2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD vs 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD

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 anything but a handsome new vehicle, yet it exuded a strong sense of machismo. Inside, the cabin was more conventional, focusing on quantity over quality. Despite not having the best fit and finish, the spacious interior could be forgiven. The Silverado 3500HD was available in various trims, including W/T, LT, LTZ, and High Country, each offering a range of features from basic USB ports and vinyl seats to luxurious leather upholstery and a Bose premium sound system.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD, redesigned for the 2020 model year, featured a bold exterior with a tall hood, squared-off lines, and a massive grille, giving it a commanding presence. Inside, the Sierra HD's interior was functional but had shortcomings in material quality, especially on top trims compared to competitors from Ram and Ford. The cabin, while not cramped, wasn't as spacious as the Ram 1500 and Ford Super Duty. The Sierra 2500HD was available in five trim levels, each with distinct features, from the basic Pro trim to the luxurious Denali. The AT4 trim, focused on off-road enthusiasts, offered a rugged and handsome package with premium features like heated and ventilated leather seats and a Bose premium audio system.

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 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 a low range. The Silverado 3500HD had a maximum towing capacity of 36,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 7,442 pounds, making it a highly capable truck for heavy-duty tasks.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD also offered two 6.6-liter V8 engines—one gas and one turbodiesel. The Duramax diesel engine, paired with an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission, produced 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque. While these figures were impressive, they fell short compared to competitors like the Ford F-250 Super Duty and Ram 2500. The Sierra 2500HD had a maximum payload capacity of 3,597 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of 18,500 pounds. Despite its third-place finish in towing stats, the Sierra 2500HD excelled in off-roading, especially with the AT4 trim, which included features like an automatic-locking rear differential, a two-speed transfer case, and an X31 off-road suspension.

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 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered three cab configurations, two pickup bed lengths, and available 4WD. Most versions seated five, but it could accommodate up to six passengers with a front-row bench seat. The Sierra 2500HD had abundant passenger space in both the front and rear seats. The truck featured a wide and deep center console, dual glove boxes, hidden storage compartments in the rear outboard seats, and a fold-down armrest with integrated cupholders. The optional 120-volt household-style power outlet and GMC's MultiPro tailgate added to the truck's functionality, making it a versatile choice for various tasks.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with upgraded trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen and navigation on the High Country trim. The system was user-friendly, with hard buttons and dials. The Silverado offered numerous trailering features, including backup camera guidelines and additional camera angles for trailering, as well as a trailering app with a pre-trailering checklist.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered a range of infotainment systems with either a 7-inch or 8-inch color touchscreen, depending on the trim level. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on SLT and above. The Denali trim came with a navigation system, and the Sierra 2500HD featured hitch guidance, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, a WiFi hotspot, and OnStar with connected services. The Bose premium audio system provided rich sound, and the truck offered 15 available camera views, including a "transparent trailer" view and a standard rear camera mirror, enhancing visibility and safety.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD came standard with a backup camera and front- and side-impact airbags. However, advanced safety features like forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, 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 added safety.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered a range of high-tech safety and driver-assistive features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, following distance indicator, hill-descent control, and front and rear park assist. Standard safety features included HD Surround Vision, a rear-seat reminder system, driver Safety Alert Seat, and a Teen Driver system. The Sierra 2500HD's numerous camera views and safety systems provided peace of mind for drivers and passengers.