2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD vs 2020 Ford F-150

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD was a behemoth of a truck, prioritizing function over form. Its massive grille fed multiple radiators, ready for serious work at any moment. The Denali trim stood out with its extensive use of chrome, including a large chrome grille and 8-lug chrome wheels. The Denali was available in premium colors, with Onyx Black being a popular choice. Despite its flashy appearance, the Denali's cabin was just average, lacking the soft-touch materials found in competitors like the Ram 2500 Limited. The Sierra 2500HD lineup started with the Base trim, offering a V8 engine and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SLE and SLT trims added more features, with the SLT providing a blend of upscale features without the Denali's high price. The Denali trim included a full leather interior, wood-grain inserts, navigation, wireless device charging, and a Bose premium sound system.

The 2020 Ford F-150 had a more restrained design compared to its rivals, with clean lines and a blocky grille that exuded confidence. Inside, the dash was straightforward and mechanical-looking, coming to life with the ignition. The F-150's cabin focused on durability, with hard plastics in lower trims and some soft-touch materials in higher trims. The trim levels ranged from the basic XL to the luxurious Limited. The XL was a work truck with minimal features, while the XLT added amenities like SYNC 3 infotainment and a WiFi hotspot. The Lariat trim bridged the gap between work and luxury, adding leather-trimmed seats and dual-zone climate control. The King Ranch had a Western vibe with saddle-leather upholstery, while the Platinum trim added massaging seats and unique chrome badging. The Raptor was designed for off-roading, with a wider body and specialized running gear. The Limited trim raised the bar for comfort with premium leather upholstery and a dual-panel moonroof.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered two V8 engine options: a 6.6-liter gas engine producing 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, and a 6.6-liter Duramax diesel engine with 445 horsepower and a staggering 910 pound-feet of torque. The gas engine was paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel engine came with a 10-speed Allison transmission. The diesel engine provided immense power, making it feel like it would never run out of steam. The Sierra 2500HD had a poor turning radius, making it challenging to maneuver in tight spaces. However, it could tow up to 18,510 pounds and haul a payload of up to 3,979 pounds when properly equipped. The truck also featured helpful trailering apps and the ability to mount a camera on the trailer. Fuel economy was not officially rated, but the trip computer showed an average of 16.5 miles per gallon during a week of combined city and highway driving.

The 2020 Ford F-150 offered a variety of powertrain options. The base XL and XLT trims came with a 3.3-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. Other options included a 2.7-liter turbocharged EcoBoost V6 with 325 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, a 5.0-liter V8 with 395 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. There was also a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 producing 250 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque. The XL and XLT trims had a 6-speed automatic transmission, while higher trims featured a 10-speed automatic with various drive modes. The F-150 could tow up to 12,300 pounds when properly equipped. The base V6 was adequate for daily driving, but the other engines were designed for towing and hauling, providing serious acceleration. The F-150 handled and rode like a smaller vehicle, with responsive steering and a manageable turning radius. The Raptor trim was built for off-roading, with a lifted suspension and specialized shocks.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD was available in various bed and cab configurations, including a regular cab with a long bed, a double cab with a standard or long bed, and a crew cab with a standard or long bed. The Denali trim was only available with the crew cab. Both bed sizes featured bed corner steps and steps ahead of the rear wheel well, accommodating larger work boots. The EZ lift-and-lower tailgate had a remote release, and the MultiPro tailgate offered six different configurations, including a step into the truck bed. Inside, the 2500HD had plenty of room with numerous cubbies, cupholders, and bins. SLT-and-up trims had a storage area below the rear seats, which folded up for larger items.

The 2020 Ford F-150 offered three cab sizes and three bed sizes in various combinations. The Regular Cab was a traditional single cab, the SuperCab was an extended cab with rear half-doors, and the SuperCrew was a full 4-door crew cab. Bed sizes included 5.5, 6.5, and 8 feet. The SuperCrew provided the most cabin space, with ample backseat legroom and rear seats that flipped up for a large load floor. The F-150 had plenty of cubbies and cupholders, as well as deep in-door pockets. The center console storage bin was large enough for most laptops. The F-150 also featured a bed step that extended from the top of the tailgate, although GM's integrated corner bed steps were simpler and lacked moving parts.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running GMC Infotainment 3, which included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SLT and Denali trims had an 8-inch infotainment screen, with navigation available. The Denali also featured an 8-inch color driver-information screen in the instrument panel. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with customizable icons and easy navigation.

The 2020 Ford F-150's XL trim had a basic AM/FM radio with an auxiliary audio input jack. The SYNC infotainment system was optional on the XL and added a touchscreen, USB ports, and voice recognition. The XLT trim featured the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, enhanced voice recognition, and smart-charging USB ports. SYNC 3 was praised for its simplicity and ease of use. XLT-and-up trims also included FordPass with a 4G WiFi modem, allowing remote start, lock/unlock, and vehicle location via a mobile app. Higher trims offered a B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen with 10 speakers and a subwoofer.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD was equipped with standard safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, traction control, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Driver Alert Package I added front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Driver Alert Package II included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The truck's size and turning radius posed safety concerns, but the cameras and trailering mirrors helped mitigate these issues.

The 2020 Ford F-150 came with standard safety features such as front and side-impact airbags, curve control, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control. It also had rain-sensing headlights, an anti-theft system, and the SOS post-crash alert system. Pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking was standard, even on the XL trim. Higher trims featured Ford Co-Pilot360, which included automatic high beams, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist made towing easier by allowing the driver to control the trailer's direction with a knob. The 2020 Ford F-150 SuperCrew received 5 out of 5 stars from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS, while the SuperCab and regular cab received 4 out of 5 stars.