Should I Buy a 2021 Sierra 1500 or a 2021 Silverado 1500?

Deciding to buy a new truck, but you just don’t know which one to go with? Prospective truck shoppers often have a lot of questions about different trucks and why they should opt for one over the other. Are the powertrain selections better with one truck over the other? What is the fuel economy like? Are the cab configurations roomy enough for multiple passengers? What are the tow and trailer ratings? All of these questions are necessary to ask before you head to a Booneville GM dealership like Crossroads Chevrolet GMC to buy a truck.

But don’t worry; we’ll help you decide which one, the 2021 GMC Sierra or the 2021 Chevy Silverado, may suit your driving, comfort, and feature preferences. We can help you answer the burning question of whether you should go with the 2021 Sierra 1500 or Silverado 1500.

What Are the Differences Between the 2021 Sierra 1500 and 2021 Silverado 1500?

Both full-size pickups received a host of new features for the 2021 model years but in different ways. The 2021 Silverado is available in eight different trim formats, including the WT, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, LT Trail Boss, RST, LTZ, and the High Country. The 2021 Sierra is available in six different trims, including the base Sierra, the SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, and Denali. The trim line for both trucks differs greatly depending on what you’re looking for and what you want out of a full-size, light-duty pickup.

The GMC Sierra 1500, for instance, makes the MultiPro Tailgate more widely available across different trims, including the SLE and AT4 trims. Meanwhile, the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 finally gains access to its own iteration of the advanced tailgate in the form of the Multi-Flex Tailgate, which has six different tailgate operations. The 2021 GMC also received all new Goodyear Wrangler Territory tires for the AT4 trim. Certain Sierra trims also now come standard with specific packages, such as the SLE Value Package being standard on the SLE models and the Elevation Value Package being standard on all Elevation trims. A new X31 Off-Road and Protection Package was also made available for select Sierra trims.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Chevy Silverado has made more available equipment as standard features across the entire trim line. This includes making the All Star Edition features standard on the LT and RST trims, along with the LTZ Convenience Package being standard for the LTZ trim. All-new special edition packages are available, too, such as the All Star Edition Plus, the Texas Edition Plus, and the LTZ Premium Texas Edition.

Is the Sierra 1500 or Silverado 1500 Better for Work/Towing?

While the platforms for both trucks are very similar, and this is reflected in both the powertrain options available for the Sierra 1500 and Silverado 1500, how they utilize those powertrains are quite different. Both the 2021 Sierra 1500 and 2021 Silverado 1500 are excellent for work purposes, including towing and trailering. Both trucks also received tow-rating upgrades for their respective 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder and 3.0-liter turbo-diesel Duramax engines.

However, the difference is in the capacities. The Sierra has a max payload capacity of 2,060 pounds compared to the Silverado, which has a max payload capacity of 2,280 pounds. The Sierra also has a max towing capacity of 11,800 pounds, whereas the Silverado can top out at 13,300 pounds. Both trucks are still more than capable of getting things done in the work/towing department, but the Silverado is slightly more proficient in the towing category.

Does the 2021 Sierra or 2021 Silverado Provide Better Luxury/Comfort?

The Sierra and Silverado have a bevy of different comfort and luxury amenities, from power-adjustable seating to leather upholstery with high-quality trimming. You have access to many of the same infotainment and comfort features with the luxury trims – for the Silverado, that’s the High Country, and for the Sierra, it’s the Denali. The big difference between the two is that the Denali has higher quality material used in the interior.

Additionally, the 2021 GMC Sierra has more comfort and luxury features that carry over into the other trims. Features like power driver and passenger seats, as well as heated rear outboard seats, are standard on multiple Sierra trims, whereas those features are more selective with the Silverado trims. So if you wanted more luxury features right out of the box, the Sierra provides them across multiple trims.

Is the Sierra 1500 or Silverado 1500 Better for Off-Road?

In the off-road arena, there are specific trims for each truck designed to address the rugged durability required to venture off the beaten path. For the 2021 GMC Sierra, it’s the AT4 trim, and for the 2021 Chevy Silverado, it’s the Trail Boss trim. The trucks both feature 2-inch factory suspension lifts, skid plates, and the necessary protection to handle off-road traversal. However, you do get a few more options with the tires with the AT4 compared to the Trail Boss.

In this category, it more so boils down to what you prefer for the off-road capabilities. The Trail Boss definitely gets it done when it comes to off-road traversal. However, if you wanted more options and more customization features, the AT4 has a few more amenities available but at a higher price point. So it all depends on what you want and what you’re willing to spend. Even still, both trucks are great for off-road adventures.

Which Truck Should I Get for My Family?

This is an important question for truck shoppers looking for something for maybe both work and family use. Should you go with the 2021 Sierra 1500 or Silverado 1500? Well, the answer is that both are perfect for families. The full-size trucks offer nearly identical interior passenger volume for up to 6 people. Safety is an important feature, and you get plenty of active and passive safety features in both trucks, along with the availability of plenty of driver assist technologies.

When it comes to infotainment, you get a great selection of features for the Sierra and Silverado. However, the Sierra has more trims with the availability of wireless charging, whereas wireless charging is only standard on the High Country for the Silverado. So there is a give and take when it comes to what you’re willing to spend and what you’re willing to get when it comes to the GMC and Chevy light-duty pickup trucks. Furthermore, since both trucks come with plenty of security and safety features and assistive technology like Teen Driver mode, you really can’t go wrong with either pickup.

If you want more luxury-oriented features, you might prefer the Sierra. If you were interested in higher tow/trailer ratings, you might want to go with the Silverado. When it comes to buying a truck for families, both are fully featured. Both the Sierra and the Silverado nail all the basics, such as passenger volume, cargo space, and interior comfort, so you can’t go wrong with either truck.

Finding the Right Silverado or Sierra

Have an idea of which truck you want to buy? Then stop by Crossroads Chevrolet GMC dealership today to test-drive a 2021 Sierra 1500 or Silverado 1500. We’re the best place to visit when it comes to our selection of new and used pickup trucks. Even if you’re still undecided about a GMC Sierra or a Chevy Silverado, feel free to make further use of our informational resources about model years and trims to further help you in selecting the right truck. Our staff is also on hand to help you find exactly what you need. So if you have further questions or would like more details about the Sierra or Silverado, we can help you determine which one might be a better fit for you.