At first glance, a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 competition seems essentially even. After all, these two trucks share the same powertrains and almost identical dimensions. Still, many brand-loyal buyers believe their favorite pickup bests one model or the other. How are these two trucks different, if at all? The Chevy Silverado starts at a slightly lower starting price than its cousin, the GMC Sierra, but both pickups come in a variety of trims and configurations, and price differences are minimal as buyers travel through each truck’s trim range.
From a capability perspective, each truck holds its own, offering a max tow rating of 13,300 lbs. and a standard turbocharged 310-hp TurboMax engine producing 430 lb-ft of torque. Optional powertrains, including a powerful turbo diesel engine, give buyers plenty of ways to level up output, performance, and capability. Both trucks are designed for hard work but transition nicely to family time or weekend adventures. Depending on the trim, interior appointments on both rigs rival those found on pricey SUVs.
If you’re trying to decide between the Silverado and the Sierra, you might be tempted to chalk up their differences to appearance. The GMC Sierra 1500 features a blockier grille that consumes the truck’s front end, giving it a brawny, aggressive curb profile. The Silverado opts for a more classic exterior design, following a function-over-form design strategy. Still, both trucks offer high-end trims with luxury equipment and features, along with many tire and wheel options for true customization. Which rig is right for you?
Entry Buyers Should Focus on the Small Differences
Since the 2024 Chevy Silverado and the 2024 GMC Sierra half-ton 1500 pickups share the same basic construction, powertrain options, and tow and haul ratings, buyers will need to dig deeper to understand how they differ. The most apparent difference is positioning and appearance. GMC has long been associated with more premium, upmarket vehicles, whereas Chevy leans into an affordability narrative. As such, the Chevy Silverado WT is priced about $1,000 lower than the GMC Sierra Pro.
The Silverado WT comes with 12 cargo tie-downs in the bed. The GMC Sierra comes with four. Both models have multiple trims on offer: the Sierra offers nine trims, and the Silverado lineup includes seven trim options. The Sierra also comes in a few more exterior colors than the Silverado. Both trucks offer standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity across their trim ranges, including on the base model trim. Overall, entry buyers might find the Silverado 1500 WT a slightly better bargain than the base Sierra PRO, given its slightly lower MSRP.
Silverado WT buyers can upgrade to the available 5.3-liter EcoTec3 engine, but neither the 6.2-liter V8 nor the Turbo Diesel are available. Headroom and legroom are slightly larger in the Sierra, but the difference is minimal. Both trucks come with a standard suite of driver-assist safety systems. Called Chevy Safety Assist on the Silverado and GMC Pro Safety on the Sierra, they each include six safety technologies that use radar and on-board cameras to monitor the area around the truck and the driver’s steering and braking input and intervene with alerts when a potential hazard is detected.
High-End Trims Compete for the Most Luxury Features
At the top of the lineup, the Denali Ultimate comes in at over $80,000 and introduces Super Cruise, a hands-free cruise control system, as an option. The top-of-the-line Silverado High Country starts at a much lower price – under $70,000 – and aligns more with the similarly priced Sierra Denali. For luxury seekers and buyers who want all the bells and whistles, the GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate represents the cream of the crop with its full-grain leather seating, real wood accenting, and 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. The more powerful 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 is also standard on the Denali Ultimate.
Can buyers outfit their Chevy Silverado with an equivalent number of luxury features? For the most part, the answer is yes. Add the 6.2-liter V8, which is optional, and the High Country Package, which adds 22-inch wheels and a sunroof; the prices are equivalent, so for high-end buyers, your decision will likely come down to appearance. One main difference between these two trucks at the top of the trim lineup: the GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate comes with a 12-speaker Bose system; the Silverado High Country is outfitted with a seven-speaker version. Super Cruise hands-free driving is available on both the Denali Ultimate and the High Country.
Of the GMC Sierra’s interior, Car and Driver says it “feels designed with the driver in mind.” With the GMC brand rooted in premium positioning, buyers who lean toward more upscale aesthetics and cushier comfort and convenience features might favor the GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate for its two-tone leather seating, leather-covered doors, and open-wood accenting. Standard front 16-way power seating with massage and a carbon fiber-lined cargo bed round out the Denali Ultimate’s over-the-top luxury appointments.
Off-Roading Options
If your travels include backcountry trails, rocky mountain inclines, and mud-soaked off-roading, the Silverado 1500 ZR2 just might tell the most compelling story. With a standard 6.2-liter V8 paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, a two-speed Autotrac transfer case, and full-locking front and rear differentials, the ZR2 is ready for all types of terrain. Thanks to the standard high-performance lifted suspension and multimatic DSSV dampers, ground clearance is increased, and a series of standard skid plates are included to protect critical truck components. Chevy also throws in standard mud-terrain tires and a trailering package.
GMC’s off-road-ready Sierra 1500 lineup includes the AT4 and AT4X. Both trims are equipped with a powerful 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine, skid plates, and a two-speed transfer case. The AT4X adds a slew of exterior equipment, including an AEV stamped-steel front bumper with winch capability and a front approach skid plate made of stamped boron steel. Electronic front and rear locking also come standard on the AT4X, along with off-road rocker panel protectors and an upgraded suspension.
The Sierra AT4 includes a two-inch factory lift and Rancho monotube shock absorbers. The AT4X combines standard multimatic DSSV dampers, specially tuned springs, and an off-road chassis. Comparing both the AT4 and the AT4X to the Silverado 1500 ZR2, it’s clear that the AT4X is more similar capability-wise, with similar exterior off-road equipment; however, the AT4X includes a few extras that are optional on the ZR2, including a head-up display and a rear camera mirror.
Which Truck is Right for You?
Choosing between the 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 and the 2024 Chevy Silverado 1500 is easier when you know which trim and features you want and need. Chevy’s full-size Silverado lineup offers slightly better value and bang for the buck at the entry level. For off-roaders, your choice is more straightforward with the Silverado since the ZR2 is Chevy’s only off-road-oriented trim. If you select a GMC Sierra for your off-roading lifestyle, you’ll have to choose between the AT4 and the AT4X. These two trims offer different standard equipment, so a deep dive is necessary to fully understand your options.
Luckily for buyers, both the Chevy and GMC full-size pickups fall under the General Motors umbrella. These American-made trucks are perennial best-sellers in the category, offering the peace of mind that comes with decades-long track records of reliability and capability. Choosing between these two truck brands won’t require any powertrain or performance compromises since both models offer the same great engine lineup. It all boils down to preference and brand loyalty. Are you a Chevy person or a GMC person? Either way, you’ll be behind the wheel of a class-leading rig that will get the job done.
