2021 Chevy Silverado vs. 2021 GMC Sierra 1500: What are the Differences?

Pickup trucks remain in high demand by American motorists. The Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 are two of the most popular choices for people in the market for a new pickup. Both vehicles were launched as high-performance pickup trucks back in 1999 as successors to the Chevrolet C/K line.

The Silverado and Sierra share identical mechanics, so you may be wondering what the difference is between them. In fact, there are a number of minor differences worth knowing about so that you can make a more informed choice. Keep reading for a guide on the 2021 Chevy Silverado vs. the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500.

2021 Silverado vs. 2021 GMC Sierra Differences

• Price: The Silverado is available to buy at a slightly lower starting price than the GMC Sierra 1500, which may be important if budget is a key factor in your purchasing decision.
• Fuel Economy: An interesting finding is that the Silverado returns better fuel economy ratings than the GMC Sierra 1500 despite having structurally identical mechanics. For example, taking both vehicles equipped with the 6.2-liter engine choice, the Silverado has a combined 18 mpg versus Sierra’s 17 mpg.
• Maximum Towing Capacity: If you need a pickup truck to perform consistently heavy-duty tasks, the Silverado is a slight winner over the Sierra 1500. The 2021 Chevy Silverado has a maximum towing capacity of a class-leading 13,300 pounds, which is a full 1,100 pounds more than the GMC Sierra 1500’s max towing capacity.
• Luxury: The fact that the Silverado is the cheaper of the two options is mostly reflected in the area of luxury interior features. At the top trim level, the 2021 Sierra 1500 feels slightly more upscale, but the differences are not huge.

Silverado vs. GMC Sierra: Price & Trim Level

The 2021 Chevy Silverado comes in eight trim levels: Work Truck, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country. The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 comes in six trim levels: SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, and Denali. if you prefer having a greater variety of trims to choose from, the Silverado edges out this comparison.

When further thinking about price, it’s important to note that not everybody buys a vehicle at the starting price for which it’s offered. The starting price you pay typically gets you the lowest trim level with the fewest available upgrades or configurations. However, there’s a good chance you’ll want more features and add-ons, so you may opt for higher trim levels.

When comparing the two pickup trucks, it’s worth seeing whether the price differences persist as you move to higher trim levels. Comparing the highest High Country and Denali trims across the two pickups, using a crew cab configuration, the High Country has a starting MSRP of $59,921 and the Denali has a starting MSRP of $60,995. So, at both the low and high-end trims, the Silverado remains the more budget-friendly of the choices.

Chevrolet Silverado for sale in Flint, MI

Silverado vs. GMC Sierra: Performance

Since both trucks come equipped with identical powertrain components, performance is very similar between these two trucks. There are five broad engines available for both trucks. A 3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel engine comes paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and outputs power ratings of 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. A 4.6-liter V-6 gas engine comes with a six-speed automatic transmission and outputs 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque.

A 2.7-liter turbo gas engine comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission and outputs 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet of torque. A 5.3-liter EcoTec V-8 engine comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission and outputs 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. There are a few different versions of the 5.3-liter engine that either have active fuel management, dynamic fuel management, or neither of these two features. The final available engine is a 6.2-liter EcoTec V-8 that outputs 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.

The identical mechanical features coupled with a very similar size and shape results in performance levels that have negligible differences solely in the area of fuel economy.

Silverado vs. GMC Sierra: Exterior

Despite the fact that they have very similar dimensions, there are some quite noticeable exterior differences between these two pickup trucks. Both trucks have square wheel wells that distinguish them from other pickups. The front design is where the exterior differences are most eye-catching. The Silverado has a more rounded, angular, and sleeker front fascia while the Sierra has a boxier and bolder look to it. One obvious difference is in branding; the logos of the two companies differ considerably.

The front headlamps remain consistent in shape throughout the available trim levels of the Sierra. The headlamps on the Silverado vary in shape and size as you move up the trim levels. The grille on the Chevy Silverado is blacked-out while the Sierra’s grille is heavy on the chrome accents.

Silverado vs. GMC Sierra: Interior

The interior of these two pickup trucks is very similar. When it comes to technology features, neither of the trucks edges the other because they both come with available gadgets like a wireless charging system, an eight-inch touchscreen with voice navigation, and multiple USB ports. None of the trucks comes with technology or safety features that the other lacks.

Interior comfort is an area in which some differences emerge. The Sierra holds a slight edge in terms of luxury and comfort; this becomes especially prominent at the highest trim levels. For example, the 2021 Sierra 1500 is built with sound-absorbing technology in the dashboard and carpet, which results in a quieter cabin while driving. The perforated leather seating available at higher trims in the Sierra gives its cabin a more comfortable and luxurious feel.

This is not to say that the Chevy Silverado’s interior has any glaring issues. In fact, the interior of the Silverado is both comfortable and spacious. There’s plenty of headroom and legroom inside and lots of storage space for your stuff. The slight differences are in the quality and aesthetics of the seat trims at the highest levels.

Reach out to our team at Applegate Chevrolet today to get your hands on the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado.

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