2020 GMC Sierra 1500: Big Diesel, Big Tech

GMC has just refreshed its half-ton pickup. This year, the 2020 Sierra 1500 features 10-speed auto for the diesel option, a rocking carbon fiber bed, and more tech than you can shake a stick at.

Photo: GMC

Let’s start things off with the look. GMC thankfully went with a less polarizing front end for the Sierra, unlike its controversial cousin, the Chevrolet Silverado. However, the redesigned front grill has resulted in a lower MPG rating, despite having a lower curb weight than the older version.

Under the hood, the refreshed Sierra is available in different engine options, from a 2.7L turbocharged four-banger all the way to a 6.2L V8 mill. This being Diesel World, however, what we’re interested in is the 3.0L Duramax L6 turbodiesel, which puts out 277 horses and 460 lb-ft. of torque. The engine can be paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and is available in Denali, SLE, SLT and Elevation trim.

The top-end AT4 and Denali models also get GMC’s CarbonPro bed. As the name suggests, this is a carbon fiber bed that offers six times the impact resistance compared to steel. During testing, the bed was able to shrug off dropped cinder blocks, 1,800-lb. loads, and entire water-filled drums.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIpxrj0zLbM

Finally, the refreshed Sierra gets a slew of high-tech toys. There’s an adaptive cruise control with full stop-and-go function, allowing it to be used in heavy city traffic. The feature is available on the Denali, AT4 and SLT trim.

In addition, the 5.3L gas engine option gets GM’s Dynamic Fuel Management system introduced last year. Also known as “Dynamic Skip Fire”, it supersedes the older Active Fuel Management system and deactivates cylinders based on usage to improve power delivery and efficiency.

Finally, the 1500 will get the “x-ray” camera trick of its bigger HD brother. The system superimposes the feed from a trailer-mounted camera over the trailer, creating a neat see-through view.

The 2020 Sierra 1500 is expected to retail close to the current model’s prices, which ranges from just over $31,000 to about $60,895 .

You May Also Like

Diesel News 4-27-20

Truck of the Week Crew Cab ’96 Dodge Dually For Sale The truck Dodge should’ve built is up for grabs for $18,500: a crew cab […]

Diesel News - 2023 Super Duty; 2024 GM HD and more.

Truck Of The Week Ford Launches The ‘23 Super Duty We know, we know. The grille… But just like in ’17, Ford’s Super Duty redesign […]

Diesel News - 1000 Gallon Diesel Heist, Diesel Tesla, and more

Highlights Van with trap door steals over 1000 gallons of diesel Just outside Houston Texas a gas station was robbed of around 1000 gallons by […]

Bosch Claims Tech Breakthrough as EU Diesel Ban Looms

Saved by the bell? Auto parts supplier Bosch GmbH claims to have made a technological breakthrough that dramatically improves diesel engine emissions. The engineering giant […]