2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD vs 2021 Toyota Tacoma

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD was a behemoth of a truck, prioritizing function over form with its massive scale. Whether in the base trim or the luxurious Denali, the Sierra 2500HD was always ready for serious work. Its enormous grille fed multiple radiators, supporting the hard-working engine and other subsystems. The Denali trim stood out with its extensive use of chrome, including a large chrome grille and chrome wheels, making it one of the flashiest trucks from General Motors. Despite its luxurious touches, the Denali's cabin was somewhat underwhelming, lacking the soft-touch materials found in competitors like the Ram 2500 Limited. However, the Sierra 2500HD maintained a straightforward design, with consistent controls across all trims, emphasizing practicality over luxury.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma embodied the quintessential truck design with its boxy fender flares, tall hood, and shield-like grille. It offered a contrast to the more streamlined Ford Ranger and GM midsize twins, avoiding the exaggerated features of larger trucks. The Tacoma had unique styling features for certain models, such as the Trail Edition's TRD Off-Road alloy wheels and the Nightshade Edition's blacked-out trim. The TRD Pro model added off-road enhancements like a model-specific grille, blacked-out hood, and exclusive Lunar Rock color. Despite its rugged exterior, the Tacoma's interior was cramped, especially in the Double Cab, with limited headroom and legroom. The dashboard featured chunky plastic elements, and while the material quality was suitable for a base model, it was less justifiable at higher trim levels like the TRD Pro.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered two robust 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 diesel engine, paired with a 10-speed Allison transmission, provided exceptional power and acceleration, making it feel unstoppable. Despite its power, the Sierra 2500HD was a large, heavy truck with a poor turning radius, requiring careful maneuvering in tight spaces. It could tow up to 18,510 pounds and haul a payload of up to 3,979 pounds, with helpful trailering apps and camera options to assist with towing. Fuel economy was not officially rated, but the truck averaged 16.5 miles per gallon during testing.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma offered two engine options: a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine, available with both automatic and manual transmissions, featured Toyota's D4S fuel-injection system for improved fuel economy. The Tacoma's off-road capabilities were enhanced in the TRD models, with features like upgraded suspension, locking rear differential, and off-road tires. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with slow acceleration and poor ride quality. The Tacoma's maximum towing capacity was 6,800 pounds, and its payload capacity was 1,685 pounds, but these figures varied depending on the configuration. While respectable, these capacities were not class-leading.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered various bed and cab configurations, including regular, double, and crew cabs with standard or long beds. The Denali trim was available only with the crew cab and a choice of bed sizes. The truck featured helpful bed corner steps and an innovative MultiPro tailgate with six configurations, including a large step into the bed. Inside, the Sierra 2500HD provided ample space with numerous storage options, including under-seat storage in higher trims.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma's Double Cab configuration compromised interior space, with limited rear headroom and legroom, creating a bunker-like feel. The front seats also offered below-average space, and the tall hood impaired visibility. The rear seats folded up to reveal storage cubbies, but overall in-cab storage was limited. The Tacoma lacked clever in-bed storage solutions but included a standard rail system with tie-down cleats and an optional 120-volt outlet. The bed was made from sheet-molded composite, offering a lightweight and rust-resistant alternative to steel.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running GMC Infotainment 3, featuring customizable icons and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered an 8-inch screen with navigation options. The Denali trim included an 8-inch color driver-information screen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, providing essential tech without overwhelming features.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma featured a 7-inch touchscreen on the base SR trim, with an 8-inch screen on higher trims. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was functional but lacked standout features, with plain graphics and basic functions. The TRD Pro model offered an optional Multi-Terrain Monitor surround-view camera system, useful for off-road and parking maneuvers.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD's size posed safety challenges, but it was equipped with cameras on all sides and two-tier trailering mirrors to aid maneuverability. Standard safety features included 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, while the Driver Alert Package II included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the passenger-side small overlap front test. NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating. Standard driver-assist features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The Tacoma's safety features were comprehensive, but competitors like the Ford Ranger offered additional features like lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring.