2021 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2020 Toyota Tundra

The 2020 Toyota Tundra was available in several trims including SR, SR5, Limited, TRD Pro, Platinum, and 1794 Edition. The higher the trim level, the more luxurious and comfortable the Tundra became. Buyers could choose between Double Cab (extended cab) and CrewMax (crew cab) styles, with up to three different bed lengths depending on the configuration. Prices started at $33,425 and escalated to $52,930, excluding destination charges and options.

Our test vehicle was the top-tier TRD Pro CrewMax with four-wheel drive, painted in an exclusive Army Green color. It featured black 18-inch forged aluminum wheels and a tough, military-grade exterior. Despite the appealing look, the green color might quickly lose its charm, leaving buyers wishing for more conventional colors like black, white, or gray. Inside, the TRD Pro offered black leather with red stitching and TRD Pro embroidery. While the interior design aged well, it was marred by industrial-grade plastic, which felt disappointing at the higher price points.

The main allure of the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 over its Chevy Silverado sibling lay in its styling and upscale Denali trim level. Denali owners took pride in the badge, which was akin to owning a luxurious brand. However, other Sierra variants could also be spec’d to reach impressive pricing territory. The tested Sierra AT4, priced at $66,695 MSRP, came with a factory-installed 2-inch suspension lift, off-road suspension, skid plates, and a two-speed Autotrac transfer case. Red front recovery hooks and body-color trim added unique design elements.

While our black-on-black Sierra looked striking, it quickly became dirty—a testament to its off-road design. The mud-terrain tires were aggressive, constantly reminding owners of potential off-roading adventures. The interior, although enhanced with caramel seat trim and metallic accents, was dominated by black plastic. Rubber floor mats with snap-in carpeted inserts provided practical grip and protection. Overall, the cabin quality was unimpressive for a truck that could exceed $70,000 in the Denali trim.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra featured a 5.7-liter V8 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, delivering 381 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 401 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. The Tundra’s maximum towing capacity was rated at 10,200 pounds with a payload of up to 1,730 pounds, assuming the SR Double Cab with rear-wheel drive. The TRD Pro model, designed for off-roading, included a standard 4WD system, BBS forged aluminum wheels, heavy-duty Fox off-road shocks, a stainless-steel TRD-tuned dual exhaust system, and an aluminum skid plate. The V8 engine sounded thrilling but could be annoyingly loud for bystanders. The power delivery was robust, and the transmission operated flawlessly.

The turning radius was impressively tight, aiding in maneuverability. Despite not testing its towing or hauling capabilities, the TRD Pro handled a technical off-road trail with ease, though its large size posed challenges in dense brush. On straight roads and highways, the Tundra was stable, but wind noise at higher speeds was excessive, and its brick-like shape made narrow winding roads nerve-wracking. Fuel economy was a weak point, averaging 14.3 mpg with a 38-gallon fuel tank to mitigate the frequent fuel stops.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered a Duramax 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder engine for an additional $995. Generating 277 horsepower at 3,750 rpm and 460 pound-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm, the engine matched the torque of the 6.2-liter V8 but at significantly lower rpm. The Duramax diesel paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission demonstrated adept gear selection, optimizing torque delivery. Running the Sierra in Auto 4WD mode, it handled various weather conditions with impressive traction and averaged 21.1 mpg—short of the EPA’s 24 mpg rating.

The AT4 suspension catered to off-roading without compromising comfort on regular road trips. While extensive handling on twisty roads couldn’t be tested due to weather conditions, the off-roading capabilities were evident as the truck’s all-terrain tires effectively dealt with challenging terrain. For towing and hauling, a properly equipped Sierra with the Duramax diesel could manage up to 9,300 pounds of trailer and 2,150 pounds of payload. The test vehicle’s figures stood at 8,800 pounds for towing and a payload of 1,810 pounds.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra’s interior was spacious, reflecting its Texas origins. Children found the vast rear seating area particularly impressive, declaring it “huge.” Front leather seats were substantial, providing comfort and support for long drives. However, the glove compartment was surprisingly small, and rear-seat storage options were limited. Though the rear seat cushions could flip up for additional floor space, under-seat storage wasn’t plentiful. The Tundra’s bed was simple, offering an optional spray-in bedliner, tie-down hooks, and additional bed rails.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 also presented a spacious and supportive cabin, with seats offering a range of power adjustments and heating/cooling functions. Heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel were beneficial during cold weather. High-clearance side rails and the Multipro tailgate’s wide step facilitated easy ingress and egress, as well as access to the cargo bed. The CarbonPro Edition package’s carbon fiber composite bed improved weight handling and durability, boasting 62.9 to 89.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity depending on the bed length. The Sierra included 12 cargo tie-downs, but in-cab storage was less impressive compared to rivals.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra’s infotainment system, despite being encased in hard plastic, featured updated software. Base models had a 7-inch display, while higher trims enjoyed an 8-inch screen. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, USB ports, and various connected services. The TRD Pro variant added dynamic navigation and a 12-speaker JBL sound system, which delivered robust bass. However, the system’s small virtual buttons and lack of advanced towing technology were notable downsides.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 test truck was equipped with various visibility-enhancing camera technologies, part of the optional Technology Package. This included a surround-view camera, trailer- and bed-view cameras, rear camera mirror, a 15-inch head-up display, and an 8-inch driver information display. The infotainment system came with a 7-inch or 8-inch screen, offering quick response times and user-friendly interfaces. Standard connectivity features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and navigation. The AT4’s Bose sound system, while decent, lagged behind competitors’ premium systems.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra’s safety equipment included standard Toyota Safety Sense and optional blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Additionally, all Tundras came with one year of Safety Connect services. However, crash-test ratings revealed the Tundra’s weaknesses. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it Marginal and Poor ratings in certain frontal-impact tests. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provided slightly better ratings with 5-star side-impact, 4-star frontal-impact, and 4-star (for 4WD models) rollover resistance ratings.

In contrast, the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 showed a gap in standard safety features for an upscale truck brand. Essential technologies like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking were optional, even on high trims. The Denali included blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert, with other trims offering lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a Safety Alert Seat. Adaptive cruise control was available on select trims and performed effectively. Despite these options, the Sierra’s safety ratings were underwhelming. NHTSA granted it a four-star overall rating, and IIHS found its front passenger protection and headlights lacking.