Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs Toyota Tacoma
Choosing between the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the Toyota Tacoma is really a question of total cost, not sticker price. Below we compare both over five years — depreciation, fuel, insurance and maintenance — then let you run your own mileage.
2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
WT 2.7L Turbo 2WD
2026 Toyota Tacoma
SR
| $36,900 | MSRP (base, excl. dest.) | $32,445 |
| 20 MPG | Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
| $48,920 | 5-yr cost of ownership | $40,921 |
| $0.82 | Cost per mile | $0.68 |
Over five years, the Toyota Tacoma is the cheaper to own by about $7,999 on these modeled defaults (12,000 mi/yr). Every figure is an editable estimate — run the calculators with your own mileage, financing and local prices.
Run at 12,000 miles a year for five years, MotorCrunch's ownership model puts the Toyota Tacoma at $40,921 all-in against $48,920 for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — a gap of $7,999, about $1,600 a year. That is real money, but not decisive on its own — a different mileage pattern or a strong deal on either car can narrow it.
The biggest line separating them is depreciation: roughly $23,220 for the Silverado 1500 versus $17,182 for the Tacoma over five years. With the same drivetrain type, the spread comes down to depreciation (18% vs 14% a year) and each model's insurance risk factor (1.10× vs 1.05×).
Their stickers sit within about $4,455 of each other, so this one is decided by running costs, not the price tag. Adjust the mileage in the comparator below — the ranking can flip if your driving is far from the 12,000-mile default.
Key assumptions for this page
Modeled figures: values tagged modeled are MotorCrunch modeled estimates — outputs of our own transparent models, not published statistics or quotes. Computed with MotorCrunch's ownership-cost model: compounding depreciation, energy at national average prices, modeled insurance and maintenance baselines. Miles ÷ efficiency × national average energy price (last-known-good published price, see /data-sources). Computed with MotorCrunch's premium-factor model (the same model as the estimator widget) at a default driver profile, using this page's vehicle value. Full method: Methodology.
Data updated: 2026-07-17 — verify before purchase.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs Toyota Tacoma: run the numbers
Cheaper to own over 5 years
Toyota Tacoma
by $7,999 — Chevrolet Silverado 1500: $48,920 · Toyota Tacoma: $40,921
Lower 5-year total cost
🏆 Toyota Tacoma
Lower fuel cost
🏆 Toyota Tacoma
Lower depreciation
🏆 Toyota Tacoma
Lower insurance estimate
🏆 Toyota Tacoma
Lower cost per mile
🏆 Toyota Tacoma
Baseline 5-year cost breakdown
MSRP + EPA efficiency · USD| Cost | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | Toyota Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation | $23,220 | $17,182 |
| Fuel | $10,200 | $8,870 |
| Insurance | $10,001 | $9,620 |
| Maintenance | $5,500 | $5,250 |
| 5-year total | $48,920 | $40,921 |
| Cost per mile | $0.82 | $0.68 |
Customize your scenario
The baseline uses each car's MSRP, EPA-rated efficiency and segment-typical depreciation. Change the assumptions below to match how you actually drive — your result may differ from the baseline.
5-year cost by annual mileage
| Miles / year | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | Toyota Tacoma | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 mi | $45,520 | $37,965 | Tacoma |
| 12,000 mi· now | $48,920 | $40,921 | Tacoma |
| 15,000 mi | $51,470 | $43,139 | Tacoma |
| 20,000 mi | $55,720 | $46,834 | Tacoma |
| 30,000 mi | $64,220 | $54,226 | Tacoma |
Estimates only, not quotes. Depreciation and maintenance use segment-typical modeled assumptions; insurance is a MotorCrunch modeled estimate for a typical driver profile based on each model's value — not an insurer quote. Verify with dealers and insurers before deciding.
Good to know
Specific, useful answers for this page.
Is the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 or the Toyota Tacoma cheaper to own?＋
Over five years, total ownership cost comes down to depreciation, fuel, insurance and maintenance. The breakdown above totals both side by side so you can see the real gap, not just the sticker difference.
What's the biggest cost difference between them?＋
Usually depreciation and insurance dominate. The Silverado 1500 depreciates faster, while insurance tracks each car's risk factor (Silverado 1500: 1.10×, Tacoma: 1.05×).
Does the price gap between the Silverado 1500 and Tacoma matter long term?＋
The two start within about $4k of each other, so the sticker is close to a wash and running costs decide it. With similar drivetrains, fuel and maintenance land close, leaving depreciation and insurance as the deciders.