2018 vs 2020 Sierra Comparison

titanium10k · May 13, 2020

I had my truck at the dealer for the TSB on window noise coming from the driver side door. They gave me a loaner which was a 2020 Sierra SLE, Crew, 2 wheel drive, 5.3, 8 Speed. Makes me appreciate my 2018 after having driving that one. My truck is a 2018, Sierra SLT Premium Plus, crew, 4x4, 5.3, 8 speed. I understand mine is a higher trim level. Here are somethings I noticed that I like and disliked.

Dislikes

Keyless Start-I guess I would get used to this overtime.

Auto stop/start-it had this but it never actually engaged.

The steering wheel controls have been completely changed. Now they have rockers that go up or down to go through the menu. Actually bumped them a few times while turning.

Open tailgate button from inside cab. Not sure if I like that one... you have to get out to close it.

Electric parking brake. Seems like this could be an issue long term.

There is much less space under the hood compared to my 18. There are support brackets and additional plastic in front of the motor. Much more difficult to work on from what I see.

The 3rd brake light is installed in a plastic or fiberglass section above the rear window. Seems like a possible problem for fading.

Hood supports are now struts instead of the spring type. Long term I can see the hoods sagging as the struts get old/leak.

I did like the push buttons on the exterior doors. This works by having the key fob and you can keep it in your pocket.

I wanted a 2019 model since they were going to have rear AC vents. This one had it but you can't control the fan speed. I know it's not an SUV and a rear evaporator/fan setup is overkill but not much air coming from those vents.

The new 8 speeds are supposed to be improved. I haven't had any real issues with mine at 10K miles. An occasional weird shift when pulling into driveway. This one though seemed like it was much improved and shifted very quick and smooth. This also had the DFM V8. Couldn't tell what mode it was in and is there not indication anymore that you are in a mode other than V8? Maybe on the higher trim.

Not trying to bash the new ones, they do look good, just commenting that I prefer the options I have on my 2018 and glad I bought one of the last ones available with the options I have.

Colossus · May 14, 2020

For the 2020 the ugly looks alone should be reason enough to stick with the 2018.

truckguy82 · May 14, 2020

I had a 2020 loaner

i pretty much thought every aspect was better.

it’s like the same damn truck as the k2xx only they made everything better.

dieselfan1 · May 14, 2020

I had a 2020 loaner a couple months ago for 9 days. I put over a thousand miles on it.

It was a Silverado LT double cab. 5.3 8 speed. The 8 speed was ok. The start stop was annoying.

I'm not sure what it was but I just didn't like it.

WilliamBos · May 14, 2020

My friend just bought a 2020 Custom 5.3/6L80, no push button start and no engine start stop. That is the way I would buy it.

The electronic parking brake is an excuse to buy a scan tool, you need to put the parking brakes in service mode to service them.

I like the new gen of trucks, they are growing on me.

Edited May 14, 2020 by WilliamBos

Likarok · May 14, 2020

I don't have a new truck, but what i have noticed that I like is that there is finally a 4x4 engaged light in the dash again........What I dislike is the way the tilt steering works.

PPK · May 14, 2020

i have a late 2018 SLT and had a '20 loaner... my observation is that the 20 seems a lot bigger... i like the smaller '18, seems easier to get into and i also really like a key. FOBs are too big to fit in your pocket... the '20 is still funny looking to me. chunky. the '18 has the more classic gm style.

I still like a key on the doors, too. It just suites me.

16LT4 · May 14, 2020

My ‘14 Ram had the key fob and keyless push button start. I hated it due to the neurosis of constantly wondering where my key was. It lost signal a few times even with a fresh battery.

Ive had the auto stop start on my BMW loaners; that (and turbos) would make me never buy a car with it again, unless it could be easily coded out of existence. No, I’m not going to manually turn off a feature I don’t want every time I drive. I don’t care if I never buy a car newer than 201x.

The looks in person are growing on me, they look slightly less horrible when properly equipped. The bed height is all out of proportion though. Looks however don’t affect the drive and I couldn’t care less what people I don’t know think about my vehicle, so the bad outweighs the good IMO. Nah, it looks like the K2 is gonna be another half million miler for me; I’ll run it until the pumps stop flowing sweet crude.

poconojoe · May 14, 2020

My truck is a 2019 LD, so it's the same body as 2014-2018, not the new redone 2019.

I had a loner 2020 for a day. It was nice, but one thing bothered me. As trivial as this may seem, the turn signal lever was harder to move and was more of a solid click compared to mine. Mine is more of a softer movement. The loner wasn't a high end model, so maybe that's the reason?

I thought the engine shutting off at an idle was cool and probably saves gas. I don't know why people complain about that.

titanium10k · May 15, 2020

1 hour ago, poconojoe said:

My truck is a 2019 LD, so it's the same body as 2014-2018, not the new redone 2019.

I had a loner 2020 for a day. It was nice, but one thing bothered me. As trivial as this may seem, the turn signal lever was harder to move and was more of a solid click compared to mine. Mine is more of a softer movement. The loner wasn't a high end model, so maybe that's the reason?

I thought the engine shutting off at an idle was cool and probably saves gas. I don't know why people complain about that.

I thought the same thing about the turn signal lever. May just be something with the lower trim models.

16LT4 · May 16, 2020

On 5/14/2020 at 7:04 PM, poconojoe said:

My truck is a 2019 LD, so it's the same body as 2014-2018, not the new redone 2019.

I had a loner 2020 for a day. It was nice, but one thing bothered me. As trivial as this may seem, the turn signal lever was harder to move and was more of a solid click compared to mine. Mine is more of a softer movement. The loner wasn't a high end model, so maybe that's the reason?

I thought the engine shutting off at an idle was cool and probably saves gas. I don't know why people complain about that.

Because of the hesitation and shudder upon starting, and the reduced starter life expectancy. Gas savings usually amounts to 0.5 mpg. Granted, I haven’t driven the truck with the feature, but the BMWs are atrocious. My friend bought a ‘19 Jeep cherokee and he’s not even a car guy buy any means (he’s proud because he knows how to change the oil), and it is the only feature he can’t stand; turns it off everytime he gets in the car.

I also hate electronic parking brakes; the VWs and BMWs have it require running a computer program to retract the rear piston in order to do brake jobs. Very annoying and expensive. Somehow, my cable parking brake cars still have perfectly functioning brakes after over 35 years, with a simple brake job taking a half hour and no computer required.

I didnt know the new trucks had that; not a selling point. What happens if the battery dies with the brake engaged, or the battery is removed with the brake engaged? Annoyance is what.

tmo · May 16, 2020

Because of the hesitation and shudder upon starting, and the reduced starter life expectancy. Gas savings usually amounts to 0.5 mpg. Granted, I haven’t driven the truck with the feature, but the BMWs are atrocious. My friend bought a ‘19 Jeep cherokee and he’s not even a car guy buy any means (he’s proud because he knows how to change the oil), and it is the only feature he can’t stand; turns it off everytime he gets in the car.

I also hate electronic parking brakes; the VWs and BMWs have it require running a computer program to retract the rear piston in order to do brake jobs. Very annoying and expensive. Somehow, my cable parking brake cars still have perfectly functioning brakes after over 35 years, with a simple brake job taking a half hour and no computer required.

I didnt know the new trucks had that; not a selling point. What happens if the battery dies with the brake engaged, or the battery is removed with the brake engaged? Annoyance is what.

The starter isn’t used to start the engine during stop/start. The gas sealed when turning off and ignited in the piston causing it to restart. This is why they won’t stay turned off for longer than a couple minutes, too much gas leaks out and pressure decreases.

16LT4 · May 16, 2020

17 minutes ago, tmo said:

The starter isn’t used to start the engine during stop/start. The gas sealed when turning off and ignited in the piston causing it to restart. This is why they won’t stay turned off for longer than a couple minutes, too much gas leaks out and pressure decreases.

If too much gas leaks out and pressure decreases, then how does the vehicle then start?

Why is there excess gasoline in the combustion chamber?

Please post the information that says the engine is compression ignited. I’m all for learning new things but this makes zero sense. What normally engages the starter and engine is excessive electrical draw from the battery, and need for heat/AC (neither of which work with the engine off).

Edited May 16, 2020 by 16LT4