2021 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD had a polarizing exterior design, with a front end and grille that resembled a vintage furnace or a freight train. It was a vehicle that exuded machismo, appealing to those who wanted a rugged and imposing truck. Inside, the Silverado 3500HD offered a more conventional cabin, prioritizing quantity over quality. Despite not having the best fit and finish, its spacious interior, comparable to a living room, made up for it. The truck was available in various trims, including W/T, LT, LTZ, and High Country, each offering a range of features from basic vinyl seat trim and a 7-inch touchscreen to luxurious leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and a Bose premium sound system.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500, on the other hand, was known for its stylish design and upscale Denali trim level. The Denali was akin to a Mercedes in the truck world, offering a premium experience. The Sierra AT4, priced at $66,695, was the off-road-ready version, featuring a factory-installed 2-inch suspension lift, off-road suspension, skid plates, and unique design details like red front recovery hooks. The AT4 CarbonPro Edition Package added a carbon fiber composite cargo bed and a MultiPro Audio System. Inside, the Sierra had a mix of durable leather and black plastic, with features like heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rubber floor mats with snap-in carpeted inserts. The cabin reflected a standard-issue Sierra quality with an industrial-themed design.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD offered two engine options. The standard 6.6-liter V8 gas engine produced 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The optional Duramax turbodiesel 6.6-liter V8 engine delivered 445 horsepower and an impressive 910 pound-feet of torque, mated to an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. Both powertrains could be configured with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) with low range. The Silverado 3500HD had a towing capacity of up to 36,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 7,442 pounds, making it a powerful and capable truck. The LTZ trim included an advanced trailering system with an app to monitor critical trailer functions.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 featured an affordable Duramax 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder engine, priced at $995. This engine produced 277 horsepower at 3,750 rpm and 460 pound-feet of torque at just 1,500 rpm. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Duramax engine provided smooth and efficient performance. The Sierra's automatic four-wheel-drive system was easy to use, offering flexibility between RWD and 4WD modes. During testing, the Sierra averaged 21.1 mpg, slightly below the EPA's rating of 24 mpg. The AT4's suspension handled tough terrain with ease, providing a comfortable ride even on rough roads. The Sierra's towing capacity reached up to 9,300 pounds, with a payload capacity of 2,150 pounds.

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 single cab had one row of seating, while the crew cabs offered 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 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 provided comfortable seating for both front and rear passengers. The front seats offered power adjustments, heated and cooled cushions, and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed heated seats and rear air conditioning vents. The Sierra's high-clearance side rails and innovative six-position Multipro tailgate made accessing the cargo bed easier. The CarbonPro Edition option package added a carbon fiber composite cargo bed, increasing durability and payload capacity. The Sierra's bed held between 62.9 and 89.1 cubic feet of cargo, with up to 12 cargo tie-downs. However, the cab's storage space was less impressive compared to other full-size pickups.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with upgraded trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen and navigation. The system was user-friendly, with hard buttons, dials, and a home button. The Silverado offered numerous trailering features, including backup camera guidelines and additional camera angles for trailering. The trailering app provided a pre-trailering checklist and critical status updates.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 was equipped with various camera-based technologies, including a surround-view camera, trailer- and bed-view cameras, and a rear camera mirror. The optional Technology Package added a 15-inch head-up display and an 8-inch driver information display. The Sierra's infotainment system featured a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, with the test truck having the 8-inch display. The system included large volume and tuning knobs, physical menu shortcut buttons, and excellent voice recognition technology. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a navigation system were standard. The Sierra AT4's Bose premium sound system was adequate but not as impressive as competitors' audio systems.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD came standard with a backup camera and a full array of front- and side-impact airbags. However, advanced safety features like forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were optional. Front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree parking camera system were also available for an additional cost.

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 offered optional safety features such as forward collision warning, front pedestrian braking, and automatic emergency braking. The Denali trim included blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning, with lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and a Safety Alert Seat available on other trims. Adaptive cruise control was optional for the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. The Sierra's crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Marginal" ratings from the IIHS for front passenger protection and LATCH anchor accessibility. The Sierra's headlights received a "Poor" rating.