2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2022 Toyota Tacoma

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was a versatile full-size pickup truck, offering three cab styles, three bed lengths, and eight trim levels, each with a unique appearance. It came with six engine options, including a 3.0-litre inline-six turbodiesel engine, paired with various automatic transmissions. The Silverado's exterior was boxy and commanding, with Northsky Blue paint and chrome trim enhancing its appeal. However, the interior felt outdated, with glossy plastics and small infotainment screens detracting from the overall sense of quality.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Tacoma, part of the third generation introduced in 2016, showed signs of aging despite a 2020 facelift. Its exterior was modern, with an aggressive grille and headlights, but the cabin revealed its age with hard plastics and outdated switchgear. The Tacoma offered various configurations, including Access and Double Cab styles, with standard features like a 7-inch touchscreen and Toyota Safety Sense. Higher trims added more amenities, but the interior space remained tight, especially in the rear seats.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a range of engines, with the Duramax turbodiesel being a standout for its fuel efficiency and torque. It delivered 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, achieving 9.6 L/100 km in combined driving. The Duramax's towing capacity was 4,309 kilograms, with a payload capacity of 848 kg. However, the Silverado's maximum capabilities were higher with other engine options. The 10-speed automatic transmission and Autotrac 4WD system provided smooth performance, but the standard suspension struggled on rough terrain, making the Z71 Off-Road Package a recommended upgrade.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma, available with a 3.5-litre V6 engine in Canada, produced 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. It offered a six-speed automatic or manual transmission, with a maximum towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms and a payload capacity of 583 kg. The V6 provided decent acceleration in town but struggled on highways due to gearing issues. The TRD Pro trim excelled off-road, with features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control enhancing trail performance. The Tacoma's suspension balanced smoothness and firmness, but steering required effort at low speeds.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's crew cab offered spacious interior accommodations, with wide, supportive front seats featuring power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat comfortably seated three adults, with ample headroom and legroom. Storage options were plentiful but lacked innovation, and the cargo bed was the deepest in its class, with useful features like a CornerStep rear bumper and tie-down hooks. The optional Multi-Flex tailgate added versatility, though our test truck had a remote power-down tailgate instead.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma came in Access and Double Cab styles, with a five-foot or six-foot-one-inch bed. The Access Cab's rear jump seats were tight on legroom, while the Double Cab offered slightly better space but remained cramped for adults. The front seats provided ample legroom, but the steering wheel's limited adjustment posed challenges for taller drivers. The Tacoma's cab featured numerous cupholders and storage spaces, and the bed included in-bed lighting and a power outlet for added convenience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 featured the Chevrolet Infotainment System 3, with 7-inch and 8-inch touchscreen options. The system was responsive, with modern graphics and standard connectivity features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The LTZ trim added wireless smartphone charging, a Bose premium sound system, and a head-up display. However, the Bose speakers lacked premium quality, and the Silverado's trailering technologies fell short compared to competitors.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma's infotainment system included a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, with a straightforward layout and large icons. The system's simplicity was a benefit, making it easy to use, though the tuning and volume dials were small. Our test truck had a wireless device charger, but it required manual activation. The Tacoma's tech features were limited, but its trail camera was useful for off-road adventures.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a range of safety features, including forward collision alert, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring. However, it received a "Marginal" rating from the IIHS for front passenger protection in a small-overlap collision and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Silverado's headlights were rated "Poor," and its crash-test performance was disappointing for a relatively new model.

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma came standard with driver assistance features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Tacoma received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with high scores in side crash tests. The backup camera's image quality was grainy, requiring extra caution when reversing.