2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2020 RAM 2500

The 2020 RAM 2500 stood out with its elegant design, contrasting sharply with the chunkier looks of its competitors. Each of its six trim levels featured a unique grille, and the truck's overall appearance was both imposing and stylish. The LED headlights on the upper trims were sleek, and the chrome or body-color bumper options added to its upscale feel. The Limited trim, with its 20-inch chrome wheels and LED taillights, further emphasized the truck's sophisticated design. Inside, the RAM 2500 was a marvel of craftsmanship, especially in the higher trims like the Laramie Longhorn and Limited. The interior boasted soft-grained, perforated leather, intricate stitching, light wood trim, and aluminum speaker covers. The attention to detail extended to the grab handles and shifter knob, making the RAM 2500's cabin feel luxurious and well-crafted.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a more traditional and boxy design. The truck came in three cab styles, three bed lengths, and eight trim levels, each with a distinctive appearance. Our test truck, an LTZ trim with a crew cab and short bed, featured Northsky Blue paint, chrome trim, and 20-inch polished aluminum wheels. However, the interior of the Silverado fell short. Despite having silver accent trim and a heated steering wheel, the cabin felt outdated with glossy plastic, large panel joints, and small infotainment screens. The Silverado's interior lacked the finesse and modernity seen in its competitors, making it feel less premium.

The 2020 RAM 2500 offered two engine options: a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque, and a 6.7-liter Cummins inline-six diesel with 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque. The Hemi V8, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, provided a smooth and powerful driving experience, with a maximum towing capacity of 17,350 pounds and a payload capacity of up to 4,380 pounds. The diesel engine, on the other hand, excelled in towing, with a maximum capacity of 19,780 pounds and a payload capacity of 3,060 pounds. Despite its size, the RAM 2500 was unexpectedly quick on the highway, though its steering was loose and the ride was stiff. The diesel's exhaust brake was particularly effective, enhancing safety and extending brake life. Fuel economy for the diesel averaged close to 19 mpg over 515 miles.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a range of engines, but the standout was the 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel. This engine, available for just $995, delivered 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm. It provided smooth acceleration and impressive fuel efficiency, averaging 22.6 mpg in combined driving. The Duramax's towing capacity was increased to 9,500 pounds (9,100 pounds with 4WD), and the payload capacity was 1,870 pounds. However, the Silverado's maximum towing and payload capacities were higher with other engine options, such as the 6.2-liter V8. The Silverado's 10-speed automatic transmission was flawless, and the Z71 Off-Road Package improved the truck's handling and body control. However, the standard suspension allowed for too much body movement on the highway and felt skittish on rough pavement.

The 2020 RAM 2500 offered three cab options and two bed lengths. The single cab provided the highest payload and could seat three across or two with a fixed center console. The Crew Cab, available with either bed length, offered ample space and comfort, while the Mega Cab allowed rear passengers to recline and enjoy ultimate luxury. The power running boards and retractable tailgate step made it easier to access the truck, and the optional RamBox provided lockable storage bins. The RAM 2500 also featured a 220-amp alternator, with options for dual alternators, and a countdown timer for the diesel engine's glow plugs. The spray-in bed liner and LED lighting were recommended options for added convenience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's crew cab was spacious, with wide, flat, and supportive front seats offering 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat comfortably accommodated three adults, with heated outboard cushions and a power sliding center rear window section. The Silverado had ample storage space, including dual dashboard glove compartments and built-in storage areas within the rear seatbacks. However, the storage areas were on the smaller side for the segment, and some lacked locking mechanisms. The Silverado's bed was the deepest and roomiest among its competitors, with useful features like the CornerStep rear bumper and up to 12 tie-down hooks. The new Multi-Flex tailgate design offered six different configurations, though our test truck did not have this option.

The 2020 RAM 2500 came standard with a 5-inch touchscreen, but the 8.4-inch Uconnect upgrade was highly recommended. This system was quick, logical, and high-resolution, with customizable shortcuts and app installations. The 12-inch display was a standout feature, offering large maps, dual tiles of information, and easy adjustments for trailer settings. The 360-degree cameras provided excellent visibility, and the additional rear-view cameras were useful for towing. The large display in the instrument cluster duplicated many features from the main display, enhancing the overall user experience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's infotainment system, though smaller than its competitors, was impressive. The 8-inch high-definition display offered quick loading and response times, with modern graphics. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The LTZ trim added wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, enhanced voice recognition, wireless smartphone charging, and a 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The head-up display was useful, but the rear camera mirror was less so, given the Silverado's 15 different high-definition cameras. The trailering technologies were helpful but fell short compared to the competition.

The 2020 RAM 2500 was not rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but the 2020 RAM 1500 scored a Top Safety Pick+ and 5 out of 5 stars overall from the NHTSA. Most driver assists were optional, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise, and forward emergency braking. These features should be standard, but the RAM 1500's excellent crash test performance kept the rating high.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 received a "Marginal" rating from the IIHS for front passenger protection in a small-overlap, frontal-impact collision. The NHTSA gave it an overall four-star rating, with four stars for frontal-impact results for the driver and front passenger. Safety features included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, automatic collision notification, and a rear-seat reminder system. Upgrades included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and a Safety Alert Seat driver's seat. However, the Silverado lacked stop-and-go capability for adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance.