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

In 2020, the Ford F-250 Super Duty introduced subtle updates that were instantly recognizable to dedicated Ford aficionados. The front bumper featured more black paint and less chrome bling, and the redesigned massive grille replaced the former two-bar design with a more refined look. This change led to sleeker headlights, making the 2020 model appear more restrained while maintaining the robust, imposing presence that Super Duty trucks are known for. The diverse trim levels, including XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited, allowed for significant variation in appearance. The base XL had a black grille and bumpers with 17-inch steel wheels. The XLT added chrome touches and 18-inch alloy wheels, while the Lariat introduced fog lights, different wheels, and power-telescoping mirrors.

The King Ranch trim stood out with its unique two-tone paint job and chrome-accented running boards, side mirrors, and door handles. Meanwhile, the Platinum trim featured 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, and a lower front air dam for improved aerodynamics, along with chrome window treatments and power-retractable running boards. The Limited trim further elevated luxury with a satin-chrome grille and other high-end touches. The Tremor package added a rugged flair with dark grille and wheels, plus off-road tires and enhancements.

Inside, the F-250 showcased a practical yet somewhat industrial interior. The base XL model included essentials like air conditioning, vinyl upholstery, and an AM/FM/MP3 stereo. Stepping up to the XLT brought additional comfort features such as cloth seating and a 4.2-inch color screen with the SYNC 3 infotainment system. The Lariat added leather upholstery and a more refined interior, while the King Ranch's saddle leather seats and unique stitching offered a more luxurious experience. The Platinum and Limited trims included first-class features like massaging seats and a panoramic moonroof.

In comparison, the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 carried over its 2019 redesign with only minor tweaks. The Sierra maintained its classic, understated lines reminiscent of the "GMT 400" trucks, embodying a timeless stoicism. The interior layout remained nearly identical to the previous generation, ensuring all controls were within easy reach. Available in Base, SLE, Elevation, SLT, Denali, and AT4 trims, the Sierra offered options for various preferences.

The Base trim included essentials like a V6 engine and a 7-inch touchscreen. The SLE added another USB port, a WiFi hotspot, and remote keyless entry. The Elevation trim, available in double-cab and crew-cab configurations, offered body-color accents and 20-inch wheels, along with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The SLT provided classic chrome styling and many of the same features. The AT4 trim was geared towards off-road enthusiasts with all-terrain tires and red tow hooks, while the Denali epitomized luxury with exterior chrome, 22-inch wheels, HUD, navigation, and wireless charging.

Overall, the Sierra's interior also emphasized functionality with clear controls and an intuitive layout. Higher trims included upscale touches like the AT4’s black leather seats with brown accents. The Denali consistently set the luxury benchmark with its abundant features and refined materials.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty came with three powerful engine options designed for heavy-duty performance. The standard 6.2-liter V8 gasoline engine produced 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. An alternative 7.3-liter gas V8 offered 430 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. The most potent option was the 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8, generating 475 horsepower and an astounding 1,050 pound-feet of torque. The gas engines were mated to a new 10-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel V8 used a six-speed automatic. The F-250 was capable of towing up to 30,000 pounds when equipped with the diesel engine, proper axle ratios, and the High Capacity Tow Package.

Despite its robust power, the Super Duty’s ride quality was compromised by its stiff suspension, designed to handle heavy loads. It felt chattery over bumps and top-heavy on corners but excelled in towing and hauling. Off-road enthusiasts could opt for the FX4 off-road package or the Tremor package, the latter offering a 2-inch lift and 33-inch off-road tires.

For the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500, there were five engine options. The base 4.3-liter V6 delivered 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque. A new 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine produced 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet of torque. The 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel, another new addition, provided 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Two V8 options were available: the 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque and the powerful 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. All engines routed power through an automatic transmission to either the rear wheels or an optional 4WD system with low range.

The Sierra’s big V8 delivered impressive acceleration and power at all speeds, with the capability to tow up to 12,100 pounds. The AT4 trim added off-road proficiency with beefed-up skid plates, upgraded suspension, and hill-descent control, making it adept on rugged trails. However, this off-road prowess resulted in a rough on-road ride, with significant chassis chatter over uneven surfaces.

The Sierra offered a range of fuel economies across its engines and trims, from 23/30/26 mpg for the turbodiesel with RWD to 15/19/17 mpg for the AT4 with the 6.2-liter V8.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available in multiple configurations to suit varying needs. Buyers could choose from the Regular Cab, extended SuperCab, or the full four-door Crew Cab. Bed sizes included a 6-foot-9-inch or an 8-foot option. The cabin was designed with functionality in mind, featuring deep cup holders, large cubbies, and a massive center console capable of storing tools or a laptop. The SuperCrew and Crew Cab models offered fold-up rear seats, creating a flat load floor for bulkier items.

In terms of cargo capacity, the F-250 boasted impressive payload and towing figures. The maximum towing capacity reached up to 30,000 pounds with the right configuration.

On the other hand, the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 could be purchased with a single cab and a long bed, a double cab with a standard bed, or a full four-door crew cab. The crew cab was available with either a standard or a short bed. Notable features included GMC’s new carbon-fiber bed, which reduced weight and improved fuel efficiency. The innovative MultiPro tailgate provided six different functions for versatility, from a bed extender to a step into the truck bed. The cabin offered ample storage, with numerous cupholders and cubbies, and the rear seats folded upwards for additional interior cargo space.

When comparing payload and towing, the Sierra 1500 had a competitive edge with a maximum towing capacity of 12,100 pounds, a bit lower than the F-250 but sufficient for most needs.

The base 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty included a straightforward AM/FM/MP3 radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB-C port. Moving up to the XLT trim added extras like satellite radio, additional USB-C ports, and the intuitive SYNC 3 infotainment system, which included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All trims came standard with FordPass Connect, offering a Wi-Fi hotspot and the ability to control various functions via a smartphone app. Higher trims included more advanced features like voice-activated navigation, ambient lighting, and a panoramic moonroof.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500's infotainment system prioritized simplicity and ease of use, featuring clear graphics and large icons. The system consisted of tactile controls for both the radio and climate, separate from the touchscreen functions. Trims like the AT4 included a head-up display (HUD), wireless charging, and multiple USB ports. While the Sierra’s infotainment system might not be as flashy as some competitors with massive screens, it provided user-friendly, straightforward controls.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty came with standard safety features such as front- and side-impact airbags, trailer sway control, hill start assist, and AdvanceTrac traction control with roll stability control. Optional safety technologies included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system. Unfortunately, the Super Duty had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time.

Conversely, the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 included a reversing camera, traction control, and airbags as standard safety features. Higher trims and optional packages offered a surround-view camera, 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. Unique to the Sierra was the rear camera mirror, projecting a digital image from a rear-facing camera onto the rear-view mirror, aiding visibility when the view might be obstructed.