Under the skin, the 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 and 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 are quite similar. Both roll on the same GM T1 platform, and both offer the same powertrain and drivetrain combos. The two pickups are even produced side-by-side in the same production facilities. However, despite the mechanical similarities, these two pickups have a variety of exterior styling differences to help set them apart, as highlighted in the following GM Authority Comparison
Before we jump into this, we should note that the following comparison will focus only on the 1500 light-duty 2020 Chevy Silverado and 2020 GMC Sierra, specifically the Silverado LT and Sierra SLE trim levels. With that, lets check out the styling differences between these corporate cousin pickups.
Front
Without a doubt, the most significant styling differences between the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado and 2020 GMC Sierra can be found in the front fascia. Here we see completely different grille treatments, with the Silverado equipped with a wider, more rectangular air intake divided into an upper and lower section, whereas the GMC Sierra has a more shapely front intake with broad horizontal inserts.
The headlamp housings are also quite different, with the 2020 Chevy Silverado using thin, horizontally oriented lighting elements, and the Sierra using C-shaped housings with C-shaped inner lighting signatures. The lower fascias complete the unique styling differences in the front end.
Front Three Quarters
Moving towards the profile, we find fewer difference than in the front, but there are still some unique styling cues worth pointing out. For example, the 2020 Chevy Silverado gets the Silverado badge high on the front fenders, whereas the GMC Sierra displays the engine type. The wheel wells are also different, with a more angular look on the Sierra, versus the rounded lines on the Silverado.
Side
The profile view reveals some small styling line differences for the doors and fenders. What’s more, the Sierra displays the nameplate in the lower door section, while the rear wheel wells once again mirror the fronts, with an angular design for the Sierra, and a smoother, rounder design for the 2020 Chevy Silverado.
Rear Three Quarters
The rear three quarters view doesn’t really show too much of a difference, although there is some unique badging depending on the trim level selected.
Rear
The rear end completes the unique styling differences, most notably with the tail lamp design, where we see an angular, chunky look for the 2020 Chevy Silverado, and a straighter, simpler design for the Sierra.
The rear bumpers are more or less identical, but the tailgates are different, with the Chevy using a rectangular protrusion for the debossed Chevrolet logo, while the GMC using a more stylized approach that mimics the shape of the Sierra’s front grille.
Both the half-ton Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra are set for refreshes for the 2022 model year that will deliver revised front and rear ends and – more importantly – new interiors, along with several other new features and updates.
- See more on the 2022 Chevy Silverado and 2022 GMC Sierra
Which of these models do you like more in terms of styling? Let us know by voting in the poll, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Silverado news, GMC Sierra news, Chevrolet news, GMC news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Interior : Chevy. More specifically, the High Country
Exterior : It’s complicated, I like the wheel wells on the Chevy and the GMC wheel wells are look terrible.
Both front ends need improvement. The GMC is too gaudy and cheap looking with all the chrome. The Chevy frontend is too busy.
The lines on both are terrible as the hood is two or three inches higher than the box.
I will go with the Chevy since it atleast has round wheel wells.
Oh, and the tailgate on the Chevy looks so old. The GMC tailgate looks much better.
The biggest difference is the Chevrolet Silverado is Uglier than the GMC Sierra period
I think they both have their flaws.
The Sierra grill is pretty ridiculous looking.
The Silverado tailgate looks strange from behind (at least in person on the road), and the front fender and bumper still look like they don’t match to me.
Chevy looks better from the side view, with the round wheel wells. I would take the Chevy truck, put the GMC taillights, tailgate, and grill on it, drop the C on GMC, center the GM in the grill and tailgate, ect. Combine options for both trucks. and go back to the drawing board for the new center stack dash, looks like someone screwed a ipad to the dash because they were late for a party or something.
Both trucks are looking ugly the 2014 thru 16 Chevy is the styling they need to go back to an all v8 should pack at least 390 horsepower this day an age they need to step up there quality all around I’m a Chevy guy but the last few Silverados I’ve owned a 2014 an a 2017 they feel under powered with the 5.3 compared to the competition get rid of the 5.3 or make it better
Both Chevy and GMC are far better than any Ford or Dodge Pick Up.
Ram. It’s called Ram now.
They quit selling Dodge trucks 10 years ago.
I know, you don’t care, but come on man, it’s been 10 years.
It would be interesting to see how they compare in an air tunnel and those GMC wheel wells are awkward.
I think they would compare pretty favorably to a large brick in an air tunnel.
It’s really too bad they went so boxy with these trucks this time.
does any one know if GM will offer a regular cab with a short bed any time soon ? I saw one in Mexico and they have them in the UK but not in the states ?
Chevy Front Quarter Panels…
The lower part of the front quarter panels on the Chevy are laughable. First time I saw the new Chevy front 1/4’s, my thought was WTF is that? At best they are ridiculously goofy…like someone pulled the keel off their boat and then super-glued it to the side of the boat. IMO this area makes the Chevy look like a cheap snap-together toy model. This piece appears as if it is barely connected to the vehicle. Somehow, the lower front area should at least have been visually tied into the front clip. That area of the assembly looks extremely weak. I have already seen a couple Chevy’s out there with that keel-like piece just flapping in the wind. It’s embarrassing as GM fan.
The Chevy looks like a ford and the GM looks like a Toyota 😏 not too excited about either one😢
They Better Look Closer @ The F150 For Remodeling.!!!
I see many fellas here on smartphones at the dealership service break room getting their F-150 engines replaced…..
Both ugly af.
What is needed: a refrigerator where the center console is located to hold 12 ounce soda cans and water bottles.
There, I added 25,000 more unit sales for GM full size Silverado’s and Sierras.
The 2021 F-150 will offer a frig. The new GM trucks for 2022 are supposed to have a power moving console.
Wait. What?
Hood is to tall on both.
I have a 2019 GMC SLE 1500 and you can’t even go up one tire size to put 10 ply Michelin tires on it .The only improvement I see is fuel mileage, seats are uncomfortable, cruse control allows it to speed up going downhill, new material in inner fenders is nearly impossible to clean, 5.3 is under powered I think my next truck will be a FORD.
Silverado front inner fender made of felt. Are u kidding? Drove thru grass at the ranch. Had thousands of stickers, burrs, bugs stuck to them. Was hell to get them clean!Really ? A Z71 off rod package. Come on man! No excuse for this! Come on GM U CAN SO BETTER!
I hate the rear bumpers.if I were to buy either one of these trucks I would have to replace the rear bumpers without a doubt
I don’t mind the way each of these trucks look. The thing I would like to see is better quality of vehicle by both. Do we really need a pickup with a fridge, infotainment center or anything else that really isn’t necessary. Put in a radio with Bluetooth or SiriusXM, that’s it. Build it with better quality and less of the foo foo stuff.
hey guys, i have a fantastic idea… lets take the best looking truck and make it ugly AF. woop woop. cant belieave it. i finally save up enough money for a chevy and have to settle for a ford. fml
Am I the only one who likes the Sierra? I like the box look , I owned a 2014 base then a 2015 Z full load and loved it , more than enough power great gas mileage and got so many comments on how good it looked. Black with chrome and chrome 20″ wheels looked good. Haven’t tried the new Sierra yet but will soon. I pulled a 31′ trailer at 9800lbs with zero problem on a mountain highway. I would like to see less plastic and more quality for the price we pay.
No, i.love the new look on the GMC’s
I like the look of the new Sierra MUCH better than the new Silverado. The previous K2XX versions of these trucks were definitely cleaner looking and both of them had their bright points, but both looked great.
However, the new Silverado got beat with an ugly stick…repeatedly. I have no idea what’s going on up front. WAY too busy. The taillights and the shaping of the box around them is just horrid. And the rectangular extrusion around the debossed “CHEVROLET” is…there are no words for how bad that looks. The debossing is not the problem. It’s that awful rectangle extrusion. I can’t begin to tell you how much I hope the refresh rights these wrongs on the Silverado.
The Sierra though looks fairly good. I agree that it’s a tad busy up front, but not nearly the monstrosity the Silverado’s front-clip is. I think it looks rugged. I like the much cleaner lines down the side of the truck and along the bed. The taillights are classy-looking and the tailgate is not an abomination (although I do not care for the placement of the “Sierra” badge on the tailgate). I’m not thrilled with the additional seam-line in the trick tailgate, but what are you going to do with everything that tailgate does. It’s fine. And not godawful rectangle.
If I was going to by one of these new trucks, it’d be the Sierra, specifically in AT4 trim. But, until that interior gets fixed, not a chance I’m going to do so. That dash is simply a killer for any chance I’ll buy one of these. If it looks more like what’s in the new Yukon, that would be so much better.
I had a ‘19 Sierra Denali reserved and left it on the lot. Got an ‘18 Denali Ultimate instead and I’m so glad I did. The GM twins are the ugliest trucks on the road. The ‘14 – ‘18 trucks have a clean, classic looks like the older square bodies. These new trucks defy description. The ugly goes on for days. I kept thinking they would grow on me. Nope. I especially hate the sad clown face on the Sierra. I really hope they fix them with the refresh. I’d hate to think I’d have to buy a Ram next…
This^…Cept that whole Ram business. Just going to keep my ‘04.
To many people complaining about what they don’t have or what they think is better, buy what you like and shut up! 😕 👍
This is literally an article about the styling of these trucks. If people are going to comment at all, then you should be prepared for some opinions to follow.
If you’re not interested in opinions, don’t read comments.
Well the 1/2 tons both look far better than their larger 3/4 ton siblings. The 3/4 Chevy needs a complete front facial make over. The GMC 3/4 looks ok, but both of them are not going to woo HD owners away from Ford or Ram
I agree. It lacks pop! Does GM really care! Seems at times they don’t, then they make some good design changes then water them down. Like they hold back. GM needs a visionary leader and a kick butt attitude! Do it right or don’t do it at all is my saying! Come on GM!!!