2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD vs 2021 Ford Ranger

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD was a behemoth of a truck, prioritizing function over form. Its massive grille fed multiple radiators, readying the truck for serious work. 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 was preferred over most versions of the Chevrolet Silverado due to its design.

The Sierra 2500HD came in various trims, starting with the Base, followed by the SLE, SLT, and the top-tier Denali. The base model featured a V8 engine and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SLE added 17-inch aluminum wheels, trailering mirrors, and a 4.2-inch color driver-information screen. The SLT offered 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lighting, and a power-release tailgate. The Denali boasted a full leather interior, wood-grain inserts, navigation, wireless charging, and a Bose sound system. However, the Denali's cabin lacked the fit-and-finish of competitors like the Ram 2500 Limited.

The 2021 Ford Ranger was available in SuperCab and SuperCrew styles, with the former having a six-foot bed and the latter a five-foot bed. Trim levels included XL, XLT, and Lariat, all powered by a turbo four-cylinder engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission. Our test truck was a SuperCrew Lariat with the Tremor Off-Road Package, priced at $46,865. The Tremor package added 17-inch dark gray wheels, 32-inch all-terrain tires, red grille accents, and off-road side steps, giving the truck a purposeful look.

Inside, the Lariat trim combined with the Tremor package offered simulated suede seat inserts, all-weather floor mats, and six upfitter switches. The cabin featured a clean design with simple controls, an 8-inch touchscreen, and partial digital instrumentation. Despite the use of hard plastic, the interior didn't feel cheap. The Ranger's cabin was comfortable, with power-adjustable seats and decent rear-seat space. However, it lacked rear air conditioning vents and a power-operated sliding rear window.

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 delivered 445 horsepower and an impressive 910 pound-feet of torque. The gas engine was paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, and the diesel with 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 around 16.5 miles per gallon in combined driving.

The 2021 Ford Ranger featured a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Ranger's 4WD system included a Terrain Management System with various settings and an electronic locking rear differential. The Tremor Off-Road Package added an off-road suspension, increased ground clearance to 9.7 inches, and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles. The Ranger could tow up to 7,500 pounds and haul a payload of up to 1,860 pounds, though the Tremor's payload capacity was reduced to 1,430 pounds. Fuel economy was around 18.5 miles per gallon in combined driving.

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

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor came with hoop-style step bars, a SecuriCode keyless entry pad, and comfortable power-adjustable seats. The rear-seat space was more accommodating than most midsize trucks, though it lacked rear air conditioning vents and a power-operated sliding rear window. The tailgate was undampened but lightweight, and the cargo bed offered 43.3 cubic feet of space (51.8 cubic feet for SuperCabs) with four tie-down hooks. Ford provided a range of accessories for additional cargo solutions.

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 an 8-inch infotainment screen with available navigation. The Denali also included an 8-inch color driver-information screen. The infotainment system was user-friendly and well-packaged.

The 2021 Ford Ranger Tremor was equipped with the Sync 3 infotainment system, including an 8-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, SiriusXM, AppLink with Waze and Ford + Alexa, and FordPass Connect with a 4G WiFi hotspot. The system also included navigation and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. While Sync 3 was being phased out for Sync 4, it remained competitive. Voice recognition performance was inconsistent, and the climate system was integrated into Sync 3.

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 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 2021 Ford Ranger offered the Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assist features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. The blind-spot warning system included trailer coverage, and adaptive cruise control was standard on the Lariat trim. The Ranger also featured a reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers, wiper-activated headlights, and parking sensors. The NHTSA gave the Ranger an overall rating of four stars, while the IIHS rated it highly except for front-passenger protection and headlights.