2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD vs 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD was a behemoth of a truck, prioritizing function over form. Whether in a base trim or the luxurious Denali, it was ready for serious work. The massive grille fed multiple radiators, ensuring the hard-working engine and other sub-systems stayed cool. The Denali trim stood out with its extensive use of chrome, including a large chrome grille and 8-lug chrome wheels. Offered in premium colors, the Onyx Black was particularly popular. Despite its flashy appearance, the Denali was still a workhorse, with trims starting from the Base "Sierra" to the SLE, SLT, and the top-tier Denali. The base model came with a V8 engine and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims added more features like aluminum wheels, trailering mirrors, and advanced infotainment systems.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 came in three cab styles, three bed lengths, and eight trim levels, each with a distinctive look. Our test truck, an LTZ trim with a crew cab and short bed, featured a 3.0-liter inline-six turbodiesel engine. The Silverado had a boxy, commanding appearance with Northsky Blue paint, chrome trim, and 20-inch polished aluminum wheels. However, the interior felt outdated, with glossy plastic, large panel joints, and small infotainment screens. Despite the lack of modern sophistication, the Silverado's cabin was functional, offering plenty of storage space and comfortable seating for three adults in the rear. The truck's bed was the deepest and roomiest among its competitors, with useful features like the CornerStep rear bumper and up to 12 tie-down hooks.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered two 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 cranked out 445 hp and an impressive 910 lb-ft of torque. The gas engine was paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, and the diesel with a 10-speed Allison transmission. Despite its size, the diesel engine provided lively acceleration, making it feel like a much smaller vehicle. 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 we observed an average of 16.5 miles per gallon during our test drive.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a range of engines, but the standout was the 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel. Priced at just $995, it was a bargain compared to diesel options from Ford and Ram. The Duramax delivered 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, achieving a fuel economy of 22.6 mpg in combined driving. The Silverado's towing capacity with the Duramax was 9,500 pounds, and its payload capacity was 1,870 pounds. The truck's 10-speed automatic transmission and electronic Autotrac 4WD system provided smooth and seamless acceleration. The Z71 Off-Road Package, with its re-tuned suspension and Rancho twin-tube shock absorbers, improved the truck's handling on rough terrain.

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, available on our test truck, provided six different configurations, including a massive step into the truck bed. Inside, the 2500HD offered plenty of room and storage options, with additional storage areas below the rear seats in SLT-and-up trims.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab was spacious, with wide, flat, supportive front seats offering 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat comfortably accommodated three adults, with ample headroom and legroom. The truck had plenty of storage space, including dual dashboard glove compartments and built-in storage areas within the rear seatbacks. The Silverado's bed was the deepest and roomiest among its competitors, with useful features like the CornerStep rear bumper and up to 12 tie-down hooks. The new Multi-Flex tailgate, offering six different configurations, was optional for 2021.

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 had a larger 8-inch 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 a modest but effective design compared to competitors like the Ram 2500 Limited.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 featured the Chevrolet Infotainment System 3, with 7-inch and 8-inch screens. The system offered quick loading and response times, modern graphics, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Our test truck, an LTZ trim, had an 8-inch HD display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The system was easy to use, with stereo volume and tuning knobs and shortcut buttons on the dashboard. The Silverado also offered a head-up display and up to 15 different high-definition cameras for improved visibility and towing assistance.

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. Our test truck had the Driver Alert Package I, which 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 presented safety concerns, but the cameras and trailering mirrors helped mitigate these issues.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 received a "Marginal" rating from the IIHS for front passenger protection in a small-overlap, frontal-impact collision. The truck's headlights were rated "Poor," and its overall four-star rating from the NHTSA was dragged down by four-star frontal-impact results for the driver and front passenger. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, automatic collision notification, and a rear-seat reminder system. Optional upgrades included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and a Safety Alert Seat.