Starting at
Starting at
89.1 | Cargo Space (cu.ft.) | 77.4 |
13.4 | Screen Size (in) | 12 |
Avl. | Diesel | No |
The Chevy Silverado 1500 and Ford F-150 have long been two of the most popular full-size pickup trucks in America. They both come from incredibly reputable brands that have been known for decades for creating hardworking, durable, and powerful pickups. These models are both top choices for contractors, farmers, and anyone who needs a truck with solid towing and hauling abilities that is still easy to maneuver. Plus, each one has a diverse lineup of trims to choose from, including basic but solid entry-level trims, rugged off-road trims, and even some gorgeous luxury trims.
Not surprisingly, many drivers compare the 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 vs 2023 Ford F-150 when picking out a light-duty pickup truck. Their choice often comes down to these great contenders because the two vehicles excel in countless ways. While they are both premium light-duty offerings from their respective brands, the Silverado 1500 and Ford F-150 have some differences that are important to note. From powertrain options to tech features, if you're choosing between the 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 and 2023 Ford F-150, here's what you need to know.
Powertrain Differences
The 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 and 2023 Ford F-150 are both going to deliver solid towing and hauling capabilities. If you need a good truck ready for light-duty work like trailering small campers or hauling construction materials across a work site, they're both up to the challenge. But that doesn't mean these two models are identical.
Each truck has a generous selection of engines. However, what many drivers like is that the 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 has two traditional V8 engine options and an available turbo-diesel engine. The 2023 Ford F-150 only has one V8 option, and there is no diesel engine to be found. Instead, Ford decided to equip the F-150 with a variety of turbocharged and hybrid V6 powertrains. While these complex Ford engines deliver plenty of power on paper, you will notice your Chevy V8 or Duramax diesel keeping up just fine when you're pushing the towing and hauling abilities of your truck to the limit.
Off-Road Capability
Off-road enthusiasts regularly look at the off-road trims of each of these trucks. For the Chevy Silverado 1500, that's going to be the ZR2, and for the F-150, you'll be looking at the Raptor. Each option has great features that make them ready for rough environments, like rugged suspension, increased ground clearance, massive tires, and skid plates just where you need them. However, the Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2 stands out for a couple of reasons.
First of all, know that the ZR2 starts at almost $7,000 less than the Raptor.[a] That's a major price difference and arguably an unjustified one once you see how similar the two trucks are. For instance, while the Raptor does offer a bit more power from its turbocharged V6, the ZR2 offers class-exclusive front and rear locking differentials. It's also worth noting that the Raptor is only available with a V8 engine when you spring for the $30,000 Raptor R Package. Meanwhile, the Silverado 1500 ZR2 comes standard with a powerful 6.2L V8.
Between its reliable V8 and diesel engines and considerably more affordable off-road trim, the Chevy Silverado 1500 is a bit more impressive when it comes to performance than the Ford F-150. The Silverado 1500 even defeats the F-150 when it comes to fuel economy. When it comes to city driving, they're basically head-to-head. However, the F-150 tops out at 26 MPG on the highway with its entry-level 2.7L EcoBoost V6, while the Silverado can get up to 29 MPG on the highway, thanks to its efficient and powerful Duramax turbo-diesel.
Each of these trucks can do a lot of hard work. When you're at the work site tackling tough jobs, you'll be impressed with them both. However, it's also important that you're happy with the insides of the trucks. That's one place where the 2023 Silverado 1500 pulls ahead of the 2023 Ford F-150.
Each of these trucks boasts standard smartphone compatibility, available navigation systems, and plenty of ways to charge all of your electronic devices. However, everyone has been talking about the massive 13.4-inch touchscreen in the 2023 Silverado 1500. It's just enormous, stunning, and user-friendly. It will display your navigation directions, smartphone apps, music, and more in a clear and simple interface. It even has Google built-in, so you can access your favorite apps without your phone. The F-150, on the other hand, tops out with a smaller 12-inch touchscreen.
It's also important to note that the maximum available cargo space of the Chevy Silverado 1500 is significantly larger than that of the Ford F-150. Chevy offers a maximum of 89.1 cu.ft. of cargo space when you opt for the best-in-class 8.2-foot long bed. Meanwhile, the Ford F-150 tops out at 77.4 cu.ft. of cargo space in its eight-foot bed. That's nearly 12 cu.ft. of extra cargo space on the Silverado 1500. When you need that additional room, you'll notice this difference. Consider the nature of the items you'll need to haul on a regular basis, and ask yourself if the F-150 can handle it.
The cargo area of the 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 continues to outshine the 2023 Ford F-150 because of its Multi-Flex tailgate. This tailgate has earned the Silverado lineup a lot of attention. It can be set to a total of six different positions, including a work surface, a bed step, and two different load stops. It can also be opened and closed remotely with the keyfob or from inside the cabin. The F-150's tailgate with its ruler and pencil holders just doesn't compare. Full-time contractors and serious DIYers are going to need all of the functions of the Multi-Flex tailgate. Once you've experienced it, it's hard to put up with a basic tailgate again.
When it comes to safety, the 2023 Silverado 1500 just trumps the 2023 Ford F-150 again and again. First off, you'll notice right away that many of the driver-assist features that you need to pay extra for in the F-150 come standard in the Silverado 1500. Chevy Safety Assist includes features like Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, which notifies you if you're drifting out of your lane and gently navigates you back into it. It also offers Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, which warns you of vehicles in your blind spot and can greatly reduce the chances of an accident.
The hands-free driving technology in the Silverado 1500 is superior, too. On the surface, Chevy's Super Cruise technology is quite similar to Ford's BlueCruise. However, Super Cruise has been available since 2017 and has seen extensive testing and use on public roads. In contrast, BlueCruise only launched in 2021. Additionally, Super Cruise works on over 200,000 miles of compatible roads, whereas BlueCruise currently only works on 130,000 miles of highway. That's a major discrepancy in where you can use this convenient technology in each vehicle.