The GMC Sierra is consistently one of the top-selling full-sized pickup trucks on the market. With its six trim levels, five available engines, and an array of cab styles and bed lengths, it can be customized to any buyer’s preferences. This model year brings a brand-new 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine, plus bed view cameras, trailer cameras, and adaptive cruise control. GMC has also introduced the world’s first six-function MultiPro tailgate, which makes it a breeze to load and unload cargo. The 2020 GMC Sierra is made for your every task, as its available EcoTec3 V8 makes up to a class-leading 420 horsepower (and 460 lb.-ft. of torque) and can tow up to 12,100 lb. Plus, it has more cargo bed volume than any competitor, an available carbon-fiber bed liner, as well as best-in-class crew cab front head and leg room.
Trim Levels
The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 is offered in six trim levels: Base, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, and Denali. There are single cab, double cab, and crew cab configurations with various bed lengths (availability varies by trim). The base model has a slew of great features, including a rearview camera, Bluetooth audio streaming, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a USB port, and a six-speaker audio system. The SLE adds remote keyless entry, more USB ports, OnStar and GMC Connected Services capabilities, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, rubberized-vinyl floor mats, an upgraded (8-inch) touchscreen infotainment display, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The Elevation trim tacks on keyless ignition, remote start, a rear 12-volt auxiliary rear power outlet, two more USB ports, a rear window defogger, a theft-deterrent system, LED fog lights, and a remote-locking tailgate. Upgrade to the SLT trim and you’ll get dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front and second-row seats, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, a trailer brake controller, and the aforementioned MultiPro configurable tailgate. The AT4 receives off-roading features like a 2-inch suspension lift, all-terrain tires, skid plates, and monotube shock absorbers. The top trim, the Denali, reigns supreme with a package of driver-assist features, power assist steps, a head-up display, adaptive suspension dampers, and a premium seven-speaker Bose sound system. The top two trims are eligible for the groundbreaking CarbonPro carbon-fiber truck bed for class-leading protection against dents, corrosion, and scratches.
Mechanical Features
There is plenty of engine variety, as the 2020 GMC Sierra offers a lineup of five available engines. The Base Sierra comes standard with a strong but no-nonsense powertrain consisting of a 4.3-liter V6 (285 horsepower and 305 lb.-ft. of torque) with a six-speed automatic transmission. The SLE has a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that puts out 310 horsepower and 348 lb.-ft. of torque, which is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The SLE and all higher trim levels have the option of GMC’s all-new 3.0-liter inline-six Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine, delivering a class-best 277 horsepower and 460 lb.-ft. of torque as well as an EPA-estimated 30 mpg highway, representing a new efficiency high-water mark for the Sierra 1500. The SLT is standardly equipped with a 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 engine that delivers 355 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque; it also gets an eight-speed automatic transmission. The SLT, AT4, and Denali can also be ordered with a more powerful 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 engine (420 hp and 460 lb.-ft.) partnered up with a 10-speed automatic transmission.