With the full-size truck market being as competitive as it is, you need a good reason to choose one truck over the other. All of the brands offer something unique or special when it comes to the full-size segment, but what those features are determines whether they will appeal to your shopping tastes. In the case of the 2024 Silverado 1500 vs 2024 Ram 1500, there are a number of reasons why you might prefer shopping for a Chevy Silverado 1500 for sale over a Ram 1500.
When it comes to performance, utility, and even tech, you get a better deal out of the Silverado 1500. However, generalizing that the Silverado 1500 has better utility and performance doesn't quite explain how or why this might make Chevy's truck a better pick than the Ram. Let's go over some of those details related to towing, powertrain specs, and even range. We'll also go over how features like the Multi-Flex Tailgate and Super Cruise give the Silverado 1500 a lot of versatility both as a work truck and as a family vehicle.
Better Performance From the Silverado 1500
Standard performance has changed drastically for each full-size truck series over the years, and for a long while, Ram was known as the king of performance with the Magnum and HEMI engines. However, for 2024, the Silverado 1500's engine offerings provide better overall performance across the board compared to the Ram 1500. Ram's entry-level 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with mild hybrid capabilities tops out at 305 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, whereas the Silverado 1500's entry-level 2.7-liter TurboMax manages 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. That's a massive difference in performance that starts the Silverado 1500 out on the right foot in this comparison.
The same story continues at the top of the lineup with the Silverado’s 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 vs the Ram’s 5.7-liter HEMI V8, with the EcoTec3 decisively outperforming the HEMI. The V8 in the Ram 1500 manages 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque, while the 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 manages 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Plus, the Silverado 1500 offers a class-exclusive Duramax turbo-diesel engine that provides an incredible 495 lb-ft of torque for some real muscle under the hood. Whether considering entry-level or higher-end powertrain performance, the Silverado 1500 bests the Ram 1500 for the 2024 model year outing. However, raw power alone doesn't tell the full story.
The Silverado 1500 Enables Higher-End Towing
One huge reason a lot of people buy full-size pickup trucks is for their towing capacity, and the more towing capacity you have, the more items you can carry and the more recreational activities you can engage in. All the major light-duty pickups have a towing capacity of over 10,000 lbs, but the 2024 Silverado 1500 and Ram 1500 both scale well above that. The difference, however, is that the Silverado 1500 scales even higher than the Ram 1500.
When paired with the 5.7-liter HEMI V8, the 2024 Ram 1500 is capable of towing up to 12,750 lbs. However, the 2024 Silverado 1500, with either its Duramax turbo-diesel or 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8, is capable of towing up to 13,300 lbs when properly configured. That gives you 550 lbs of additional towing capacity with the Silverado 1500 over the Ram 1500. Thanks to the lightweight, high-strength steel chassis of the Silverado, combined with the superbly engineered powertrains, you are able to enjoy a higher tow rating with the 2024 Silverado 1500 than the 2024 Ram 1500.
Getting More Range From the Silverado 1500
Most people don't buy full-size pickup trucks for efficiency, but that doesn't mean you can't get a lot of range out of a light-duty pickup. Thanks to the fuel economy of its Duramax turbo-diesel, the 2024 Silverado 1500 aims to give you a lot of range. The best fuel economy ratings for the 2024 Ram 1500 are with the Pentastar V6, which provides an estimated 20 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway in rear-wheel drive. If you opt for four-wheel drive, you have less range, but the Pentastar still provides the Ram 1500 with the best fuel economy ratings out of its three powertrains, topping out at 19 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway.
The 2024 Silverado 1500's best-performing powertrain when it comes to fuel economy is the Duramax turbo-diesel, which gets an EPA-estimated 23 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway in rear-wheel drive. If you need a truck with four-wheel drive, the Duramax is available in that configuration and still provides a rated fuel economy of 23 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway. So even though the Pentastar has eTorque mild hybrid capabilities, it doesn't offer the same level of fuel economy and range as the 2024 Silverado 1500 when paired with the Duramax.
Chevy Multi-Flex Tailgate Offers More Functionality
Both the Silverado 1500 and Ram 1500 have had distinct tailgates with added functionality for several years now, with Ram introducing its Multifunction Tailgate in 2019 and Chevy introducing its Multi-Flex Tailgate in 2021. However, even though Ram beat Chevy to the punch in introducing a unique new tailgate, the Silverado outperforms the Ram when it comes to tailgate functionality. This is evident in the number of functions both tailgates offer and how much more functionality the Silverado 1500 provides to truck drivers over the Ram 1500.
The Multifunction Tailgate on the 2024 Ram 1500 is still useful, opening like a traditional tailgate, but also having a 60/40 split side opening ability that is oftentimes referred to as the barn door opening. Those are the two main functions of the Multifunction Tailgate. However, the Multi-Flex Tailgate offers six different functions for the 2024 Silverado 1500, including primary gate access with power opening, an inner gate, a lower load stop, an upper load stop, a raised work surface, and a full-width step. This gives you a lot of different uses for the tailgate on the Silverado 1500, much more so than the Ram 1500 and its Multifunction Tailgate.
Hands-Free Driving Gives the Silverado 1500 the Edge
On the tech side of things, one big advantage the 2024 Silverado 1500 has over the 2024 Ram 1500 is the ability to make use of the semi-autonomous, hands-free driving system known as Super Cruise. This is a system that is not available in any equivalent capacity for the 2024 Ram 1500. Super Cruise enables the truck to drive hands-free across hundreds of thousands of miles of compatible highways across North America, which includes practically all of the United States and many parts of Canada.
Another highlight is that Super Cruise even works when towing. So not only do you have more towing capacity and trailering options with the Silverado 1500, but you also have the ability to make use of Super Cruise functionality for hands-free hauling. It may not seem like a huge game changer to some, but if you're really into letting the vehicle alleviate some of the stress from driving, then the Super Cruise function for select trims of the 2024 Silverado 1500 is a huge selling point.
Shop for the Right Pickup Truck
Having the right full-size pickup truck in your driveway makes all the difference in the world when it comes to utility, recreation, and functionality. If the enhanced performance, utility, and tech of the 2024 Silverado 1500 over the 2024 Ram 1500 appeal to you, maybe it's time to start seriously shopping for a Chevy Silverado 1500 for sale? If you need help picking the right truck or if you're interested in certain features, packages, or capabilities that Chevy offers, don't hesitate to reach out to us here at Bedard Brothers Chevrolet. We're more than happy to answer any questions you might have about the Silverado 1500 and how it stacks up against the competition.