2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD vs 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD was a truck that prioritized function over form, resulting in a massive and imposing presence. Regardless of whether one opted for the base trim or the luxurious Denali, the Sierra 2500HD was always ready for serious work. Its enormous grille was designed to feed the multiple radiators necessary for its hard-working engine and other subsystems. The Denali trim stood out with its extensive use of chrome, including a large chrome grille, and was available in several premium exterior colors, with Onyx Black being a popular choice. Despite its flashy appearance, the Denali's cabin was somewhat underwhelming in terms of fit-and-finish and material quality, especially when compared to competitors like the Ram 2500 Limited. However, the Sierra 2500HD remained a truck that put function above luxury, with simple and straightforward controls that were consistent across all trims and models.

In contrast, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a wide range of design details, allowing each version to have a distinctive appearance. Buyers could choose from Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab styles, with trim levels ranging from the basic WT to the luxurious High Country. The Silverado LT Trail Boss, equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 engine and several option packages, was a popular choice for off-roading enthusiasts. While the Silverado's exterior styling was generally well-received, its interior left much to be desired. The cabin's industrial appearance, with plastic silver trim and busy surfaces, felt dated and unrefined. Despite the leather seats, the interior did not justify the nearly $60,000 price tag of the test truck. However, the Silverado's cabin was spacious, with ample storage options and a cavernous back seat, making it a practical choice for those needing interior space.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered two robust V8 engine options: a gas and a diesel. The gas V8 produced 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, while the Duramax diesel V8 delivered an impressive 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque. The diesel engine, paired with a 10-speed Allison transmission, provided a lively driving experience, although the truck's size and weight resulted in a poor turning radius. The Sierra 2500HD could tow up to 18,510 pounds and haul a payload of up to 3,979 pounds, with helpful trailering apps and camera options to assist with towing. During testing, the truck averaged 16.5 miles per gallon in combined driving.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a choice of five engines and three transmissions, including a new 3.0-liter turbodiesel 6-cylinder engine with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The test truck featured a 6.2-liter V8 engine, producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Silverado's off-road capabilities were enhanced by the Z71 Off-Road Package, which included all-terrain tires, an off-road suspension, and a 2-inch factory lift. While the handling was not particularly sharp, the ride quality was impressive, and the truck averaged 16.8 miles per gallon in combined driving. The Silverado 1500 could haul up to 2,250 pounds of payload and tow up to 13,400 pounds, depending on the configuration.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD was available in various bed and cab configurations, with the Denali trim offered only in the crew cab style. The truck featured helpful bed corner steps and an EZ lift-and-lower tailgate with a remote release. The MultiPro tailgate, with its six configurations, was a standout feature, providing a massive step into the truck bed. Inside, the Sierra 2500HD offered plenty of room and storage options, with additional storage under the rear seats in SLT-and-up trims.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's Crew Cab provided a spacious interior, with a comfortable driver's seat and a cavernous back seat offering impressive thigh support. The truck featured ample storage options, including dual glove compartments and a large center console bin. The Silverado's cargo box offered more storage room than competitors, thanks to its depth and high sides. The LT Trail Boss test truck could handle 2,170 pounds of payload and tow up to 11,300 pounds with the Max Trailering Package.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SLT and Denali trims offered an 8-inch screen with available navigation. The Denali also included an 8-inch color driver-information screen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with customizable icons and straightforward controls.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Upgrades included a high-definition display, navigation, and a Bose premium sound system. The Advanced Trailering Package provided up to 15 camera views, while a new Camera Trailer Package offered additional visibility aids. However, the test truck lacked navigation and some advanced features.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD's size presented safety challenges, but the Denali trim addressed these with cameras on all sides and two-tier trailering mirrors. Standard safety features included airbags, traction control, and a reversing camera. The Driver Alert Package I added parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Driver Alert Package II included forward-collision avoidance and lane-departure warning.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 included a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology as standard. However, advanced safety features like forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning were limited to higher trims. The Silverado received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Marginal rating from the IIHS for front passenger protection in a small overlap frontal-impact collision. The truck's headlights were rated Poor by the IIHS.