-250, available in rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive, had a maximum towing capacity of 18,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 4,270 pounds. However, the truck felt over-sprung and ungainly without a heavy load, leading to a top-heavy feeling in corners and bumps. Our test drive resulted in an average fuel economy of just over 17 miles per gallon, which was better than the less capable 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali.

For the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD, two big 6.6-liter V8 engine options were available: one gas and one diesel. The gas engine produced 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, while the Duramax diesel engine delivered 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque, providing incredible low-end grunt. The gas engine came with a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel had a superior 10-speed Allison transmission, resulting in more responsive acceleration. Despite its heft, the Sierra 2500HD managed agility with astounding acceleration for a truck of this size. The Sierra 2500HD could tow up to 18,510 pounds when properly equipped and haul a payload of up to 3,979 pounds. Similar to the Ford, it did not have an EPA fuel-economy rating, but we averaged 16.5 miles per gallon during our test drive.

The 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available in multiple body styles. The regular cab was paired exclusively with an 8-foot bed, while the Super Cab offered both long and standard bed options. The Crew Cab model also provided these bed choices. This truck featured a single-rear-wheel configuration, with the higher F-350 model offering the dual-rear-wheel "Dually" configuration for maximum towing capabilities. Our Lariat test truck came with a standard bed and included features like an optional spray-in bed liner, bed LED lights, bed-mounted power outlets, and an adjustable tie-down system. Ford's integrated tailgate step was helpful, but GMC's integrated side and rear bumper steps were preferred for their simplicity and larger boot accommodation.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD boasted numerous cab and bed configurations, with regular, double, and crew cab options. The Denali trim, however, was only available in the crew cab with a choice of standard or long beds. Both bed sizes featured helpful steps at the rear bumper and ahead of the rear wheel well for easier access. The MultiPro tailgate, available on higher trims, offered six different configurations, including a large step for bed access. Inside, the truck was equipped with numerous cubbies, cupholders, and bins. SLT and higher trims featured a storage area under the rear seats for more significant item storage.

The 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty came standard with the SYNC infotainment system across all trims; however, the XL and XLT had a basic version with a small 4.2-inch screen and USB-C port. Higher trims offered the SYNC 3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Though straightforward and user-friendly, SYNC 3 lacked a home button for quick menu access. The Lariat trim added a premium B&O audio system with 10 speakers and a subwoofer, while the King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited trims included voice control and navigation.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD was equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen running the GMC Infotainment 3 system, which included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SLT and Denali trims had a larger 8-inch screen with available navigation. The Denali also included a fully digital 8-inch driver-information screen. The infotainment interface was easy to use, featuring customizable icons for a personalized experience. Compared to the massive screen of the new Ram 2500 Limited, the GMC’s system was more modest but provided all necessary functions without over-complicating the interface.

The 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty was equipped with a comprehensive array of safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and trailer-sway control. Higher trims included automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. Our test model also had a 360-degree camera system, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring, which were essential for maneuvering the truck in tight spaces.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Our test truck had the Driver Alert Package I, featuring front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Driver Alert Package II added forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. These features significantly aided the truck’s maneuverability and ensured safer driving, particularly in less populated areas.