Full-size pickup trucks: what’s new for 2020?
Updates are plentiful this year among the burliest rides on the road
Full-size pickup trucks are among the most purposeful — and popular — vehicles in the U.S. Coming in multiple cab configurations and a wide array of versions that range from work truck basic to leather-clad luxurious, there’s something for everyone among the auto industry’s workhorses.
Here’s what’s new among the 2020 crop of standardand heavy-duty full-size haulers: • Chevrolet Silverado/ GMC Sierra. General Motors’ mechanically equivalent fullsize pickups receive a newly available 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbodiesel engine with 460 pound-feet of torque. A new 10-speed automatic transmission replaces the previous eight-speed on some versions. There are also freshly available vertical trailering mirrors, a bed-view camera, up to eight trailering cameras and a camera-based adaptive cruise control system. • Chevrolet Silverado HD/ GMC Sierra HD. General Motors’ heavy-duty truck lines are redesigned for 2020. A new 401-horsepower 6.6-liter V8 gas engine is available along with a 6.6-liter turbodiesel with 445 horses. Both models are offered in specific off-road and luxuryminded versions and offer multiple features to make hitching and pulling a trailer easier. The GMC shares the standard-grade Sierra’s novel six-function tailgate.
• Ford F-150. Still, the best-selling vehicle in the U.S., Ford’s full-size pickup now includes a standard suite of key driver-assist features in upper trim levels with forward auto-braking, a lane-keeping system and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic assist. The posh Limited and Platinum versions further receive adaptive cruise control and a new voice-activated navigation system.
• Ford Super Duty. As with GM’s HD models, Ford’s line of heavy-duty pickups is revamped for 2020. A new 7.3-liter V8 generates 430 horsepower and joins the standard 6.2-liter gas V8 and 6.7-liter diesel V8 in the engine lineup. It also gets a newly available Pro Trailer Backup Assist function that makes maneuvering a trailer into a tight space easier. A new Tremor Off-Road Package comes with multiple upgrades that include a selectable rock-crawl driving mode.
• Ram 1500. The half-ton Ram pickup adds a 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine option with a towing capacity of up to 12,750 pounds. New Night Edition and Rebel Black appearance packages are available, with the Rebel model now including stopand-go adaptive cruise control, forward auto-braking, lane departure warning and automatic high-beam headlamps.
• Ram 2500/3500. The heavy-duty Ram trucks likewise offer a Night Edition package for 2020. A lanekeeping system and adaptive steering are newly offered across the line, and the available blind-spot warning system includes trailer coverage. There’s also a new trailer tire-pressure monitor and a two-camera auxiliary camera system.
• Nissan Titan. An allnew Titan for 2020 features updated styling and a fresh infusion of power and hightech features. Its 5.5-liter V8 engine now produces 400 horsepower and comes mated to a new nine-speed automatic transmission. Added accident-avoidance systems include forward auto-braking with pedestrian detection, rear auto-braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert.
• Nissan Titan XD. The larger heavy-duty alternative to the above Titan is likewise refreshed and gets the new 5.5-liter V8 as its only engine
(a diesel V8 is no longer offered). Only available in a crew cab model with a 6.5-foot cargo bed, the XD also comes with the suite mentioned above of driver-assist features.
• Toyota Tundra. For 2020, the only available engine on Toyota’s full-size hauler is a 5.7-liter V8. The SR5 variant can now be fitted with proximity key/push-button start, leather upholstery and a power-operated driver’s seat. The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone interfaces are newly offered on most trim levels, while the off-road-oriented TRD Pro now comes in either an extended- or crew-cab configuration.