GMC Sierra 1500 vs Toyota Tacoma

The 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 continued to build on its established design, which had been evolving since the 2019 model year. While the updates for 2024 were minimal, the lineup retained its diverse range of trims, from the fleet-focused Pro to the luxurious Denali Ultimate. The Sierra's bold styling, characterized by a tall, flat hood and broad grille, set it apart from its Chevrolet Silverado sibling, though it posed challenges in parking situations. The Denali Ultimate model, equipped with a 360-degree camera system, helped mitigate these visibility issues. Inside, the Sierra's blocky design and unremarkable materials were offset by a wealth of creature comforts, including heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, though all-new, maintained a familiar aesthetic with a more angular and blocky design. The hexagonal grille added a menacing touch, while the interior saw significant updates influenced by the Ford F-Series. The dashboard featured squared-off areas, and the gear shift knob was a geometric affair. The Tacoma's interior emphasized function over form, with MOLLE panels for accessory attachment. Even the Premium packages, with SofTex-trimmed seats, retained a rugged look with plastic grids. The Tacoma's interior updates aimed to enhance practicality, with a focus on providing ample storage and accessory options.

The 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.7-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations. The Sierra also featured two V8 options: a 5.3-litre V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, and a 6.2-litre V8 delivering 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. Both V8s included Dynamic Fuel Management and a 10-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, the Duramax turbodiesel 3.0-litre inline-six engine, producing 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque, was standard on AT4 models. The Sierra's diesel engine impressed with its smooth power delivery and towing capabilities, while the chassis provided a comfortable ride for a full-size truck.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma embraced an all-turbo approach with a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, branded "i-FORCE," producing 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, 4WD was standard. The Tacoma's eight-speed automatic transmission replaced the previous six-speed, offering smooth shifts and minimal turbo lag. A six-speed manual transmission was also available, though it posed challenges in tight maneuvers. Toyota focused on differentiation among packages, with various suspensions tailored to specific needs. The Tacoma TRD Sport featured sport-tuned shocks, while the TRD Off-Road had monotube Bilstein shocks. The i-Force Max hybrid powertrain promised maximum capability, though details were limited. Updates included standard disc brakes and electric power steering, enhancing driver-assistance features and addressing previous steering vagueness.

The 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 offered multiple cab and bed-length configurations, including a two-door regular cab with a 6.6-foot or 8.1-foot bed, a double cab with a standard bed, and a crew cab with full-size rear doors and a choice of a 5.7-foot short bed. The Sierra's dimensions matched its Chevy Silverado twin, providing ample cargo-box volume and front headroom and legroom. However, the rear seats in the crew cab were less comfortable for long trips. The Multi-Pro tailgate, available on SLE and higher models, offered six configurations, while the CarbonPro bed was exclusive to certain trims. Towing capacity ranged from 4,173 kg for 4WD turbo-four models to 5,987 kg for diesel trucks with RWD. The Sierra's maximum payload capacity was 1,016 kg, slightly less than its Silverado sibling.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma eliminated the Access Cab, making the four-door Double Cab standard in Canada. The updated seat shape improved comfort, with nearly identical head- and legroom figures for 2024. The Double Cab offered 1,061 mm of front legroom and 856 mm in the back. Gas-powered Tacoma models featured increased storage capacity beneath the rear seats. Toyota continued to offer a choice of 5-foot or 6-foot beds, with a 440-watt outlet available on gas models and a 2400-watt version expected for hybrids. The bed depth increased, raising total volume by seven percent, accommodating accessories like camp fridges. Toyota dealers offered a range of Tacoma accessories, including rooftop tents and wireless trailer cameras.

The 2024 GMC Sierra 1500's base Pro models featured a basic infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SLE and higher models upgraded to a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.4-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Google Built-In features. The Google-based interface provided seamless integration with Google apps, while Apple CarPlay ensured a familiar experience for non-Android users. The 13.4-inch touchscreen was well-suited to the cabin, with large icons and easy navigation. GMC retained analog controls for essential functions, enhancing user experience.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma saw significant improvements in technology, with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard and a 14-inch centre display available in Premium packages. Both screens ran Toyota's Audio Multimedia system, offering responsive and legible interfaces. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and a Qi wireless charging pad could be added. The optional 10-speaker JBL sound system included a removable portable speaker, while pre-wired auxiliary switches allowed for accessory control. The Tacoma's technology updates included a trailer brake controller and a Panoramic View Monitor, enhancing towing capabilities.

The 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 demonstrated mixed results in safety testing. It received a "Good" score in the driver-side small overlap front crash test from the IIHS but a "Marginal" score in the passenger-side version. The Sierra performed better in NHTSA testing, earning a five-star overall safety rating for crew cab models. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and GM's Super Cruise hands-free driver-assistance system, which provided smooth and confident lane keeping.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma introduced new safety technology with its standard electric power steering. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 included advanced features like Lane Tracing Assist, lane-departure alert with steering assist, and oncoming vehicle collision avoidance assist. The Tacoma also featured road-sign assist and an emergency stop system. Adaptive cruise control offered four following distance choices, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard. Official safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not yet available, but Toyota aimed to improve its safety credentials with these updates.