For those with the desire to shop for a new truck, you’ll likely agree there’s no settling for mediocrity. And you probably crave a powerhouse vehicle with the ability to perform any task you throw at it. Today’s market is undoubtedly fascinating, and competition has never been stronger, which can be said for the trucks these companies manufacture as well. A couple of heavy-hitters you’ll likely encounter through your research are GMC and Ram, both of which produce some of the very best 4×4 vehicles in the industry. We’re taking a close look at the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 vs 2020 Ram 2500 to help you decide, ultimately, which one suits you best.
Base Trims
Neither truck is a slouch, and they are each adequate performers with their own strengths, respectively. When looking at the base models specifically, the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 packs a considerable amount of features, especially for the MSRP of $35,600. The Ram 2500, on the other hand, while cheaper with its starting MSRP of $33,745 for the base trim known as Tradesman, we can’t help but feel it lacks in certain ways. Impressively, at a base level, the Sierra 2500 also performs far better in terms of towing capabilities, thanks in part to the engine that comes standard with its base trim.
When looking at the base models specifically, they have nearly mutual measurements in terms of dimensions. The Sierra 2500 is 235.5-inches long while the Ram 2500 measures in at 232-inches long. The Sierra is 79.9-inches and 81.7-inches for height and width, while the Ram is 78-inches and 79.4-inches, respectively. The wheelbase of the Sierra is larger clocking in at 141.5-inches while the Ram measures at 140.5-inches, but it’s also worth noting there is generally more leg, head, and shoulder room inside of the Sierra opposed to the Ram.
Engines & Towing
Two engines can be fitted into the Sierra 2500, one of which is a new gas engine, while the other is a considerably powerful turbodiesel engine. At a base level, the Sierra 2500 comes with the aforementioned 6.6L V8 gas engine, which is able to produce 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque with a fuel capacity of 36 gallons. Replacing the previous model’s 6.2L V8, this new engine shows a lot of promise. This new V8, in particular, is equipped alongside a 6-speed automatic transmission but has the capability to tow up to 18,500 lbs, which is roughly 19% more than the standard Ram 2500, which has a maximum towing capacity of 15,040 lbs.
It’s worth noting the optional upgraded 6.6L Duramax turbodiesel engine you can fit your GMC Sierra 2500 with. This engine comes standard with a 10-speed automatic transmission provided by Allison and packs an incredible amount of torque at 910 lb-ft while producing 445 hp. According to GMC, when driving the Sierra 2500 along with this turbodiesel engine and with tow/haul mode selected, it can achieve 0-60 mph in an admirable 7.4 seconds. This is possible due to the truck’s ability to utilize the entire 910 lb-ft of torque while in first gear.
Speaking of the Ram 2500, the engine found standard in the base trim is a 6.4L V8 gas engine that produces 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque. This engine, even when properly equipped, still doesn’t match the towing capability of the base-level Sierra 2500. This engine has a 32-gallon fuel tank capacity and comes paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel I6 engine can pair with your Ram 2500, and it will still only outpace the Sierra’s turbodiesel engine in terms of maximum towing capacity. When it’s properly equipped, it can get a rating of up to 19,680 lbs, but not when you outfit it standard. The turbodiesel engine for the Ram also can’t be added to the base model, unlike the one supplied by GMC. Unfortunately, this engine lacks in other aspects as well, especially when compared to GMC’s offering with only 370 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque. It is important to note that this Cummins turbodiesel engine is also limited to use with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Standard Features
There are quite a few features omitted in the Ram 2500’s base model that make an appearance in the GMC Sierra 2500’s base, either optional or standard. For example, you have the choice of complementing your Sierra with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, which is becoming an increasingly popular feature in the industry. This feature is not an option with the base Ram 2500, meaning you’ll have to pay substantially more for an upgraded trim even to see the hotspot implemented. With a large number of wireless devices that people carry daily, whether it be a passenger’s tablet, laptop, or phone, there is simply no reason for this omission in the base Ram 2500.
Bluetooth is standard for both vehicles, along with the inclusion of Apple Carplay and Android Auto. With these software suites, you’ll be able to seamlessly connect your smartphone to the system and access a majority of your devices’ important features. Both contain their own respective app-stores, which allows for further personalization. However, the infotainment center is where all of this is displayed, and the GMC Sierra 2500 certainly has the advantage. The infotainment touchscreen found inside of the Sierra is a 7-inch screen, while only measuring in at 5-inches on the Ram 2500. The infotainment screens also serve a variety of other essential purposes such as media playback and can display your back-up camera, which comes standard on both vehicles.
Both vehicles contain a similar feature set in terms of safety technologies. You’ll have the option of fitting your Sierra 2500 or Ram 2500 with a cross-traffic alert system, blind-spot monitor, and rear parking aid. And all of those features greatly enhance the overall experience of using these vehicles with its added assistance to things drivers deal with every day, such as lane switching or backing into a parking space. ABS comes standard, as well as a tire-pressure monitor. Both contain their own implementation of stability control and traction control, which means you’ll have a smooth ride.
Which One For You?
The value we get with the 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 at a base level is tremendous and is certainly worth the differential between it and the base 2020 Ram 2500. Both vehicles are undoubtedly commendable, but when it comes to the best bang for your buck, there is simply no other choice. Not only is the Sierra a fierce competitor, but it is leaps and bounds better than its predecessor and sees a healthy mix of evolution and revolutionary.
When looking at both vehicles side-by-side, there are many features that we’re glad to see on the Sierra’s base model that we don’t receive on the Ram 2500 at all. The story gets even more impressive when you perform extensive research on the large number of trims and add-ons you can shop for at your leisure. We certainly recommend you take a trip to your local GMC dealership and take one of their all-new 2020 GMC Sierra 2500s for a test-drive to experience the power it contains.
