Competition: 2019 Ram Power Wagon VS 2019 GMC Sierra 2500 AT4:

General Motors’ (GM) GMC brand has just unveiled their 2020 GMC Sierra HD models. While the Chevrolet Silverado HD models received much criticisms about their looks, the Sierra HD looks much more civilized and truck like than the Silverado’s cartoonish styling. But the big news, was that the GMC brand plans on directly competing against the 2019 Ram 2500 Power Wagon with a new 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD AT4 model.

While GMC hasn’t released all the information on its GMC Sierra HD lineup, however GMC has announced that their off-road AT4 package will be available on 3500HD with single rear wheel applications as well. But let’s dig into the 2500HD AT4 specifications that were released.

The 2020 GMC Sierra 2500HD AT4 features…

• Off-road suspension, Rancho Shocks, skid plates, locking rear differential.
• 18-inch wheels wrapped with Michelin all-terrain tires, with 20-inch wheels available.
• Traction Select System with specific Off-Road mode.
• Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist.
• Segment-exclusive 15-inch diagonal Head-Up Display with Off-Road Inclinometer.
• HD Surround Vision1 for low-speed views of vehicle surroundings.
• 10-Speed Automatic transmission.

The 2019 Ram 2500 Power Wagon features…

• Articulink Suspension, Bilstein Shocks, Skid Plates, locking front and rear differentials.
• 17-inch cast aluminum wheels wrapped with Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac All-Terrain Tires.
• Front Disconnecting Stabilizer Bar.
• Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist.
• Segment-exclusive 12.1-inch Uconnect Touchscreen available (8.4-inch Uconnect standard).
• Segment-exclusive 12,000-lb. front electric winch standard.
• 360-degree camera with HD with frontal views for low-speed rock crawling.
• 8-Speed Automatic transmission.

The GMC Sierra 2500HD AT4 does offer one advantage that Ram 2500 Power Wagon owners have been asking for years, and that is diesel power. The AT4 can be optioned with the 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel V8 that delivers 445 horsepower and 910 lb.-ft of torque. It is backed with a 10-speed automatic transmission that is made by Alison. 

Ram on the other hand, sticks with the gas 6.4-liter HEMI V8 which makes 410 horsepower and 429 lb.-ft of torque. It is paired by a new heavy-duty 8-speed automatic sourced from ZF. The HEMI also features cylinder deactivation and Variable Cam Timing (VCT).  Two Active-Tuned Mass Modules (ATMM) mounted on the frame rails search out unfavorable vibrations and apply countermeasures to eliminate them. By offsetting the additional vibration created by the big V8 in four-cylinder mode at high or low RPM ranges, the engine can run in those modes more often in order to save fuel.

On the outside of the 2020 GMC Sierra HD AT4 looks very different from the Sierra 1500 AT4. The only sheetmetal shared between the two trucks is the roof of the cab. Thick plastic trim outlines the awkward fender flares, with integrated lights. Like the 1500, the mirrors are now attached to the body of the truck, while features a similar styling theme to the 1500. Up front, the Sierra 2500HD AT4 features dark chrome exterior finishes like the grille and fog lamp bezels. The front and rear bumpers and a grille surround finished in body color with bright red tow hooks.

While the AT4 goes for more of an upscale look, the Ram 2500 Power Wagon is all business. The Ram Power Wagon features unique, Black off-road grille which bumpers are Black powder-coated steel and incorporate large tow hooks. A new WARN Zeon-12 winch is tucked behind a redesigned fairlead. LED lamps are standard for improved trail illumination. New black fender flares keep dirt off the side of the truck. The black center section on the raised portion of the hood provides an aggressive and determined appearance. 

While the new 2020 GMC Sierra has a distinctive sheetmetal from its half-ton counterpart (like the Ram), the Sierra does use the same interior as its Sierra 1500 brother. The Sierra’s interior looks bland and looks very similar to the outgoing model. If the same materials are used as the 1500 model, the materials are won’t be up to snuff compared to Ford and Ram.

The Ram 2500 Power Wagon on the other hand, receives a completely new interior that is heavily based on the award-winning 2019 Ram 1500. Ram have also gone with the same materials from the 1500, which are best-in-class. While the seat frames are carried over for 2018, virtually everything else is new inside the Ram’s cabin. Choices of 8.4-inch or 12.1-inch Uconnect Touchscreens are available (5-inch standard on Tradesman Power Wagon) and optional Harman Kardon 750-watt premium plus 17-speaker audio system. Power Wagon features new high-durability vinyl/premium Diesel Grey cloth seats with Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tread-embossed inserts.

The Ram is more of a rock crawling pickup compared to the GMC Sierra AT4, which is more of an off-road package that adds a bit of sporty style to the mix. With more options than ever for Heavy Duty off-road truck buyers, no matter if you are a GM, Ford or a Mopar fan you have more choices than ever before to meet your needs.