Toyota Tacoma vs Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was available in nine trims and various configurations. You could choose a two-door regular cab with either a six-and-a-half-foot standard bed or an eight-foot long bed. Similarly, a double cab with the standard bed was offered. However, most buyers preferred the larger crew cab configuration, which came with a standard bed and had an optional five-foot-ten-inch short bed as well. The ZR2 model, focused on off-road capabilities, was exclusively available in a crew cab, short bed configuration. Other trims included Work Truck (WT), Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country.

The Silverado’s exterior maintained a striking appearance thanks to a 2022 refresh. The front end featured squinty headlamps paired with angular daytime running lights, and the grille’s appearance ranged from all-black stealth to full chrome, depending on the trim level. Wheel sizes varied as well, starting from standard 17-inch steelies on the base Work Truck and going up to 22-inch chrome wheels on the High Country trim. Chevrolet also gained credit for offering eye-catching shades of red and blue, expanding beyond traditional whites and greys.

Inside, Chevrolet made significant improvements, creating a modern cabin with higher-quality materials compared to previous models. Higher trims included full leather upholstery and open-pore wood trim. The Silverado featured an array of screens and physical controls for essential functions like the HVAC system, four-wheel-drive systems, lane-keeping alert, and hill-descent control.

In comparison, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma introduced a new design philosophy that retained the essence of its predecessor while adding modern touches. The new hexagonal grille gave it a more aggressive look, and though it became blockier and more angular, it still resembled the familiar Toyota truck style. Standard 17-inch steelies were upgraded to alloys for higher trims, with the TRD Sport and Limited boasting 18-inch alloy wheels.

The interior of the Tacoma saw a more dramatic transformation, seemingly influenced by the Ford F-Series. The dashboard now featured squared-off areas instead of organic lines, and the gear shift knob was redesigned to be bulkier and more geometric. The inclusion of MOLLE panels throughout the cabin emphasized a functional design. Heated and ventilated SofTex-trimmed seats became standard on the Limited trim, although plastic panels still dominated the interior spaces where softer materials might be expected.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered four distinct engine choices. The base engine was a turbocharged four-cylinder producing 310 horsepower, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Two V8 options, a 5.3-liter and a 6.2-liter, provided 420 horsepower and paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The new 3.0-liter six-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel engine delivered 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque, the highest torque among the options.

On the road, the Duramax diesel engine showcased robust performance off the line, with the 10-speed automatic ensuring smooth shifts. This diesel powertrain made the Silverado stand out as the only full-size diesel truck on the market, alongside its sibling, the GMC Sierra 1500. The diesel engine added a few thousand dollars to the cost, but was often cheaper than the 6.2-liter V8 in the ZR2 model. The ZR2 trim was optimized for off-road adventures, featuring a two-inch lift, front and rear differential lockers, and Multimatic shocks which provided an adaptable and smooth ride across various terrains.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma transitioned to an all-turbo lineup with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine branded as "i-FORCE." This engine generated 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque for most trims, with a lower tune for the base SR trim resulting in 228 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. Both rear-wheel and four-wheel drive options were available, with an eight-speed automatic transmission replacing the outdated six-speed. The manual transmission was still offered but found to be cumbersome.

A differentiating factor for the new Tacoma was the variety of suspension systems across the trim levels. The coil spring multi-link rear suspension was standard on most trims except the base SR, Double-Cab SR5, and TRD Pre-Runner, which maintained leaf springs. Each trim had unique tuning, from sport-tuned shocks on the TRD Sport to monotube Bilstein shocks on the TRD Off-Road, and an adaptive variable suspension could be added to the Limited trim for enhanced ride comfort. The i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, though yet to be fully detailed, was expected to advance capability. Other updates included standard disc brakes and electric power steering, which improved responsiveness and allowed for advanced driver-assistance features.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ranged from a utilitarian work truck to a luxury vehicle, depending on the trim. The basics included vinyl seats, a small infotainment screen, and manual seats on the WT trim, while the High Country trim offered an opulent experience with 10-way power seats, a Bose sound system, ventilated front seats, heated seats front and rear, and a heated steering wheel. The ZR2 trim, nearing the luxury of the High Country, missed a few features like power-adjustable steering wheels and carpeted floor mats.

In terms of space, the crew cab was recommended for its 43.4 inches of rear legroom, compared to the double cab’s 35 inches, which was more suitable for children or cargo. The crew cab’s wide-opening doors facilitated easy entry and exit. With the diesel engine configuration, the Silverado could tow up to 13,300 pounds, though the ZR2 model was limited to 9,000 pounds due to its suspension. Payload capacity varied, with the four-cylinder engine offering the highest rating at 2,260 pounds, while the ZR2 model had a lower payload capacity of 1,800 pounds. The Silverado featured 12 tie-downs in the bed and an optional Multi-Flex six-way tailgate for added versatility.

Toyota redefined the interior configuration for the 2024 Tacoma, eliminating the Access Cab and introducing the two-door XtraCab. This variant focused on cargo space behind the front seats with lockable storage, showing a clear utility-driven approach. The Double Cab models, including the top-tier gas Tacoma Limited trim, provided improved comfort with updated seat shapes and relatively unchanged head- and legroom figures (41.8 inches front, 33.7 inches rear). The gas-powered Double Cab also offered a threefold increase in storage capacity under the rear seats.

The Tacoma had both 5-foot and 6-foot bed options, with deeper bed volumes increased by seven percent to accommodate larger items like camp fridges. Available features included a 440-watt outlet for gas models and 2400-watt for hybrids, with dealers offering various Toyota accessories like rooftop tents and high-lift jacks.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 came well-equipped with technology features, including a seven-inch touchscreen on the base trims and a 13.4-inch touchscreen on the LT trim and above. This premium touchscreen was accompanied by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless charging, Wi-Fi hotspot, and Google integration, making its infotainment system intuitive and user-friendly. Chevy excelled in trailering technology with up to 14 camera views, a trailer light test, and a towing checklist. An optional rear camera mirror and a 15-inch color head-up display further enhanced safety and convenience.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma significantly upgraded its technology, featuring an 8-inch standard touchscreen across all trims and a striking 14-inch display on higher trims. The updated Toyota Audio Multimedia system ran smoothly, providing wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A noteworthy feature was the optional 10-speaker JBL sound system with a removable Bluetooth speaker. Pre-wired auxiliary switches added convenience for accessory management.

For towing, the Tacoma offered a trailer brake controller and available Panoramic View Monitor to integrate trailer perspectives with blind-spot monitoring. A wireless trailer camera accessory was also available to aid towing and hauling.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 included Chevy Safety Assist as standard, which comprised automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. Additional safety features included a vibrating safety alert driver’s seat, an optional 360-degree camera, and front and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control and Super Cruise were available on higher trims. The Silverado scored five stars overall in NHTSA ratings for the crew cab, but its IIHS ratings were less impressive, with "Good" in driver’s side crashworthiness but lower scores in other areas.

For the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, safety technology got a boost with newly standard electric power steering and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0), including advanced features like Lane Tracing Assist, lane-departure alert with steering assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. Road-sign assist and an emergency stop system were also new additions. The enhanced adaptive cruise control provided more following distance choices, and a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert was standard on all but the base trim. As of writing, official NHTSA and IIHS ratings were not yet available.