Statistics, facts, and figures can be harsh; they are bathed in the cold light of unsympathetic precision and immovable reality. When you look at the 2019 Chevy Silverado vs 2019 Ford F-150 in terms of stats and numbers, there is only one possible conclusion you can come to the Ford F-150 is the superior light-duty pickup truck. This is borne not only just by comparing things like engine power and towing capacity, but also sales: the F-series has been the top-selling vehicle in the US for decades.
But here’s the thing: I still like the Chevy Silverado 1500, and I like the current incarnation more than ever before. It’s well made, with lots of options for engines, and overall payload and towing capacity that make it an absolute beast. It has great options inside and out, with some of the best interior and technology features available. Not to mention an impressive suite of safety features that make it one of the safest trucks on the road.
So let’s talk about the Ford F-150 and compare it to the Chevy Silverado 1500. If you’re a Chevy fan, the numbers are going to be cruel. But let’s look beyond the numbers and see what the Silverado 1500 is all about.
The Engines
There are four different engines available for the 2019 Chevy Silverado, starting with a 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 that offers up to 285hp and 305 lb.-ft. of torque. Then there is a 2.7L Turbo engine that provides up to 310hp and 348 lb.-ft. of torque, and a 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine that offers up to 355hp and 383 lb.-ft. of torque. Finally, there’s an available 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine that offers up to 420hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque.
Let’s compare that to the 2019 Ford F-150, which has six (seriously SIX!) different engines available, starting with a 3.3L TI-VCT V6 engine that offers up to 290hp and 265 lb.-ft. of torque, and a 5.0L TI-VCT V8 that offers up to 395hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. Then there is a 3.0L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel that provides up to 250hp and 440 lb.-ft. of torque.
From there, Ford also offers a 2.7L engine that offers up to 325hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. Then there is a 3.5L EcoBoost engine offering up to 375hp and 470 lb.-ft. of torque, and finally a High-Output 3.5L engine with 450hp and 510 lb.-ft. of torque.
That’s a lot of numbers, but ultimately it comes down to this, maximum performance with the Chevy Silverado is slightly lower than the best level of power you can get with the Ford F-150. But it’s a difference of 30hp and 50 lb.-ft. of torque, which the vast majority of drivers are never really going to experience. And that is only if you are getting the most powerful engines available, otherwise, the numbers are pretty comparable overall. So if you like the Silverado, then keep on liking it. You’re not really missing out.
Towing and Payload Capacity
Now, with the Ford F-150 having higher maximum horsepower and torque, you would probably think that means it has higher towing and payload capacities than the 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500. And you would be right. But, you might also be wondering just how big a difference there really is between these two trucks in that area. So let’s see…
The 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 has a maximum towing capacity of 12,200 lbs. when properly equipped and with the most powerful engine. That’s very good for a light-duty pickup truck – anything a lot more than that is going to require a heavy-duty truck. It also has a maximum payload capacity of up to 2,250 lbs. depending on the configuration and engine. Again, that’s very good for a light-duty pickup.
So, how does the 2019 Ford F-150 compare? When properly equipped, the F-150 has a maximum towing capacity of 13,200 lbs. and a maximum payload of up to 3,270 lbs. So, to be fair, both of those numbers are quite a bit higher than what the Silverado can do.
However, you have to take a moment to consider what you actually need. For example, if you typically only haul about 10,000 lbs. behind your truck or load up 1,500 lbs. in the bed, then both of these light-duty pickups can get the job done. Bigger numbers are great, and they certainly make for bragging rights, but what really matters is what you actually use and need.
Interior Options and Technology
Chevy fans, here’s something you’re going to like: inside, both of these trucks have a lot of the same features. Ford likes to hang their hat on the higher specs and I don’t blame them, but a lot of the interior features on these trucks are very comparable. To keep this simple, let’s just look at some of the best available options on both trucks.
The 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 has an available 8-inch Infotainment system with Navigation and a second 8-inch driver information center. There’s an available heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 7-speaker Bose premium sound system, and 10-way power adjustable seats for the driver and front passenger, both of which can be heated. The Silverado has numerous USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and dual-zone climate control.
Now let’s see what the 2019 Ford F-150 has to offer. There’s an available 8-inch Infotainment system with Navigation, and an available 8-inch driver productivity screen. There’s an available heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 10-speaker B&O sound system, and heated, 10-way power adjustable driver and front passenger seats. The Ford F-150 also has numerous USB ports and dual-zone climate control, though there’s no wireless charging pad in sight.
In other words, the insides of these two trucks are very similar in terms of overall features. You can get a few more speakers in the F-150, but there’s no wireless charging pad. So really, if you prefer Chevy, then just stick with what you love.
Bottom Line
So, at the end of the day, what’s the point of all this? Well, the point is that numbers don’t always tell the whole story. Yes, when looking at just the hard data of horsepower, torque, and towing capacity, the Ford F-150 takes the lead over the 2019 Chevy Silverado. If what you care about most are those kinds of numbers, then life is going to be pretty rough for you as a Chevy lover because Ford is pretty committed to making sure their stats are always just a touch higher.
If that means you have decided to convert to the Ford F-150, then so be it. Numbers certainly can be persuasive. Just don’t tell your Chevy-loving friends (it will be our secret).
But numbers aren’t everything. When you look at the differences in those numbers, you find they are typically quite minimal. And if your needs don’t fall within that narrow margin of difference, then either the 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 or the F-150 will serve you well. Chevy lovers, you have nothing to be ashamed of – the Silverado continues to be one of the finest series of trucks on the road. And the Silverado 1500 represents just about everything you could want from a light-duty pickup truck, with all the interior amenities and other features you would expect.
