2023 RAM 2500 vs 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 featured a design that some might have considered timeless—a characteristic often associated with Chevy trucks. The truck sported a split-bar grille reminiscent of designs from the 1990s and the 2015 redesigns, creating a noticeable nod to past glories. However, the unique styling elements within this generation had fans and critics. The small headlights paired with a body panel jutting into the grille area appeared quirky to certain viewers. For those who perceived it as overly aggressive, they might have thought it screamed "overcompensation." This aggressive styling aligned with Chevrolet’s current vehicle portfolio, almost as if designed by a Transformers fan.

The Silverado offered various appearance packages like the Rally Edition, Midnight Edition, and Redline Edition, providing additional visual flair. Inside, the cabin was functional yet versatile, with controls conveniently placed. The interior layouts varied significantly based on the trim, with options ranging from the basic WT to the luxury High Country. The WT and Custom trims retained an older, more utilitarian interior with a smaller screen and physical controls. In contrast, higher trims like the LTZ and High Country boasted a modern, high-tech dashboard centered around a large, intuitive touchscreen.

Available seat materials included vinyl in the WT, while higher trims like the LTZ offered leather upholstery. Additional amenities in luxury trims featured wireless device charging, heated and ventilated seats, and a power-operated tailgate.

In contrast, the 2023 RAM 2500 Rebel echoed familiarity. Its design shared much with the Power Wagon but sans the excessive graphics and 12,000-pound Warn winch. The Rebel featured an aluminum sport hood, 20-inch wheels, and clean flanks, resulting in an aggressive, trendy blacked-out look. The truck bore the Rebel-specific grille, providing the familiar RAM aesthetic with a fresh twist.

The Rebel came exclusively as a crew-cab with a 6-foot, 4-inch cargo bed. The luxury interior featured high-quality materials, contrast stitching, and premium finishes. However, the glossy black plastic surrounding the infotainment system attracted fingerprints and reflections, much like Chicago’s Cloud Gate, which might have proven inconvenient under bright conditions. Overall, the RAM 2500 Rebel’s interior appeared luxurious, with carefully engineered seats providing comfort during long drives.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered an assorted range of engines tailored to diverse preferences. The base model featured a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. For V8 enthusiasts, the 5.3-liter engine delivered 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, while the 6.2-liter powerhouse churned out 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. Additionally, a six-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel engine made 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque.

The Silverado utilized an eight-speed automatic transmission for the base engine, with a 10-speed automatic for the more potent options. Its towing capacity peaked at 13,300 pounds with the 6.2-liter engine paired with the Max Towing package. For those opting for the 5.3-liter engine, towing capacity reached up to 11,000 pounds. The maximum payload was 2,260 pounds with the base four-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive.

Driving the Trail Boss version revealed surprisingly smooth power delivery from the turbo-four. While the engine emitted a noise reminiscent of a diesel, it still offered considerable pickup. Transmission smoothness suggested a potential match with the 10-speed automatic. Both V8 engines exhibited energetic performance, with the larger 6.2-liter engine satisfying expectations of hefty torque. Although it didn’t match the ride quality of the RAM 1500, the Silverado 1500 handled admirably well for its size, especially benefiting from trims like the ZR2 Bison that delivered commendable off-road capabilities.

The 2023 RAM 2500 Rebel, equipped with a standard 6.4-liter V8 engine with 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque, provided robust performance characteristics. This engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and 4WD. The part-time transfer case offered 4-Hi and 4-Lo settings, accompanied by a front-axle disconnect system aiding fuel efficiency.

For diesel enthusiasts, the Rebel could be equipped with a 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine producing 370 horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque, transmitted through a six-speed automatic. Notably, this diesel engine made the Rebel a contender for those seeking significant torque but added about $10,000 to the sticker price.

The V8 engine enabled a maximum towing capacity of 16,870 pounds and a payload capacity of 3,140 pounds, outperforming some competitors in brute towing capability. The Cummins diesel, while more efficient, wasn’t the supreme towing choice despite its substantial torque.

Testing showed the Cummins returned a real-world fuel economy of 19.1 mpg on highways, dropping to 14.7 mpg on rugged terrains, recording better efficiency compared to the V8 engine’s 10.3 mpg on similar routes. Despite the Rebel lacking some Power Wagon exclusive features, it emerged plenty capable, featuring high-strength steel construction, and sophisticated suspension, providing impressive load handling and axle articulation.

Off-road ventures revealed the Rebel’s robustness, bolstered by 33-inch tires, locking rear differential, limited-slip rear differential, and protective skid plates. Performance during varied driving conditions, from highway cruising to challenging trails, showcased its smooth, refined driving experience despite the recirculating ball steering’s slow response in specific scenarios.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 provided versatile body style options including regular cab with standard bed, regular cab with a long bed, double cab with standard bed, and crew cab with either a short bed or the standard bed. The short bed measured 5 feet 8 inches, the standard bed 6 feet 6 inches, and the long bed 8 feet.

The regular cab configurations were geared towards work-centric trims like the WT and Custom. These featured a front bench seat capable of accommodating three passengers, with a fold-down center seat back doubling as a console. The double cab, equipped with conventional car doors rather than rear half-doors, provided accessible rear seating. Spacious front seats offset the limited rear legroom.

The crew cab emerged as the most spacious, offering generous headroom and legroom in both rows. The rear bench folded upward, enhancing in-cabin cargo storage—a beneficial feature for securing tools or other valuable items from the elements.

Comparatively, the 2023 RAM 2500 Rebel posed entry and exit challenges due to its high stance, necessitating grab handles for access. The Cummins turbodiesel model utilized a column shifter for its six-speed automatic, which might have felt less precise and somewhat flimsy compared to the rotary dial in V8 models.

Depending on specification, interiors ranged from cloth to leather upholstery with options for front bench or bucket seats. Our test model featuring Natura Plus leather and bucket seats divided by a center console demonstrated excellent comfort, especially accommodating the heated and ventilated features. However, accessing seat controls through the Uconnect 5 system proved slightly cumbersome.

Rear seating in the RAM 2500 Rebel was notably roomy, featuring AC vents, heated cushions, USB ports, and a 115-volt power outlet. Flip-up rear seat cushions revealed additional storage, with dashboard storage areas creatively integrated.

Cargo capacities in the Silverado 1500 ranged with the regular cab truck holding a payload capacity of 2,260 pounds, and a maximum towing capacity of 13,300 pounds. The RAM 2500 showed formidable prowess with a payload capacity of 3,140 pounds and a towing capacity of 16,870 pounds with V8.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a base infotainment system featuring a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The WT and Custom trims adhered to a simpler pre-facelift layout. While lacking modern graphical sharpness, these systems prioritized functionality and ease of use.

Higher trims surpassed with a 13.4-inch touchscreen offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an advanced digital instrument panel. Accompanying features included a Wi-Fi hotspot in the Custom, and added USB ports in the LTZ. The high-tech system impressively balanced modern appeal and functional accessibility.

The 2023 RAM 2500 introduced a 12-inch digital instrument panel with versatile display configurations. Operated via steering wheel controls, it was largely intuitive but could be distracting without prior familiarization. Enhancements included advanced exterior camera systems and trailering technologies like surround-view cameras and a digital rearview mirror featuring blind-spot and trailer-side views.

Ram's Trailer Reverse Steering Control, a new feature, simplified trailer navigation using a dashboard knob. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, spotlighted by a 12-inch touchscreen, incorporated Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and navigation. An optional 17-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system ensured exceptional audio quality. Despite glare issues on some controls, the infotainment screen remained reliably legible even on sunny days, enhancing tech usability in varied conditions.

The Silverado 1500 boasted a robust suite of safety features. It included standard automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. The notable Teen Driver system allowed restrictions on speed and volume for secondary drivers.

LTZ trims and above enhanced safety with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a surround-view camera system, rain-sensing wipers, and parking sensors. Advanced options like adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and GM’s Super Cruise system offered further assurances. The NHTSA awarded the Silverado a five-star safety rating, and the IIHS provided strong crash test scores.

The RAM 2500 featured a plethora of advanced driver assistance systems. Standard and optional equipment covered automatic high-beams, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking (extending to trailer brakes), lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.

During testing, the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist proved extremely valuable for maintaining safe driving distances and lane positions on highways. Although crash-test ratings were unavailable for the RAM 2500, its substantial size and weight suggested solid protection, especially in single-vehicle incidents.