Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs GMC Sierra 1500

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered an impressive range of features, giving buyers plenty of options to choose from its nine trims. The configurations included a two-door regular cab with either a six-and-a-half-foot "standard" bed or an eight-foot "long" bed, a double cab with a standard bed, and the popular larger crew cab option, which came with either a five-foot-ten-inch "short" bed or a standard bed. In this comparison, we focused on the off-road-specific ZR2 model, available only in the crew cab, short bed configuration. The Silverado’s other trim options were Work Truck (WT), Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country.

Chevrolet had refreshed the Silverado’s design in 2022, and by 2024, the front end still turned heads. The squinty headlamps combined with angular daytime running lights complemented a large grille that varied from stealthy all-black to flashy full chrome, depending on the trim level. Buyers could also select wheel sizes ranging from the standard 17-inch steelies on the base work truck trim to the 22-inch chrome wheels on the High Country. Chevrolet offered two stunning shades of red and a bright blue in addition to the more traditional whites and greys, enhancing the Silverado’s visual appeal.

Inside, truck buyers found a modern cabin with superior quality materials compared to previous models. Higher trims boasted leather seating and stylish open-pore wood trim. Screens were plentiful, but Chevy thoughtfully retained physical controls for essential functions like HVAC, 4WD systems, lane-keeping alert, and hill-descent control.

In contrast, the 2024 GMC Sierra 1500, building on the platform of its 2019 model, saw only minimal changes for 2024, leaving its lineup of trim levels—Pro, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, AT4X, Denali, and Denali Ultimate—unchanged. The base Sierra 1500 Pro catered to commercial fleets, while the AT4, AT4X, Denali, and Denali Ultimate focused on off-road prowess and luxury.

GMC emphasized bold, assertive styling for the Sierra. Its tall, flat hood and broad grille set it apart from the Chevrolet Silverado, although this design choice compromised parking ease. Fortunately, the front-view camera included in the 360-degree system of our Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate test truck compensated for the visibility issues.

The Sierra varied in appearance across its trims, with the base models featuring black grilles and painted 17-inch wheels, and the Denali models showcasing large chrome grilles, 22-inch wheels, and power running boards. However, the off-road AT4 and AT4X models did not stand out visually as much.

Inside, the Sierra’s interior design was blocky and somewhat dated, with materials that seemed unremarkable even in the Denali Ultimate trim. Though our test truck included plush amenities like a heated steering wheel, massaging front seats, heated rear seats, a power sunroof, and dual-zone automatic climate control, the overall aesthetic didn't quite live up to its premium branding.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 presented diverse powertrain options, with four different engines available. The standard was a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivered 310 horsepower and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Chevrolet also offered two V8s—a 5.3-liter and a 6.2-liter, the latter producing a robust 420 horsepower. Both V8s came with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Our test Silverado featured the 3.0-liter six-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel engine, which produced 305 horsepower and an impressive 495 pound-feet of torque, making it the most torquey option of the lineup.

The diesel engine showed strong pulling power right from the start, with its 10-speed automatic transmission offering seamless shifts. This was significant because it made the Silverado one of the last full-size trucks still offering a diesel option, aside from its sibling, the GMC Sierra 1500. The Duramax diesel typically added a few thousand dollars to the Silverado’s price, but in the ZR2 off-road model, it remained cheaper than the 6.2-liter V8.

The Silverado ZR2 proved ideal for off-road adventures, featuring a two-inch lift, front and rear differential lockers, and top-tier Multimatic shocks. These variable-rate shocks provided an optimal ride on both paved roads and rugged terrains, adjusting automatically as needed. The ZR2 Bison package further enhanced off-road capability with steel bumpers, skid plates, rock rails, and smaller 18-inch wheels, increasing the sidewall available for rugged use, all for roughly $8,400.

The 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 also offered a variety of powertrains. The base models came with a 2.7-liter TurboMax four-cylinder engine delivering 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Buyers had the option for rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive with this engine.

Additionally, GMC provided two V8 options—a 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, and a 6.2-liter V8 producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both V8 engines featured Dynamic Fuel Management cylinder deactivation and were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 5.3-liter V8 was available with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, while the 6.2-liter engine was exclusively all-wheel drive.

The Sierra also had the Duramax turbodiesel 3.0-liter inline-six, producing 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission available in both rear-wheel and four-wheel drive configurations. For 2024, this engine became standard on the AT4 and AT4X off-road models.

In our test of the Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate, the Duramax diesel engine stood out, providing ample torque for towing while maintaining smooth, linear power delivery. The 10-speed automatic offered prompt, smooth shifts, enhancing the truck's drivability.

The Sierra’s chassis, typical of a body-on-frame pickup, delivered expected ride comfort and noise levels for a full-size truck but didn’t match the refinement of a luxury car or SUV. However, off-road enthusiasts found the Sierra’s AT4 models impressive, featuring a two-inch lift, Rancho monotube shocks, a locking rear differential, and skid plates. The AT4X enhanced this with a front locker and sophisticated Multimatic DSSV dampers, while the AT4X AEV Edition included aftermarket bodywork such as stamped steel bumpers and 33-inch mud-terrain tires, providing an excellent off-road package.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 could be as basic or as luxurious as desired. The Work Truck (WT) offered vinyl seats, a basic infotainment system with a small screen, and four-way manual seating. Conversely, the top-tier High Country trim included 10-way power seats, a premium Bose stereo, ventilated front seats, heated seating throughout, and a heated steering wheel. Our ZR2 model was near the top in luxury features but lacked the High Country’s level of rear seat leather quality and power-adjustable steering wheel.

Chevrolet recommended the crew cab configuration, delivering a generous 43.4 inches of rear legroom, compared to the double cab’s 35 inches, better suited for children or cargo rather than adults. The crew cab's wide-opening doors facilitated easy entry and exit, and despite our ZR2’s higher stance, grab handles made climbing in straightforward.

When equipped with the diesel engine, the Silverado 1500 boasted a strong maximum towing capacity of 13,300 pounds—besting its primary competitors, the Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra, but falling short of the Ford F-150. However, the ZR2's advanced off-road suspension brought its towing capacity down to 9,000 pounds. Payload capacity also hit a high of 2,260 pounds with the four-cylinder engine in a regular cab, whereas the ZR2 again saw a reduction to around 1,800 pounds. The bed featured 12 tie-downs and the versatile Multi-Flex six-way tailgate, providing convenience for various cargo configurations.

Similarly, the 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 offered multiple cab and bed configurations. These included a standard or long bed regular cab, a double cab with a standard bed, and a crew cab with either a standard bed or a shorter 5.7-foot bed for a more manageable vehicle length.

In terms of specific dimensions, both the Sierra 1500 and Silverado 1500 boasted higher cargo-box volumes than equivalent Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 configurations. The GM trucks provided slightly more front headroom and legroom compared to their rivals, as well as the Toyota Tundra. Though spacious, the second row of our crew cab test Sierra left something to be desired in comfort due to its hard cushions and awkward seating angle.

The Sierra’s reconfigurable Multi-Pro tailgate, available on SLE and higher trims, mirrored the Silverado’s Multi-Flex tailgate in versatility. GMC also offered a CarbonPro composite bed option on select models, delivering extra durability and weight savings.

Towing capacities ranged from 9,200 pounds for the 4WD turbo-four models to 13,200 pounds for diesel trucks with rear-wheel drive, slightly lower than the Silverado’s maximum. The Sierra’s payload capacity topped out at 2,240 pounds, 200 pounds less than the Silverado, which almost matched the Ram 1500 but lagged behind the 2024 Ford F-150's 2,455-pound maximum.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered decent tech equipment across its range. The WT and Custom trims came with a seven-inch touchscreen and mostly analog gauges but included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Upgrading to the LT trim or higher brought a 13.4-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

Users found the Silverado’s infotainment intuitive and user-friendly, with quick screen responses and clear graphics. Google’s integration provided easy access to Google Maps and voice commands, simplifying tasks like climate control adjustments and radio station changes.

Chevrolet's prowess in trailering technology stood out. Despite lacking a backup assist feature like the Ford F-150, the Silverado offered up to 14 different camera views, including hitch views, parking views, and blind-spot monitoring. Additional features such as the automatic trailer light test and towing checklist further enhanced the trailering experience.

The available rear camera mirror projected a video feed, improving rear visibility when the bed was full. The optional 15-inch color head-up display provided valuable driving and navigation information right on the windshield.

Base Pro models of the 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 had a basic infotainment system with a seven-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SLE and higher models featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.4-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity options and Google Built-In features.

GMC's Google integration, similar to that of brands like Polestar and Volvo, used Google apps like Google Maps for navigation. Although not necessarily superior to others, it ensured seamless functionality. Apple CarPlay provided an alternative for non-Android users.

The user experience for Sierra’s tech was generally positive. The 13.4-inch touchscreen was appropriately sized for the large cabin but could be a reach for front passengers. Its large icons allowed for easy navigation, and most functions required minimal touchscreen taps. GMC retained analog controls for essential functions like volume, climate, and seat heaters, maintaining ease of use.

All 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 models came equipped with Chevy Safety Assist standard. This included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, a following distance indicator, and other tech features. Chevrolet's Teen Driver program also provided parents with the ability to set parameters and access a driving report card.

Additional safety features included vibrating safety alert driver’s seats, 360-degree camera systems, and front and rear parking sensors. The Silverado’s adaptive cruise control and Super Cruise (available on the High Country trim) offered enhanced driver assistance. Super Cruise enabled hands-free driving on over 400,000 miles of pre-mapped roads and worked even while towing.

The NHTSA gave the 2024 Silverado 1500 crew cab a five-star overall safety rating but rated it four stars in frontal crashes and rollovers. The IIHS awarded the Silverado a top score of “Good” in driver’s side crashworthiness, but it received lower ratings in passenger side crashes, front crashes, and headlamp performance.

Similarly, the 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 showcased standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and a rear-seat reminder. Adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, park assist, and GM’s Safety Alert driver’s seat were optional. Denali and Denali Ultimate models could add Super Cruise, GM's well-regarded hands-free driver-assistance system.

The Sierra performed well in NHTSA testing, achieving a five-star overall safety rating and five stars in side-crash protection. NHTSA rated the Sierra four stars in rollover and frontal crash tests. However, IIHS crash testing showed mixed results, with top scores in driver-side small overlap front crash tests but lower scores in other categories.