2020 Toyota Tacoma vs 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma had a clean, pure, and simple design, though it wasn’t the most visually striking pickup. The back doors had a tinny sound reminiscent of older Toyota trucks, and the flared hood scoop was purely decorative. The Tacoma’s body, available in either extended Access or four-door Double Cab form, was rounded yet maintained enough upright lines and chiseled panels to assert its ruggedness. It felt big without being bulky, and most models prioritized efficiency over embellishments. The Limited trim featured 18-inch wheels, while the TRD Pro model boasted redesigned LED headlights, a new grille, and Army Green paint. The TRD Pro also had an aluminum skid plate, exposed red shocks, 16-inch black TRD wheels, and all-terrain tires, making it ready for both city curbs and backwoods trails. The interior was straightforward, with a modestly sized touchscreen and a mix of bargain plastics and rubbers. The TRD Pro’s leather seats were not particularly impressive, but the fit and finish were better than in some competitors.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD had a polarizing front-end design, resembling a vintage furnace or freight train. It exuded machismo, which was a common goal for modern trucks. The cabin, however, was more conventional and spacious, akin to a living room. The Silverado 3500HD came in various trims: W/T, LT, LTZ, and High Country. The W/T trim included basic features like USB ports, vinyl seat trim, and a 7-inch touchscreen. The LT trim added cloth seating, body-color door handles, and a larger 8-inch touchscreen. The LTZ trim featured chrome accents, leather upholstery, and heated front seats. The High Country trim, the luxury option, included heated and ventilated front seats, a Bose sound system, and a spray-in bed-liner. The Silverado 3500HD also offered special editions like the Premium Texas Edition and the Midnight Edition.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma offered a base 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine with 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, which was underwhelming for a vehicle of its size. The more popular choice was the 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. This engine came with a 6-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, with 4-wheel drive available. The TRD Pro model featured 4WD as standard. The Tacoma’s manual transmission option included Clutch Start Cancel, useful for off-road situations. The truck also had Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control for off-road driving. On paved roads, the Tacoma’s steering was slow, and the V6 engine struggled with its six gears. Fuel economy was poor, with the V6 achieving 18 mpg city, 22 highway, and 20 combined. However, the Tacoma could tow up to 6,800 pounds and had a 1,440-pound payload capacity.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD offered two engine options: a standard 6.6-liter V8 with 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and an optional Duramax turbodiesel 6.6-liter V8 with 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque, mated to an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. Both engines could be configured with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The diesel engine provided impressive power and towing capabilities, with the Silverado 3500HD able to tow up to 36,000 pounds when properly equipped. The truck also had a payload capacity of 7,442 pounds. The Silverado 3500HD’s trailering features included a seven-pin connector and an advanced trailering system in the LTZ trim.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma’s smaller size compared to full-size trucks made it easier to maneuver in city environments. It was easier to park, fit in standard garages, and had a reasonable turning circle. The bed had a rail system with movable cleats, an optional power outlet, and LED lighting. The Double Cab’s rear seats were cramped for long trips, and the lack of a rear defroster was a drawback. The Tacoma offered a 5- or 6-foot bed length, except for the TRD Pro and Limited trims, which only came with the short bed.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD was available in various configurations, including regular cab/long-bed, double cab/long-bed, crew cab/standard bed, and crew cab/long-bed. The crew cabs provided two rows of spacious seating with ample headroom and legroom. The Silverado featured integrated bed steps in the rear bumper and additional step-ups along the side of the bed, making it easier to access the cargo area.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma featured a simple and intuitive interior with a 7-inch touchscreen radio as standard, while an 8-inch version with navigation was available. For 2020, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa were standard, along with a new USB-C port. Wireless phone charging and onboard Wi-Fi were optional. The Tacoma also had 360-degree cameras and a standard suite of driver assists, including adaptive cruise control.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with upgraded trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen and navigation in the High Country trim. The Silverado offered numerous trailering features, including backup camera guidelines and additional camera angles. The trailering app provided a pre-trailering checklist and critical status updates.

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma came with standard safety features, including forward-emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors were optional. The Tacoma scored 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA crash tests and was an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD included a backup camera and front- and side-impact airbags as standard. Additional safety features like forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring were optional. Front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree parking camera system were also available.