2002 Silverado v 2016 Sierra Which Scores Better
2002 Silverado v 2016 Sierra Which Scores Better
FLT wanted to do a fuel economy test between a 2002 Silverado v 2016 Sierra to see which scores better.
Rules are each truck travels 100 miles towing the other on a trailer, then at the end each does a 0 -60 acceleration comparison.
Now this is interesting as the age difference between the two is 14 years, and there is quite a big difference in horsepower, torque and weight.
When the Chevy is towing the GMC it is right on its towing limit of 12,000 lbs due to the extra weight of the GMC on the trailer, while the GMC is well under its towing limit as the Chevy is considerably lighter.
The Chev Silverado 2500HD specifications
This is a 2002 model with 160,000 miles up and powered by the 6.6 liter Duramax diesel.
This engine is rated at 300HP, 520 ft-lbs of torque driving though a 5 speed auto transmission.
Weight is 6290 pounds.
To buy today? I guess what ever you are prepared to pay for it versus the owners asking price.
The GMC Sierra Denali HD specifications
The Sierra is a 2016 model with 1,000 miles on the clock. Engine is also a 6.6 liter Duramax.
It is rated at 397HP, 765 ft-lbs of torque and is matched to a 6 speed auto.
Weight is 7740 pounds, some 1450 pounds heavier that the Chev.
Purchase cost – stated as $67,000
During the towing test the Sierra is certainly considerably quieter in the cab than the Silverado, but much of the extra noise is because the Silverado is fitted with an after-market exhaust system.
The engine of course is also working lot harder pulling the much heavier load.
There is quite a difference in gearing, although both have the same rear axle ratio. At 70 mph the Sierra is showing around 1650 to 1700 RPM while the Silverado is spinning over at 2200 RPM.
Taking these differences between the two into account you would expect there would be quite a variance in fuel used on the test, and same with the acceleration stand-off, but was there?
I know from my own experiences a diesel doesn’t perform at its best until it has around 8,000 plus miles up, so the GMC’s fuel use will improve slightly as the miles add up, as will its performance.
The Chev on the other hand with a 160,000 miles up will be running nice and free, provided the engine oil and filters have been changed at the recommended mileage.
Diesel engines love hard work, give them constant clean oil, fuel and air and they will thank you by returning huge mileage without requiring mechanical repairs. Ask any Truckee.
Which gave the best miles per gallon, and acceleration? Answers are in the video.
Special thanks to Fast Lane Truck for this comparison test. Photos are video screen shots.
To see more great towing reviews here are the links.
http://c10truckspot.com/silverado-2500hd-tow-test/
http://c10truckspot.com/2016-silverado-extreme-tow/
http://c10truckspot.com/chevy-duramax-tow-test/
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