What's New
After being all-new for the 2019 model year, the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 gets some updates. GMC’s carbon fiber pickup bed and 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine are more readily available throughout the lineup. Trucks with the 5.3-liter V8 come equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission, replacing last year’s eight-speed gearbox.
When it comes to technology, the Sierra 1500 can be fitted with the automaker’s Enhanced ProGrade Trailering system, which has 15 cameras. Additionally, the Elevation trim is now offered with a Crew Cab configuration.
Choosing Your GMC Sierra 1500
The Sierra 1500 is available in six trims: Sierra, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, Denali. Pricing starts at $31,195 including destination for the Sierra trim and rises to $56,490 for the Denali.
Engine Choices
There are five available engines for the GMC Sierra 1500. A 4.3-liter V6 is standard on the Sierra; a 5.3-liter V8 is available on the Sierra, SLE, and Elevation and standard on the SLT, AT4, and Denali; a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is standard on the SLE and Elevation and available on the Sierra; the 3.0-liter turbodiesel is available on the SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, and Denali; and a 6.2-liter V8 is available on the SLT, AT4, and Denali.
Engine Type | Horsepower | Torque | Max Towing | Fuel Economy (Combined) |
4.3L V6 | 285 hp | 305 lb-ft | 7,900 pounds | 17 mpg |
5.3L V8 | 355 hp | 383 lb-ft | 11,400 pounds | 20 mpg |
2.7L Turbo 4-Cylinder | 310 hp | 348 lb-ft | 6,900 pounds | 21 mpg |
3.0L 6-Cylinder Turbodiesel | 277 hp | 460 lb-ft | 9,000 pounds | 26 mpg |
6.2L V8 | 420 hp | 460 lb-ft | 12,200 pounds | 17 mpg |
The V6 uses a six-speed automatic transmission, while the 5.3-liter V8 is paired with a six-, eight-, or 10-speed automatic, depending on the trim. The turbo four-cylinder uses an eight-speed automatic gearbox, while the turbodiesel and 6.2-liter V8 are paired with a 10-speed automatic.
Rear-wheel drive is standard on all trims but the AT4, which is available exclusively with four-wheel drive. All other trims can be had with 4WD for between $3,300 and $4,600, depending on the trim. The 6.2-liter V8 is only available with 4WD.
The base V6 is more of a work-truck engine and is the weakest of the bunch. While not as refined as the others, the turbocharged four-cylinder is the best bet for urban consumers. The turbodiesel is the gem of the lineup, though it’s pricey and lags behind both V8s when it comes to towing capacity.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
Passenger capacity for the Sierra 1500 ranges from three to six. The truck is offered in Regular Cab (two-door), Double Cab (two rear half doors), and Crew Cab (four full-size doors) configurations.
There are also three bed sizes for the pickup: the 8-foot-1-inch Long Box, 6-foot-6-inch Standard Box, and the 5-foot-8-inch Short Box. Cargo capacity checks in at 89.1 cubic feet with the Long Box, 71.7 cubes with the Standard Box, and 62.90 with the Short Box.
Safety Features
The GMC Sierra 1500 doesn't come with any standard active safety features, but they are available in packages.
Base Sierra trims can be equipped with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane change alert, and front and rear parking sensors through the $1,165 Driver Alert Package I. These features only become standard on the range-topping Denali trim.
The SLT trim opens the door open to the $1,095 Driver Alert Package II, which adds automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, and lane departure warning.
Starting on the AT4, a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, and a bed view camera are available through the $2,305 Technology Package.
The Sierra 1500 carries a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.
Connectivity
Entry-level Sierra trims come with a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a USB port, and a 3.5-inch driver information display.
The SLE brings an 8-inch touchscreen, wi-fi hot spot capability, more USB ports, and a 4.2-inch driver information display. The Denali has navigation, an 8-inch driver information center, and wireless charging as standard.
The Sierra is a base work truck that comes with a three-passenger bench seat, a manual tilt steering column, manual windows, manual door locks, manual air conditioning, and 17-inch steel wheels.
The Sierra Value Package costs $2,130 and brings some convenience features to the truck: remote keyless entry, LED cargo bed lighting, an EZ lift power lock and release tailgate, head exterior mirrors, a trailer hitch, and Hitch Guidance.
The SLE adds remote keyless entry, 17-inch aluminum wheels, heated exterior mirrors, an EZ lift tailgate, and semi-automatic climate control as standard.
The SLE Convenience Package ($2,090) bundles dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, a heated steering wheel, a 10-way power driver’s seat, remote start, and more.
Standard features on the Elevation include 20-inch black wheels, LED fog lights, cargo bed LED lights, keyless start, and remote start.
Buyers can bundle dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10-way power driver seat, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and more with the Elevation Value Package ($1,415).
The SLT trim gets chrome exterior trim pieces, GMC’s MultiPro Tailgate, heated and power-folding exterior mirrors, and the ProGrade Trailering System. The interior is spruced up with 10-way power front seats, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
The navigation system is bundled with wireless charging and a Bose audio system in the SLT Preferred Package ($1,070).
The AT4 is the off-road-oriented trim of the lineup. Heated rear seats, heated and ventilated front seats, all-weather floor liners, a two-speed transfer case, hill descent control, off-road suspension with a 2-inch lift, red recovery hooks, and skid plates are standard.
The Off-Road Performance Package ($5,065) adds 18-inch aluminum wheels, a performance air intake system, a high-performance exhaust system, 18-inch tires, and the 6.2-liter V8 engine.
The Denali is the luxurious trim in the Sierra 1500 lineup. It comes with 20-inch wheels, 6-inch chrome assist steps, a power sliding rear window, the Bose audio system, and the aforementioned safety and connectivity features.
To get a Sierra as fully loaded as they come, add the Denali Ultimate Package ($6,385). It bundles the Driver Alert Package II, a sunroof, a surround-view camera, a head-up display, and more.
Compare Sierra 1500 Trims Side-By-Side
With the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 sharing a lot of the same features as the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC’s luxury pickup shines as a luxury option. The SLT is the first trim to come with GMC’s innovative MultiPro tailgate and trick ProGrade Trailering System.