2022 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD was a towering presence, standing just shy of the average American woman's height from the ground to the top of the hood. This truck was not just about height; it was a powerhouse, significantly more capable than its Silverado 1500 sibling. Redesigned in 2020, the 2021 model introduced new special editions, advanced camera technology, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Chevrolet offered the Silverado 2500HD in various body styles, trim levels, colors, and bed lengths, emphasizing variety. Buyers could choose from Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ, and High Country grades, with options for Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab body styles. Special editions like the LTZ Premium Texas Edition, Midnight Edition, Z71 Sport Edition, and Z71 Chrome Sport Edition were also available. The truck featured high-strength steel beds, 17- to 20-inch wheels, and integrated BedSteps and CornerSteps for easier access to the bed.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 introduced the Denali Ultimate and AT4X variants, expanding on the premium Denali and AT4 trims. With eight trim levels, the Sierra appeared larger and more aggressive than the Silverado. The updated grille, front fascia, and split-C headlights gave it a wider, more integrated look. The Denali's grille featured a "tri-linear" theme, while the Denali Ultimate had dark-colored "Vader bars" inserts. New 22-inch wheel designs and three new premium paint options were also introduced.

Inside, the Sierra's cabin felt more spacious due to a redesign that emphasized long, straight lines. The AT4X trim, designed for off-road driving, featured premium leather, genuine Vanta ash wood trim, and a microsuede headliner. The Denali Ultimate trim offered full-grain leather, open-pore Paldao wood, and microsuede trim, with topographical maps of Mount Denali embossed and laser-etched into the materials.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD offered a choice between a 6.6-liter V8 gasoline engine and a 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel power plant. The gas engine produced 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Duramax engine, available for a hefty surcharge, delivered 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 10-speed Allison automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive available. The gas engine had a maximum payload of 3,979 pounds (RWD) and 3,965 pounds (4WD), while the diesel engine had a 3,715-pound maximum payload.

The Silverado 2500HD came standard with a hitch, seven-pin connector, trailering mirrors, rearview camera, and hitch-guidance technology. The gas engine could tow up to 14,500 pounds with a conventional setup and 17,370 pounds with a fifth wheel/gooseneck connection. The diesel engine could pull 18,500 pounds regardless of the trailering setup. Fuel economy figures were not provided, but the truck proved to be an impressive steed on the highway, easy to maneuver and park.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 offered four engine options: a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, a 3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel inline-six, a 5.3-liter V8, and a 6.2-liter V8. The turbo-four produced 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The diesel engine, with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, had a tow rating of up to 13,200 pounds for 2WD models and 13,000 pounds for 4WD models. The 5.3-liter V8 produced 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, while the 6.2-liter V8 delivered 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, both paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The Sierra Denali Ultimate 4WD offered a smooth, quiet, and comfortable ride, while the Sierra AT4X impressed with its off-road capabilities. The AT4X featured Multimatic DSSV dampers, unique springs, and front and rear e-locking differentials, making it well-suited for off-road adventures. The truck's chassis and suspension were further calibrated for off-road readiness, and it handled challenging terrains with ease.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with more headroom than most SUVs. The Crew Cab version provided ample rear seat legroom. The truck came standard with a 40/20/40 split-bench seat, with higher trims offering bucket seats and a full-on center console. Vinyl or cloth upholstery was standard, with options for power-adjustable front seats in higher trims. Assist handles, manual windows, a rubberized floor, and single-zone climate control were standard features.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 boasted a roomy and utilitarian interior, with best-in-class cargo capacity even in its short bed. Front headroom was about 43 inches, with rear headroom averaging 40 inches. Front legroom was 44.5 inches, while double-cab rear-seat passengers had 35.2 inches of legroom, and crew cab passengers enjoyed 43.4 inches. The new dash design featured smaller gloveboxes, and the centerline of the driver-oriented cockpit was low, making it less ergonomic. The Sierra had numerous knobs and buttons, which could be overwhelming. Massaging seats were a welcome feature, though not intuitive to operate.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD came standard with a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, two USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system worked well most of the time but had issues when scrolling through stations. Additional standard features included a 12-volt front power outlet, two-speaker audio system, 3.5-inch driver information display, Bluetooth, and Chevrolet Connected Access cable. Available features included a 120-volt power outlet, WiFi hot spot, 8-inch driver information screen, bed view camera, Bose audio system, 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, keyless entry, rear camera mirror, remote start, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 featured larger display screens, with a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a 13.4-inch touchscreen with Google built-in. The system was compatible with Android and Apple devices, with three years of complimentary service for AT4 and Denali trims. The infotainment screen offered a clean and simple display, but the similarity between in-car Google-based navigation and smartphone-projected Google Maps could be confusing. The larger touchscreen allowed for personalization and dual modes, and wireless device charging was standard. Available options included a 15-inch multicolor head-up display and a 12-speaker Bose premium surround-sound system.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD was not crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with six airbags, a rearview camera, Teen Driver software, electronic stability control with traction control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. The Safety Confidence Package, available for Work Truck and Custom models, included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, steering-wheel audio controls, a 4.2-inch driver information screen, and cruise control. Additional available safety features included front and rear park assist, lane-departure warning, OnStar and Chevrolet Connected Services, rear-seat reminder, high-beam assist, and following distance indicator.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 introduced GM’s Super Cruise, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system, standard on the Denali Ultimate. Super Cruise handled automatic lane changes and trailering capability. The Sierra featured up to 14 camera views, a GCW Alert feature, and Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert. GMC Pro Safety, the automaker’s suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, included forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane-keep assist, a following distance indicator, and IntelliBeam automatic headlights. The Sierra received mostly “Good” crash safety ratings from the IIHS but had a “Marginal” grade in the front-passenger small overlap test and a “Poor” grade for headlights. The NHTSA awarded the Sierra 2WD models four out of five stars for crashworthiness.