2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD vs 2023 Toyota Tundra

The 2023 Toyota Tundra stood out with its modern, robust look that anyone would easily associate with a full-size truck. The sheer size of the Tundra, particularly its massive grille framed by an equally imposing grille surround, immediately drew attention. This bold exterior design element resembled a grand mustache, which seemed tailored to appeal to the Texan market. Toyota cleverly integrated several interlocking design elements across the truck, from the grille surround to the headlights and taillights, giving it a cohesive and solid aesthetic that suggested durability and reliability.

Moreover, the Tundra balanced brute force with finesse. Its slim, high-mounted headlights added a sharp, sophisticated touch to its front end, while a subtle character line down the side profile lent it some visual length. The three-dimensional stamped design at the rear provided additional style points. The introduction of the SX Package in 2023 added a sportier vibe with dark gray metallic 18-inch wheels and body-color trim pieces, replacing the more traditional black ones. This package also eliminated the front door badging for a cleaner look. Inside, a blacked-out “4x4” badge on the tailgate and black interior accents gave it a sleek interior.

Available in seven different trim levels, including the luxurious Capstone and the off-road-ready TRD Pro, the Tundra offered something for every buyer. Significant trims like the TRD Pro boasted unique features like clearance lamps and the distinct “TOYOTA” branding on the grille. The black interior of the Solar Octane-painted TRD Pro Tundra contributed to a bold aesthetic, while other color options allowed for customization with red Softex leather upholstery.

The Tundra's interior offered expansive, comfortable seats and plenty of space. Higher trims, starting from the SR5, featured an enormous 14-inch touchscreen dominating the dashboard. While the exterior had polarizing elements that might not appeal to everyone, the interior consistently provided comfort and ample room, making it an excellent environment for both drivers and passengers.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD presented a different blend of imposing presence and functionality. This heavy-duty truck came in six trims: Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ, High Country, and the off-road-oriented ZR2. Buyers could choose from regular, double, or crew cabs with bed lengths of seven or eight feet, emphasizing its versatility.

The Silverado 2500HD was undeniably large, with a wheelbase stretching up to 14 feet and an overall length of 22 feet. Its various trims revealed distinctions in the front fascia styling, from the plain but appealing work truck to the chromed-up LTZ and High Country trims. The Custom trim introduced a body-colored horizontal bar across the grille, while the ZR2 trim blacked out the grille and adopted the Chevrolet “flow tie” badge.

For 2024, Chevrolet incorporated numerous enhancements, including standard tow hooks across all trims and wheel options up to 22 inches in bright chrome. An expanded color palette offered 10 options, though many hues were variations of red, grey, and white. Tested in both the High Country and ZR2 trims, the Silverado 2500HD demonstrated both luxury and ruggedness. The High Country impressed with open-pore wood, leather, and intricate metal trim and embroidery, delivering an upscale but not overly extravagant interior. The combination of Jet Black interior and brown Umber accents highlighted the sophisticated yet straightforward design. Chevrolet, which had previously struggled with cheaper materials, finally achieved an interior that looked and felt high-quality.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra underwent significant changes to enhance its performance from its older, outmoded predecessor. Toyota phased out the old 4.6-liter V8 and scaled down from the 5.7-liter V8 to the more efficient 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, which generated 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. For those craving even more power, the hybrid version of this engine, known as the i-FORCE MAX, produced 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. This hybrid engine was offered on several trims and was standard on both the TRD Pro and Capstone trims.

Toyota paired these engines with a 10-speed automatic transmission that effectively managed the power. The driving experience was smooth, regardless of whether one was cruising on the highway or venturing off-road. The throttle was responsive, and the absence of dramatic power fluctuations contributed to a refined driving experience. Additionally, Toyota's engineered engine sound, piped through the optional JBL sound system, was designed to mimic a V8 without being intrusive.

Significant upgrades were made to the suspension system as well. The outdated leaf-spring rear suspension was replaced with a multi-link suspension, leading to a smoother ride over various terrains. The Tundra's performance was further bolstered by off-road features in the TRD Pro trim, such as a 1.1-inch lift, 2.5-inch Fox shocks, BBS 18-inch wheels, and 33-inch tires. These features, combined with a multi-terrain system and several off-road assist technologies, made the TRD Pro trim exceedingly capable in rough terrains despite its large size.

The Tundra’s towing capacity reached a maximum of 12,000 pounds, while its payload stood at 1,940 pounds. Although these figures outmatched those of some competitors, other models like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ford F-150, and Ram 1500 offered higher payload capacities.

Speaking of the Silverado, the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD showcased substantial capabilities with its robust engine options. The standard 6.6-liter V8 gas engine delivered 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque. An optional 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel V8 upped the ante with 470 horsepower and an astounding 975 pound-feet of torque. Chevrolet equipped both engines with an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission, which ensured smooth and efficient power delivery, particularly with the quieter Duramax diesel engine.

During testing, the Silverado's Duramax diesel impressed with its quiet operation and seamless integration with the transmission. The shifts were smooth even in lower gears, and the acceleration to highway speeds was brisk, providing a stress-free driving experience. In terms of fuel economy, the Silverado 2500HD performed admirably; in a 100-mile run using two-wheel drive, it achieved 20.3 mpg. In a mixed 2WD and Auto 4WD drive of 250 miles, it recorded 17 mpg while most configurations offered a large fuel tank, ranging between 28 and 36 gallons.

The Silverado 2500HD ZR2 Bison trim, built for off-road adventures, did not disappoint. Equipped with Multimatic DSSV spool valve shocks, 35-inch tires, a 1.5-inch lift, and 11.6 inches of ground clearance, it provided superior off-road performance. The truck’s approach, departure, and breakover angles were the best in its class, bolstered by additional skid plating and robust steel bumpers. This package significantly enhanced the truck's ability to navigate rough terrains effortlessly.

For truck buyers, the design must cater to practicality and ease of use, and the 2023 Toyota Tundra emphasized a thoughtful approach. The Tundra’s interior combined forward-looking technology with straightforward, user-friendly controls. Physical knobs and buttons for essential functions like climate control, volume, and seat heaters ensured ease of use, even at a glance. The beefy gear shifter and spacious cupholders added to the truck’s utilitarian feel.

A crucial feature was the wireless charging pad, standard from the Platinum trim level upwards, positioned conveniently to keep smartphones within sight. Toyota's design of the center console bin, featuring a sliding top-mounted door, provided easy access to stored items without disrupting the front passenger.

The Tundra was designed to accommodate tall and wide passengers with plenty of rear-seat space and practical storage solutions like a flip-up backseat. Bed size options ranged across various trims, with the CrewMax body available with either a 5.5-foot or a 6.5-foot bed.

From a performance perspective, the Tundra matched its peers closely, but its towing capacity topped out at 12,000 pounds, while the payload capacity reached up to 1,940 pounds. In comparison, rival trucks could manage higher payload figures.

Conversely, the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD demonstrated enhanced towing and payload capacities, especially when properly equipped. The maximum towing capacity for a 2500HD model was 22,430 pounds, though the typical configuration, like the test model, could tow around 19,000 pounds. Similarly, the Silverado's top payload capacity reached around 3,700 pounds, with test models often rating closer to 3,000 pounds.

The Silverado’s practical truck bed features, such as the side step in front of the rear wheel and the six-way Multi-Flex tailgate, improved accessibility and functionality. Inside the cabin, comfort was prioritized with heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel on the High Country trim. Additional conveniences included a 10-way power adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support, making long drives more comfortable.

However, the Silverado 2500HD’s notable shortcoming was the relatively modest audio system provided—a six-speaker setup that seemed underwhelming for such a high-end trim.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra embraced significant technological advancements, particularly with its infotainment system. While an 8-inch touchscreen was standard on the lower SR and SR5 trims, the standout feature was the optional 14-inch screen. It offered new software, fast response times, and high-quality graphics, making a marked improvement over previous generations. The inclusion of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across all models, paired with a 12-speaker audio system available from the Limited trim upwards, ensured a well-rounded tech experience. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel further boosted its modern appeal.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD matched this with a 12.3-inch configurable gauge cluster and a 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen from the LT trim onwards. The intuitive interface was slightly angled for easier driver access. Chevrolet integrated Google maps, the Play store, Assistant, and Amazon Alexa into its system, emphasizing connectivity and ease of use. While the screen’s split-mode feature might not appeal to all, it helped manage multiple functions simultaneously.

Charging options in the Silverado were abundant, including USB-A and USB-C ports, wireless charging, a power outlet, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Added tech features like a 15-inch head-up display and a rear camera mirror enhanced driver convenience. However, Chevrolet missed the mark by not offering an on-board generator, a feature that would compete well with Ford’s ProPower Onboard generator available in their trucks.

Toyota’s commitment to safety was evident in the 2023 Tundra, which came equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, road-sign detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-tracing assist. A useful addition was the sway warning system, particularly beneficial for towing activities. However, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were not standard across all trims. Despite this, the Tundra earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ in 2022 for CrewMax models, though it had yet to be rated by the NHTSA.

The 2024 Silverado 2500HD lagged slightly in standard safety features, offering front pedestrian braking, forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a following distance indicator. However, the GM’s Safety Seat feature, configured to buzz for various alerts, was a noteworthy addition. Adaptive cruise control was available across all trims and adjusted for towing scenarios. Despite these features, the Silverado 2500HD had not yet been rated by the major safety organizations.