2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD Double Cab
Other years
2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD Review
- Improved towing and hauling capabilities
- Bigger cabs equipped with the latest tech
- Numerous trailer-towing technologies to make hauling loads easier
- Useful MultiPro tailgate, bed steps and box lighting
- Many cabin pieces are obviously sourced from the less expensive Silverado
- Price rises quickly with options
- Completely redesigned for 2020
- Significant improvement in maximum towing capacity
- New trailer-towing technologies
- New model kicks off the fourth Sierra 3500HD generation
For years, GMC has struggled to keep up with Ford and Ram in the heavy-duty pickup truck towing and hauling competition. Now, with the redesigned 2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD, the company fields a legitimate heavy hauler with up to 35,500 pounds of trailering capacity. That's up from a comparatively low 23,100 pounds with the previous-generation Sierra 3500HD.
You'll need the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 engine to handle loads that heavy. It makes the same amount of power as it did last year, but it's married to a new Allison 10-speed automatic transmission that GMC says will help keep the Duramax within its optimal operating range. Furthermore, the Sierra 3500HD's more substantial frame plus improved cooling capacity, thanks to a larger grille and reworked air induction system, contribute to the truck's increased capability.
New technology also improves the GMC's trailering capacity. The 2020 Sierra 3500HD offers an updated ProGrade Trailering system with 15 camera views, including one that allows the driver to virtually see through a trailer for greater visibility and maneuverability. Loading the bed is easier thanks to standard corner-step bumpers and side bed steps, and the available MultiPro tailgate is the equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, supplying six configurations to assist with loading, hauling and working.
Our main issue with the Sierra 3500HD has to do with the interior. Ford and Ram have taken luxury to another level in their heavy-duty trucks, and it'd be nice to see GMC put more design effort into the Sierra's ride comfort and interior quality. But given the truck's many other strengths, it's easy to recommend if you're looking for a heavy-duty truck that's well equipped and highly capable.
Which Sierra 3500HD does Edmunds recommend?
For maximum variety, we recommend the SLE trim level. It's offered with all three cab styles, both single and dual rear-wheel axles, and both the gasoline and diesel V8 engines. The SLE trim also serves as a gateway to important comfort, convenience, safety and trailering upgrades.
GMC Sierra 3500HD models
2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD buyers have numerous choices to make when selecting a truck. First, you must decide between regular, double (extended) and crew-cab styles and then determine if you require two- or four-wheel drive. Next up: the rear-axle configuration and single or dual wheels. Then you have a choice of the new standard gasoline V8 (401 horsepower, 464 lb-ft) or the 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8 engine (445 hp, 910 lb-ft). Once that's settled, you've got five trim levels available to you, ranging from the standard Sierra to the plush Sierra Denali.
Save as much as $4,641 with Edmunds
2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD Double Cab pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Base
6.6L 8cyl 6A
Edmunds Suggested Price$48,222
SLE
6.6L 8cyl 6A
Edmunds Suggested Price$51,944
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Sierra 3500HD safety features:
- Teen Driver
- Standard programmable technology that provides parents of young drivers a driving report card after they use the vehicle.
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Automatically brakes the vehicle to avoid a collision or to reduce speed before an unavoidable impact.
- Rear Seat Reminder
- Detects when a rear door is opened and closed during or just before a trip and helps remind you not to forget about rear occupants.
GMC Sierra 3500HD vs. the competition
2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
GMC Sierra 3500HD vs. Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
Underneath their sheet metal, the Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD and the GMC Sierra 3500HD are the same truck with the same towing and hauling capabilities. The Chevys tend to have a little less standard equipment and a slightly lower price. Otherwise, the decision between the two comes down to styling and whether you want to pay extra for metallic paint, which the GMC requires but the Chevy doesn't.
GMC Sierra 3500HD vs. Ford F-350 Super Duty
Ford isn't standing idly by as GMC rolls out a redesigned 3500HD. For 2020, Ford gives the F-350 Super Duty new gasoline and diesel V8 engine options, a new transmission, a new Tremor off-road package, and upgraded towing technologies. The latest F-350 is also rated to tow and haul more weight, though the gulf between the GMC and the Ford is much smaller than in years past.
GMC Sierra 3500HD vs. Ram 3500
Part of the charm of a 3500-series heavy-duty pickup is how it looks and feels like an over-the-road long-distance semi-truck. Ram's got this image down pat, with its recently re-engineered 3500HD models doing a great impression of a semi right down to the available Cummins diesel engine option. Towing and hauling capacities for these two trucks are similar.
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FAQ
Is the GMC Sierra 3500HD a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2020 Sierra 3500HD both on the road and at the track. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a GMC Sierra 3500HD. Learn more
What's new in the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD:
- Completely redesigned for 2020
- Significant improvement in maximum towing capacity
- New trailer-towing technologies
- New model kicks off the fourth Sierra 3500HD generation
Is the GMC Sierra 3500HD reliable?
To determine whether the GMC Sierra 3500HD is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Sierra 3500HD. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Sierra 3500HD's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD is a good car. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2020 Sierra 3500HD is a good car for you. Check back soon for the official Edmunds Rating from our expert testing team Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD?
The least-expensive 2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD is the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD 4dr Double Cab LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $39,600.
Other versions include:
- 4dr Double Cab 4WD LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A) which starts at $43,600
- 4dr Double Cab LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) which starts at $39,600
- SLE 4dr Double Cab 4WD LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A) which starts at $47,400
- SLE 4dr Double Cab LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A) which starts at $44,600
- SLE 4dr Double Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) which starts at $46,200
- 4dr Double Cab 4WD LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) which starts at $42,400
- 4dr Double Cab LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A) which starts at $40,800
- SLE 4dr Double Cab LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A) which starts at $43,400
What are the different models of GMC Sierra 3500HD?
If you're interested in the GMC Sierra 3500HD, the next question is, which Sierra 3500HD model is right for you? Sierra 3500HD variants include 4dr Double Cab 4WD LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A), 4dr Double Cab LB (6.6L 8cyl 6A), SLE 4dr Double Cab 4WD LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A), and SLE 4dr Double Cab LB DRW (6.6L 8cyl 6A). For a full list of Sierra 3500HD models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more