IT’S A BEST BUY BECAUSE:
The GMC Sierra offers the same basic capabilities as its Chevrolet Silverado corporate cousin, along with several innovative new features that aren’t available elsewhere.
BUT…
Interior refinement and ride quality don’t quite match the Ram 1500.
WORTH NOTING:
The Sierra’s top-line Denali models offer a number of distinctive luxury touches, including upscale trim inside and out and an exclusive Adaptive Ride Control suspension.
WHAT IS IT?
The Sierra is GMC’s full-size pickup; it shares its basic platform and powertrains with the Chevrolet Silverado. Though the two trucks have traditionally been nearly identical under the skin, the Sierra is differentiated by unique styling, a slightly different equipment mix, and a slightly more upscale ambiance—and the styling and content differences between the two became more significant with the trucks’ redesign last year. Regular cab, extended cab, and crew cab body styles are offered, as are turbo 4-cylinder, turbodiesel six, V6, and V8 engines and full-time 4WD. The model lineup ascends through SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, and Denali trim levels. The AT4 is an off-road-focused model with a 2-inch suspension lift, skid plates, all-terrain tires, and other specialized gear, and the Denali is a perennially popular luxury model. Available Sierra safety features include forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and low-speed automatic braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot alert, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Sierra’s unique features include a MultiPro tailgate with a separately hinged “mini-gate” section that can be opened in several handy positions, and a CarbonPro carbon-fiber cargo box.
WHAT’S NEW?
After its complete redesign for 2019, the GMC Sierra gets some noteworthy available features for 2020: adaptive cruise control, an upgraded ProGrade Trailering System that offers up to 15 camera views (including a virtual see-through “transparent-trailer” view), and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel 6-cylinder engine that makes 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Availability of the 10-speed automatic transmission is expanded as well.
FUEL ECONOMY
Since there are too many variations to list here, this is a sampling of the Sierra’s EPA ratings. The new turbodiesel 3.0 six is rated at 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway with 2WD, and 22/26 with 4WD. The 2.7 turbocharged four is rated at 20/23 with 2WD and 19/22 with 4WD. The 2WD 5.3 V8 with the 8-speed transmission is rated at 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway, which bests the 15/21 rating for the 4WD 5.3 with the 6-speed. The 4WD 6.2-liter V8 with the 10-speed transmission is rated at 15/20. In Consumer Guide® testing, an AT4 with the 6.2-liter V8 averaged 17.6 mpg in 75-percent highway driving. All gas engines can be run on regular-grade fuel, though GMC recommends premium for the 6.2 for best performance.
VALUE IN CLASS
After their impressive redesigns last year, both the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado get a promising new diesel engine for 2020. The GM pickups’ so-so interior trimmings are more glaring in the Sierra, given the GMC brand’s upmarket positioning, but the Sierra is still a top choice. The top-line Denali models have long been a competitive advantage, and the MultiPro tailgate and other exclusive features also bolster the Sierra’s standing.
| BASE PRICE RANGE | $29,600 – $58,500 |
| BODY STYLES | Regular, Extended, and Crew Cab |
| AVAILABLE ENGINES | 277-HP, 3.0-Liter Turbodiesel 6-Cyl.; 285-HP, 4.3-Liter V6; 310-HP, Turbocharged 2.7-Liter 4-Cyl.; 355-HP, 5.3-Liter V8; 420-HP 6.2 Liter V8 |
| DRIVE WHEELS | Rear or 4-Wheel Drive |
| BUILT IN | USA |
| EPA FUEL-ECONOMY RANGE | 14-30 MPG |
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