2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2021 Toyota Tacoma

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma presented itself as the quintessential pickup truck, embodying the classic truck design with its boxy fender flares, tall hood, and shield-like grille. Its design was a stark contrast to the more streamlined Ford Ranger and General Motors midsize twins, avoiding the exaggerated features of larger trucks like the Toyota Tundra. Unique styling elements were available in certain models, such as the Nightshade Edition with blacked-out trim and 18-inch alloy wheels, and the TRD Pro with a model-specific grille, blacked-out hood, and Rigid Industries LED fog lights. The Tacoma's body-on-frame construction, typical of most pickups, enhanced its towing and off-road capabilities, although it compromised ride and handling. The interior mirrored the rugged exterior with chunky plastic elements, and while material quality was suitable for a base model, it was less justifiable at the TRD Pro's higher price point, despite its off-road focus.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a commanding presence with its boxy, chiseled details, flared fenders, and blunt nose. The Northsky Blue paint and chrome trim added to its constellation-like appearance. However, the interior did not match the exterior's appeal, with glossy plastic, large panel joints, and small infotainment screens giving it a dated feel. Despite the industrial vibe from silver accent trim, the cabin lacked a sense of quality. The Silverado's interior was functional but not modern or sophisticated, which might not be a deal-breaker for some, but it did not impart the expected sense of quality.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, utilizing Toyota's D4S fuel-injection system for improved fuel efficiency. It offered both 6-speed automatic and manual transmissions, with a part-time 4WD drivetrain featuring a low range and an electronic rear limited-slip differential. The TRD models enhanced off-road capabilities with features like a locking rear differential, upgraded suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers, and Multi-Terrain Select drive modes. The TRD Pro package added Fox internal-bypass shocks, a front lift, and a skid plate. Despite its off-road prowess, the Tacoma's on-road performance was traditional, with poor ride quality and slow acceleration due to the automatic transmission's hesitance to shift. Its maximum towing capacity was 2,948 kilograms, and payload capacity was 571 kg, respectable but not leading in its class.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a range of engines, with the Duramax turbodiesel being a standout for its fuel efficiency and torque. The Duramax produced 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, providing smooth acceleration after a brief turbo lag. It achieved a towing capacity of 4,309 kilograms and a payload capacity of 848 kg, though these figures were lower than the Silverado's maximum capabilities with other engine options. The 10-speed automatic transmission paired with the Duramax was flawless, and the electronic Autotrac 4WD system added convenience. The Z71 Off-Road Package improved suspension control, but the standard suspension allowed too much body movement on highways and rough terrain. The Silverado's performance was solid, but the Duramax was best suited for those prioritizing fuel efficiency over maximum towing and payload capabilities.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma's Double Cab configuration offered limited interior space, with rear headroom and legroom being the worst in its segment. The front headroom and legroom were also below average, creating a bunker-like feel. Storage options included fold-up rear seats with storage cubbies and a wireless charging pad, but overall in-cab storage was limited. The Tacoma's bed featured a standard rail system with tie-down cleats and an available 120-volt outlet, but lacked innovative storage solutions like those found in competitors.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab provided a spacious interior with wide, supportive front seats offering 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat comfortably accommodated three adults, with ample headroom and legroom. Storage space was abundant, though not innovative, with dual dashboard glove compartments and built-in storage areas in the rear seatbacks. The Silverado's bed was the deepest and roomiest among competitors, with useful features like the CornerStep rear bumper and up to 12 tie-down hooks. The optional Multi-Flex tailgate offered six configurations, enhancing cargo versatility.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma featured a 7-inch touchscreen in the base model, with an 8-inch touchscreen in higher trims. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, with SiriusXM available in all but the base model. The infotainment system was functional but not exceptional, with responsive touchscreens and easy navigation. The TRD Pro model offered an optional Multi-Terrain Monitor surround-view camera system, useful for off-road and parking maneuvers.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's Chevrolet Infotainment System 3 impressed with quick loading and response times, modern graphics, and standard connectivity features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The LTZ trim included a fully-featured system with an 8-inch HD display, wireless smartphone connectivity, and a 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The system was user-friendly, with stereo volume and tuning knobs and shortcut buttons. The available head-up display and rear camera mirror added convenience, though the Bose speakers were not premium in quality. The Silverado offered numerous trailering technologies, though they fell short compared to competitors.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma received top "Good" scores from the IIHS in most crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score for the passenger-side small overlap front test. Headlights received mixed ratings, but the Tacoma earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention tech. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests, and five stars in side crash tests. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 received a "Marginal" rating from the IIHS for front passenger protection in a small-overlap frontal-impact collision. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating, with four-star frontal-impact results. Safety features included forward collision alert, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring, with optional upgrades like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The Silverado's safety performance was underwhelming for a modern pickup truck.