Toyota Tacoma vs GMC Sierra 1500

The 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 echoed the bold, in-your-face trucks that have become synonymous with modern full-size pickups. Its design, reminiscent of its 2019 predecessor but updated through the years, emphasized form over function with its broad grille and tall, flat hood. These design elements, while striking, occasionally hampered visibility and parking maneuvers. The Denali Ultimate model benefitted from a front-view camera as part of a 360-degree system, alleviating some of these concerns.

Different trims distinguished themselves visually. The fleet-oriented Sierra 1500 Pro featured a black grille and painted 17-inch wheels, whereas the Denali and Denali Ultimate models showcased a large chrome grille, available 22-inch wheels, and power running boards, enhancing luxury and accessibility. Meanwhile, the off-road-focused AT4 and AT4X trims adopted a more subdued visual approach, prioritizing functionality.

Inside, the Sierra's design was straightforward yet conservative. The materials, even in the high-end Denali Ultimate trim, failed to impress with their lack of originality. Wood trim resembling that found in '80s Oldsmobile didn't scream modern luxury. Nevertheless, the interior compensated with a wealth of creature comforts, such as heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a power sunroof, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

Conversely, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma maintained a stylistic lineage to its predecessors while adopting a meaner and blockier appearance, highlighted by a new hexagonal grille. Base trims sported 17-inch wheels, with higher trims like the TRD Sport and Limited upgrading to 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Tacoma underwent a more significant transformation. Inspired by the Ford F-Series, the dashboard became more angular and geometric, with prominent MOLLE panels emphasizing its functional design. Even in the Limited trim, functional design elements over aesthetic embellishments prevailed, continuing Toyota's trademark pragmatic approach.

The 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 offered a broad array of powertrains tailored to diverse needs. The base models came with a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine could be configured with either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD).

More potent options included two V8 engines. The 5.3-liter V8 delivered 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, while the 6.2-liter V8 boasted 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet. Both V8 engines featured Dynamic Fuel Management to optimize fuel efficiency and employed a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 5.3-liter V8 could be equipped with RWD or AWD, whereas the 6.2-liter was exclusively 4WD.

The Sierra also offered a Duramax turbodiesel 3.0-liter inline-six engine, producing 305 horsepower but a remarkable 495 pound-feet of torque. This engine was standard on the AT4 and AT4X models for 2024, channeling its power smoothly and efficiently through a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The diesel engine in the Denali Ultimate test truck delivered impressive torque for towing, combined with smooth, linear power delivery and refined shifting. However, like many body-on-frame pickups, the ride quality remained more utilitarian than luxurious.

For off-road enthusiasts, the Sierra's AT4 and AT4X trims provided substantial capabilities. The AT4 featured a 2-inch lift, Rancho monotube shocks, a locking rear differential, and skid plates. The AT4X added a front locker and advanced dampers, while the AT4X AEV Edition incorporated aftermarket bodywork and 33-inch mud terrain tires, creating a formidable off-road machine.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma, now exclusively turbocharged, packed a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (i-FORCE) producing 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque for most trims. The base SR trim, however, saw a down-tuned version with 228 horsepower and 243 pound-feet. Its new eight-speed automatic transmission replaced the outdated six-speed, providing smoother shifts and an overall more refined driving experience despite occasional turbo lag.

Toyota emphasized differentiation across Tacoma trims, each featuring distinct suspension setups. Most trims benefitted from a coil spring multi-link rear suspension, while others retained leaf springs. The Tacoma TRD Sport offered sport-tuned shocks, the TRD Off-Road featured monotube Bilstein shocks, and an adaptive variable suspension enhanced the Limited trim's ride comfort.

Maximum capability came from the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, though details remained sparse at the time. However, notable off-road trims like the TRD Pro and Trailhunter promised unique suspension setups courtesy of FOX and Old Man Emu, respectively.

Upgrades included standard disc brakes and electric power steering, significantly improving handling precision and on-road manners.

The GMC Sierra 1500 provided various cab and bed-length configurations to suit different needs. The basic two-door regular cab was available with either a 6.6-foot standard bed or an 8.1-foot long bed. A double cab offered small rear doors and a standard bed, while the crew cab provided full-size rear doors and more rear-seat room. The crew cab could also come with a 5.7-foot short bed, making it easier to manage the vehicle's length.

The Sierra 1500 boasted impressive cargo-box volume compared to rivals such as the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500. It also offered more front headroom and legroom than competitors, making it a spacious choice for front-seat occupants. The Multi-Pro tailgate added versatility with six configurations, enhancing the truck's utility, while the CarbonPro composite bed improved durability for specific trims. However, the rear seats, despite their space, were not the most comfortable for long journeys due to hard cushions and an awkward seating angle.

When it came to towing, the Sierra 1500 excelled with capacities ranging from 9,200 pounds for 4WD models with the turbo-four engine to 13,200 pounds for RWD diesel trucks. Payload capacity peaked at 2,240 pounds, making it a robust choice for heavy-duty tasks.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma eliminated the small rear seats of its predecessor, introducing the XtraCab configuration, turning the space behind the front seats into lockable storage. While somewhat effective, accessing the storage area required wrestling with manual-adjust front seats, especially on the driver's side. The passenger seat, however, folded flat for additional practicality.

The four-door Double Cab models provided a more comfortable rear-seat experience with updated seat shapes and improved comfort. Head- and legroom numbers changed minimally from the previous generation, but storage capacity under the rear seats tripled, addressing previous complaints.

Toyota continued to offer 5-foot or 6-foot bed options for the Tacoma, though the XtraCab was limited to the larger bed. Bed volume increased by seven percent, and accessory options expanded to include camp fridges, rooftop tents, and wireless trailer cameras, underscoring the Tacoma's versatility.

The 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 featured an impressive range of tech options. The base Pro model had a basic infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen and wired smartphone connectivity. In contrast, higher trims boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.4-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside Google Built-In features.

The larger touchscreen interface was user-friendly, with well-integrated Google apps, prominent icons, and minimal navigation steps. Analog controls for essential functions like audio volume and climate control offered intuitive operation for those who preferred tactile interfaces.

In contrast, the Toyota Tacoma made significant strides in technology. The 2024 model came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims sported a massive 14-inch center display. Both screens ran Toyota's latest Audio Multimedia system, providing a responsive and legible interface.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with an optional Qi wireless charging pad positioned conveniently for driver visibility. The optional 10-speaker JBL sound system, which incorporated a removable Bluetooth speaker, added a unique touch. Auxiliary switches for operating accessories, pre-wired in certain trims, added to the Tacoma's customization appeal.

Towing-related tech, such as the trailer brake controller and Panoramic View Monitor, enhanced visibility and safety during towing and hauling tasks, making the Tacoma a tech-savvy choice for modern drivers.

The 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 demonstrated that size does not always correlate with superior crash protection. It earned mixed scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with "Good" ratings in the driver-side small overlap front crash test but only a "Marginal" score in the passenger-side test. It also achieved "Good" ratings in moderate overlap front and side crash tests, though an "Acceptable" score in the updated side crash test highlighted room for improvement.

In contrast, the Sierra performed well in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) testing, garnering a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars for side-crash protection and four stars in rollover and frontal crash tests.

Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and a rear-seat reminder. Optional features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and Super Cruise, GM's hands-free driver-assistance system, added to the Sierra's safety repertoire. However, Super Cruise's active lane-change feature occasionally felt overly eager, necessitating user adjustment.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma brought new safety technology with the introduction of electric power steering. Standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) now included advanced features like Lane Tracing Assist, lane-departure alert with steering assist, and Proactive Driving Assist, elevating the Tacoma's safety profile.

Additional features like road-sign assist and an emergency stop system complemented the enhanced adaptive cruise control, which now offered four following distance options. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard on all but the base trim.

Official safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were pending, but the enhanced driver-assistance features positioned the Tacoma for potential safety accolades.