Starting at
Starting at
| 260 - 702 | Horsepower (hp) | 277 - 420 |
| 269 - 650 | Torque (lb-ft) | 305 - 460 |
| 2,300 | Max Payload (lbs) | 2,280 |
Two very popular full-sized, light-duty pickup trucks currently on the market are the 2021 Ram 1500 and the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500. Both pickups have exceptional performance and a great range of features that have set them apart from the market competition. When it comes to which one is the better choice for truck shoppers, things get a little trickier based on what you want out of the truck and what specific features you crave. When you thoroughly break down the differences between the 2021 Ram 1500 vs 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500, it's easy to see that one of these trucks outshines the other.
The 2021 Ram 1500 is available in eight different trims and some special editions, with two different drivetrain configurations, rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The Ram 1500 starts with the Tradesman trim, Tradesman HFE, followed by the Big Horn, the Laramie, Rebel, Limited Longhorn, the Limited, and the TRX. The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 is available in eight different trim formats and some special editions, starting with the Work Truck trim, the Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and the High Country. Both trucks also received a number of updates for the model year. This includes heads-up display information and tailgate functionality for the Ram and trailering technology for the Silverado. However, while there are some similar aspects of these two trucks, the Ram 1500 comes out on top in this comparison.
The heart and soul of any vehicle is its powertrain. How much power it can produce and how it achieves it. In the showdown between the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 vs 2021 Ram 1500, there are multiple powertrain options for both vehicles that completely change the complexion of how each model year ranks against the other. In the case of the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500, it has six different powertrain configurations, whereas the 2021 Ram 1500 has five different powertrains.
Starting out the engine lineup of the Silverado, there is the 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that delivers 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet of torque. The 4.3-liter EcoTec3 V6 manages 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque, while both 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 options offer 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The 3.0-liter turbo-diesel Duramax V6 delivers 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Finally, the 6.2-liter V8 delivers 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The 2021 Silverado 1500 also features three different transmission options, including a 6-speed automatic transmission, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and a 10-speed automatic transmission.
In comparison, the 2021 Ram 1500 comes standard with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with variable valve-timing eTorque, rated at 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. Alternative powertrain options include the 5.7-liter V8 Hemi that generates 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. A variant of the 5.7-liter V8 Hemi with eTorque technology utilizes fuel-saving technology and instantaneous access to 130 pound-feet of off-the-line torque for quick acceleration and speed; it's also rated the same as the standard 5.7-liter V8 Hemi when it comes to horsepower and torque. Much like the Silverado, the Ram 1500 has a turbo-diesel option in the form of a 3.0-liter V6 housing 260 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque.
Exclusive to the Ram 1500 TRX trim is a special 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8 SRT engine with an impeccable 702 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. Every trim of the Ram 1500 is also paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. While both the Silverado 1500 and Ram 1500 share many similar specs on the lower-end of the powertrain spectrum, further up the chain, there's just a huge difference in horsepower and torque output by the Ram 1500, giving it a very clear and distinctive edge over the Silverado 1500.
On the technological front, both the Silverado and Ram 1500 have a bevy suite of great tech features helping both with the performance and the cabin features. The Silverado comes with a lot of standard expected features, as well as some available features for specific trims, such as the adaptive ride control, which electronically manages and monitors the wheels on the vehicle to maintain a smooth ride across different surfaces. StabiliTrak, however, is a standard feature across every trim, ensuring that the Silverado maintains stability and traction on the road.
Electric power steering is standard across all trims along with automatic start/stop technology, which shuts the engine off under certain conditions in order to conserve fuel and increase fuel efficiency. The advanced trailering system is a standard feature for the High Country trim, featuring high-tech camera views and alerts. It’s also available for some of the other trims, offering additional reminders, monitoring systems, and diagnostics. Hill descent control is standard on the Trail Boss but not available for every trim.
In contrast, the 2021 Ram 1500 comes standard with front and rear stabilizer bars and electronic roll mitigation with stability control. Available four-corner air suspension makes it easy to adjust the ride height of the Ram 1500 for improved aerodynamics or ground clearance for traversing rough terrain. Electric power steering and a telescoping steering column are both standard on all trims, along with an improved multi-functional tailgate with additional foldout steps. Full speed forward collision warning also comes standard with the Ram along with hill start assistance.
Select four-wheel drive trims come standard with electronic full-time four-wheel drive mode and a transfer case. Available active noise control system also lets you tune out unwanted outside noises, while electronic range selection allows owners to control the range of their gears, giving drivers complete control over how the Ram 1500 automatic transmission shifts and at what times. All Ram 1500 models also come with a Class IV receiver hitch and 7-pin wiring harness for towing, with various trims coming equipped with the E-Locker feature that electronically locks the rear axles for better traction and stability on slippery surfaces.
Both the Silverado 1500 and Ram 1500 come with available safety suites, with all manner of driver assists and alert monitors. The Silverado's driver assists are spread across the Safety Package and Safety Package II, but both aren’t available for all trims. Alternatively, the Ram 1500 includes all driver aids and safety monitoring systems in a single Advanced Safety Group package. The Ram does have a slight edge over the Silverado when it comes to technology.
The war of cabin space and features when comparing the 2021 Ram 1500 vs 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 is tense. The two full-size pickups don't shortchange truck enthusiasts in any way. Both trucks seat up to 6 people and provide lots of passenger space within the cabin. Power driver and passenger seats with lumbar support, heated, and ventilated are also available for both trucks, as well as driver seat memory.
Where things begin to separate for the two is with specific infotainment features. The Silverado 1500 is powered by the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with a 7 or 8-inch HD color touchscreen. The Ram 1500 infotainment cluster is powered by the Uconnect 3 suite, which has standard display sizes of 5-inches, 8.4-inches, or 12-inches, depending on the trim level. This gives Ram 1500 shoppers a lot more latitude with how they pair up certain infotainment and comfort features with the available model year trims.
Both the Ram 1500 and Silverado 1500 also come with integrated voice and messaging support via wireless Bluetooth connectivity, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. SiriusXM Satellite Radio is standard on select Silverado and Ram trims. However, Ram 1500 shoppers have available access to the SiriusXM Travel Link service and navigation support, as well as SiriusXM Guardian Connected Services, featuring SOS calls and roadside assistance no matter where you travel.
Even though both full-size pickup trucks have many of the same features across trim selections, the added benefits of better infotainment and larger touchscreen displays definitely give the interior edge to the Ram 1500. Being able to customize and match some available features with different trims also opens up a wealth of customization features that aren't available for the Silverado 1500.
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*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
