2024 Chevy Silverado HD vs. 2024 GMC Sierra HD: Heavy-Duty Duel
The heavy-duty truck class is highly competitive, and the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD lineups are closely related but not identical. Both trucks are produced by General Motors and share many similarities, but there are some key differences between them.
Let’s compare the features, specs, and towing capacities, as well as the fuel efficiency of each. We will also look at pricing and warranty information for interested heavy-duty pickup shoppers.
Trims available and a comparison of power between the Chevy Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD
According to the Chevrolet website, the trims available for the 2024 Chevy Silverado 2500HD will be many of the same trims as the current model, which include Work Truck (or WT), Custom, LT, LTZ, and High Country with a few new additions.
The High Country will now be available with the blacked-out Midnight Edition package, currently optional for the LT and LTZ. The off-road-oriented ZR2 will be available later in the year, likely carrying the upgraded dampers, all-terrain tires, and driver-selectable front and rear locking differentials available on the Silverado 1500 ZR2.
The GMC website lists the 2024 Sierra trims that include Pro, SLE, SLT, AT4, Denali, and Denali Ultimate, with the AT4X trim coming later in the model year. The 2024 Sierra HD lineup includes 2500HD and 3500HD models in regular, extended, and crew cab configurations. Dual-rear-wheel models will be available on the 3500HD.
The 2024 Silverado 2500HD offers two options for the engine. The 6.6-liter gasoline V8 is standard, which delivers 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque. This engine is matched to a 10-speed Allison transmission, which replaces the old GM-designed Hydra-Matic six-speed.
The 2024 GMC Sierra HD has an updated 6.6-liter diesel V8 that delivers 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque, significantly increasing from the current rating of 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque. This bump results from a more efficient turbocharger design, new electronic control unit programming, and revised cylinder heads.
Comparison of towing and payload capacities between the Silverado and the Sierra.
GMC Sierra’s stronger diesel engine helps increase the towing limit for the 2500HD and 3500HD models, allowing it to tow 20,000 pounds for bumper-towed trailering. The limits increase to 22,500 pounds for 2500HD models and 36,000 pounds for the 3500HD for gooseneck or fifth-wheel towing.
On the other hand, the Chevy Silverado offers improved towing capacity when outfitted with the Duramax 6.6-liter turbodiesel. It delivers 470 hp and 975 lb-ft of torque due to the improvements made for the 2024 model year discussed above. When optioned with the Max Trailering package, it can tow up to 22,500 pounds, compared to the previous upper limit of 18,510 pounds.
Unfortunately, payload numbers have fallen slightly compared to prior model years for some models. For example, the 2022 Silverado 2500HD in the rear-drive/crew-cab/long-bed/diesel configuration could handle 3,536 pounds of payload, while the 2024 version can be loaded with 3,534 pounds. The 2022 model in rear-drive/regular-cab/gas configuration had a max payload of 3,979 pounds, while the 2024 model can only haul 3,759 pounds.
Comparing fuel economy and pricing between the Sierra HD and Silverado HD
According to Car and Driver, the EPA doesn’t test vehicles like the 2500 and 3500 HD models, so it conducted its own test. In the test, a GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali with a diesel engine earned 17 mpg on the highway. For comparison, the diesel-powered Silverado 2500 LTZ crew cab managed 19 mpg. The GMC gas-fed V8 is expected to see even worse fuel economy than the diesel option. The fuel tank capacity is 36 gallons for all models of both Sierra and Silverado.
The 2024 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD has a starting MSRP of $43,400. For the Sierra, the base MSRP is $44,400. However, six new exterior colors cost extra. The Titanium Rush Metallic, Sterling Metallic, Redwood Metallic, Meteorite Metallic, and Downpour Metallic are all an additional $495. The Volcanic Red Tintcoat is an additional $645.
Both heavy-duty pickup truck models come with a three-year/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000 miles limited powertrain warranty.
