GMC trucks are like the school students who don't top the class, but they don't fail either. They are never in the spotlight for good or bad reasons, with the exception of when the Sierra debuted with that new MultiPro tailgate. The GMC Sierra HD has been living in the shadow of its competition, the Silverado HD, and despite having a lot of things in common, it has never been able to trump the Chevy. However, it looks like the Sierra is trying to break those shackles with the 2020 model. The Sierra HD looks to have gotten rid of its flaws, and this time, it promises to be a well-packaged truck that can prove to be a serious threat to the competition.

2020 GMC Sierra HD

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2020 GMC Sierra HD
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

2020 GMC Sierra HD Exterior

- New, controversial grille - Taller Hood - Slightly taller - Longer wheelbase - MultiPro tailgate - 15 trailering cameras

The GMC Sierra HD just cannot be ignored due to its sheer size and presence. The bold, in-your-face grille is more than enough for people to sway their cars away when they spot it in their rearview mirrors. So in terms of looks, the Sierra HD now looks as up to date as its 1500-badged little brother. The awful chrome grille makes it way over here as well, but due to the truck’s size, one can live with it, unlike the latest BMWs. The hood is taller, has a chrome lip, and a fully-functional hood scoop to cool off the humongous engine underneath. The muscle lines on the hood add to the butch look of the truck. As for the headlights, they are the same, large-sized units with C-shaped LED housing and daytime running lights.

The side profile looks rather clean when compared to the garish front. The side view mirrors are a size larger this time and come with the engine badge stamped right behind it. The 2020 GMC Sierra HD comes with a longer wheelbase and is taller than the outgoing 2019 GMC Sierra HD.

Now, let's get to the talking point of this truck. The rear of the 2020 GMC Sierra HD is as generic as it can get but still looks smarter than the competition. The brand badge is prominent and placed on the center of the tailgate. The GMC Sierra HD comes with not one or two, but 15 cameras in total to give you an action of what's going on around its body.

The six-mode tailgate, that GMC likes to call the MultiPro tailgate, can work as a standing desk or can be folded down to create a step into the bed. The MultiPro tailgate is rated and can support up to 375 pounds.

GMC Sierra HD Exterior Dimensions

Double Cab

Crew Cab

Wheelbase (in. / mm):

144.2 / 3662 – 6’6” box
158.1 / 4017 – 8’ box

153.7 / 3904 – 6’6” box
167.7 / 4258 – 8’ box

Overall Length (in. / mm):

230 / 5842 – 6’6” box
248.9 / 6322 – 8’ box

239.5 / 6083 – 6’6” box
258.4 / 6563 – 8’ box

Overall Width (in. / mm):

80.5 / 2045

80.5 / 2045

Overall Height (in. / mm):

78 / 1983 (4WD w/ 6’6” box)
77.9 / 1978 (2WD w/ 8’ box)
77.8 / 1977 (4WD w/ 8’ box)

78.2 / 1988 (2WD w/ 6’6” box)
78.2 / 1987 (4WD w/ 6’6” box)
78 / 1981 (2WD w/ 8’ box)
77.9 / 1980 (4WD w/ 8’ box)


Note: 2019 GMC Sierra HD exterior dimensions listed here.

2020 GMC Sierra HD Interior

- Best-in-class headroom - Best-in-class legroom - Trailering system makes backing up easy - iN-Command system provides remote control of some features

Gone are the days when trucks used to have basic, barebones interiors. The kind of cabins trucks have these days can put luxury sedans to shame.

Talking about the cameras, GMC has capitalized on a basic problem that all truck owners with a hitched ride face. Surprisingly, no other automaker has worked as in-depth to make lives of owners easy. Remember the scene from Fast and Furious 4 where Dom and crew tried to steal the oil tankers? Well, this technology would have changed the whole scene. Anyway, GMC has offered 15 cameras that help drivers see what’s around the truck and the trailer. The 2020 GMC Sierra HD even lets the driver see right through a trailer by stitching together footage from a camera mounted on the tailgate and footage from an accessory camera that needs to be installed on the back of the trailer. This makes navigating the parking lots, merging into traffic or making tight turns a breeze.

The 2020 GMC Sierra HD also comes equipped with the iN∙Command control system that provides the ability to monitor and control select functions of equipped trailers through the myGMC mobile app. For instance, if it’s a camper, they can use the app to turn on the A/C or the water heater, check the water level, and check the generator’s fuel level. Of course, this all depends on whether or not your trailer is actually compatible with the iN-Command system, so those of you still rocking out those 1980s campers probably won't find this of interest.

Other features include:

-* Rear Camera Mirror technology from the Cadillac CT6

-* 15-inch-diagonal head-up display

-* Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support

-* Auto Electric Park Brake

-* Park Grade Hold Assist

-* Hill Start Assist

-* Hill Descent Control

-* Trailer Sway Control

GMC Sierra HD interior dimensions

Double Cab

Crew Cab

Headroom (in. / mm):

42.8 / 1087 (front)
38.7 / 982 (rear)

42.8 / 1087 (front)
40.5 / 1029 (rear)

Legroom (in. / mm):

45.3 / 1150 (front)
34.6 / 880 (rear)

45.3 / 1150 (front)
40.9 / 1040 (rear)

Shoulder room (in. / mm):

64.8 / 1647 (front)
64.3 / 1634 (rear)

64.8 / 1647 (front)
64.3 / 1634 (rear)

Hip room (in. / mm):

60.7 / 1543 (front)
60.2 / 1530 (rear)

60.7 / 1543 (front)
60.2 / 1530 (rear)


Note: 2019 GMC Sierra HD interior dimensions listed here.

2020 GMC Sierra HD Drivetrain

- 6.6-liter Duramax or 6.6-liter V-8 - Up to 445 horsepower - As much as 910 pound-feet of torque - Towing capacity of more than 30,000 pounds - Estimated 7,500-pound payload capacity - 10-speed Allison transmission with Duramax - Six-speed auto with entry-level gasonline engine - Ram and Ford HD trucks can tow more

Although 910 pound-feet of torque is more than adequate, we wonder why GMC did not try to top the new Ram HD's 1,000 pound-feet of torque. GMC is selling this as a heavy-duty hauler; so this would have been a great selling point for the automaker. The engine is mated to 10-speed automatic transmission. A gasoline engine will also be offered, but all we know about it is that it a new unit that is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission system so don't expect efficiency to be a big selling point.

Although this is an improvement over the 2019 Sierra HD, which could tow 23,300 pounds, it falls short of the Ram's 35,100-pound rating and, perhaps, even the Ford F-Series heavy-duty trucks which can lug 32,000 pounds.


Read our full review on the 2019 Ram 2500 Power Wagon.

Read our full review on the 2018 Ford Super Duty F-250

Read our full review on the 2019 GMC Sierra.

Engine

6.6-liter Duramax

6.7-Liter Cummins

6.7-Liter Power stroek

Transmission

10-Speed Allison

Six-Speed Auto

Six-Speed Torqshift

Horsepower

445 HP

400 HP

440 HP

Torque

910 LB-FT

1,000 LB-FT

925 LB-FT

Curb Weight

TBA

TBA

7,000 LB +

Maximum Towing Capacity

33,000+ LBS

35,100 LBS

Up to 35,000 LB

Payload Capacity

TBA

6,570 LBS

7,640 LB



Read our full review on the 2019 Ram 2500 Power Wagon.

Read our full review on the 2018 Ford Super Duty F-250

Read our full review on the 2019 GMC Sierra.

Engine

6.6-liter V-8 (gasoline)(est)

6.4-Liter HEMI V-8

6.2-Liter Flex V-8

Transmission

Six-Speed Auto (est)

Six-Speed Automatic

Torqshift Six-Speed Auto

Horsepower

400 HP (est)

410 HP

385 HP

Torque

450 LB-FT (est)

429 LB-FT

430 LB-FT

Curb Weight

TBA

TBA

5,668 to 7,526 LBS

Maximum Towing Capacity

18,000 LBS (est)

17,980 LBS

13,300 LBS

Payload Capacity

TBA

TBA

2,474 to 4,332 LBS


2020 GMC Sierra HD Pricing

Although the pricing has not been revealed, we speculate it to be in the ballpark of $42,000 for the 2500 HD, and $44,000 for the 3500 HD, thus undercutting the competition by a slight margin. Add on all the options and you could easily eclipse the $50,000 mark. The 2019 GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD came with a price tag of $38,000 and $40,000, respectively.

2020 GMC Sierra HD Competition

Ram HD

You think the GMC Sierra HD has a big mouth? Well, look at the grille on the Ram HD. This is a grille that can even give the new breed of Bimmers a complex. The Ram HD literally transformed itself from a beast to a monster. Under the hood of the Ram HD is a 6.7-liter, Cummins, turbodiesel that produces a mammoth 1,000 pound-feet of torque, but a mere 400 horses. However, Ram offers it with a six-speed transmission only, thus limiting its potential to a certain extent. The same unit is available with a lower power rating as well with just 370 ponies and 850 pound-feet of torque. The base trim is powered by a 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 engine that produces 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque. The automaker has reworked its chassis and body, which enabled it to shave off 143 pounds of curb weight when compared to the previous model. With all extras added, the Ram can pull 35,100 pounds and deliver a payload of 6,570 pounds. It can be customized with a rear air suspension which can be very helpful while loading and unloading.

On the inside, it may not seem as lush as the GMC Sierra, but Ram has offered all the creature comforts. The console area is now 22.6 liters, 2.9 liters larger than the 2019 model, and includes 12 storage configurations. In short, it can now hold bigger items like tablets. The base trim comes with a five-inch infotainment system, while the higher trims can be availed with an 8.4-inch or and 12-inch screen. It also comes with five USB ports, three 115-volt plugs, and wireless charging docks.

Read our full review on the 2019 Ram 2500 Power Wagon.

Ford Super Duty F-250

As is the norm in this segment, the Ford Super Duty F-250 also comes with a huge chrome grille slapped on its face. It is offered with two different engines - a 6.2 liter, V-8 engine that develops 385 horses and 430 pound-feet of torque and a 6.7-liter, turbodiesel V-8 mill that churns out 440 ponies and 925 pound-feet of torque. Impressive? Not really, but we would say it's on par with the competition. Both engines come mated with a six-speed automatic transmission, either in two-wheel-drive system or four-wheel-drive configuration. Towing capacity is rated at 32,000 pounds when properly equipped!

On the inside, the truck is a typical Ford - large, comfortable, and utilitarian. The top-trim comes with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, leather upholstery, power-adjustable pedals, and heated and cooled seats, to name a few. As is with any Ford truck and SUV, there is not dearth of customisation. Right from spoiling yourself with creature comforts, to mechanicals, Ford has made sure you can build this truck as per your convenience. However, this could see you shell you out more than $80,000 if you check out all of the options boxes.

Read our full review on the 2018 Ford Super Duty F-250

Final Thoughts

The 2020 GMC Sierra HD comes with a few, but very practical changes; like the 10-speed Allison transmission system that can make driving with heavy loads a little more sprightly and peppy. Features like the 15-inch head-up display, 15-camera setup and its compatibility with apps, and a multi-mode tailgate that makes things a lot more interesting in day-to-day use. The 2020 GMC Sierra HD will be built at the company's Flint Assembly in Flint, Michigan and is set to arrive in summer of 2019. Based on history, the GMC has sold 50-percent of its trucks in the Denali trim. With a lot more potential this time around, do you think the 2020 GMC Sierra HD can sway the Ford and Ram customers to opt this beast? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2019 GMC Sierra.