Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs. Ford F-150
The Chevy Silverado and the Ford F-series are two of the best-selling trucks in America, and it can be hard to choose between them.
You need a truck that has uncompromising hauling power to get where you’re going, and you don’t want to trust your work to the wrong vehicle. This comparison, using base trim models, could help you choose which truck is perfect for your toughest jobs.
Price
Most people consider the price to be one of the most important considerations for a new vehicle, especially if one is out of their price range. The 2021 Silverado 1500 and the 2021 Ford F-150 are in the same ballpark. The Silverado is more expensive with a starting MSRP of $29,300 for the regular cab, while the F-150 starts at $28,940 for the regular cab. Both trucks offer a slew of trims and features if you’re willing to pay.
Towing and Payload
You want to know that your truck can pull everything you need, and one truck slightly outperforms the other in that department. The Chevy Silverado 1500 has a maximum towing capacity of 13,300 lbs. This is just slightly less than the Ford F-150, which has a maximum towing capacity of 14,000 lbs. Of course, these max numbers are when the trucks are properly equipped and configured, which typically makes them much pricier than the aforementioned MSRP base prices. Ford prides itself on the fact that it can tow more than any other truck on the market and the 2022 F-150 lives up to the legacy.
The payload of the two trucks aren’t as drastically different as the maximum towing capacity, but Ford’s F-150 can carry more and take heavier loads. The Silverado can carry up to 2,000 lbs., but the F-150 seems designed with commercial users in mind since the maximum payload is 3,325 lbs. Both trucks offer heavy-duty payload package options that increase that capability.
Engine and Fuel Economy
The Silverado has had better mileage than the F-150 in the past, but this year the two trucks are comparable. The Silverado has a 4.3-liter EcoTec3 V6 engine with two-wheel-drive. This engine has an estimated fuel economy of 16 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.
Ford’s F-150 got a complete drivetrain overhaul this year, with a new 2.7-liter Ecoboost V6 engine that has greatly improved its fuel economy. Now, the truck gets an estimated 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
Features
The Silverado comes equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen with options to increase the size to an eight-inch. It also has a two-speaker audio system, rear camera, Bluetooth, two USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The 2022 F-150 also has a touchscreen with SYNC connectivity to allow Bluetooth streaming from your phone. Also standard are safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection.