2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Review

The base Sierra comes with a 4.3-liter V6 (285 horsepower, 305 lb-ft of torque), a six-speed automatic transmission, air conditioning, a rearview camera, a tilt-only steering wheel, Bluetooth, a 7-inch touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, and a six-speaker sound system.

The SLE trim level adds a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine (310 hp, 348 lb-ft of torque) paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, remote keyless entry and an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen. From the SLE on up, a 3.0-liter inline-six turbodiesel engine (277 hp, 420 lb-ft of torque) is available as an option as is a bed-camera system that adds a cargo-box camera and provisions for two additional trailer-mounted cameras. On top of the standard SLE gear, the Elevation adds a remote-locking tailgate, LED foglights, and two USB ports in the back seat.

Stepping up to the SLT, you add a 5.3-liter V8 (355 hp, 383 lb-ft of torque) paired with an eight-speed auto, a locking rear differential, a MultiPro configurable tailgate, dual-zone climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a trailer brake controller, heated-and-ventilated front seats, and heated second-row seats. A 6.2-liter V8 (420 hp, 460 lb-ft) with a 10-speed automatic is optional.

GMC offers a Driver Alert 1 package for the SLE and higher trims. It includes driver assistance features such as parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. There's also the Driver Alert 2 package (SLT, AT4 and Denali only) that further adds forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist.

GMC gives the AT4 trim similar features to the SLT but with a 2-inch suspension lift, standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, skid plates, monotube shock absorbers, all-terrain tires, hill descent control, and a terrain-selectable traction control system.

At the top of the range is the Denali, which basically builds on the SLT's contents. It also adds exclusive adaptive suspension dampers, the Driver Alert 1 package and a seven-speaker Bose sound system. Many of the top-trim features are available as options on lower trim levels. Other options for the Denali include power assist steps, a head-up display and a rear camera mirror. Also available only on the AT4 and the Denali is a lightweight carbon-fiber composite bed.