2019 is the year of the heavy duty pickup truck, and GMC jumps into the fight with the all-new 2020 GMC Sierra HD. The company is promising a maximum towing rating of over 30,000 lbs. The truck will be equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a boat-load of high-tech features. There is also a new Sierra HD AT4 model. Let’s dive into all of the details.
2020 GMC Sierra HD
The truck rides on the an updated frame and sports new design and style inside and out. The Sierra HD may look similar to its half-ton brother – the new Sierra 1500, but there is no mistaking that huge grille and unique fender flares and trapezoidal wheel openings.
Under the hood and behind the redesigned hood scoop is a familiar 6.6L V8 Duramax turbo-diesel engine. The output rating is the same as before: 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque. GMC says the new hood scoop and the giant grille improve air flow over the outgoing truck for more efficiency and better power delivery.
The big V8 is mated to a new 10-speed Allison-branded automatic transmission. This the first time a 10-speed is available in the heavy duty pickup truck segment. GMC says “the close great ratio spacing allows the engine to operate in an optimal range at all times, no matter the load or terrain conditions”.
You may have heard about an all-new gasoline V8 engine that is coming to the new heavy duty trucks from GM. It is supposed to replace the old 6.0L Vortec V8. Unfortunately, there are no further details about it in this announcement. We will have to wait a little longer for this.
The big announcement is the projected maximum tow rating of “well in excess of 30,000 lbs”, according to the GMC press release. GM heavy duty trucks were behind Ford and Ram in all-out trailering capacity. It appears GMC is looking to narrow the gap in a big way from the old rating, which was just over 23,000 lbs.
When compared to the old GMC Sierra HD, the new one is longer and taller with more interior space than ever before. It has the new bed design that pushes the interior sides further out for class-leading cargo volume. The new bed floor is also one inch lower than before. There is a new bed side step, and the Multi-Pro tailgate comes to the heavy duty Sierra. You can get the new tailgate with any trim of the HD 2500 or 3500 trucks, even the dually.
The newest Sierra is loaded full of high-tech features. The most noteworthy is the new “Transparent Trailer” camera view. It allows the driver to virtually see what’s behind the trailer, as if the trailer is not even there. There are a total of 15 camera views on the new HD truck. The huge 15-inch high resolution heads up display includes trailering information, vehicle speed, navigation, off-road mode, and more.
The heavy duty interior has a very similar layout and design to that of the new Sierra 1500, and the luxurious Denali trim continues the tradition with premium leather, open-pore wood trim, and dark-finish aluminum accents.
The iN-Command myGMC app integration allows the driver to monitor of adjust the trailer features (assuming it’s a newer trailer that supports remote monitoring).
The worlds of truck and trailer are merging into one, and this is also part of GMC’s Pro-Grade Trailering System that allows the truck to remember trailer settings. It lets you set service reminders and look over a trailer connection checklist among other things.
GMC Sierra HD AT4
If you are serious about going off-road, then the new Sierra HD AT4 aims to please with unique styling and off-road features. Outside is dark chrome with a monochromatic look. Step on the inside to an all-new interior, and the AT4 model offers additional blacked out styling accents.
The AT4 offers off-road tuned suspension with Rancho shocks, skid plates, Eaton rear locking differential, special off-road driving mode, hill descent control, hill start assist, Michelin all-terrain tires, and HD Surround Vision camera view.
Detailed payload/towing specs and pricing are not yet available. The 2020 GMC Sierra HD trucks will be built at the Flint Assembly Plant in Michigan. The trucks go on sale in late summer 2019.
Here is the world debut video of the new truck. Please stay tuned for a more in-depth look at the new 2020 Sierra HD trucks coming soon.
