COMPARE 2026 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 VS SILVERADO 2500
Compare 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs Silverado 2500 HD
Both the new Chevy Silverado 1500 and the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD trucks are outstanding performers. The decision on which one to buy can depend on a variety of factors and in order to make the right decision for you, it helps to learn the differences in engines, performance and overall specifications. Here's a look at comparative points like towing capacity, payload and other key metrics to help you decide which new Chevy truck is right for you. You can see these two very capable trucks right now at Jimmy Gray Chevrolet in Southaven, MS.
A COMPARISON OF TOWING AND PAYLOAD CAPABILITIES
Both trucks have a tremendous amount of towing capability. The Silverado 1500 can tow up to 13,300 pounds, placing it in the Class V category, which allows you to pull large campers and midsize equipment. Meanwhile, the 2026 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD, equipped with either the 6.6-liter V8 or the 6.6-liter Duramax® turbodiesel engine, delivers a conventional towing capacity of up to 20,000 pounds.
With a fifth-wheel or gooseneck configuration, the towing number rises to 22,430 pounds. The 2026 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD has a maximum payload of 3,689 pounds, substantially more than the 2,260 pounds in the Silverado 1500.
A COMPARISON OF TRIM LEVELS
The 2026 Chevy Silverado 1500 offers nine different trim levels, including the Work Truck, the Custom, the LT, the RST, the Custom Trail Boss, the LTZ, the LT Trail Boss, the High Country and the ZR2. For the 2026 model year, the Silverado 2500 HD has six trim levels: the Work Truck, the Custom, the LT, the LTZ, the ZR2, and the High Country.
A COMPARISON OF DIMENSIONS
For 2026, both the Chevy Silverado 1500 and the Silverado 20500HD have almost identical interior dimensions. For both trucks, front headroom is 43.0 inches, front legroom is 44.5 inches, rear headroom is 40.1 inches, rear legroom is 43.4 inches, and front shoulder room is 66.0 inches. The only small difference is that rear shoulder room in the Silverado 1500 is 65.2 inches, while it's 64.7 inches in the Silverado 2500.
A COMPARISON OF ENGINES AND PERFORMANCE
The 2026 Silverado 1500 offers four engines, including a 2.7-liter TurboMax, a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower, and a 3.0-liter Duramax® turbodiesel with 495 pound-feet of torque. The Silverado 2500 offers gas or diesel V8 engines, including a 6.6-liter gas unit with 401 horsepower and a 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel that generates 445 horsepower and an incredible 910 pound-feet of torque.
A COMPARISON OF INTERIORS AND RIDE QUALITY
The infotainment technology is essentially identical in both trucks. The WT and Custom trim levels have a 7.0-inch touchscreen and a 3.5-inch driver information center, along with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto. Starting at the LT trim level, each truck moves up to a 13.4-inch control screen as well as a 12.3-inch digital gauge display and an audio system with six speakers. In addition, both trucks provide a comfortable, well-controlled ride, especially with Chevrolet's advanced suspension system. After reading this comparison, we encourage you to see both trucks in person at Jimmy Gray Chevrolet in Southaven, MS.
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Jimmy Gray Chevrolet
181 Goodman Rd E
Southaven, MS 38671
- Sales: (662) 253-7228
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