
2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 vs. 2500: At a Glance
- The Silverado 1500 is a light-duty pickup, while the 2500 is its heavy-duty sibling.
- The 1500 can tow up to 13,300 pounds when properly equipped, while the 2500 can handle up to 22,500 pounds. 1
- The 1500 is more than a foot shorter than the 2500 while retaining incredible legroom, headroom, and bed size.
- Both models feature excellent tech for a truck, including an available 13.4-inch touchscreen and standard Chevy Safety Assist features.
- Enjoy a range of available packages on either model, such as the Trailering Package, to customize your drive.
Chevy Silverado 1500 vs. 2500 Specs & Features
| Chevy Silverado 1500 | Chevy Silverado 2500 |
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Most Powerful Engine | 3.0L Duramax Turbo Diesel | 6.6L Duramax Turbo-Diesel V-8 |
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Drivetrain | RWD, 4WD | RWD, 4WD |
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Horsepower | 305 | 470 |
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Torque | 495 lb-ft | 975 lb-ft |
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Transmission | 10-Speed Automatic | 10-Speed Automatic |
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Maximum Towing Capacity | 13,300 lb 1 | 22,500 lb 1 |
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Maximum Payload Capacity | 2,260 lb 2 | 4,081 lb 2 |
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Seating Capacity | Up to 6 | Up to 6 |
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Key Features | - Super Cruise
- Off-Road Trail Boss Packages
- Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert
- Trailering App
- 14 Camera Angles
- 13.4-in Diagonal Touchscreen
- 12.3-in Driver Information Center
- Wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™
- Chevy Safety Assist
| - Adaptive Cruise Control
- Z71 Off-Road Packages
- Trailer Blind Zone Alert
- Trailering App
- HD Surround Vision
- 13.4-in Diagonal Touchscreen
- 12.3-in Driver Information Center
- Wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™
- Chevy Safety Assist
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Let's start with the Chevy Silverado 1500 vs. 2500 engine performance. The Silverado 1500 offers four engines.
- The standard 310-horsepower TurboMax engine is plenty for most jobs, especially when paired with its eight-speed automatic transmission.
- The 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 puts out 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque.
- The incredible 420-horsepower 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V-8.
- If you enter the world of diesel, you find the best hauler for your Silverado 1500: the 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo Diesel, with 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque.
The Silverado 2500 has fewer choices but more heavy-duty power.
- The 6.6-liter V-8 gasoline engine is potent, putting out 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque.
- However, if you need the strength to dominate on and off the road, the 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel provides up to 470 horsepower and a monstrous 975 pound-feet of torque.
Pair it with an Allison 10-speed automatic, and your powertrain has the monstrous power the Silverado 2500 is well-known for.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs. Chevrolet 2500 Towing Capacity
As implied earlier, the Chevy Silverado 1500 towing capacity is lower than that of the Silverado 2500, though not by as much as you might think. When properly equipped with the 3.0-liter Duramax diesel engine, the light pickup truck can tow 13,300 pounds. 1 That's plenty for a large utility trailer, a car on a proper dolly, or a large travel camper.
That's impressive, but the larger hauler is able to handle larger jobs. The 2500, when utilizing the 6.6-liter turbo-diesel V-8, Max Trailering Package, and a gooseneck hitch, can pull up to 22,500 pounds. 1 That means you can handle flatbed trailers, most large garbage containers, livestock trailers, toy haulers, and more!
Chevy Silverado 1500 vs. 2500 Dimensions
| Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2 | Chevy Silverado 2500 High Country |
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Length | 232.75 in | 250.04 in |
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Width | 81.24 in | 81.85 in |
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Height | 78.66 in | 79.82 in |
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Headroom (Front / Rear) | 43.03 / 40.12 in | 43.03 / 40.12 in |
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Legroom (Front / Rear) | 44.53 / 43.4 in | 44.53 / 43.4 in |
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Standard Cargo Box Length | 69.92 in | 82.25 in |
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Standard Cargo Box Width | 71.4 in | 71.4 in |
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Standard Cargo Box Height | 22.4 in | 21 in |
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Standard Cargo Volume | 62.9 cu ft | 69.5 cu ft |
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As suggested by the towing specs, the new Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is more than a foot shorter than the 2500. But that doesn't mean it's a more cramped vehicle. The highest-end trim for the 1500 and the corresponding 2500 trim both offer a spacious cabin, boasting 44.53 inches of front legroom and 43.4 inches of rear legroom. The beds aren't even that much different, with the 2500 only having around 6.6 extra cubic feet of space in the payload area.
In both cases, you'll notice a focus on the passenger. You get the room to relax during a hard workday – a chance to breathe after you're done loading, unloading, or hitching.
Chevy Silverado 1500 vs. 2500 Interior Features
Once you climb into that generous cabin, you'll see that the 1500 and 2500 have the available convenience features to make drives of any distance worthwhile. Higher-end trims benefit from a 10-way power driver seat with lumbar support, keeping you limber for the job. Go even further for ventilated driver and front passenger seats, turning the cabin into a go-to hideout on the hottest days. Those seats are leather-appointed, though the starting trims have a durable, easy-to-clean cloth material.
Starting on LT models, you'll interface with a 13.4-inch infotainment center with built-in wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. Google Maps™ and Google Assistant™ can be activated with a simple voice command in both the 1500 and 2500.
Chevy Silverado 1500 vs. 2500 Safety
With all these incredible available features in mind, it's important to underline how many safety features are standard for the 1500 and 2500. All configurations have Chevy Safety Assist so that you can reduce the damage in an accident with Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Alert, IntelliBeam, and Following Distance Indicators – with optional features like a Head-up Display available to truly modernize your truck.
Try Them Both at McGee Chevrolet of Middlebury
Now that you know the difference between the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs. 2500, it's time to feel them roar. Contact us for a test drive in Middlebury. We can talk specs all day, but until you feel the elevated ride of the 1500 or the power behind the 2500, you'll never know which truck earns its place in your garage and at your worksite.
Once you find out, our new Chevy Silverado 1500 deals and financing rates on the Silverado 2500 are perfect for you. Your next brand-new truck is waiting at our certified dealership, whether you want maneuverability or a titan of the freeway.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Silverado 1500 and a 2500?
The Silverado 1500 is a light pickup truck, while the Silverado 2500 is a heavy-duty pickup. The 1500 is a capable hauler, towing up to 13,300 pounds when properly equipped, but it is designed to be a mixture of maneuverability and power. The 2500, meanwhile, can tow up to 22,500 pounds 1 but is somewhat more work-oriented.
Does a Chevy Silverado 2500 ride better than a 1500?
Both offer a very good ride, but the Silverado 1500 perhaps goes a step beyond. Where the 2500 gives you the rumbling 6.6-liter V-8 gas engine and optional diesel option for high torque and horsepower, the ride of a 1500 is designed to be smooth without a heavy trailer attached. You won't regret either ride, but the 1500 is the choice for a more casual commuter.
What is the weight difference between the Chevy Silverado 1500 and 2500?
The 1500 is much lighter than the 2500. The Chevy 1500 is a light-duty pickup truck and weighs between 4,410 and 5,710 pounds, 3 depending on your trim. The curb weight of the Chevy Silverado 2500 is 6,825 pounds to 7,253 pounds, adding an extra 1,000 pounds or more to your truck.