2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2020 RAM 2500

The 2020 RAM 2500 stood out with its elegant design, setting it apart from its chunkier competitors like the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and Ford F-250 Super Duty. Each of the six trim levels featured a unique grille, and the truck's imposing size was complemented by sleek LED headlights and optional chrome or body-colour bumpers. The RAM 2500's design was reminiscent of the smaller RAM 1500 but stretched to accommodate its larger stature. The Limited trim, with its 20-inch chrome wheels and LED taillights, added to the truck's upscale appearance. Inside, the RAM 2500 impressed with its luxurious materials and craftsmanship, especially in the upper trims like the Laramie Longhorn and Limited. The interior featured soft-grained, perforated leather, intricate stitching, and light wood trim, creating a cabin that felt more like a high-end vehicle than a heavy-duty pickup. The attention to detail extended to the grab handles and shifter knob, and the optional 12-inch vertical touchscreen added a modern touch to the truck's interior.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a variety of cab styles, bed lengths, and trim levels, each with its own distinctive appearance. Our test truck, an LTZ trim with a crew cab and short bed, featured a 3.0-litre inline-six turbodiesel engine and several premium packages. The Silverado's exterior was boxy and commanding, with Northsky Blue paint, chrome trim, and 20-inch polished aluminum wheels. However, the interior fell short of expectations, with glossy plastic, large panel joints, and small infotainment screens giving it an outdated feel. While the Silverado's cabin was spacious, it lacked the modern sophistication and quality found in its competitors. The rear seat offered ample space for three adults, but the storage areas were small and lacked innovation. Overall, the Silverado's interior did not match the truck's attractive exterior.

The 2020 RAM 2500 offered a choice of two engine and transmission pairs, available in either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) with an electronic low-range transfer case. The 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine delivered 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque, paired with a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission. This combination provided a high payload capacity of up to 1,986 kilograms (4,380 pounds) and a towing capacity of up to 7,869 kilograms (17,350 pounds) for RWD models. The diesel option, a 6.7-litre Cummins inline-six with 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque, allowed the RAM 2500 to tow up to 8,972 kilograms (19,780 pounds) and haul up to 1,388 kilograms (3,060 pounds) of payload. Despite its size, the RAM 2500 offered decent acceleration and a comfortable ride, with an effective exhaust brake for safe towing.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a range of engine options, including the 6.2-litre Ecotec3 V8 and the Duramax turbodiesel. The Duramax, priced at $1,995, provided excellent fuel efficiency, achieving 9.6 L/100 km in combined driving. With 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, the Duramax offered smooth acceleration, although it lagged behind the 6.2-litre V8's 420 horsepower. The Silverado's towing capacity with the Duramax was 4,309 kilograms (9,500 pounds), while the maximum towing capacity with the 6.2-litre V8 was 6,033 kilograms (13,300 pounds). The Silverado's 10-speed automatic transmission and Autotrac 4WD system contributed to its performance, but the standard suspension struggled with body movement and rough terrain. The Z71 Off-Road Package was recommended for improved handling.

The 2020 RAM 2500 offered three cab options and two bed lengths, with the single cab providing the highest payload capacity. The Crew Cab, available with either bed, offered ample space for passengers, while the Mega Cab provided luxurious reclining seats and privacy. The RAM 2500 featured power running boards, a retractable tailgate step, and a power tailgate for convenience. The truck's interior was spacious, with adjustable mirrors and optional RamBox storage. The RAM 2500 also offered a spray-in bed liner, LED lighting, and rear air suspension for added functionality.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's crew cab provided a spacious interior with wide, supportive front seats and a heated steering wheel. However, the lack of power running boards made entry and exit challenging. The Silverado offered ample storage space, but the compartments were small and lacked innovation. The rear seat accommodated three adults comfortably, with heated outboard cushions and a power sliding rear window. The Silverado's bed was deep and roomy, with useful features like the CornerStep rear bumper and tie-down hooks. The optional Multi-Flex tailgate offered versatility, but our test truck featured a remote power-down tailgate instead.

The 2020 RAM 2500 came standard with a 5-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth, but the 8.4-inch Uconnect upgrade was recommended for its quick and logical interface. The optional 12-inch display offered a futuristic experience, with large maps, dual information tiles, and 360-degree cameras. The RAM 2500's infotainment system was user-friendly, with customizable shortcuts and a large instrument cluster display.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 featured the Chevrolet Infotainment System 3, with quick loading times and modern graphics. The 8-inch HD display offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The LTZ trim included wireless smartphone charging, a Bose premium sound system, and enhanced voice recognition. The Silverado also offered a head-up display and multiple camera views for towing and visibility, but the trailering technologies fell short compared to competitors.

The 2020 RAM 2500 was not rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but the 2020 RAM 1500 received a Top Safety Pick+ and a 5-star NHTSA rating. Optional driver assists included blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and forward emergency braking.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 received a "Marginal" rating from the IIHS for front passenger protection and a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Safety features included forward collision alert, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional upgrades included adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.