2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2023 Toyota Tacoma

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma was a midsize truck that offered a more compact alternative to full-size pickups like the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, Ram 1500, or Toyota Tundra. While full-size trucks could stretch over 250 inches in length, the longest Tacomas were nearly two feet shorter, maintaining an assertive stance with an upright grille and tall bed that made it look substantial without appearing huge. Toyota sold the Tacoma in various trim levels, from the base SR to the off-road-oriented TRD Pro, offering multiple powertrain options, two bed lengths, and a choice between the access cab and double cab, resulting in 34 different combinations.

New for 2023 was the SR5 SX package, adding black overfenders, wheels, and trim, while the Chrome Package offered chrome accents. The TRD Pro trim, tested in bright Solar Octane paint, featured underbody skid pads, a TRD-tuned suspension, a TRD sport exhaust, and a unique grille. Inside, the Tacoma ranged from basic fabric-and-plastic in the SR trim to leather upholstery and soft-touch materials in the Limited trim. The TRD Pro came with Softex leather-trimmed upholstery, heated front seats, and all-weather floor mats, with easy-to-operate physical knobs and buttons for climate control and infotainment.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was available in nine trims and various configurations, including a two-door regular cab, double cab, and crew cab. The crew cab, available with a standard or short bed, was the most popular. The Silverado received a refresh in 2022, maintaining a handsome front end with squinty headlamps, angular daytime running lights, and a large grille that varied in style depending on the trim. Wheel sizes ranged from 17-inch steelies on the base Work Truck to 22-inch chrome wheels on the High Country. The interior saw significant improvements, with higher trim levels featuring leather upholstery and open-pore wood trim, along with a modern cabin filled with screens and physical controls for essential functions.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma came with a standard 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine producing 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. However, most buyers preferred the optional 3.5-liter V6 engine, which delivered 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, also available with a six-speed manual transmission. The TRD Pro model tested had the V6 engine, automatic transmission, and four-wheel drive (4WD). Despite the V6's power advantage, the Tacoma wasn't quick, with noticeable wind and engine noise at highway speeds. The TRD Pro's off-road suspension handled city streets well but tended to wander on paved roads. Fuel economy was modest, with the V6 4WD model rated at 18 mpg city, 22 highway, and 20 combined, though the TRD Pro delivered only 16.3 mpg in winter conditions.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered four engine choices: a standard turbocharged four-cylinder with 310 horsepower, a 5.3-liter V8, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower, and a 3.0-liter six-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel with 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque. The diesel engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided strong off-the-line performance and smooth shifts. The ZR2 trim, designed for off-road use, featured a two-inch lift, front and rear differential lockers, and Multimatic shocks that adjusted automatically for different terrains. The ZR2 Bison package added steel bumpers, skid plates, rock rails, and smaller 18-inch wheels for enhanced off-road capability.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma offered various configurations, including the access cab with clamshell-style doors and a six-foot-one-inch bed, and the double cab with a choice of long or short beds. The access cab's rear seats were tight and uncomfortable, making the double cab a better choice for carrying passengers. The front seats provided ample cubby space, legroom, and headroom, but the steering wheel's limited extension and the seat positioning could be uncomfortable for tall drivers. The five-foot bed was sufficient for carrying gear, including skis and groceries.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ranged from the basic Work Truck with vinyl seats and a small infotainment screen to the luxurious High Country with 10-way power seats, a Bose stereo, and heated and ventilated seats. The ZR2 trim offered similar luxury features but lacked some items like power-retracting side steps. The crew cab configuration provided 43.4 inches of rear legroom, while the double cab had only 35 inches, making it less suitable for adults. The crew cab's wide-opening doors and grab handles made entry and exit easy. The diesel engine allowed the Silverado to tow up to 13,300 pounds, though the ZR2's unique suspension limited towing capacity to 9,000 pounds. The bed featured 12 tie-downs and an optional Multi-Flex six-way tailgate for added versatility.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma featured a 7-inch touchscreen in the base SR trim and an 8-inch touchscreen in higher trims, with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The interface was simple but outdated compared to competitors. The TRD Pro model tested had a premium six-speaker JBL audio system and two USB-A ports, offering essential tech but lacking the advanced features found in rivals like the Chevrolet Colorado and Honda Ridgeline.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's lower trims came with a seven-inch touchscreen and analog gauge cluster but included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims, starting with the LT, featured a 13.4-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick response times and clear graphics. Google integration provided access to maps and voice recognition. The Silverado excelled in trailering technology, offering up to 14 camera views, an automatic trailer light test, and a towing checklist. An available rear camera mirror and a 15-inch head-up display added to the tech offerings.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma came with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. The TRD Pro model also had blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera. However, it lacked more advanced features like lane-keeping assist and rear automatic emergency braking. The Tacoma received four out of five stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but did not earn a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 included Chevy Safety Assist as standard, with automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning. The Teen Driver program allowed parents to set parameters and access a driving report card. Optional safety features included a vibrating safety alert driver's seat, a 360-degree camera, and front and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control and Super Cruise were available on higher trims. The NHTSA gave the Silverado crew cab a five-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS rated it "Good" in driver-side crashworthiness but "Marginal" in passenger-side crashes and "Poor" in front crashes and headlamp performance.