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2020 GMC Sierra Elevation parked in grass

The GMC Sierra Is Great If You Don’t Need Safety Features

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 is a perfectly fine truck if you don’t care about safety features. It’s reliable, powerful, and even has a few best in class awards. So, if you don’t need modern safety features, the GMC Sierra is a great truck worth buying.  The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 lacks safety features  Now, …

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 is a perfectly fine truck if you don’t care about safety features. It’s reliable, powerful, and even has a few best in class awards. So, if you don’t need modern safety features, the GMC Sierra is a great truck worth buying. 

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 lacks safety features 

Now, we aren’t calling the GMC Sierra an unsafe truck. The 2020 model scored just fine in standard safety tests with the IIHS and NHTSA. However, for some reason, it lacks standard safety features that almost all of its rivals have. 

A GMC Sierra at a reveal event to showcase the new truck.
GMC Sierra | Sandy Huffaker/Bloomberg via Getty Images

For example, the 2020 GMC Sierra does not have blind-sport alerts, lane changing assistance, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, or a following distance indicator for adaptive cruise control. 

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If you don’t need those bells and whistles, then this isn’t a problem. Also, when tested, the GMC Sierra was found to be pretty safe. It received a rating of ‘Good’ from the IIHS in most areas, such as side-impact test results. 

However, it did score ‘Marginal’ for small overlap front passenger test results and “poor’ for headlights. With the NHTSA, the GMC Sierra scored four out of five stars in most areas.

It received five stars for side-impact tests, and four stars for the rollover prevention test. But if the 2020 GMC Sierra doesn’t have safety features, what does it have?m

Is the 2020 GMC Sierra worth buying? 

You can get started in the 2020 GMC Sierra for about $29k. This is only slightly more than the 2020 Ford F-150, which starts around $28k, but it’s less than the 2020 Ram 1500 that starts around $32k. 

2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation driving down road
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation | GMC

The base engine is a 2.7-liter four-cylinder option that provides 310 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. That’s no joke! There is also the 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engine with 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.

Plus, the 6.2-liter V6 pumps out 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. However, it’s towing capacity maxes out around 12,000 lb while rivals can tow over 13,000 lb. 

The 2020 GMC Sierra AT4 off-roading
The 2020 GMC Sierra AT4 off-roading | GMC

When tested, the DMC Sierra Denali, the highest trim level, was able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, so that’s one fast truck. For off-roading, the GMC Sierra AT4 gains a tow inch factory lift and a durable, leather off-roading interior. 

2020 GMC Sierra 1500 features 

The 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 has the best in class interior space. It has the most room for passengers in the front and second row. So, if you have tall family members or friends that like to stretch out during the ride, this truck is the perfect choice. 

2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation interior
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation interior | GMC

Also, the GMC Sierra has an 8” cluster display behind the steering wheel that displays crucial driving information. The diagonal 15” heads up display also shows essential driving mode and trailering information. 

View up to 15 different camera angles, including an in-truck bed view to help hitching up to your trailer, become much more convenient. Plus, the 8” infotainment center can connect to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.