The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the GMC Sierra 1500 are two of GM’s most iconic pickup trucks. While the two models share a platform and a number of similarities, they also have a handful of differences. Here’s a look at how these pickups measure up against each other.
An All-American Classic: Browse for deals on the Silverado 1500
Trims
Photo: General Motors
You can choose from a whopping eight trim levels on the Silverado 1500: WT, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and the luxury-oriented High Country. All come standard with front-wheel drive and offer all-wheel drive, except for the Custom Trail Boss and LT Trail Boss, which are exclusively available with all-wheel drive.
On the other hand, the Sierra 1500 offers five trim levels: Sierra, Elevation, SLT, AT4, and Denali. All trims except the AT4 offer standard front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive. Since it’s built for off-road exploration, the AT4 trim only comes with all-wheel drive.
Towing and payload
Photo: General Motors
When it comes to towing, the Silverado 1500 has more muscle than the Sierra 1500. It boasts a maximum towing capacity of 13,300 pounds, compared to the Sierra 1500’s 11,800 pounds. That said, the two models both clock in with a maximum payload capacity of 2,280 pounds.
Truck beds
Photo: General Motors
Since the two trucks share a platform, it’s to be expected that the Silverado and Sierra offer an equal amount of truck bed cargo capacity. The short bed offers 62.9 cubic feet, the regular bed provides 71.7 cubic feet, and the long-bed models boast a class-leading 89.1 cubic feet of storage room. As of 2021, both trucks also offer a six-function tailgate and the Kicker exterior sound system, designed for tailgating and other outdoor gatherings. But only the Sierra offers the industry-first available carbon-fiber composite bed.
Pricing
Photo: General Motors
As of the 2021 model year, the Silverado 1500 starts at $29,300. The Sierra 1500 costs slightly more, with an MSRP of $30,100.
Want More Luxury? Check out the GMC Sierra 1500
Want to learn more about these popular trucks? Check out how the Silverado 1500 differs from the Silverado HD, and how the Sierra 1500 compares to the Sierra HD.
Kimiko Kidd is a native Daytonian. She graduated from Wright State University with degrees in environmental science and sociology. She loves her trusty old Honda Civic, but dreams of owning a 1974 Ford Falcon XB with a custom paint job and a vintage Kawasaki Z1000. In her free time, Kimiko can be found watercolor-painting, baking muffins, collecting rocks, playing old-school Nintendo games, writing her novel, sewing stuffed animals, and cosplaying as her favorite Mad Max characters. See more articles by Kimiko.