2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD vs 2020 Ford Ranger

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD was a behemoth of a truck, prioritizing function over form. Its massive grille fed multiple radiators, readying it for serious work. The Denali trim stood out with extensive chrome, including a large chrome grille and 8-lug chrome wheels. Premium exterior colors were available, with Onyx Black being a popular choice. Despite its flashy touches, the Denali's cabin was just average, lacking the soft-touch materials found in competitors like the Ram 2500 Limited. The Sierra 2500HD trims ranged from the basic Sierra with minimal frills to the luxurious Denali, each offering various features and upgrades.

The 2020 Ford Ranger, reintroduced to the American market in 2019, was a larger and more sophisticated truck than its predecessor. It featured a clean, aggressive design that avoided the "bigger-and-blockier" trend of American trucks. Inside, the Ranger had a function-first cabin with hard plastics, making it durable but less refined compared to competitors like the Honda Ridgeline. Trim levels included the base XL, mid-range XLT, and top-tier Lariat, each offering progressively more features and upscale touches. The Ranger also offered several appearance and off-road packages to enhance its capabilities and aesthetics.

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 delivering 445 horsepower and an impressive 910 pound-feet of torque. The gas engine was paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel engine used a 10-speed Allison transmission. The diesel engine provided exceptional power, making the truck feel lively despite its size. The Sierra 2500HD could tow up to 18,510 pounds and haul a payload of up to 3,979 pounds. Fuel economy was not officially rated, but the trip computer showed an average of 16.5 miles per gallon during combined city and highway driving.

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 either the rear wheels or an available four-wheel-drive system. The turbo engine provided ample power for low-speed driving and highway passing. The Ranger could tow up to 7,500 pounds and had a maximum payload capacity of 1,860 pounds in the SuperCab 4x2 configuration. The Ranger's ride was stiff, with noticeable chatter and body roll, but it offered off-road packages like the FX2 and FX4, which added features such as off-road tires, an electronically locking rear differential, and skid plates.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD was available in various bed and cab configurations, including regular, double, and crew cabs with standard or long beds. The Denali trim was only offered with the crew cab and a choice of bed lengths. The truck featured helpful bed corner steps and an EZ lift-and-lower tailgate with a remote release. The MultiPro tailgate provided six different configurations, including a step into the truck bed. Inside, the Sierra 2500HD offered plenty of room and storage options, with additional storage areas under the rear seats in SLT-and-up trims.

The 2020 Ford Ranger was available 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 SuperCab's rear seats were tight and more suitable for children, while the SuperCrew offered more adult-friendly seating. Both configurations provided ample storage options, including deep in-door pockets, a center console bin, and a coin/key tray atop the 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 2500HD came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running GMC Infotainment 3, featuring customizable icons, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SLT and Denali trims upgraded to an 8-inch infotainment screen with available navigation. The Denali also included an 8-inch color driver-information screen in the instrument panel. The infotainment system was user-friendly, offering the right tech in a practical package.

The 2020 Ford Ranger's base XL trim featured an AM/FM stereo with four speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port. FordPass Connect was also included, offering remote lock/unlock and start, as well as WiFi hotspot capability. The XLT trim upgraded to SYNC 3 with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Lariat trim featured a premium B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen with ten speakers.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD included standard safety features such as 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 challenges, but the camera system and trailering mirrors helped mitigate these issues.

The 2020 Ford Ranger came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, a child-seat anchoring system, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. It also included automatic headlights, automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, and pedestrian detection. The XLT trim added Ford CoPilot 360, which included lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse parking sensors. The Ranger earned top scores in most IIHS crash tests and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA. There was one recall for the 2020 Ranger involving the ten-speed automatic transmission.