Starting at
Starting at
| 385-475 | Horsepower (hp) | 401-445 |
| 430-1050 | Torque (lb-ft) | 464-910 |
| 21,200 | Max Towing (lbs) | 18,510 |
Heavy-duty pickup trucks are not designed for daily commuting – or so people say. Manufacturers have worked hard to make their big trucks more palatable for daily living by improving ride quality, integrating modern technologies, and using high-quality interior materials. For those of us with serious work truck demands, it's no longer necessary to compromise between comfort and capability. For example, compare two of the leading models in the segment: the 2020 Ford F-250 vs 2020 GMC Sierra 2500.
The Ford F-250 Super Duty has received a facelift and new-and-improved engine options for 2020, while the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD is the first in an all-new generation. Both models include powerful gas engines and monstrous diesel options, with 10-speed automatic transmissions that ensure optimal engine speed and make for smoother acceleration than ever before. Both offer new off-roading packages that improve their Off the beaten path experience without sacrificing much in terms of raw capability. And both also include suites of modern safety and connectivity tech along with spacious interiors.
Heavy-duty trucks are capital investments before they are daily commuters, so it's critical to consider one model against another before choosing a new workhorse. The costs of different powertrains, and what you can achieve with them is a serious consideration. A stylish exterior might be nice, but when push comes to shove, it'll be visibility from the inside out that makes one model easier and safer to drive. Intuitive technology for seamless communication will help you turn your work truck into a command post, and the more comfortable truck will save you aches and pains after a long day on the job. In all of these categories, we think the better choice is obvious – the 2020 Ford F-250.
The star of the show is always the powertrain when it comes to heavy-duty pickups. Both the F-250 and Sierra 2500 bring new and improved powertrain designs to the market in 2020 with staggering performance numbers. However, the F-250 has a clear edge over the Sierra 2500 when it comes to performance.
The 2020 Ford F-250 is offered with a base 6.2L V8 engine. It's got the guts to do the heavy lifting, making 385 hp at 5750 rpm and 430 lb-ft of torque at 3800 rpm, enough for towing capacities in the 12,600 – 15,000 lb range, depending on the configuration. If the budget allows, though, the optional engines can seriously increase capacity.
The enormous 7.3L V8 is actually the second-largest engine on the market, with only the Bugatti Chiron's 8.0L sixteen-cylinder offering more displacement. This allows the F-250 to deliver best-in-class gasoline power with 430 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. That's enough power for a max tow rating in the 14,000 - 15,000 lb range.
The final option is a 6.7L Power Stroke V8 turbo-diesel engine that cranks out 475 hp at 2600 rpm and an earth-shaking 1050 ft-lbs of torque at 1600 rpm. Conventional towing limits of 20,000 lbs and gooseneck/5th wheel towing limits of 22,800 lbs can be achieved with this absolute beast of an engine. The diesel brings a steep price increase over the gas engines, but for a 50% increase in towing capacity, it's a lot cheaper than getting a bigger truck.
In addition to their raw power, both of the larger engines come with an all-new 10-speed automatic transmission. The standard 6-speed on the 6.2L engine is good, but 2020 is the first year that heavy-duty truck owners can experience the smooth acceleration and precise engine speed optimization delivered by a 10-speed.
Unlike the F-250, the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 only offers two engine options. The standard 6.6L V8 slots in between Ford's gas options, achieving 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque. That's good for towing 14,500 lbs, which again slots right in between the limits of the F-250's gas engine options.
The second option is a 6.6L Duramax V8 turbo-diesel that features an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission and virtually twice as much torque as the gas option. This beast can muster 445 hp at 2800 rpm and 910 ft-lbs at 1600 rpm, which is enough power to tow 14,500 - 18,500 lbs, depending on the configuration. That's a huge number for a truck that could double as a daily driver – but it isn't quite as much as what you can pull off with an F-250.
Depending on your intentions, the purchase of a heavy-duty pickup may well be a business expense as well as a personal one. Getting good value for your money is essential to a successful partnership. There's no question that the F-250 is the less-expensive truck, with a base MSRP of $34,035. Meanwhile, the Sierra 2500 starts at an even $40,000.
While the base engine in the Sierra 2500 is more powerful than the base engine in the Ford, the price difference is large enough that you can upgrade the engine in the Ford and still save several thousand dollars. This means that the F-250 is clearly the higher-value vehicle as well as the higher-performing vehicle, which is a rare combination in any segment.
We hate to admit it, but sometimes, every manufacturer makes mistakes. Many buyers consider longer or more comprehensive warranties as a sign of higher quality. We like to take it at face value – a better warranty means more protection for you, the consumer, and the investment you've made. The F-250 and Sierra 2500 are both backed by 3 year / 36,000 mile limited warranties and 5 year / 60,000 mile powertrain warranties. However, there is one exception – with the diesel engine, the F-250's powertrain warranty is extended to 100,000 miles.
Look, we get it. You need power and towing capability, not a spa on wheels. If you wanted an easy-to-drive, supremely comfortable ride, you'd be researching sedans and crossovers. But don't forget that you could be spending a lot more time in your work truck than you would in a family vehicle, especially if it doubles as your daily commuter. To that end, both Ford and GMC go to great lengths to take the stress out of the hauling experience and to make your truck a suitable mobile command post.
While neither truck glides over bumpy city streets with the smoothness of a sedan, their ride quality is far better than the three-quarter ton trucks of the past. There's a springy stiffness inherent to both designs, a necessary quality to deliver the payload and towing capacities that they do. This translates to a pretty bumpy ride when unladen, but you won't be disappointed with either truck.
However, when it comes to handling, the F-250 has a clear edge. It can be equipped with adaptive steering that changes steering sensitivity based on speed. This makes it more agile in low-speed situations, such as in parking lots, while enhancing stability at higher speeds, such as on the highway. The Ford also offers excellent visibility through its large windows; GMC relies more on its camera system for a clear view out of the truck.
A work truck is not a plush castle in the clouds, and the base models for both F-250 and Sierra 2500 are pretty spartan. Move up the trim and options ladder, though, and you'll find that genuine leather seats are only the first in a list of luxurious material choices in both cabins. Ford is proud to offer updated decorative appliqués, Ebony and Highland Tan coloring, ash wood finished in black, and a Miko suede headliner. These features are purely cosmetic, but they give the truck a luxurious feel that it deserves for the associated price tag. The Sierra 2500, on the other hand, loses marks for sharing a surprising number of plastic interior elements with the Chevy Silverado 2500, even on the top Denali trim.
No modern truck is really doing its best as a mobile command post without excellent connectivity options. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard even on the base Sierra trim for the GMC Sierra 2500, but Ford isn't far behind. The advanced SYNC 3 voice command system is standard on all but the base trim of the F-250, and it only costs a couple of hundred dollars to have it on the base trim as well.
Ford also has a technological trick up its sleeve with the F-250's Pro Trailer Backup Assist. This available system makes reversing with a trailer as easy as turning a dial – literally. Take your hands off the steering wheel and use the dial on the dash to tell the truck which way to go, and it will calculate all the necessary steering inputs for you. No matter how much trailering experience you have, this system makes the job easier than ever before.
There's no denying that here at Kings Ford we prefer the Ford F-250 in any match-up. But if you aren't ready to take our word for it, just pay us a visit to see for yourself why the 2020 Ford F-250 should be the newest addition to your workforce. We have the best inventory of Ford trucks in the Cincinnati area, and our friendly team will be happy to show them off to you. When you're ready to strike a deal, you'll find we offer the best possible pricing and flexible financing options that suit each customer's needs. Call or visit us today to experience the "Ford Tough" 2020 F-250 and find the perfect heavy-duty pickup for you.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
