Starting at
Starting at
290 - 450 HP | Horsepower | 277-420 HP |
265 - 510 LB-FT | Torque | 305 - 460 LB-FT |
3,040 LBS | Payload | 2,170 LBS |
Today's full-size pickup truck market is right up there at the top for competitive segments, thanks to continuing innovation and a devoted customer base. Truck people tend to stay with trucks and demand a lot from these tough vehicles for everything from construction projects to hauling gear to the lake or the mountains for the weekend. It seems that no matter what happens with economic markets or fluctuating gas prices, America's obsession with pickup trucks looks like it isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Two of the biggest current players in the US truck market are the 2020 Ford F-150 vs 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500. Both brands have well-known reputations for building durable and dependable vehicles, and each is well-loved by its fans.
The F-150 is consistently at the top of the charts as far as sales go, but the Silverado 1500 holds its own as well. It received a major facelift in 2019, while the F-150 was last redesigned in 2015. While that makes it "older" in some respects, does that mean it's less of a truck than the Silverado? Not at all. In fact, let's take a closer look at the similarities and differences between the two vehicles to explore more about why the F-150 has earned its place as a top-selling pickup truck in America.
Ford's offering provides strong and reasonably quick acceleration across its entire range of available engines, including the 2.7L V6. Larger engines provide more torque for towing and hauling heavy loads and trailers, and the standard 10-speed automatic transmission provides smooth shifting and is standard equipment on most F-150s (a 6-speed transmission is standard on the 3.3L Ti-VCT V6).
Steering and braking are also impressive for a truck of this size. For a large truck, it's pretty simple to maneuver in and out of tighter spaces, and the suspension soaks up road bumps to keep both driver and passengers comfortable. Its real strength is carrying heavy loads, but it's perfectly suitable for daily commuting and long weekend trips.
Acceleration and braking are average but completely fine for daily driving around town or towing cargo. The included 8-speed automatic transmission also shifts smoothly with no issues. Highway driving is generally good, although, for some folks, the steering might feel a bit too light. General handling is secure, and leaning into turns isn't too much of a problem. Although, sometimes bumpy roads can throw off the Silverado when cornering.
The cabin provides a pleasant and comfortable environment for both driver and passengers. The front seating is well-shaped and is available with both heating and ventilation. While the truck generally handles well, an empty bed can cause it to shake a bit on uneven pavement. The ride is quiet with barely any audible road and wind noise, especially if you forego the optional larger tow mirrors. Engine noise is also quiet while cruising. All of the interior controls are well-labeled and within easy reach, making for simple and efficient operation.
The roomy interior of the F-150 offers plenty of outward viability via large windows. Getting in and out of the cab easy, aided by helpful grab handles at every doorway. Adjustable seats, pedals, and steering wheel help drivers of all heights achieve a comfortable and ergonomic driving position. While many pickups have a traditional shift lever on the steering wheel column, the F-150's is mounted in a more comfortable position on the center console. Buttons and knobs on the dashboard are easy to reach and are easy to operate even while wearing thick work gloves or winter mittens.
The seating on Chevy's offering isn't quite as plush as the competition, but still offers adequate shape and support for most driving situations. The ride is fairly smooth on the highway, with small bumps being absorbed with ease. However, when driving on roads with a lot of repetitive bumps and dips, the truck can become somewhat bouncy and light-feeling. Engine noise is nicely muted until you start to push the throttle a bit, where it becomes more noticeable. The interior controls of the climate system work well, but for folks with larger hands, the buttons are on the small side. GM does offer an exclusive feature not found on the Ford, split heated front seats, which have separate settings for the seat back and seat cushion.
On the Silverado, the doors don't quite open as wide as on other trucks in this class, but that's probably more subjective decision. The power-adjustable seats have plenty of room to accommodate just about any driver, as does the steering wheel. The interior controls are intuitive and easy to use, but look dated when compared to the Ford's more modern design.
Towing and hauling are specific strengths of the F-150 thanks to the combination of a sturdy frame and a lightweight body. Even while equipped with the smaller 2.7L V6, the truck handles heavy loads like a champ. The bed also has four upper tie-downs and four lower ones to keep cargo from shifting around while in transit, and loading and unloading are aided by a deployable tailgate step. Inside storage is also plentiful, with a deep center console with a removable trail and a nook just in front of the shifter. Rear seats flip up with the release of a handle to reveal a bin for storing longer items.
The payload capacity of the Silverado is comparable to that of the Ford, with a bed that is a bit longer, deeper, and wider. On the inside, the boxy center console has several nooks and pockets for storing small items, but not as many as would be expected as this truck has a column-mounted shifter. This leaves room in between the seats for more storage options, but Chevy chose to not go that route with the Silverado.
Ford offers its 4G LTE WiFi hotspot as standard gear across all of the F-150 trim levels, which provides more initial data than the Ram 1500 and more device connections than the Chevy. Higher trim levels include Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system, which has a bright 8-inch touchscreen display, compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are two USB ports and a 12-volt power socket, plus a 110-volt power outlet in the rear. Advanced driver aids include standard collision warning with automatic emergency braking. Lane-keeping assist, trailer monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert are all available as options.
While a lot of high-tech features are available on this truck, most of them are mainly limited to the higher trim levels, forcing buyers to shell out more money in order to get them. Safety options are similar to those on the F-150 and include automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard equipment, as do USB ports, but they are few in number. The native voice recognition system understands basic voice commands well enough but doesn't seem to do quite as well with recognizing natural speech patterns.