2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD vs 2020 Toyota Tacoma

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD was a behemoth, prioritizing function over form. Its massive grille fed multiple radiators, ready for serious work regardless of the trim level. The Denali trim stood out with extensive chrome, including a large chrome grille and 8-lug chrome wheels. Premium exterior colors were available, with Onyx Black being a popular choice. Despite its flashy appearance, the Denali's cabin was somewhat underwhelming, lacking the soft-touch materials found in competitors like the Ram 2500 Limited. The Sierra 2500HD trims ranged from the basic Sierra with minimal frills to the more upscale SLE and SLT, each adding more features and conveniences.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma, while not a beauty contest winner, had a clean and simple design. The body, available in extended Access or four-door Double Cab forms, was rounded yet rugged. The TRD Pro trim featured redesigned LED headlights, a new grille, and Army Green paint. The interior was straightforward, with a modest touchscreen and practical controls. However, the materials were mostly bargain plastics and rubbers, and the leather seats in the TRD Pro were not up to par. Despite these shortcomings, the Tacoma's fit and finish were better than competitors like the Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered two 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 with 445 horsepower and an impressive 910 pound-feet of torque. The gas engine was paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel engine used a 10-speed Allison transmission. The Sierra 2500HD could tow up to 18,510 pounds and haul a payload of up to 3,979 pounds. Despite its power, the truck had a poor turning radius and required careful maneuvering in tight spaces. Fuel economy was around 16.5 miles per gallon in combined driving.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma offered a base 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine with 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, but it was underpowered for the vehicle's weight. The better option was the 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. The V6 came with a 6-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, with 4-wheel drive optional on most trims. The TRD Pro trim included 4WD and an electronic low-range transfer case. The Tacoma's off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control. However, the V6 engine was noisy, and fuel economy was poor, with 18 mpg city and 22 mpg highway for the V6.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD was available in various bed and cab configurations, including regular, double, and crew cabs with standard or long beds. The Denali trim was only available with the crew cab. The truck featured helpful bed corner steps and an EZ lift-and-lower tailgate with a remote release. The MultiPro tailgate offered six different configurations, including a step into the truck bed. Inside, the 2500HD had ample room and numerous storage options, with additional storage under the rear seats in higher trims.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma's smaller size made it easier to maneuver in city environments and on trails. It offered a 5- or 6-foot bed length, with the TRD Pro and Limited trims only available with the short bed. The bed included a rail system with movable cleats, an optional power outlet, and LED lighting. The Double Cab's rear seats were cramped for long trips and lacked air vents. Under-seat storage bins were available but did not create a flat loading floor. The Tacoma's heater was quick and powerful, but the lack of a rear defroster and a driver's side grab handle were notable omissions.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running GMC Infotainment 3, featuring customizable icons, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SLT and Denali trims had an 8-inch screen with optional navigation. The Denali also included an 8-inch color driver-information screen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though not as extravagant as the Ram 2500 Limited's massive screen.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen, with an 8-inch version available that included navigation and cloud-based traffic routes. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa were standard, along with a new USB-C port. Wireless phone charging and onboard Wi-Fi were available. The Tacoma also offered 360-degree cameras and a standard suite of driver assists, including adaptive cruise control. The infotainment system was functional and easy to use, though not the most advanced.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD included standard safety features like front and side 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. The Driver Alert Package II included forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The truck's size and poor turning radius required careful maneuvering, but the safety features helped mitigate these challenges.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma came with standard safety features like forward-emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors. The Tacoma scored 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA crash tests and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, with top ratings in five of six crash tests.