2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 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 and Chevy Silverado. With a length nearly two feet shorter than the Tundra, the Tacoma maintained an assertive stance thanks to its upright grille and tall bed. Toyota provided a variety of trim levels, from the base SR to the off-road-oriented TRD Pro, and introduced new packages like the SR5 SX and Chrome Package. The TRD Pro trim, tested in bright Solar Octane paint, featured underbody skid pads, a TRD-tuned suspension, and a unique grille, making it a standout in snowy conditions.

Inside, the Tacoma ranged from basic fabric-and-plastic interiors in the SR trim to more luxurious options with leather upholstery in the Limited trim. The TRD Pro model came with Softex leather-trimmed upholstery, heated front seats, and all-weather floor mats. The physical knobs for climate control and buttons for the infotainment system were user-friendly, even with gloves on.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD was available in multiple configurations, including regular, double, and crew cabs, with bed lengths of seven or eight feet. The truck's trims ranged from the basic Work Truck to the luxurious High Country and off-road-specific ZR2. The Silverado 2500HD was a massive vehicle, with a wheelbase up to 14 feet and an overall length of 22 feet. Each trim had distinct front fascia styling, with the ZR2 featuring a blacked-out grille and "flow tie" badging.

For 2024, Chevrolet added standard tow hooks and wheel options up to 22 inches. The truck was available in 10 colors, though many were variations of red, grey, and white. The High Country trim featured open-pore wood, leather trim, and metal accents, creating a simple yet upscale interior. The ZR2 trim, equipped with Multimatic DSSV spool valve shocks and 35-inch tires, excelled in off-road conditions, offering 11.6 inches of ground clearance and impressive approach, departure, and breakover angles.

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. This engine also came with a six-speed automatic transmission, with an option for a six-speed manual. The Tacoma was available in both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations.

Despite the V6's power advantage, the Tacoma was not a quick truck. It required significant throttle input to reach highway speeds, and wind and engine noise were constant companions. The TRD Pro's off-road suspension handled city streets well but tended to wander on paved roads. Fuel economy was average for the segment, with the V6 4WD model achieving 18 mpg city, 22 highway, and 20 combined. Our TRD Pro test model managed only 16.3 mpg in winter conditions.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD came standard with a 6.6-liter V8 gas engine producing 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque. An optional 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel V8 delivered 470 horsepower and a massive 975 pound-feet of torque, paired with an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. The Duramax diesel was notably quiet and well-matched to the transmission, providing smooth shifts and quick acceleration to highway speeds.

In our tests, the Silverado 2500HD returned 20.3 mpg in 2WD and 17 mpg in a mix of 2WD and Auto 4WD over 250 miles. The truck's towing capacity varied, with the 2500HD capable of towing up to 22,430 pounds, though our tester was closer to 19,000 pounds. The ZR2 Bison trim excelled off-road, thanks to its Multimatic DSSV shocks, 35-inch tires, and 11.6 inches of ground clearance. The Bison package added skid plates and steel bumpers, making it a formidable off-road machine.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma offered various configurations, including the access cab with clamshell 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, suitable only for small items. The double cab provided easier entry and exit, though rear legroom remained limited. The front seats offered ample cubby space and legroom, but the steering wheel's limited extension made it challenging for tall drivers to find a comfortable position.

The Tacoma's five-foot bed was sufficient for carrying gear for a four-day ski trip, including multiple bags, groceries, skis, and beer. However, the truck's height could be a challenge for shorter drivers and passengers.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD excelled in towing and payload capacities. While the 3500HD could tow up to 36,000 pounds, the 2500HD's maximum was 22,430 pounds, with our tester closer to 19,000 pounds. Payload capacity varied, with the 2500HD capable of hauling up to 3,700 pounds, though our tester was limited to 3,000 pounds.

Towing was made easier with multiple camera views, including a transparent trailer camera, rear side view, hitching camera, bed camera, forward-view camera, and 360-degree view camera. The truck also featured a side step for easy bed access and a six-way MultiFlex tailgate, which could serve as a desk, bed extender, or step. The High Country trim included heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel, along with a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma featured a 7-inch touchscreen in the base SR trim and an 8-inch touchscreen in higher trims. All models included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The interface was simple but outdated compared to competitors. Our test truck had a premium six-speaker JBL audio system and two USB-A ports. While the Tacoma offered essential tech features, it lagged behind rivals like the Chevrolet Colorado and Honda Ridgeline.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD boasted a 12.3-inch configurable gauge cluster and a 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard from the LT trim. The system was user-friendly, with Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa built-in. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were also available. The screen was always in split-mode, which could be a minor annoyance.

Charging options were plentiful, with USB-A and USB-C ports, wireless charging, and a traditional power outlet. A Wi-Fi hotspot was also available. The truck featured an optional 15-inch head-up display (HUD) and a rear camera mirror, providing a video feed from the backup camera. However, the Silverado 2500HD lacked an onboard generator, a feature available in the Ford SuperDuty.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma came with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. Our TRD Pro model also had blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera. However, it lacked lane-keeping assist and rear automatic emergency braking. The Tacoma received four out of five stars in NHTSA crash tests, missing top marks in frontal crash and rollover tests.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD included standard safety features like front pedestrian braking, forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a following distance indicator. Our test truck also had GM's Safety Seat, which provided tactile alerts. Adaptive cruise control was optional and worked while towing. The truck featured GM's Buckle to Drive and Teen Driver technologies. The 2024 Silverado 2500HD had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS.