Comparison between the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Vs the Chevrolet Silverado HD
The name Silverado is synonymous with reliability and performance in the world of pickup trucks as Chevrolet’s best-selling model, regardless of class or price tag, is set for another year of dominating its competitors.
The Silverado comes in two distinct renditions, the "light" weight if you can call it that, Silverado 1500 and the Silverado Heavy Duty, or the Silverado HD.
Today we’ll take a look at each to see how they differ from each other and what elements they have in common.
As far as exterior looks go, both Silverados are dashing. Modern curves and a commanding presence make both of them highly appealing to truck prospective buyers - everyone would be proud to be seen driving a Silverado down the street.
Under the hood, the difference between the two is at its most obvious. Naturally, since they belong to different truck classes.
Even so, the Silverado 1500 is no pushover. With three powertrains to choose from, prospective buyers can pick from fuel-conscious engines to mighty V8s.
The standard Silverado 1500 engine is a tried-and-true 4.3-liter V6 that will produce 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque. That’s enough to tow 7,600 pounds and still deliver a whopping 24 miles per gallon on the highway. The first upgrade is a 5.3-liter V8 that will up the power to 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. That will get future owners a whopping 11,000 pounds of towing power and a best-in-class 23 miles per gallon for a V8.
The strongest powertrain available on the Silverado 1500 comes in the form of a 6.2-liter V8 that will belt out 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. With all that power you’ll be able to tow upwards of 12,500, another best-in-class ability, and still get an impressive 21 miles per gallon on the highway.
The Silverado HD comes equipped with one in two engines, a gas and a diesel. The gas engine is a 6.6-liter V8 that belts out 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque. But the real beast is the 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8. Coupled with an Allison 10-speed automatic, it will deliver 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque. If you’re wondering how much towing power those huge figures will provide... we’re talking about 35,500 pounds, an incredible 52% increase from the outgoing model.
As far as safety and connectivity features are concerned, the two trucks are very similar. Both come with Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system that’s hooked to a 7.0-inch color touch that can be upgraded to an 8.0-inch on higher trims. They also both get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as GM’s 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot that’s standard on the 1500 and optional on the Silverado HD. USB ports are also available and so is wireless charging, again a standard feature on the 1500.
There’s also essentially the same suite of safety features for both models that includes optional and standard features such as:
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Lane Keep Assist
- Forward Collision Alert
- A Driver Safety Seat
- Front and Rear Parking Assist
- Rear Vision Camera
- Side Blind Zone Alert
- Lane Departure Warning
- A 6-airbag system
- A High-Strength Steel Safety Cage
- OnStar Automatic Crash Response System
If you’re in the market for a truck, be it regular or Heavy Duty, the Silverado should be high on your shortlist. Here at Northwest Hills Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac in Torrington, CT, we have both models in all their trims and most available colors already on display.
Visit us today and our dedicated sales team will help you sort through your options and arrange for you to take the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Silverado HD out for a test drive.
