Comparing two vehicles is not an easy feat for most potential car owners. After all, with so many different statistics to consider, it can get overwhelming even if you know what models you want to look at and compare. When the vehicles are similar, such as the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado and the 2021 Ford F-150, finding comparisons and differences can get trickier. After all, both models will share some similar specifications since they are both the same type of vehicle. However, there are often a lot more differences than you’d expect at first glance.
The question of which is better can often be answered by looking at what a potential buyer may need from their choice of a pickup truck, though this can cover a lot of possible qualifications and specifications. The Chevy Silverado 1500 and the Ford F-150 are both powerhouses in their own right when it comes to pickup trucks. Each of these makes and models have become household names that are well recognized among the truck driving community. Most people have a personal preference between the two, of course. Still, with new models being released regularly by all automotive companies, there is always something to look at and compare. So, let’s take a look and see which is better.
Exterior Features
The 2021 Chevy Silverado has a starting MSRP of $28,600, a worthwhile investment for such a reasonable entry price. There are several engine options for drivers to choose from, so you can get the exact power and capability that you need. The 5.3L V8 engine offers 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque connected to a six, eight, or ten-speed transmission. The larger 6.2L V8 has 420 horsepower with 460 lb-ft of torque under the hood; the highest horsepower offered in the Silverado 1500 line. Chevrolet also offers a 310 horsepower 2.7L turbocharged engine as well as a 277 horsepower turbo-diesel inline-6 engine that allows for a lighter ride and more force, respectively.
The 2021 Chevy Silverado offers a variety of towing specific tech, intended to keep the driver and passengers safe while the truck hauls an extra load that the 2021 Ford F-150 can only dream of having. Chevrolet’s multi-camera system has up to fifteen views, allowing a driver to see behind or inside the trailer. There is even an invisible trailer mode that melds the views, giving a view through the trailer. A multi-flex tailgate adds to the vehicle’s flexibility with positions, including a stepladder or standing workstation. The bed of the 2021 Chevy Silverado also comes equipped with twelve tie-downs as standard, offering twice as many tie points for a covered load or similar as any competitor. These twelve tie-down points are a new feature for the 2021 model.
The brand new multi-flex tailgate isn’t the only thing offering easy access to workspace in the 2021 Chevy Silverado. The Silverado also offers all-around light coverage in the bed, LED cargo area lights, and perimeter lighting. These lights include corner pillar lamps, cab mounted cargo lights, and hitch area lighting. All in all, these lights combine to give plenty of light to your workspace, no matter the weather or time of day. Another industry first in the 2021 Chevy Silverado is the power up/down tailgate control that can be accessed with the push of a button, either on the tailgate itself or attached to the key fob.
The 2021 Ford F-150, on the other hand, has a starting MSRP of $28,940, only slightly more expensive than the Silverado. There are six engine options a buyer can have under the hood. All are paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission with rear-wheel drive as standard. This is a huge difference between the two vehicles. The grouping of different Chevrolet engines also offers different transmission options, while Ford only has one transmission for every engine.
Ford’s engine choices vary from a 3.3L, a 3.5L, a 5.0L, and a diesel V-6. The transmission options still make all the difference. The engine choice that comes close to competing with Chevrolet’s stats is the turbocharged 3.5L EcoBoost V6. It produces 430 horsepower and 570 lb-ft of torque. While this does seem like a large boost on paper, the actual difference in power is not all that impressive. The Chevy Silverado with the most powerful engine will tow a max of 13,300 lbs while the top F-150 engine will tow up to 14,000 lbs. So, no matter which model you choose, you are going to be able to tow a lot.
Interior Features
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado keeps the interior of their pickup truck just as functional as the bed. This starts with a heads up display that will show essential information, such as the vehicle’s speed, on the windshield to keep the driver’s eyes on the road. The Silverado offers extra storage in the form of rear seatback storage panels as well as rear underseat storage and a center console upfront. Most standard safety features also appear in the 2021 Chevy Silverado. These include forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, as well as lane keep assist, and a following distance indicator.
The 2021 Ford F-150 offers max recline seats to clear the largest possible amount of storage space in the interior. These seats can fold completely flat to make a sleeping space if one is needed. The shift lever can also be folded flat into the center console to create a sizable central workspace in the middle of the front seat. For security, there is also locking under-seat storage offered in the rear. Sync4 comes standard in the 2021 Ford F-150, allowing for voice control from the driver’s seat. This pickup can seat up to five if the second row seating is installed.
Though Ford offers many driver assistance features, such as a backup camera, these features are only attached to optional packages as opposed to being standard options. These packages, predictably, add to the final price tag. In the 2021 Chevy Silverado, many of the same features are offered without any boost on the vehicle’s price tag or, at least, a smaller increase than offered by Ford. The F-150 does offer a larger entertainment system than the 2021 Chevy Silverado. However, this is one of the few advantages Ford’s latest model has over Chevrolet.
The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 vs 2021 Ford F-150 Verdict
The 2021 Chevy Silverado offers a lower price and a more versatile design than the 2021 Ford F-150. The multi-flex tailgate provides easier access from multiple angles, and better lighting has been built into the bed. Not to mention the vast array of camera angles and functionality to make driving and towing a breeze.
More features are offered as standard in the 2021 Chevy Silverado than the 2021 Ford F-150, where most of the desirable features are attached to expensive optional packages. There are also better safety features such as the head-up display offered by Chevy, which Ford does not have. All this varied evidence adds up, unquestionably, to the 2021 Chevy Silverado as the prime choice over the 2021 Ford F-150. While the F-150 does have some benefits, it simply cannot beat the customizability and dependability of the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500.
