2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD

Though we have several Asian rivals in the lower segment, this specific body style is dominated by the Americans only, like the Ford Super Duty F-250, Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, and the Ram 2500. All come with massive engines and tow capacities. In addition to that, they are equally rugged in their platforms just like their GMC counterpart that makes this analysis an intriguing one to watch out for. 

Sierra comes in a total of 5 trims and all kinds of bed configurations possible but we are discussing the Regular Cab and this configuration is only available in 2 trims. The base trim of the Sierra 2500HD is a strictly work-oriented truck, power features like windows, locks or even seats are not available. Well, you can get them added with a Convenience package but these are the least you get on modern vehicles. The SLE trim, on the other hand, is well equipped, when compared, with features like a usable touch screen infotainment system, cloth upholstery, and power-adjustable seats for the driver. As you go high up in the trim tree, the truck gets fairly luxurious but these 2 trims are at the bottom of the barrel and expecting a lot here won’t be fair. Thankfully the 6.6L, Duramax turbo-diesel engine isn’t restricted from these trims and it is one crazy powerful engine. Overall, these 2 base formats with a Regular Cab setup are better suited for businesses only rather than having them for the enthusiastic value.

Optional Packages 

• Driver alert package ($810) – chrome bumpers and mirrors, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, front & rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, two hooks at the front.
• Convenience Package ($1800) – cruise control, power-adjustable mirrors, power locks, privacy glass, remote tailgate release. 
• Optional Engine ($9000) – 6.6L, Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine with an engine block heater, 10-speed Allison transmission, exhaust brake. 

Which Trim should you buy?

Regular Cab configuration is available in two 2 variants for this machinery. Choosing this bed configuration itself means you will be using this truck more for work than running daily errands yet that doesn’t mean that you should skimp on basic modern amenities like the base trim of Sierra 2500HD does. Thus, we strongly recommend getting the SLE trim as it is relatively better organized than its younger sibling and has a much more appealing ambiance inside the cabin. 

Sierra 2500HD comes with a gasoline-powered 6.6L, V8 engine as standard that generates 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque. It is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and can be had in both RWD or AWD options. For what it is, the engine shows refinement we expect from a gasoline mill but it won’t have the brutish power of the optional Duramax turbo diesel engine. The diesel variant is the same by capacity at 6.6L, V8 but gets a turbo setup for enhanced power and fuel economy. This engine churns out 445 hp and a massive 910 lb-ft of twisting moment. It also gets its dedicated 10-speed Allison automatic transmission. It is very refined, something we don’t expect from diesel fuel, and the transmission as well has more than enough ratios to help you while towing substantial loads. The power is available in abundance in the Sierra 2500HD with which the primitive form can accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph within 6.5 seconds and can cover a quarter-mile in 15 seconds. 

As far as the rivalry is concerned, the Ford F-250 champions the towing prowess with its exceptional mark of nearly 7850 lbs while the Sierra 2500HD follows it closely with its 7442lbs in its dual rear wheel setup. The latter can also carry up to 4534lbs in RWD layout which is equally impressive in its own sense. Despite having such strength, the GMC does not compromise with its performance dynamics because of which it leads the pack and comes at the top among all in terms of its desirability. Its mechanical twin Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is somewhat parallel and challenges it to a large extent in this section.

How well does the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD handle?

Thanks to the independent suspension setup the truck feels comfortable to drive and soaks up every undulation it comes across. The steering wheel response isn’t that great on the highway speeds but still, the truck feels agile for its size and segment. The 6-speed auto transmission with the base engine is fine but it feels taxed while towing. The reason is pretty simple; it just doesn’t have enough ratios to keep the truck in its desirable torque band all the time. Here comes the Allison 10-speed auto which no matter what load you are carrying or towing doesn’t disappoint, at all. 

Apart from that, there are a few inherent demerits that the body style itself comes with. It includes the huge forward dive during hard braking which exacerbates when it is fully loaded. The mass transfer to the cornering wheels is also a matter of concern that engineers have to sort out. Therefore, to counter such upheavals, the anti-roll bars along with the StabiliTrak and Hitch Guidance have been attached. All in all, one can be content with its overall pursuit.

2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD Braking Performance

To limit this massive pick-up truck the brakes should be big and frictioned enough to take the beating. Though the same is not translated as per what’s expected, as the GMC Sierra 2500HD comes with rather small rotors of 13.0 inches at the front and 13.6 inches at the rear yet that does not affect its braking performance. It takes 140 feet to come to a standstill from 60 MPH speed. In addition to that, the Trailer brake controller, 4-wheel ABS, and Brake lining wear indicator have also been integrated to improve the feedback.

Except for the Sierra, all the other rivals come with almost similar brake-rotor dimensions but two out of them simply outclass the rest. The Chevy Silverado with its 134 feet stopping limit is the best performer followed by the Ram. The other 2 are not really underappreciated but the 6 feet difference could be a deciding factor in some situations. One must bow to Chevy for such a functional braking system it has on offer that works in rhythm despite dealing with the heaviest mass transfer.

These big trucks don’t get tested for the efficiency ratings but we still have some owner-backed numbers. The real-world test of some owners has revealed it to be 14 MPG for the gasoline engine of the GMC Sierra 2500HD and with the 36 gallons capacity, 504 miles of range can be achieved. Getting the Diesel mill here makes the most sense as it provides power and economy all in one. The diesel engine provides 19 MPG combined, a stellar figure, considering, we are not losing any power for efficiency but yes, the price premium you would have to pay for this will hardly be reimbursed in fuel savings.

Just like the Sierra 2500, we don’t have any official numbers to play with but in the real world we expect all these trucks hover around the 14 MPG mark only when combined with the gasoline engine. Even in terms of fuel tank capacity, the GMC and Chevrolet top the segment, closely followed by the Ford and RAM with tank capacities of 34 and 32-gallons, respectively. Hence, the conclusion remains in the shades of gray for this specific domain. 

In the pick-up truck’s scene, the interior is generally the weak spot in the base trims for all the silhouettes. The overall quality and finish of the GMC Sierra 2500HD are no different as most of the surfaces are made of soft-touch plastic that feels compromised in touch. The vinyl upholstery is also on the cheaper side but you can get a cloth upgrade in the SLE trim. The dashboard on this truck is all about utility and is full of cubby spaces. The regular cab configuration gets seating for 3-passengers alongside the middle seat that can be folded up or down. Moreover, one even gets single-zone air conditioning irrespective of hierarchy. And the description ends with tech-assists like the GMC Connected Access and Cruise control that can be handy in different scenarios. 

In terms of comparison, RAM 2500 Tradesman has the best interior among all the rivals especially in higher trims like Laramie but for the base trims, all these trucks have more or less similar interior accents. Meanwhile, the GM trucks go on to add an extra dimension with their figuratively highest passenger space. In the cargo space department as well, the GM trucks are doing better than the rest of the pack and have at least 5 cu.-ft more cargo space. These little variations make bigger strides when it comes to practicality and sound ergonomics with which the GMC takes the podium after setting the benchmark. 

Some of the features are:

• Foldable middle seat
• 8-inch touch screen
• Leather wrapped steering 
• GMC Connected Access
• Single-zone air conditioning

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The base trim of the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD gets an 8-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto and a 6-speaker sound system. On higher trims, you get the Bose premium sound system for the same musical rhythms but with more profundity. The touchscreen has a very dated User Interface with an abundance of buttons and knobs for radio and volume controls. To make your truck ready for any outdoor parties you can fit it with an optional Kicker sound system as well which adds 2, 4’’ speakers in the cargo bed along with USB and AUX ports. The Voice commands and Bluetooth Connectivity are other standard assets that bring the list to its climax. 

Some of the features are:

• 8-inch touch screen
• Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 
• 6-speaker sound system
• Navigation 
• Voice commands 
• Kicker sound system 

GMC has redesigned the truck completely and now the dimensions are wider and bigger than ever allowing Sierra to have a prominent stance. The truck now has a new hood with redesigned hood scoops that are functional. The length and height of the truck are also increased to give it an off-roading nudge. The front end gets LED headlights with some accents around the grille and the front bumper has been given a full chrome treatment. For this model year, one even has a wider bed which is the best among the rivals. The rest of the design is pretty simple with no body lines or flared-out fender. However, the 17" machined aluminum wheels are as muscular as the whole frame thus complementing its overall appeal.

As per data, the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 2500HD have the exact same dimensions as you know why but they look different. Silverado has a much meaner appearance when compared to the GMC. Ram 2500, on the other hand, has always had a bulked-up SUV-like front end. Except for the RAM, the ground clearance is also enough for the rest. If it has to be concluded then it is evident that all the trucks have a distinct character to them and each one looks significantly different with parallel handling dynamics throughout the strata. 

Some of the features are:

• LED headlights and DRL
• Functional hood scoop
• Sidestep on the cargo bed 
• Multi-fold tailgate 
• 17" machined aluminum wheels

Unfortunately, the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD has not yet been tested by the NHTSA and IIHS. But the 2019 model did mark 4 stars in the overall safety and a 5-star rating in the side crash tests. Considering these scores, the 2020 model should also do fine. It is true that the dimensions are changed a little bit but that shouldn’t affect the structural rigidity at all. Apart from that, advanced features like the Blindspot monitor, Forward collision warning, and Lane Departure warning can also be availed of when one invests in it. The StabiliTrak and Hitch Guidance are other tech complexities that are there at its disposal. 

Some of the features are:

• Blindspot monitor
• Rear cross-traffic alerts
• Forward collision warning 
• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane Departure warning

2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD vs Ford Super Duty F-250

Ford now offers 3 engines and the optional 10-speed automatic transmission is better than the one on the GMC. Though the cargo bed capacity is better with the Sierra but on the towing grounds Ford has a slight edge of 2500lbs. On the base trims both the trucks are stripped off of features but on higher trims, things get better like the F-250 can have better sound systems just like the GMC. On the safety front, each truck comes with similar features. Based on gauging them, the Ford seems to be a better prospect.

2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD vs 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

Mechanically both trucks are similar but there are some differences visually. Both share the same engine but the Chevy Silverado is a tad bit faster in acceleration and is cheaper than the GMC. The appearance may be that variance one may notice but if one has to pinpoint between the two then it has to be Chevy for its better approach towards practicality.

2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD vs 2020 Ram 2500

As we said earlier the RAM truck has the best interior among the competition with good quality materials all around the cabin. The base trim gets a tiny infotainment screen but on higher trims, you can get a massive 12-inch screen making it a proper modern truck. Visually it is the least aggressive entry in the segment but that has been the way Ram has designed trucks from the start, it's their identity. The highest possible towing capacity of both trucks is similar but the Ram comes nearly $2k cheaper. 

2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD gets one of the best towing capacities in the segment and it has some unique tricks to attract customers as well. The base gasoline engine is great for casual heavy haulers but it has limitations in both fuel economy and actual towing capacity. The Regular Cab configuration is only available in 2 trims so if you are getting this configuration then getting the optional turbo-diesel engine makes more sense as then you will be using this truck at its full potential. Overall GMC Sierra is one of the best trucks out there among the best.