Looking for a capable pickup truck? You can’t beat the Silverado. The full-size Silverado 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado HD have the power to get the job done.
Not sure which one is right for you? There are some big differences between these two trucks, take a look at what makes each of them tick.
The Chevy Silverado 1500
The Silverado 1500 is a full-size truck, and even though it knows it has stronger siblings, it’s not afraid to stand tall with its own features and capabilities. There’s no shortage of engine options for the Silverado 1500. The base is a 2.7-liter turbo four-cylinder with 310 horsepower, but you can also get it with a 5.3-liter V-8 under the hood or a 6.2-liter V-8. There’s even a turbodiesel engine for the 1500. The 3.0-liter six-cylinder generates 305 horsepower and gets 495 pound-feet of torque.
The towing capacity for the 1500 maxes out at 13,300, which is impressive for its class. You can get this with the 6.2-liter V-8 engine.
The Chevrolet Silverado HD Has Extra Grunt
If you need extra power, you should definitely go with the Chevrolet Silverado HD. Power for this truck starts with a 6.6-liter V-8 with 401 horsepower, but the optional upgrade is a 6.6-liter turbodiesel. This bump up not only gets you 445 horsepower, but it also generates 910 pounds-feet of torque.
One of the biggest differences between the 1500 and the HD is the towing capacity. There’s no stopping the HD with its ability to pull up to 36,000 pounds. This is where it tops out, but even the weakest version can still tow 17,400 pounds.
What’s in a Silverado Trim?
Pickup trucks are often known for having a huge variety of configurations and models to choose from. This is the case for both the Silverado 1500 and the Chevrolet Silverado HD, but you’ll get more trim options with the 1500. Since the HD has more of a work focus, it doesn’t have as many trim options as the 1500, which has a whopping nine trims in its lineup, including the ZR2 off-road-ready model and the luxurious High Country.
The HD still has six trims to choose from, and the lineup has something for everyone, including a base work truck, the LT and LTZ with some extra features, and the High Country with chrome side steps, a power tailgate, and heated and ventilated front seats.
Some Things are the Same
When it comes to safety features, you’ll get several standard systems no matter what Silverado you have. Both the 1500 and the HD come with forward collision warning, automatic braking, and a lane-departure warning system that will alert you if the truck starts to drift out of its lane. Chevy makes additional safety systems available in the higher trims too. You can get a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive cruise control.
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