2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD vs 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD was a testament to the maxim of "function over form," presenting an almost intimidating scale suited for serious work. Even at the base trim level, its massive grille fed multiple radiators, reinforcing its readiness for heavy-duty tasks. The Denali trim distinguished itself with expanses of chrome, including a grille seemingly the size of a football field, making it one of the flashiest trucks General Motors offered. Despite the over-the-top touches, it was often preferred over most versions of the Chevrolet Silverado due to the near-universal criticism of the Chevy’s design.

On the contrary, the styling updates for the 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty brought a more mature look, stepping away from the gaudy chrome bars of the 2019 model. The headlights received detailed contouring, enhancing their aesthetic appeal. These changes, though minor, imparted a modestly evolved design from the 2017 model year. However, in the face of the newly redesigned Ford F-150, the F-350 began to look dated with its unchanged cabin and blocky styling—although it remained ideally suited for work with ample usable space.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered potent V8 engine options—one gas and one diesel. The gas V8 produced 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, while the Duramax diesel V8 delivered an impressive 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque. This monstrous output was managed through a 6-speed automatic transmission for the gas engine and a 10-speed Allison transmission for the diesel, contributing to an invigorating driving experience despite the truck's mass and poor turning radius. When properly equipped, the Sierra 2500HD could tow up to 18,510 pounds with a 5th wheel or gooseneck connection, and haul a payload of up to 3,979 pounds.

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty offered a range of powerful engines, starting with a standard 6.2-liter gas V8 (385 hp, 430 lb-ft torque), a new 7.3-liter gas V8 (430 hp, 475 lb-ft torque), and the formidable 6.7-liter turbodiesel Power Stroke V8 (475 hp, 1,050 lb-ft torque). The 6.2-liter engine utilized a 6-speed automatic transmission or an optional 10-speed automatic, which was standard for the other engines. The F-350's towing capabilities were exceptional, with a conventional towing capacity of up to 24,200 pounds, a fifth-wheel capacity of 32,500 pounds, and a gooseneck trailer capacity of 37,000 pounds. The truck could also accommodate a maximum payload of 7,850 pounds.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered a range of cab and bed configurations, including a regular cab with a long bed, a double cab with standard or long beds, and a crew cab with similar options. The Denali trim featured only the crew cab configuration. Its bed included corner steps at both the bumper and ahead of the wheel well, improving accessibility. Inside, the Sierra 2500HD provided ample storage with cubbies, cupholders, and bins across the cabin. Higher trims included under-seat storage in the back, augmenting the truck's functionality.

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty was available in Regular Cab, Super Cab, and Super Crew configurations. The Super Cab offered rear-hinged half-doors that were practical yet sometimes cumbersome. The Super Crew's expansive cab provided significant headroom and legroom, with rear seats folding up for extra cargo space. The F-350 offered either a 6-foot-9-inch bed or an 8-foot bed configuration, with the regular cab featuring the longer bed exclusively. The dual rear-wheel setup was available for all three cab sizes, enhancing its cargo-friendly design. Both trucks featured steps to ease bed access, but the unique MultiPro tailgate of the Sierra 2500HD provided additional functional configurations.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD featured a 7-inch touchscreen with the GMC Infotainment 3 system, equipped with customizable large icons, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen with navigation and other enhancements. While the infotainment was intuitive, the screen size paled compared to Ram's massive display, though some might find the GMC’s simplicity more practical.

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty used the SYNC 3 infotainment system. It offered intuitive menus, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto but occasionally encountered glitches. The system's "Home" icon was not available when using CarPlay, making navigation back to SYNC menus cumbersome. Ford's towing tech, including Pro Trailer Backup Assist and Trailer Reverse Guidance, was highly remarkable, making the F-350 exceptionally trailer-friendly.

For the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD, the truck's enormous size posed maneuverability challenges, mitigated by cameras on all four sides and trailering mirrors. Standard safety included front and side 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, while the Driver Alert Package II included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams.

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty's safety features included airbags, automatic high beams, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The XLT trim added automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims introduced additional features such as adaptive cruise control, adaptive steering, and Pro Trailer Backup Assist.