2020 Ford Ranger vs 2020 GMC Sierra 1500

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 carried forward the redesign from 2019, maintaining its timeless, stoic design with straight lines and crisp angles reminiscent of the “GMT 400” trucks from the late '80s and '90s. Inside, the layout was nearly identical to the 2018 model, with a flatter dash giving it a jukebox look. The Sierra was available in six trims: Base, SLE, Elevation, SLT, Denali, and AT4. The Base trim came decently equipped with a V6 engine, a 7-inch touchscreen, and LED headlights. The AT4 trim, which we drove, featured off-road-oriented touches like all-terrain tires and red tow hooks, while the Denali trim set the bar for luxury with chrome accents and a head-up display.

The 2020 Ford Ranger returned to the American market in 2019 after an eight-year hiatus, based on the international version sold during that period. It featured a clean, somewhat aggressive appearance, avoiding the "bigger-and-blockier" trend of American trucks. Inside, the Ranger had a function-first cabin with hard plastics, making it durable but less welcoming compared to competitors like the Honda Ridgeline. The Ranger was available in three trims: XL, XLT, and Lariat. The base XL came with steel wheels and a black grille, while the XLT added features like 17-inch aluminum wheels and dual-zone climate control. The Lariat trim offered upscale touches like leather upholstery and an 18-inch machined aluminum wheels.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 offered a choice of five engines. The base 4.3-liter V6 produced 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque. A 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivered 310 hp and 348 lb-ft of torque. The Duramax turbodiesel 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine provided 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Two V8 engines were available: a 5.3-liter with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, and a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an automatic transmission, with the option of rear-wheel drive or 4WD. The Sierra AT4 trim, with its 6.2-liter V8, offered commanding acceleration and a towing capacity of up to 12,100 pounds. However, its off-road capabilities came at the cost of a rough on-road ride. Fuel economy for the AT4 was 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 17 combined.

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. A ten-speed automatic transmission routed power to the rear wheels or available 4WD with low-range gearing. The Ranger's turbo engine provided plenty of power for low speeds and highway passing, with a towing capacity of up to 7,500 pounds. The Ranger's ride was stiff, with noticeable chatter and vibration over bumps, and body roll around corners. The FX2 and FX4 Off-Road packages added off-road tires, an electronically locking rear differential, and off-road-tuned suspension. The FX4 package also included Trail Control and the Terrain Management System for optimized off-road performance.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 was available in single cab, double cab, and full 4-door crew cab configurations. Our test model featured a carbon-fiber bed and MultiPro tailgate, which reduced weight and offered six different functions, including a bed-extender and steps. The cabin was loaded with cupholders, cubbies, and storage units, with rear seats that folded upward for additional storage space.

The 2020 Ford Ranger was offered in SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations. The SuperCab seated four with rear-opening clamshell half-doors, while the SuperCrew seated five with a full rear bench. The front row in both body styles provided deep in-door pockets and bottle holders, with additional storage in the center console and dash. The Ranger paired a six-foot bed with the SuperCab and a five-foot bed with the SuperCrew, offering features like a remote locking tailgate and LED bed lighting.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 featured a straightforward infotainment system with clear graphics, large icons, and tactile controls for the radio and climate. Our AT4 trim included a head-up display, wireless charging, and multiple USB ports and outlets.

The 2020 Ford Ranger XL came with an AM/FM stereo, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port. FordPass Connect allowed for remote locking, unlocking, and starting, with WiFi hotspot capability. The XLT trim added SYNC 3 with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Lariat trim included a B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen with ten speakers.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 came standard with a reversing camera, traction control, and a full array of airbags. Our AT4 test truck included a surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, and a suite of driver assistance features like forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning. The rear camera mirror projected a digital image on the rear-view mirror, helping with obstructions.

The 2020 Ford Ranger came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, a child-seat anchoring system, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. The XLT trim added Ford CoPilot 360, which included lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Ranger earned top scores in most IIHS crash tests and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA. However, it had a recall for the ten-speed automatic transmission.