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

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty underwent subtle design updates that were noticeable to keen observers. The front bumper featured more black-painted areas, reducing the previous model's bling. The grille design was refined from a large two-bar to a more restrained style, resulting in sleeker headlights without altering their overall shape. This gave the truck a more sophisticated appearance without a complete redesign. The F-250 was available in various trims, each offering distinct visual elements. The XL trim had a black grille and bumpers, while the XLT added brightwork and alloy wheels. The King Ranch featured a two-tone paint job and chrome accents, while the Platinum and Limited trims offered more luxurious touches like 20-inch alloy wheels and satin-chrome grilles. Inside, the F-250's cabin was functional but not particularly welcoming, with hard plastics and a mechanical feel. The base XL model was equipped with essential features, while higher trims like the Lariat and King Ranch added leather upholstery, advanced infotainment systems, and comfort features like heated and cooled seats.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 was known for its styling and upscale Denali trim. The Sierra AT4, an off-road-ready version, was priced at $78,938 Canadian, including destination charges. It featured a factory-installed suspension lift, off-road suspension, skid plates, and unique design details like red recovery hooks. The AT4's aggressive mud-terrain tires and CarbonPro Edition Package, with a carbon fibre composite cargo bed, highlighted its off-road capabilities. The Sierra's interior, while functional, was dominated by black plastic, with some caramel seat trim and metallic accents. The cabin offered standard Sierra quality with an industrial-themed design. The Sierra's Denali trim was considered a premium option, but some felt it deserved better interior materials for its price. The truck's exterior design and off-road features made it appealing to those seeking adventure, but its interior left room for improvement in terms of luxury and comfort.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty came standard with a 6.2-litre gasoline V8 engine, producing 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Ford also offered a 6.7-litre Power Stroke turbodiesel V8, delivering an impressive 475 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque. A new 7.3-litre gas V8 option was introduced, generating 430 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. The gas engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel V8 used a six-speed TorqShift automatic. The F-250's towing capacity reached up to 10,977 kilograms when properly equipped. Despite its heavy-duty nature, the truck's 10-speed transmission provided surprising acceleration and usability in everyday driving. However, the suspension, designed for heavy loads, resulted in a bumpy ride when unloaded. The Tremor off-road package added features like 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler tires and a 5 cm lift, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered an affordable Duramax 3.0-litre turbodiesel six-cylinder engine, producing 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. This engine delivered maximum torque at just 1,500 rpm, providing impressive thrust after a brief turbocharger delay. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Sierra's powertrain was adept at selecting gears and maintaining torque. The automatic 4WD system allowed for easy switching between RWD and 4WD modes. During testing, the Sierra averaged 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly higher than the official rating of 9.1 L/100 km. The AT4's suspension handled rough terrain confidently, offering a more comfortable ride than standard suspensions. The Sierra's off-road capabilities were demonstrated during a brief excursion, where its all-terrain tires performed well. When properly equipped, the Sierra could tow up to 4,173 kilograms and handle a payload of 962 kilograms.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available in Regular Cab, SuperCab, and Crew Cab configurations, with bed sizes of 2,081 mm or 2,492 mm. The cabin was spacious and functional, with deep cup holders and cubbies for large items. The centre console was massive, capable of storing files, tools, or a laptop. The rear seats in the SuperCrew and Crew Cab folded up to reveal a load floor for large items, providing secure storage for equipment.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered comfortable seating with large, supportive front chairs and spacious rear seats. The test truck featured durable leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated and cooled cushions. The heated steering wheel and rear seats added comfort during cold weather. High-clearance side rails and a six-position Multipro tailgate made accessing the cargo bed easier. The CarbonPro Edition package included a carbon fibre composite cargo bed, reducing weight and improving durability. The Sierra's bed held between 1,781 and 2,523 litres of cargo, with multiple tie-downs for securing loads. However, the cab's storage space was less impressive compared to other full-size pickups, with smaller or less innovative storage options.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty's base XL model came with four speakers, an AM/FM/MP3 radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB-C port. The XLT trim added more speakers, SiriusXM satellite radio, and the SYNC 3 infotainment system, which included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. FordPass Connect was standard across the lineup, offering a WiFi hotspot and smartphone connectivity for remote locking, unlocking, and vehicle status updates. Many of these services required a subscription.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 featured numerous camera-based technologies, including a reversing camera, surround-view camera, trailer- and bed-view cameras, and a rear camera mirror. These technologies were part of the optional Technology Package, which also included a 15-inch head-up display and an 8-inch driver information display. The Sierra's infotainment system offered a choice between a 7-inch and an 8-inch touchscreen display, with fast loading times and responsive input. The test truck had the 8-inch display, with physical knobs and buttons for easy use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The available Bose premium sound system was adequate but not as impressive as competitors' offerings. The Sierra's 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and in-dash electrical outlet provided convenience during power outages.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty included standard safety features like front- and side-impact airbags, trailer sway control, hill start assist, and AdvanceTrac traction control with roll stability control. Optional features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Additional options included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system. The F-250 had not been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, and while it offered many high-tech safety features, some felt these should be standard.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered optional safety features like forward collision warning, front pedestrian braking, and automatic emergency braking. The Denali trim included blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning, with lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a Safety Alert Seat available on other trims. Adaptive cruise control was optional for the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. The Sierra's crash-test ratings were less than stellar, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Marginal" ratings from the IIHS for certain tests. The Sierra's safety features were expected to improve with the introduction of GM's Super Cruise technology in the 2022 model.