One of my favorite parts about testing vehicles each week is the difference in feel between vehicles in different classes. Sometimes, I get to test two similar or nearly identical vehicles back-to-back, and that’s what happened a few weeks ago with the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 and the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate. While the ZR2 is a beefy off-roader and the Denali Ultimate a luxurious cruiser, the two truck lines offer many of the same features and powertrains. 

That can make it hard to determine which truck model is best for you and which will be the best companion for the work and driving you need to get done. Having tested the two consecutively, I wanted to give you a view of how the GMC and Chevy differ and how they’re the same. Let’s dive in. 

As a side note, we recently reviewed the all-new midsize Chevrolet Colorado. Check out Sue Mead’s first drive here.

GMC Sierra vs Chevy Silverado: How they stack up

Pricing

GMC’s vehicles are generally priced higher than Chevy’s because of their premium position on the market. The difference isn’t huge at the bottom end, as the Sierra starts at $37,200, while the Silverado starts at $36,300. The pricing spread grows at the high end of the lineup, as the GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate starts at around $83,000, and the Silverado 1500 ZR2 starts at just under $73,400.  

Of course, truck buyers often upgrade with options and accessories, so the final prices can be much higher. The Sierra 1500 AT4X is available with an almost $7,000 AEV Edition upgrade, and the Silverado ZR2 is available with a Bison Edition package that adds nearly $8,000 to the bottom line.

Powertrains

The Sierra and Silverado have the same four powertrain choices, starting with a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder that makes 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet of torque. A 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six is available that produces 305 horsepower and 495 horsepower, and GM offers a pair of gas V8s. The 5.3-liter unit makes 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, while the larger 6.2-liter unit delivers 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The four-cylinder comes with an eight-speed automatic, and the others come paired with a ten-speed. 

Those powertrains deliver heavy towing and hauling capabilities. The GMC Sierra 1500 can tow up to 13,100 when powered by the diesel engine and proper equipment, while the Silverado 1500 can pull up to 13,300 with the same mill. 

Interior

Both trucks got significant updates for 2022 that brought much-needed interior overhauls to the Sierra and the Silverado. The GMC’s cabin is nicer overall, with better materials and a more modern design, but lower trims still suffer from the sub-work-truck look that has plagued the Sierra in years past. At the top end, the truck offers opulent interior quality with high-end materials and accents, but all models offer highly spacious interiors with comfortable seating in all positions. 

The Silverado’s cabin updates completely transformed some trims with high-end tech and nice finishes. Vinyl upholstery comes standard, but moving up trim levels quickly brings nicer materials, with cloth and leather available. Like the GMC Sierra, the Silverado’s cabin offers roomy seating in all positions. 

Tech

The full-size GM twins come with extremely similar standard technology offerings. Both get a 7-inch touchscreen by default and can be upgraded with a 13.4-inch unit. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is available for both, offering configurable displays for audio, navigation, and other vehicle functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, while the larger touchscreen offers wireless connectivity for both. The GMC is also available with a Bose premium audio system.

Infotainment is an area of strength for GM, as its vehicle benefit from intuitive, responsive technology interfaces that make it easy to interact with the vehicle while driving. Even the smaller display offers crisp graphics, and both are quick to respond to touch inputs. 

Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently updated its crash test criteria, knocking several vehicles off its Top Safety Pick list. Neither the Silverado nor the Sierra was on the list before the changes, but that’s not a knock against their safety equipment. The Sierra earned “Good” scores in most crash test categories but only a “Marginal” result in the small overlap front passenger-side test. Its car seat LATCH anchors earned a “Marginal” score for being in a hard-to-find location and too deep in the seat. The Silverado scored identically in the crash tests and LATCH evaluations but had its seatbelt reminders rated “Poor.”

Trucks aren’t always the most generous when it comes to standard safety equipment, but these two get a few advanced driver aids by default. Lane departure warnings, lane keep assist, forward collision warnings with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, a teen driver mode, and rear-seat reminders come standard. Available features include blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, parking sensors, a rearview camera, and a vibrating safety alert seat. 

Both trucks are available with Super Cruise, which brings hands-free driving features on many major highways. The Level 2 system lets drivers take their hands off the wheel, though they must always remain alert. It monitors surrounding traffic and lane lines and offers on-demand lane changes using turn signals. Super Cruise can also automatically pass slower vehicles. The system can recognize trailers and automatically lengthen gaps around the vehicle as needed, though trailering does not work with the lane change functions. 

GMC Sierra vs Chevy Silverado: Bottom line and major competitors

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 and 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 are great trucks offering strong capability, good tech, and modern styling. Between them, the GMC Sierra 1500 is slightly more comfortable inside and offers a more refined driving experience in specific configurations. It’s a better choice for families or people who need to use their trucks as an all-around vehicle. The Silverado is a fantastic alternative, but the less-than-premium interior quality of lower trim levels can be disappointing to some. 

Competition among full-size trucks is fierce. The Ford F-150 continues to outsell every other individual brand, and it’s available with a hybrid or an electric powertrain. It’s also offered in two high-powered Raptor variants that are nearly unstoppable off-road. The Ram 1500 offers a better interior and smoother ride quality than trucks from Ford and GM, making it the go-to recommendation for trucks-as-all-arounder vehicle people.