Ford F-250 Super Duty vs GMC Sierra 2500HD

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty had a familiar yet fresh appearance thanks to its redesign. It was more of an evolution than a revolution in visual aesthetics. The vehicle came in various trims: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited. Each trim differentiated itself significantly. The XL trim, marketed as a work truck, wasn't devoid of comfort. It had 17-inch wheels, vinyl upholstery, a modest four-speaker stereo, a USB port, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Moving higher in the trim hierarchy, the XLT introduced additional features such as cloth upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and two wall-style power outlets. The Lariat trim upgraded conveniences, including leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, wireless device charging, and dual-zone automatic climate control, complemented by a 12-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. We drove the King Ranch, which showcased a luxury level with 20-inch alloy wheels and a distinctive two-tone paint job. The King Ranch emphasized darker tones over chrome, giving it a more understated elegance. Additional features included the Flying W logo on wheels, premium two-tone brown leather interior, and an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo. It was also equipped with Pro Power Onboard, enabling a 2-kilowatt power output—great for powering tools on the go. On the other hand, the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD portrayed a daunting and striking look, especially in the Denali Ultimate trim. Our test vehicle sported an Onyx Black paint job with tan Alpine Umber interior and 20-inch aluminum alloys with gloss black inserts. This visual setup gave the Sierra a menacing presence that seemed to dominate any road. Six other exterior colors were available, along with five other wheel choices, some going up to 20-inch chrome alloys costing over $3,000. The Denali Ultimate also came with an updated front bumper and grille assembly for the 2024 model, featuring standard LED headlights and taillights with sequential turn signals. It was available only in a six-passenger Crew Cab, with options for a standard bed (82.2 inches) or a long bed (98.2 inches). The side steps and MultiPro Tailgate, with its six different configurations, including a workbench and step, made the truck highly functional.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered varied engine choices. It started with a 6.8-liter gas V8 producing 400 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. Those seeking more power could opt for a 7.3-liter V8 with 430 horsepower and 485 lb-ft of torque. The prized engine, however, was a 6.7-liter PowerStroke turbodiesel V8, producing 475 horsepower and an astonishing 1,050 lb-ft of torque. Our test version featured the high-output variant, pumping out an incredible 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque. All engines routed power through a 10-speed automatic transmission, offering both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive options. Despite its size, the F-250 was lively off the line and handled highway speeds effortlessly. The 10-speed transmission was particularly adept at maintaining the diesel engine in its optimal power range. The 2023 Super Duty's towing capacity topped out at an impressive 22,000 pounds when equipped appropriately with the turbodiesel engines. Features like Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and onboard scales made towing simpler and safer by providing real-time data on payload and trailer weight distribution. The 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Ultimate was driven by a singular, robust 6.6-liter Duramax turbocharged diesel V8, churning out 470 horsepower and an unbelievable 975 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a reliable 10-speed Allison automatic transmission, and four-wheel drive was standard. From a standstill, the Sierra’s powertrain delivered a smooth and strong acceleration, effortlessly moving the truck despite its three-ton weight. Handling, while mostly limited by the truck's size, was reasonably agile in open spaces and manageable in city traffic. The responsive automatic transmission ensured an impressive driving experience in various conditions. The Denali Ultimate also had a firm suspension setting tailored for towing and hauling. However, the ride could become unsettled on rougher terrains, making it less comfortable on longer journeys over potholed roads.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available in regular cab, SuperCab, and Super Crew configurations, paired with either a 6.75-foot or an 8-foot bed. The SuperCab's rear-hinged clamshell doors provided a wide opening, though they required the front doors to be open for access. Significant optional features included a seamlessly integrated Warn winch and soft-opening tailgate. The interior was designed with convenience in mind, featuring numerous cupholders, massive center storage, dual glove boxes, and ample door storage. In our Super Crew model, the rear seats could be folded up for more cargo space. Conversely, the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Ultimate boasted full-grain leather seats, leather-covered door panels, a microsuede headliner, wood trim, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The front seats, with heating, ventilation, and massage functions, were extremely comfortable. The rear seats offered limo-like legroom and generous headroom, making long trips pleasant for backseat passengers. Storage in the Sierra was excellent, with ample space in the center console and additional locking safe options. However, accessing items in the front door pockets proved challenging while driving. Comparatively, the towing and payload capacities for both trucks were noteworthy. The Ford F-250 maxed out at 22,000 pounds towing capacity, while the Sierra, with its advanced trailer aids and ProGrade trailering system, showcased similar high-capacity figures supplemented by technological aids for safer towing.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty came with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Our model included a larger 12-inch screen that supported wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, in addition to displaying navigation and fuel economy data. The interface was user-friendly with physical dials for climate and radio controls. Additional tech perks included multiple USB ports, a wall-style power outlet, wireless device charging, and Trailer Navigation for safer towing routes. In contrast, the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Ultimate flaunted a bigger 13.4-inch touchscreen, equipped with a 15-inch head-up display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging pad, Google built-in, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Its navigation system was notably precise, offering a seamless alternative to smartphone navigation. Although the climate controls remained physical for ease of use, the steering-column-mounted gearshift could obscure parts of the display, hampering the convenience of an otherwise advanced system. Additionally, the Sierra included a wide variety of trailer aids, such as a trailer-brake controller, hitch guidance with hitch view, and a comprehensive ProGrade trailering system with 14 camera views, making the task of towing significantly easier and safer.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty's XLT trim and above included Ford's CoPilot 360 suite of safety features, which varied based on specific trim packages. Features could include automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane centering assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree parking camera. Dual-tier trailer mirrors and a backup camera with the tailgate down were also notable safety enhancements, though neither NHTSA nor IIHS had crash-tested the truck at the time. The 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Ultimate didn't skimp on safety, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, surround-view parking camera, pedestrian detection, and rear cross-traffic alert. The truck’s large, power-operated side mirrors extended for better visibility when towing and retracted for narrower passages.