Truck giants like Ford and Chevy may typically be the automakers getting all the attention in the pickup industry, but things could be starting to change. GMC debuted its newest Sierra 1500 with a new diesel engine that is doing more than turning heads. Boasting less noise, a smoother rider, and even better gas mileage, the competition may soon be taking its cues from the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 diesel.

The new GMC Sierra diesel engine earns GMC major points

WardsAuto is an industry-leading company that delivers “automotive insights and intelligence in every format,” according to its website. Its experts research, test, and analyze every aspect of the auto industry, handing out awards each year to brands and vehicles in a variety of categories. One of WardsAuto experts’ favorites in the engine category for the 2020 model year is GMC’s newest diesel engine found in the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500.

According to WardsAuto, the 2020 GMC Sierra’s new diesel engine is so good, it made its “10 Best Engines and Propulsion Systems” list. Although GMC isn’t typically known for its groundbreaking achievements in the truck market, the brand’s choice to introduce a new and improved engine appears an excellent one.

In fact, out of three General Motors’ diesel engine choices, WardsAuto experts’ preferred the GMC Sierra’s new diesel. Finding little wrong with the newly-designed engine, one editor even stated it’s “hard to find fault with such a smooth-running machine.”

Why experts love the new engine 

The 2020 GMC Sierra’s diesel engine is so good, “it’s a good time to be a diesel pickup fan,” according to Roadshow by CNET. New for this model year, it’s a 3.0-liter V6 turbocharged Duramax engine that makes 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. It’s capable of towing more than 9,000 lbs and can haul nearly 2,000 lbs of payload. And its performance is even better than its numbers.

The diesel engine’s new design allows it to be quieter and more balanced than ever before, “using an aluminum block and head setup with a variable intake manifold and state-of-the-art high-pressure fuel injection.” It’s also paired with stop/start technology and a new 10-speed automatic transmission that feels “smooth and responsive” on the road.

Experts find the 2020 GMC Sierra’s engine to have all the benefits of a diesel engine without any of the drawbacks.

How the new GMC Sierra 1500’s diesel engine is breaking stereotypes

WardsAuto chose the new GMC Sierra’s diesel engine as one of the best of the year for a variety of reasons, all of which speak to the engine’s innovative nature. Not just a high-quality engine, it’s earning awards for the waves it’s making in the engine world.

The diesel engine has a reputation of being a loud, uncomfortable, gas-guzzling, powerhouse. But after test-driving the engine themselves, experts think GMC has discovered the secret formula to a brand-new diesel design.

The 2020 Sierra 1500’s new diesel engine is a major win for drivers seeking smoothness while wanting to avoid the loud and boisterous nature of diesel engines. And although it is a surprising joy to drive, its smooth nature isn’t the only thing that sets the new GMC engine apart.

The newly designed engine comes with an already decent EPA-estimated fuel rating of 22 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. As if these numbers weren’t already impressive enough for a diesel, PickupTrucks.com experts found the GMC Sierra diesel engine’s long-term, real-life numbers to be even better at an estimated 32 mpg combined.