2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD vs 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 exhibited a design that sparked mixed feelings among style enthusiasts. Respect was evident for Chevy’s ability to uphold iconic elements such as the split-bar grille from the 1990s, which aged gracefully. However, the recent designs like the one from 2015 sat contrastingly well. Time would eventually narrate the legacy of the current generation Silverado. However, the particular design featuring small headlights and a body panel cutting into the grille area below them appeared awkward to some, creating an aggressive profile that seemed a bit overcompensatory to a few. Reflecting a blend reminiscent of Transformers' enthusiasts, the Silverado 1500's looks fell in line with Chevrolet's recent lineup. Despite this polarizing exterior, varied appearance packages like the Rally Edition, Midnight Edition, and Redline Edition were available for customization.

The cabin of the Silverado 1500 leaned significantly towards functionality, with controls thoughtfully placed for ease of use. Two distinctive interior layouts were present, dictated by the selected trims which ranged extensively from the WT (Work Truck) to Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, High Country, and the new-for-2023 ZR2 Bison package. The WT and Custom trims carried over interiors from before the 2022 facelift, featuring smaller screens and more analog controls. Other trims sported high-tech dashboards highlighted by large, user-friendly touchscreens.

The Sierra 2500HD Denali Ultimate had stood out even to fans of large grilles, receiving high praise for its massive and impressive road presence. Our test model, finished in Onyx Black, exuded an intimidating aura, akin to a Darth Vader likeness, and rode atop 20-inch aluminum wheels accented with gloss black inserts. Six other exterior colors were available, and multiple wheel options, including a top-tier 20-inch chrome alloys costing $3,995 at the time. In 2024, the HD lineup saw refined styling with updated front bumpers and grille assembly, coupled with standard LED headlights and taillights along with newly added sequential turn signals, enhancing its visual charm. The Denali Ultimate trim provided a six-passenger Crew Cab configuration, allowing flexibility between a standard bed (82.2 inches) and long bed (98.2 inches), both featuring convenient side steps embedded in the sides and rear bumper for easy loading.

Furthermore, the 2024 Sierra 2500HD Denali Ultimate came standard with GMC’s innovative MultiPro Tailgate, capable of flipping and folding into six configurations to serve various utility purposes. Optional MultiPro step lights for $195 added practicality during nighttime cargo loading.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 showcased versatile engine options, beginning with a base turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. For those craving V8 prowess, a 5.3-liter V8 gave out 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, while a larger 6.2-liter V8 generated an impressive 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. An alternative six-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel engine offered 305 hp and a substantial 495 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive came standard, with four-wheel drive being an optional add-on.

The smaller engines operated via an eight-speed automatic transmission, whereas all other engines harnessed a 10-speed automatic system. With the right configuration, the Silverado 1500 towed up to 13,300 pounds, thanks to the 6.2-liter V8 with the Max Towing package. The 5.3-liter V8 towed a maximum of 11,000 pounds, and the payload capacity for the base engine was 2,260 pounds with RWD.

Driving impressions were remarkable. The turbo-four in the Trail Boss model was responsive despite its coarse mechanical sound. The eight-speed automatic felt quite smooth, hinting at possible improvements with a ten-speed counterpart. V8 engines, particularly the 6.2-liter, didn’t disappoint in terms of lively performance. Handling for Silverado 1500 was solid, falling somewhere between traditional SUVs and competitors, excelling particularly on off-road trails.

Conversely, the 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Ultimate boasted a singular, mighty engine—a 6.6-liter Duramax turbocharged diesel V8. This powerhouse generated 470 hp and an extraordinary 975 pound-feet of torque, managed by a robust 10-speed Allison automatic transmission paired with standard four-wheel drive. Other mechanical specifications included a locking rear differential, two-speed transfer case, all-terrain tires, heavy-duty air filter, underbody skid plates, hill descent control, and a diesel exhaust brake for enhanced stopping capabilities while trailering.

Performance was equally impressive for the Sierra, demonstrating nimble acceleration despite its over three-ton weight. The Duramax engine coupled with the refined Allison transmission performed seamlessly in diverse driving scenarios, ensuring a smooth and powerful experience. Despite its gigantic size dictating handling characteristics, it remained reasonably agile but called for extra maneuvering space, particularly in parking lots. The suspension was firm, tailored primarily for towing and hauling substantial loads.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered several body styles: regular cab with a standard or long bed, double cab with a standard bed, and crew cab with either a short bed (5 feet 8 inches) or a standard bed (6 feet 6 inches). The most extensive bed option was an 8-foot-long configuration. Regular cabs, aimed at work-based trims like the WT and Custom, provided bench seating for three and incorporated practical storage solutions. The double cab, with traditional rear doors, eased rear seat access, though rear legroom was somewhat confined, acceptable for moderate-duration travels. The expansive crew cab prioritized spaciousness in both rows, with generous headroom and legroom. The rear bench folded upwards, offering remarkable in-cabin storage, adding security and weather protection for valuable items.

In contrast, the GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Ultimate claimed luxurious dominance with full-grain leather seats, leather-covered door panels, wood trims, microsuede headliner, and multi-zone comfort features such as heated and ventilated seats with an additional massage function in the front. Roominess was exceptional, with ample legroom and headroom accommodating cowboy hats comfortably. Ingeniously designed storage spaces, including a large center console that could be optioned with a locking safe, enhanced practicality. However, deep door pockets in the front seats proved inconvenient for smaller items.

Comparing the two, the Silverado 1500 was capable of towing up to 13,300 pounds with the maximum configurations, while the Sierra 2500HD Denali Ultimate, albeit without specific figures mentioned, possessed the power to haul considerably heavier loads, crucial for those in heavy-duty professions.

In terms of technology, the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 equipped its base trims (WT and Custom) with a 7-inch touchscreen offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, enough for fundamental utility and ease of use without modern intricate graphics. Higher trims featured a state-of-the-art 13.4-inch touchscreen, delivering vivid and responsive user experiences accompanied by a fully digital instrument panel. Wi-Fi hotspot availability, wireless Apple CarPlay, and several added USB ports came with the Custom and LTZ trims respectively, with wireless charging enhancing the LTZ model.

The 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Ultimate, meanwhile, elevated its technological suite with a much larger 13.4-inch touchscreen, supplemented by a 15-inch head-up display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging pad, a refined navigation system, and a comprehensive 12-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system. GMC’s devotion to retaining physical buttons for climate control emphasized practical ergonomics.

Trailer aids were highly sophisticated in the Denali Ultimate—trailer-brake controller, hitch guidance, multiple camera views such as Transparent Trailer View—ensuring even novice trailer drivers could maneuver with confidence.

Safety was thoroughly integrated into the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, offering standard automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane departure warning, and the Teen Driver system for young or secondary drivers. Higher trims like the LTZ added valuable features, including blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera.

The 2024 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Ultimate provided a cornucopia of advanced safety features such as lane departure warning, a surround-view camera, parking sensors, a rear-facing cargo bed camera, and blind-spot monitoring. Superior side mirrors also expanded the driver’s view dramatically, crucial for safe towing and hauling.