2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD vs 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
$28,500MSRP
Overview
Overview
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2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
$35,300MSRP
Overview
Overview
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2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
$28,500MSRP
Overview
Overview
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2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
$35,300MSRP
Overview
Overview
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CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is 7.2 out of 10, while the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD scores 6.8. Based on these ratings, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 emerges as the preferred option for most consumers, offering a more balanced blend of style, performance, comfort, and technology.

Overview

MSRP

$28,500

MSRP

$35,300

Average price

$33,194

Average price

$45,055

Listings

4337

Listings

908
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.2 out of 10

Expert reviews

6.8 out of 10
Pros
  • Multiple powertrain options
  • Comfortable
Cons
  • Advanced safety features are not standard
  • Poor value for money
Pros
  • Multiple body styles
  • Multiple powertrain options
  • Powerful engine
Cons
  • Poor ride quality
  • Poor handling
  • Interior materials feel cheap

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Reviews Summary

Full-size pickup trucks are the unofficial vehicles of the United States of America. Bristling with underhood muscle, they tow, they haul, and they look good cruising Main Street as the sun sets on a balmy Friday night.

One of the most popular vehicles in the country, the 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 follows its 2019 redesign with several updates. It continues waging war against the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 for the hearts and minds of American truck buyers. Highlights of the changes include a new 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline 6-cylinder engine, greater availability of popular powertrains across trim levels, a new bed-view camera, and a camera-based adaptive cruise control system.

While these improvements certainly help to make the 2020 Silverado more appealing, they don’t address this truck’s primary flaws.

Search for a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 on CarGurus

2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Reviews Summary

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado HD is plenty capable but its interior design keeps it from being a standout in the segment. Still, the Silverado 2500HD has a number of redeeming qualities that make it worthy of consideration, from comfortable accommodations to innovative camera technology.
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Popular Features & Specs

Engine

4.3L 285 hp V6 Flex Fuel Vehicle

Engine

Drive Train

4X2

Drive Train

Seating Capacity

3

Seating Capacity

3

MPG City

16

MPG City

MPG Highway

21

MPG Highway

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
$28,500MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
$35,300MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
$28,500MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
$35,300MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is 7.2 out of 10, while the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD scores 6.8. Based on these ratings, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 emerges as the preferred option for most consumers, offering a more balanced blend of style, performance, comfort, and technology.

Overview
MSRP
$28,500
$35,300
Average price
$33,194
$45,055
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.3
4.4
Expert reviews

7.2 out of 10

Read full review

6.8 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Multiple powertrain options
  • Comfortable
Cons
  • Advanced safety features are not standard
  • Poor value for money
Pros
  • Multiple body styles
  • Multiple powertrain options
  • Powerful engine
Cons
  • Poor ride quality
  • Poor handling
  • Interior materials feel cheap
Summary

Full-size pickup trucks are the unofficial vehicles of the United States of America. Bristling with underhood muscle, they tow, they haul, and they look good cruising Main Street as the sun sets on a balmy Friday night.

One of the most popular vehicles in the country, the 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 follows its 2019 redesign with several updates. It continues waging war against the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 for the hearts and minds of American truck buyers. Highlights of the changes include a new 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline 6-cylinder engine, greater availability of popular powertrains across trim levels, a new bed-view camera, and a camera-based adaptive cruise control system.

While these improvements certainly help to make the 2020 Silverado more appealing, they don’t address this truck’s primary flaws.

Search for a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 on CarGurus

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado HD is plenty capable but its interior design keeps it from being a standout in the segment. Still, the Silverado 2500HD has a number of redeeming qualities that make it worthy of consideration, from comfortable accommodations to innovative camera technology.
Video
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
4.3L 285 hp V6 Flex Fuel Vehicle
Drive Train
4X2
Seating Capacity
3
3
MPG City
16
MPG Highway
21
Look and feel
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
7/10
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
7/10
CarGurus experts give the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 a 7 out of 10 for look and feel, slightly edging out the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, which scores a 6. The 2020 model boasts a wide range of design details, including different grilles and finishes, various wheel sizes and styles, and bumper options that grant each version a unique appearance. From the Regular Cab to the Crew Cab, and trims ranging from WT to High Country, there's a Silverado for every taste and need. Particularly, the Silverado LT Trail Boss review model, with its blacked-out theme and robust off-road capabilities, highlights Chevrolet's dedication to offering both style and substance, though its interior quality and design may leave something to be desired, especially considering the vehicle's price point. In contrast, the 2021 Silverado 2500HD commands attention with its towering stature and broad selection of body styles, trim levels, and special editions. Its exterior, though not as refined as some competitors, signifies its readiness for both work and play, enhanced by its practical and high-strength bed features. Despite its imposing presence, accessing the bed may prove challenging for some, underscoring a trade-off between capability and convenience.
Performance
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
9/10
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
8/10
Performance-wise, the 2020 Silverado 1500 shines with a CarGurus rating of 9 out of 10, surpassing the 2021 Silverado 2500HD's respectable 8. The 2020 model offers a variety of engines and transmissions, catering to different preferences and requirements. The standout is the LT Trail Boss's optional 6.2-liter V8 engine, which delivers robust power and a satisfying exhaust note, paired with off-road-ready tires and suspension. Despite its somewhat ponderous handling and less-than-ideal fuel economy, the 1500's performance is both impressive and versatile. The 2021 Silverado 2500HD, on the other hand, is no slouch, offering a choice between a potent 6.6-liter V8 gasoline engine and a powerful 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel. The latter, especially, excels in towing and hauling, with significant torque and a smooth 10-speed transmission enhancing its capability. While its fuel economy is not officially rated, the 2500HD's performance, particularly when equipped with the diesel engine, is commendably efficient for a heavy-duty truck.
Form and function
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
8/10
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
8/10
The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD exhibit remarkable differences in form and function, tailored to distinct user requirements and preferences. Comfort, space, and utility blend seamlessly in both models, yet they cater to different segments within the truck market. For the 2020 Silverado 1500, the interior is designed with both driver and passenger comfort in mind, featuring leather upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with heating options, and a spacious crew cab that offers generous legroom and thigh support for rear passengers. The truck's utility is highlighted by its cargo capacity, with a cargo box designed to offer more storage room than its competitors, boasting high sides and a deep bed. Payload and towing capacities are standout features, with the vehicle rated to haul up to 2,250 pounds of payload and tow up to 13,400 pounds, depending on the configuration. The LT Trail Boss variant, specifically, can handle a payload of 2,170 pounds and tow up to 11,300 pounds with the Max Trailering Package, showcasing the 1500's versatility and capability. Contrastingly, the 2021 Silverado 2500HD elevates the concept of utility in a heavy-duty truck, without compromising on passenger comfort. The cabin offers unprecedented headroom, particularly up front, and the Crew Cab version extends significant legroom for rear seat occupants. Standard features like the power-sliding rear window add to the convenience and comfort. When it comes to hauling and towing, the 2500HD demonstrates its heavy-duty credentials with a maximum payload capacity of 3,979 pounds for models equipped with RWD, and 3,965 pounds with 4WD. The diesel version slightly lowers the maximum payload to 3,715 pounds but impresses in towing capability. The gas engine model can tow up to 14,500 pounds with conventional setups and 17,370 pounds with a fifth wheel/gooseneck connection, while the diesel variant boosts this figure to an impressive 18,500 pounds, irrespective of the trailering setup. Both trucks offer a blend of form and function designed to meet the needs of their target markets, from comfortable and spacious interiors to robust towing and payload capacities. The 2020 Silverado 1500 appeals to those looking for a versatile light-duty truck with ample comfort and utility, while the 2021 Silverado 2500HD targets users requiring maximal towing and payload capacity without compromising on interior space and comfort.
Technology
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
8/10
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
8/10
In the realm of technology, both models score an 8 out of 10 according to CarGurus experts. The 2020 Silverado 1500 offers a tech suite that includes up to an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an available Bose sound system, though it faces criticism for its display size and short trial periods for connected services. The 2021 Silverado 2500HD, while not the most technologically advanced, provides a solid array of standard and available tech features, with improvements such as a bed-view camera for lower trims and wireless connectivity options. Both models demonstrate Chevrolet's efforts to integrate technology into their trucks, albeit with some limitations and quirks.
Safety
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
5/10
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
5/10
Safety ratings from CarGurus reflect a need for improvement in both models, each scoring a 5 out of 10. The 2020 Silverado 1500's safety offerings are limited to higher trims, and its crash-test ratings suggest room for enhancement. The 2021 Silverado 2500HD, not directly tested by NHTSA or IIHS due to its classification, equips every model with essential safety features and offers additional options like the Safety Confidence Package for increased security.
Cost Effectiveness
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
6/10
2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
6/10
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