2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Duramax Diesel Review - Worth the Wait?

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 now offers a diesel option for better mileage over the gas engine. In our first drive of the Duramax Sierra, we were impressed by the engine’s quiet, smooth power delivery. Is there a better place to review a pickup than in the gorgeous landscapes of Wyoming?

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 gets high points for smooth ride and towing tech. Optional bed and tailgate improvements make for a truck that’s comfortable enough for every day use, rugged enough to be put to work, and innovative enough to make life easier when hauling and towing.
Add in a quiet, smooth diesel and 10-speed automatic transmission, as well as a raised-up AT4 off-road package, and you have a striking truck that gets better fuel mileage than a gas version but still has the grunt to carry cargo.

2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Diesel First Impression

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 is a full-size pickup truck that gets a notable update this year in the form of an optional turbodiesel inline-six engine. The hotly anticipated 3.0-liter Duramax diesel engine option has been talked about for over a year. Recently, it appeared briefly on the 2019 Sierra options sheet, but it was abruptly removed when it became clear the certification process would be delayed. The price that was briefly visible during that time was $2,495 above that of the 5.3-liter V8.

This engine differs from other half-ton diesel pickup engines because it's a straight-six instead of the usual V6. This longer engine takes up more engine compartment space, but engines with this layout tend to run smoother and produce more torque. The Duramax's tentative power ratings support this: 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission will be paired with this new engine, and that should ensure smooth and seamless power in all situations.

Diesel engines are popular among truck buyers because they excel in two key areas: They make abundant torque for easier towing and offer better overall range and fuel economy. They are especially good at doing both at once, providing respectable fuel economy and range while towing. No hard numbers are available because fuel economy ratings have not yet been announced, but we expect the advantage over gasoline will be compelling for truck owners who regularly tow.

We're believers in the idea of a 1500 series truck with a diesel engine, because our Ram EcoDiesel we hosted for 50,000 miles constantly impressed us with its smooth driving and strong fuel economy. General Motors may have gotten into the act later than the others, but watch our video to find out if GMC's choice of a straight-six diesel layout made it worth the wait.

Read more about the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500: https://www.edmunds.com/gmc/sierra-1500/2020/

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