If you need lots and lots of power and torque to tow your oversized toy, have I got the truck for you.
The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 (three-quarter ton) Denali 4WD Crew Cab heavy-duty pickup is a beast with bedside – or should I say roadside – manners. GMC sets a new standard for the heavy-duty pickup segment, providing incredible performance, enhanced trailering capabilities and unique, refined, creature comforts.
And yes, this is the truck with the tailgate that makes your jaw drop – at least in the TV commercials. By the end of the week I was an expert at all of the configurations. Some seem for show, others definitely provide utility.
“We set new standards for smart capability, bold design and advanced technologies in the half-ton pickup space with the 2019 Sierra 1500,” said Jaclyn McQuaid, Sierra heavy-duty chief engineer. “We wanted to do the very same in the heavy-duty space, while simultaneously increasing strength and performance. We were determined to make this truck as driven and capable as our customers.”
My tester was powered by a 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel V8 that delivered 445 horsepower and a mind-boggling 910 lb.-ft. of torque. The new model marks the introduction of an all-new Allison10-speed automatic transmission – the first-ever Allison 10-speed automatic transmission offered in the heavy-duty pickup segment. It provided closer gear spacing than before, allowing the engine to operate in an optimal range at all times with varying load and terrain conditions.
The Sierra earned a surprising 18 miles per gallon in combination of city/highway driving, and easily seats five adults with two front captain’s chairs and a rear bench seat accessed via a full-length running board.
As for the toys, the Sierra is the most capable heavy-duty pickup in its segment, delivering best-in-class 35,500 pound maximum for gooseneck trailering, with a gross combined weight rating of 43,500 pounds.
And this truck looks the part. As I said before, it’s a beast. My brother measured the distance between placement and top of hood (which is mostly grille) at just over five-feet in height. Vehicle height is just under seven feet. It was all done with purpose.
“We took every opportunity to visually express the strength and capability that lies beneath the surface,” said Matt Noone, director of GMC exterior design. “The elevated hood line, the strong shoulders, the striking front grille – these cues not only lend this truck a powerful yet refined presence, but also help communicate the strength and performance that has been engineered and built into each and every Sierra heavy-duty.”
Creature comforts make you forget you’re driving a truck, until it comes time to park. There’s no getting around that. The best goodies were heated front and rear seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bose premium sound system, rear-view mirror, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, navigation, wireless charging and remote start.
Safety features included front and rear park-assist (very handy), lane-change alert, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking and Intellibeam headlights.
Another observation from my week behind the wheel of this giant: Fewer people cut me off than normal, and gave me a wider berth. I guess size does matter.
Base Price: $65,295
Price As Driven: $78,995
Base price includes destination charge. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.
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