GMC Sierra 1500 vs Toyota Tacoma

If you’re in the market for a truck, both the GMC Sierra 1500 and the Toyota Tacoma are two of the most popular options on the market today. But while they’re two popular trucks, they serve entirely different markets and don’t even fall into the same size category.

But how do you know if the Tacoma is a big enough truck for you or if you need the larger Sierra 1500, and which one will fit your needs better? It all depends on what you need, and to help you make an informed decision we’ve come up with this guide that highlights everything these two great trucks have to offer.

The GMC Sierra 1500

As a ½-ton pickup truck, the GMC Sierra falls right into one of the most popular truck sizes in the world. The Sierra 1500 provides an outstanding combination of performance, reliability, and luxury, so it’s no surprise it’s remained such a popular option throughout the years.

Still, there are a ton of options and specifications to look through and pick from, so you’ll want to check out everything this truck offers here.

Engines and Performance Specs

The First GMC Sierra 1500 hit the market in 2007, and since then GMC has put tons of engine options under the hood. There are five different gasoline engine options, a flex fuel engine, and even a hybrid option!

With so many engine options out there it can be hard to keep up with everything. That’s why we came up with the following chart that breaks down each engine option on the market, what model years you can find them, and the horsepower and torque specs each one provides.

Towing Capacities

When you’re looking at a GMC Sierra 1500 the towing capacity of each truck varies quite a bit. The least powerful Sierra 1500s can still tow up to 4,400 pounds, while the most powerful ones can tow up to 9,400 pounds.

Much of this variation comes with older Sierras, as they can tow between 4,400 and 8,600 pounds depending on the configuration and packages on the truck. However, newer Sierra 1500s provide a more consistent towing capacity between 8,800 and 9,400 pounds.

Ground Clearance

You won’t find a Sierra 1500 that sits right off the ground, but you won’t find one that sits too high up either. Older Sierra 1500s sit 8.9 inches off the ground, but GMC has lowered the ground clearance for newer trucks by a full inch.

Still, with a ground clearance between 7.9 and 8.9 inches, you’re getting a great mid-range option when it comes to ground clearance for a truck.

The Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma is a size down from the Sierra 1500, falling nicely into the compact pickup truck category. But while its performance specs are a bit lower than the GMC 1500, it’s still an extremely reliable truck, and if you don’t need the extra power you might appreciate the slightly smaller size the Tacoma provides.

It’s also one of the most reliable and comfortable trucks on the market today, so if it meets your needs it’s really an option you’ll want to consider. We’ll break it all down for you here.

Engines and Performance Specs

While the Sierra 1500 comes with quite a few engine options, that’s not really the case with the Tacoma. Since 2005 when Toyota first released the Tacoma in the United States Toyota has put three different engine options under the hood.

All three engines are gasoline options, and the 2.7L engine has remained the standard engine under the hood from 2005 to today! The chart below highlights each of the three possible engines, what model years you can find them in, and the horsepower and torque specs each one provides.

Towing Capacities

Most Toyota Tacomas have a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, but just because that’s the most common towing capacity for a Tacoma doesn’t mean it’s the only towing capacity that a Tacoma comes with.

If you want a Tacoma with a higher towing capacity you just need to find one with the right packages, as the Tacoma can tow up to 6,800 pounds with the right model year and tow package!

Ground Clearance

Whether you want a Tacoma that sits close to the ground or gives you a ton of extra clearance, there’s a Tacoma option out there for you. The Tacomas that sit closest to the ground have a clearance of just 6.3 inches, but if you want to get off-road a bit more you can get a Tacoma that sits up to 10.8 inches off the ground!

Because of the wide range of ground clearance options, ensure you look at the specs of any particular model you’re looking at.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re interested in a Toyota Tacoma or a GMC Sierra 1500, the friendly team at Tim’s Truck has everything you need. They’ll answer any questions you might have about either truck and they can walk you through everything you need to know to get behind the wheel.

Tim’s Truck can also help you track down the perfect truck for you, whether it’s a Tacoma or a Sierra 1500.

Pre-Owned GMC Sierra 1500