2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD vs 2020 Ford Ranger

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD had a polarizing design that many found unattractive. Its exterior was part of the same design language as the Camaro and Blazer, which had received mixed reviews. Despite initial impressions, the Silverado's design started to grow on some reviewers over time. The interior, however, remained largely unchanged from previous models, which was seen as a positive. The cabin layout was familiar and functional, with all controls easily accessible. The Silverado HD was available in multiple trims, each offering various features and upgrades, from the basic Work Truck to the luxurious High Country.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford Ranger returned to the American market with a design influenced by its international version. It had a clean, somewhat aggressive appearance that avoided the "bigger-and-blockier" trend of American trucks. Inside, the Ranger's cabin was functional but not particularly welcoming, with hard plastics that could withstand abuse. The Ranger was available in three trims: XL, XLT, and Lariat, each offering different levels of features and comfort. The XLT trim was recommended for its balance of features and price, while the Lariat offered upscale touches like leather upholstery and a premium sound system.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD offered two powerful V8 engine options, both displacing 6.6 liters. The standard gas V8 produced 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, while the optional Duramax turbodiesel V8 delivered 445 horsepower and a massive 910 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and could be configured with rear-wheel drive or available four-wheel drive. The diesel engine, while not as responsive as the gas V8, provided impressive towing capabilities, with the Silverado 2500HD able to tow up to 18,500 pounds. Fuel economy was not officially rated, but the truck achieved around 17 mpg during testing.

The 2020 Ford Ranger came equipped with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission and could be configured with rear-wheel drive or available four-wheel drive. The Ranger's turbo engine provided plenty of power for low-speed driving and highway passing. It could tow up to 7,500 pounds when properly equipped and had a payload capacity of up to 1,860 pounds. The Ranger offered off-road packages like the FX2 and FX4, which added features like off-road tires, an electronically locking rear differential, and skid plates.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD was available in various bed and cab configurations, including a Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab. The Crew Cab offered a spacious interior with massive cubbies and trays for gear. The rear seats folded up to reveal a flat load floor and additional storage. The Silverado also featured Chevrolet's CornerSteps and BedSteps, making it easier to access the bed. The LTZ trim came with a power lift-and-lower tailgate, which could be operated from the key fob or a button in the cabin.

The 2020 Ford Ranger was available in SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations. The SuperCab had a 2+2 layout with rear-opening clamshell half-doors, while the SuperCrew had a full four-door design with seating for five. The SuperCab's rear seats were tight and more suitable for children, while the SuperCrew offered more comfortable seating for adults. Both configurations provided ample storage, with deep in-door pockets, a center console bin, and additional storage cubbies. The Ranger's bed options included a six-foot bed for the SuperCab and a five-foot bed for the SuperCrew, with available features like a remote locking tailgate and LED bed lighting.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD featured a straightforward infotainment system. The Work Truck and Custom trims came with a 7-inch touchscreen, while the LT, LTZ, and High Country trims had an 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The truck also had multiple USB ports and power outlets, with a wireless charging pad available on higher trims. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was standard on the LT, LTZ, and High Country trims and optional on the Custom and Work Truck trims.

The 2020 Ford Ranger's base XL trim had a basic AM/FM stereo with four speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port. It also included FordPass Connect, which allowed for remote locking, unlocking, and starting, as well as WiFi hotspot capability. The XLT trim upgraded to SYNC 3 with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Lariat trim featured a premium B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen with ten speakers.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD came with a reversing camera, traction control, and a full array of airbags. The LTZ trim added a surround-view camera with trailer views and the available Safety Package II, which included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Safety Package I, available on lower trims, included front and rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring. The truck's large side mirrors with integrated wide-angle mirrors were particularly helpful for maneuvering.

The 2020 Ford Ranger came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, a child-seat anchoring system, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. It also included automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, and pedestrian detection. The XLT trim added Ford CoPilot 360, which included lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse parking sensors. The Ranger earned top scores in most IIHS crash tests and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA. However, it had one recall related to the ten-speed automatic transmission.