Comparing vehicles is a long-standing tradition, often used to weigh the pros and cons between two different models. The entire decision-making process can be summed up in one simple question: which best meets the buyers’ needs? The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 vs 2021 Ford F-150 are commonly compared for their performance and power similarities and for a good reason. They are both well-loved, with a strong fan base spanning generations, and are both worthy of finding a place in your driveway. But the question remains, which one is right for you?
Exterior Capabilities
The 2021 Ford F-150 has a base MSRP of $28,940 and seats a maximum of six with the largest cab option. As for the bed, it has a maximum of 77.4 cubic feet of cargo space. When properly equipped, the F-150 gets an EPA estimated 25 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. If you are looking to take the F-150 on some great adventures, it has 9.4 inches of ground clearance.
Exterior colors offered by Ford for the 2021 F-150 are not to be believed. Fifteen colors are made available, including three shades of white and four shades of gray. Some buyers may appreciate having more options to pick between, but not all shades are available for every trim. If the color is a concern, the F-150 is going to disappoint. But, how does the Silverado compare?
The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 has a base MSRP of $28,900, also seating a maximum of six with the largest cab option––a near match to the F-150. The Silverado really starts to stand out in the details though, starting with its 89.1 cubic feet of cargo space available.
When it comes to fuel economy, the Silverado can’t be beat. When properly equipped, the Silverado gets up to 23 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. A maximum of 10.88 inches of ground clearance guarantees far fewer barriers for Chevy when compared to Ford.
Though the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 has fewer color options, offering ten to Ford’s fifteen, the colors are more diverse. The colors offered by Chevy include cherry red, mosaic black, red hot, satin steel, northsky blue, silver ice, summit white, black, shadow gray, and oxford brown.
Engine options are another area where the two vehicles have several obvious differences. The 2021 Ford F-150 has six engine choices, and the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 offers five. Ford’s choices include a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, a 3.0-liter power stroke turbo diesel, and a 3.3-liter V6. The other options for the 2021 Ford F-150 are a 3.5-liter V6, a 3.5-liter PowerBoost V6 hybrid, and a 5.0-liter V8.
Chevrolet’s options include a 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine, a 3.0-liter turbo diesel inline-6, and a 4.3-liter V6. The other options for the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 are a 5.3-liter V8 and a 6.2-liter V8.
When it comes to engine choices, both the F-150 and Silverado 1500 offer things the competitor does not, and on the other hand, are evenly matched. Both offer a diesel, powerful engines, and customization. The Silverado cannot compete with the F-150’s hybrid engine, and the F-150 does not offer two powerful V8 engines as the Silverado does.
Interior Comfort and Safety
Interior differences between the two models are just as numerous as the exterior differences. Both trucks hold a maximum of six passengers and a minimum of two, depending on the cab options that are chosen by the buyer. Both offer multiple options for cab size as well as bed size. One, however, is roomier and more comfortable than the other.
The Ford F-150 has 40.8 inches of headroom and 43.9 inches of legroom in the front seat. The rear of the pickup offers 40.3 inches of headroom and 33.5 inches of legroom. The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 offers 43.03 inches of headroom and 44.53 inches of legroom in the front seat. The rear of the pickup has 40.12 inches of headroom and 43.4 inches of legroom. Overall, the Chevy Silverado 1500 has more available space for the driver and passengers, both front and rear.
Safety factors and accessories are another area where both pickups shine. The Teen Driver system is a prime example. This system allows new drivers to be carefully monitored by a parent. It will ensure safety through features such as not allowing the truck to shift out of park until all seatbelts are fastened in occupied seats. It also stores data such as average and maximum speed for any trip in the form of an in-vehicle report card. Additionally, Teen Driver offers the ability to set a maximum speed or maximum stereo volume for secondary drivers to access while behind the wheel. This safety feature is only offered in the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 and is not available in the 2021 Ford F-150.
Ford offers extra storage in the form of rear locking under-seat storage in addition to the dashboard, center console, and tailgate. Chevy’s extra storage comes in the form of rear seatback storage, rear under-seat storage, and a large compartment in the center console. Chevy’s tailgate also offers more options than Ford, six to be exact. The tailgate is able to form a step, a series of steps, or a stopping point for longer loads, like lumber. Interior or exterior, the choice between the two is clear.
2021 Chevy Silverado 1500: The Ultimate Winner
The 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 has more cargo space, and better ground clearance than the 2021 Ford F-150. Though there are more engine options on the 2021 Ford F-150, the options for Chevy are more diverse. The sixth option offered by Ford, advertised as more eco friendly, is a hybrid as opposed to being fully electric, practically negating any benefit that could be enjoyed for having a hybrid car.
Despite all the similarities and the subtle differences between the 2021 Ford F-150 and the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500, it is inescapably clear which is the superior vehicle. Chevy’s increased reliability, added safety features, and larger and more comfortable interior absolutely puts it above its blue oval competition in the Ford F-150. If you need to see it for yourself, feel free to test drive one today!
