2020 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty

GMC completely redesigned the Sierra 1500 in 2019, and the truck carried into the 2020 model year largely unchanged. This was a smart evolution from the Sierra's previous generation, which had a design that many liked a lot. The straight lines and crisp angles underscored a kind of understated, timeless stoicism reminiscent of the “GMT 400” trucks from the late 1980s and '90s. Just a glimpse of those trucks often conjured the classic sounds of Bob Seger’s “Like a Rock.”

Inside, the 2020 Sierra looked almost identical to the old 2018 model. The layout remained nearly the same, although the dash seemed flatter, resulting in a somewhat odd jukebox appearance. Yet, all the controls were exactly where one would expect them to be, emphasizing practicality over novelty.

The Sierra was available in six trims: Base, SLE, Elevation, SLT, the premium Denali, and the off-road-oriented AT4. The Base trim came decently equipped with a V6 engine, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port, and LED “light blade” headlights. The SLE trim offered an additional USB port, a WiFi hotspot, a larger 8-inch touchscreen, and remote keyless entry, alongside several option packages.

GMC's Elevation trim added a unique aesthetic flair with body-color bumpers, door handles, and grille surround, set off by 20-inch wheels and black accents. The Elevation also featured heated front seats, remote engine start, and a heated steering wheel. The SLT offered many similar features but leaned toward a more classic, chrome-clad styling.

The AT4 trim shared many features with the Denali but swapped out chrome for a more rugged look. As bright and shiny fell out of fashion, GMC wisely created the AT4 to cater to changing tastes. The AT4 also boasted all-terrain tires and red tow hooks, adding a touch of ruggedness to its upscale black leather seats with brown accents. The Denali, on the other hand, set the bar for pickup-truck luxury with exterior chrome accents, 22-inch wheels, a head-up display (HUD), navigation, and wireless device charging.

Ford's Super Duty trucks took the blocky, muscular looks of the F-150 midsize pickup to the next level in the 2021 models. They were larger in every way, giving a true heavy-duty truck appearance. This styling wasn't just for show; the Super Duty trucks featured significant upgrades over their light-duty counterparts. Longer bed lengths allowed for better cargo hauling, and their taller ride height improved ground clearance, essential for navigating tough terrain or messy job sites. The trucks featured giant grilles, heavy-duty bumpers, and resilient bodywork designed to endure daily wear and tear.

Inside, the Super Duty's cabin varied greatly depending on the cab configuration. The base XL trim offered good headroom and legroom but was otherwise a stripped-down work truck. Lower trims had simple cloth upholstery, while higher trims like the Super Duty Limited could be outfitted with leather and other upscale finishes rivaling those found in many luxury cars.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 presented buyers with five engine choices. The base engine was a 4.3-liter V6 producing 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque. GMC also offered a more modern 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, generating 310 hp and 348 lb-ft of torque. The Sierra could also be equipped with a Duramax turbodiesel 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine that delivered 277 hp and a robust 460 lb-ft of torque.

Two V8 engines were available: a 5.3-liter producing 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, and a 6.2-liter churning out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The latter powered the AT4 trim, providing commanding acceleration and an impressive 60-80-mph surge. Every engine came paired with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, with an optional four-wheel drive. The Sierra 1500 could tow up to 12,100 pounds, outmatching the needs of most buyers.

In terms of off-road capabilities, the AT4 trim came with beefed-up skid plates, upgraded suspension, and hill-descent control, making it adept at tackling trails. However, this off-road prowess translated to a rougher on-road ride, particularly on anything but the smoothest surfaces. The Sierra's fuel economy varied by engine, with the 6.2-liter V8 yielding 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 17 combined, while the most efficient version, the 3.0-liter turbodiesel, achieved 23/30/26 mpg.

The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered three powertrain options. The base engine was a 6.2-liter V8 producing 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. For those needing more power, a 7.3-liter V8 engine was available, delivering 430 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The crown jewel, however, was the 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine, which pumped out an impressive 475 hp and a staggering 1,050 lb-ft of torque. All engines were mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The Super Duty trucks came standard with rear-wheel drive but could be upgraded to four-wheel drive. The F-350 model offered a dual-rear-wheel configuration for enhanced towing capacity, enabling it to haul impressive payloads up to 4,060 pounds. Towing capabilities were even more remarkable, with some configurations reaching over 36,000 pounds when equipped with a gooseneck setup. The diesel V8 engine offered the best performance, making the Super Duty a formidable player in heavy-duty scenarios.

For off-road enthusiasts, the Super Duty Tremor models featured factory lift kits, rugged tires, and muscular styling. While fuel economy ratings weren't required for heavy-duty trucks, it was evident that fuel efficiency would drop significantly when towing or hauling heavy loads.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 offered various cab and bed configurations: a single cab with a long bed, a double cab with a standard-size bed, and a full 4-door crew cab available with either a standard or short bed. The test model featured GMC’s new carbon-fiber bed and MultiPro tailgate. The carbon-fiber bed reduced weight, which helped conserve fuel, while the MultiPro tailgate could be configured in six ways, functioning as a bed extender or an easy step into the truck bed.

Inside, the Sierra boasted numerous cupholders, cubbies, and storage units. The rear seats could fold upward, providing a spacious storage area for valuable items. The cabin was designed to keep everything within easy reach, ensuring comfort and practicality.

The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty catered to comfort as well, despite its hardcore utility focus. The standard 40/20/40 folding bench setup in the front provided a cozy armrest with cupholders. Crew Cab and Super Cab models offered generous rear seats with easy access through large doors.

Driving the Super Duty trucks was more suited to job sites than urban settings. Their massive size complicated parking, maneuvering, and visibility. Loading child seats and entering the truck were also challenging tasks, despite the running boards. However, the Super Duty's clever tailgate design, complete with steps and a handle for easy bed access, made it functional and efficient.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 featured a simple, straightforward infotainment system with clear graphics, large icons, and an intuitive menu. This system was complemented by tactile controls for the radio and climate settings, which many found preferable to the massive touchscreens seen in competitors.

The Sierra's AT4 trim included an HUD, wireless charging, multiple USB ports, and outlets. The controls remained user-friendly and straightforward, enhancing the driving experience without overwhelming drivers with complicated interfaces.

Ford's 2021 F-250 Super Duty came equipped with the Sync 3 infotainment system, known for its intuitive design and ease of use. The base XL trim had a non-touch display, but higher trims offered a larger touchscreen. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with upgraded audio systems available for higher trims.

Additional tech options included a WiFi hotspot, heated and ventilated seats, adjustable upfitter switches for accessories, and a rapid heating unit for diesel-equipped trucks.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 came standard with a reversing camera, traction control, and a full array of front- and side-impact airbags. The AT4 trim added a surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, and a suite of driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert were also available. The rear camera mirror feature allowed the rear-view mirror to display a digital image projected by one of the rear-facing cameras, enhancing visibility when needed.

In 2021, Ford's Super Duty trucks had various safety features, albeit most were available as added-cost upgrades or came with higher trims. The available trailer tow package included special camera views and the Pro Trailer Backup Assist feature. Advanced safety features like blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision alerts were also available.

However, as Super Duty trucks were classified as commercial vehicles, they were not subject to the same crash testing and scoring as light-duty trucks, so neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS issued scores for these models.