The competition between Ford and Chevy has been the most prolonged in the auto world. The brands' full-size pickups battle for the annual sales crown. But which of the two should you buy? This 2022 Ford F-150 vs. Chevy Silverado 1500 comparison will give you the answer you seek. Each pickup truck has several configurations ranging from a luxurious family hauler to a no-frills work truck. Once you have identified what feature matters most, you will be ready to choose from one of the two trucks.
Pricing
The Ford F-150 comes in seven trims of varying body styles and lengths. The MSRP price for the no-frills base model XL starts at $29,640, the XLT starts at $35,750, while the more upscale Lariat trim starts at $45,760. The luxury trims are a bit pricey, with King Ranch starting at $56,230, Platinum at $59,010, and Limited at $73,455.
The 2022 Chevy Silverado comes in an option of Work Truck, Custom, LT, Trail Boss, RST, LTZ, and High Country. The Work Truck (WT) is the base model, and MSRP starts at $31,500. The more luxurious LT starts at $42,600 with RWD or $44,700 with 4WD. At Jim Tubman Chevrolet, we prefer the LT trim with a fancier interior and the customizable option to include a crew cab with a standard length for maximum passenger and cargo space.
Engine and Transmission
The 2022 F-150 has several engine options: a 3.0-liter diesel V-6 with 250-hp; a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 with 400-hp; a twin turbo-charged 2.7-liter V-6 with 325-hp; a 5.0-liter V-8 with 400-hp; and a 3.3-liter with 290-hp. All these engines are paired with a 10-speed auto transmission. A hybrid powertrain is also available, which consists of a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 and 400 horsepower and 10-speed auto transmission.
The Chevy Silverado is available in a turbocharged four-cylinder, a Duramax 3.0-liter inline-six, and two V-8s. Each trim has agile handling, and the brake pedals provide a firm and reassuring grip. If you are looking for a more rugged Silverado, the Trail Boss would be a good choice. It has a 2.0-inch lift and gnarly wheels that make off-roading more accessible and fun.
Fuel Economy and MPG
The Silverado is not fuel efficient, but some of its powertrain options are more efficient than others. The diesel engine, which comes as an option, is the most economical, with up to 23 mpg and 33 mpg for city and highway, respectively. With the AWD, the highway ratings drop to 26 mpg city. The gas-fueled turbo-four AWD is rated at 20 mpg and 22mpg for city and highway, respectively. The 5.3-liter V-8 AWD powertrain is rated at 16 mpg and 22 mpg for city and highway, respectively.
As for the Ford F-150, EPA estimates the turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 to have 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 is rated at 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. The hybrid trim estimates 25 mpg and 26 mpg on city and highway, respectively.
Towing and Payload Capacity
The F-150's base 3.3-liter V-6 engine has a maximum towing capacity of about 8,200 pounds. Trims with the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 can tow up to 14,000 pounds. If you opt for the 5.0-liter V-8, the maximum towing capacity will be 13,000 pounds. The diesel V-6 can tow up to 12,100 and the hybrid up to 12,700 pounds. The F-15 has a payload capacity that averages between 1,840 and 3,250 pounds.
The Chevy Silverado has a maximum towing capacity of 13,300 pounds. The top towing rate is available with the 6.2-liter V-8 and the diesel engines. The 5.3-liter engine can haul as much as 11,500 pounds, while models with the turbocharged four-cylinder can haul up to 9,500 pounds. The Silverado has a payload ranging between 1,870 and 2,280 pounds.
Interior and Cargo Space
The interior of the F-150 nearly matches the Ram 1500's cabin, especially in the higher-end Limited, Platinum, and King Ranch models. The cabin is covered in quality materials, and there is plenty of storage cubes. Additional convenience features, including a folding gearshift, 14 power outlets, and speakers in the headrests, are included to make things easier for those that use the F-150 as a mobile workspace. Passenger space is sufficient, with the four-door crew cab having the largest space and being more family-friendly. The Ford also has an optional onboard generator that provides up to 7.2 kW of power.
The base models of the Silverado offer only the essentials, including manually adjustable front seats, vinyl seats, manual locks, and windows. The luxury trims starting from the LT trim have a significantly better cabin, thanks to an improved dashboard design with 12.8-inch digital gauge clusters and a large center touch screen. The crew cab can feature an enormous rear seat with ample headroom. The Silverado is a practical vehicle with large storage cubes spread throughout the cabin.
Connectivity and Infotainment
Ford includes an 8.0-inch infotainment display as standard on all models, but there is a 12.0-inch unit that comes as an option. Wi-Fi hotspots, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay are also standard. SiriusXM radio, navigation, and Bang & Olufsen stereo systems are optional. Ford's Sync 4's new software offers weather and traffic updates through the optional navigation system, over-the-air updates for future software releases, and onboard telematics to help in keeping track of the vehicle use and location for fleet customers.
Chevy equips every Silverado with a touch screen infotainment system that supports Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and mobile hotspot. The physical buttons and knobs make operating the system hassle-free, and the screen responds promptly to touch. The upper trims from LT have enhanced features, including Google-powered voice assistant, wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa integration.
Ford and Chevy offer a series of trucks that compete favorably against each other. Chevy Silverado provides its customers an advantage with its large display screen, ample storage space, advanced tech features like the Google-powered voice assist, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On the other hand, Ford boasts an enormous towing capacity, fuel economy, and a reasonable price value.
If you are looking for a truck for work or family use, you can trust us at Jim Tubman Chevrolet to offer you the best deal. Our inventory of used and new vehicles has some of the best offers you can find in the market. Visit us or call us today and get to drive your favorite truck.
Image by Stefan Rodriguez is licensed with Unsplash License
