Starting at
Starting at
277 - 420 HP | Horsepower | 250 - 450 HP |
305 - 460 lb-ft | Torque | 265 - 510 lb-ft |
62.90 cu. ft. | Cargo Volume | 51.9 cu. ft. |
When it comes to full-size pickup trucks, there are a lot of players in the market, and buyers of these trucks know what they want in a vehicle that will get the job done. However, over the years, both GMC and Ford have steadily been at the top of the list for reliability, durability, and hard-working performance. Year after year, both brands have ranked as some of the best selling trucks in the US. While Ford's F-150 has been slightly more popular, the brand new Sierra 1500 from GMC looks to be giving it a run for its money, equipped with even more advanced technology features, a larger cabin, larger cargo box, and extra luxury amenities. If you are stuck deciding between the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2020 Ford F-150, let's take a closer look at what gives GMC'S offering an advantage over the Ford.
In comparing the two trucks, the versatility, comfort, and cargo space make them prime examples in their class of full-size pickups. From hauling the kids to sports practice to carrying building materials for a home project, or bringing all your outdoor adventure gear with you, both the Sierra and F-150 are well suited for drivers who demand a lot from their vehicles.
Choosing which one is right for you will come down to a number of factors, including price, space, safety, technology, performance, and fuel efficiency. These factors will all determine which one will best serve your personal style and driving needs. We know that a decision between various vehicles can be a difficult and time-consuming one to make. While the F-150 is a capable contender and neither vehicle is a slouch, here are a few reasons why the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 would be a better overall choice for overall reliability, durability, convenience, and value.
The Sierra's 2.7L turbocharged engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission provides a perfect balance of power and performance, giving it quick acceleration from a standing start than other full-size trucks. On the other side, its braking performance is also impressive, offering maximum control when entering turns and stopping in traffic. For a truck this size, handling is respectable and balanced, and the off-road capability is what you would expect: controlled and solid. In addition, the Sierra's Traction Select system allows additional wheel spin and smoother throttle response in driving situations where traction is low.
Ford's offering offers strong and reasonably quick performance across all of its trim levels, and the 10-speed automatic provides smooth shifting. Steering and braking are good for a truck this size, but it needs to keep pace with what the competitors like the Sierra are doing in this department. For such a large pickup, the F-150 is reasonably simple to maneuver. It's clearly designed more to pull heavy loads, and as such daily driving and long family trips suffer a bit.
The huge bed of the Sierra is both useful and convenient for carrying lots of small items or several large ones. A plethora of tie-downs keeps your cargo safe and secure, and easy bed steps make loading and unloading a breeze. The Sierra also has an exclusive MultiPro tailgate, which opens in six different configurations, a feature no other truck in this class has.
Higher trim levels come with a brake controller, trailer camera to assist in hitching, and memory settings for various trailer configurations. Inside the cabin, there is also lots of room to store small items in various pockets and cup holders.
The bed on the F-150 offers plenty of room for cargo with lots of tie-downs, and it even features a deployable tailgate step, but it can't match the versatility of the Sierra's MultiPro option.
Interior storage is still good, although the Sierra and other challengers have raised the bar. The deep center console bin offers plenty of storage for small items without getting in the way of the transmission shifter. If so equipped, seats in the rear flip up to reveal a narrow bin for storing longer items.
Interior seating in the Sierra is plush with plenty of support for longer rides. For a large truck, the overall ride is smooth and small bumps are absorbed well. Driving on roads with a lot of bumps and dips and introduce some bounciness, however. That said, engine noise is fairly well muted no matter the driving conditions. The climate control system easily heats and cools the spacious cabin, so everyone stays comfortable at their own level. A feature exclusive to the Sierra is split-heated front seats, which offer separate settings for both the seat back and seat cushion.
The cabin provides a pleasant and comfortable environment for both driver and passengers. While the truck generally handles well, an empty bed can cause it to shake a bit on uneven pavement. The ride is quiet with barely any audible road and wind noise, especially if you forego the optional larger tow mirrors. Engine noise is also fairly quiet while cruising. All of the interior controls are well-labeled and easy to use.
The Sierra's large 8-inch touchscreen display is bright and easy to use, offering intuitive controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as are USB and USB-C ports on the dash, and in the center console. The voice recognition system does a great job with basic voice commands but might need a little help with recognizing natural speech patterns. Also included are advanced driver-assist functions such as emergency braking, lane keep assist, front and rear parking sensors, and blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert.
A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot is standard on the F-150, as is a touchscreen display and a couple of USB inputs upfront. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard. Driver-assist aids are on par with the Sierra and include collision warning with automatic emergency braking with optional lane keep assist, trailer monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
GMC's offering provides good value across the line with a well-built and sturdy frame and interior and the innovative and exclusive MultiPro tailgate. GMC offers a three year or 36,000-mile warranty and a five year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, which is pretty standard for trucks in this market segment. However, GMC also includes scheduled maintenance (oil changes and tire rotations) for the first year, something that Ford can't match.
The same warranty coverage applies to the F-150 as it does to the Sierra, and overall build quality is fairly typical. While sturdy and lighter weight, the all-aluminum body of the F-150 is also slightly more prone to minor damage than traditional steel.