Few vehicles embody the U.S. spirit quite like a pickup truck, and some models are as iconically American as fireworks on the Fourth of July. In particular, the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado 1500 are two of the most popular pickups around. With the way the automotive industry is headed, it was only a matter of time before hybrid options became available.

While hybrid Silverados aren’t currently in production, they were until 2018, so there are plenty available if you don’t mind purchasing one used. The Ford F-150 hybrid (also known as the PowerBoost) is still an engine variant for 2024 models, opening up the possibility of purchasing one brand new.

If you’re here, chances are you’re weighing up which one to spend your hard-earned money on, so we’ve done the hard work for you. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll weigh up the pros and cons of the two truck titans so you can finally decide which you’d rather be behind the wheel of.

Fuel Efficiency: Maximizing Miles Per Gallon

One of the main benefits of any hybrid vehicle is the improved fuel efficiency over traditional combustion engines, but which of our two contenders gives you the best value for your fuel?

Ford’s 430-hp hybrid powertrain consists of a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 and an electric motor, which is said to offer up to 700 miles of driving range per tank and can also power an onboard generator. According to the EPA’s latest figures, fuel economy estimates are as high as 25 mpg city and 26 highway.

The 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid is the most straightforward comparison, which came with only one powertrain engine option: a 6.0-liter V8 mated to two 80-horsepower electric motors and an automatic transmission. It also included fuel-saving technology, such as cylinder deactivation. At the time of launch, reviewers weren’t convinced that the gas savings were enough to warrant the truck’s increased price premium, though the EPA-estimated fuel economy is 20/23 mpg city/highway in both two and four-wheel drive models.

Winner in this category: Ford F-150

Performance: Power and Responsiveness

Back in 2011, reviewers were impressed with the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid’s powertrain, noting that the EVT transmission (which behaves like a continuously variable transmission) was a real selling point. Even on electric power alone, the 332-horsepower, 6.0-liter hybrid power plant launches with authority and has great passing power.

Whether this was worth the asking price — or more impressive than gas Silverados with smaller engines — was a point of contention in 2011, however. When Edmunds put the vehicle to the test, a 4WD Silverado Hybrid took a leisurely 9.2 seconds to get from zero to 60 mph. In comparison, they found that a 2WD powered by a gas 5.3-liter V8 reached the same speed a couple of seconds sooner.

The 2024 Ford F-150 Hybrid has a 430-hp hybrid powertrain consisting of a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 and an electric motor, accompanied by a 10-speed automatic transmission. Reviewers note a compliant ride and agreeable handling, just as you’d expect from Ford. Car and Driver tested a four-wheel-drive F-150 Lariat trim with PowerBoost that shot to 60mph in an impressive 5.4 seconds.

Winner in this category: Ford F-150

Towing Capacity: Meeting Heavy-Duty Demands

A pickup truck isn’t worth much if it can’t pull its weight, so let’s take a look at towing capacity or payload capacity.

Right off the bat, reviewers weren’t impressed with the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid’s towing specs, which can only pull a max of 6,100 lbs. What’s more, towing this much drastically reduces the truck’s fuel economy, bringing it more in line with a gas-only truck. When you compare this with the Ford F-150 hybrid’s impressive towing capacity of 12,700 lbs, we have a very clear winner.

Winner in this category: Ford F-150

Technological Features: Innovation on Wheels

With the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid models being a little on the older side, it is no surprise that technological features are somewhat dated, too. Infotainment systems were praised at the time for their intuitive controls, but you won’t find any of the bells and whistles drivers have become accustomed to in recent years. Safety systems are also less advanced than you’d expect from modern vehicles.

Standard Ford interiors are as luxurious and roomy as premium interiors for other brands. A 12-inch infotainment display features Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, with options to add on navigation, SiriusXM radio, and a Bang & Olufsen stereo system. Ford offers a host of innovative safety features, but few are included as standard.

Winner in this category: Ford F-150

Overall Value: Cost, Features, and Ownership Experience

You can find a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 on the used market for between $10,000 and $20,000, depending on the condition and mileage. At launch, reviewers weren’t convinced that the automaker’s price point was worth the performance you received in return, but at just over a quarter of the original $38,725 base MSRP, it’s much more tempting. This far into their lifespan, however, you can anticipate a used truck will need major repairs sometime in the near future, so it’s a case of weighing up the risk.

Previously, Ford’s cheapest F-150 with a hybrid option, the Lariat, started at $57,480 with a $3,300 add-on. For 2024, however, you can get the hybrid at the less expensive XLT trim level — as well as in the high-end Platinum Plus — for no additional charge. This brings a hybrid Ford F-150 down to an absolute base MSRP of $36,570, which is cheaper than the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid, which was over a decade ago.

Winner in this category: Ford F-150

Protecting Your Hybrid Investment

The cost of car ownership is only ever on the rise, and the AAA estimated that the annual expense of repairs and maintenance has reached over $12,000. With their technologically complex components, you can expect this to be significantly more for hybrid vehicles, but there is a way you can keep costs to a minimum. With an extended warranty watching out for you, unexpected repair bills will become a thing of the past. But which is right for you?

Your first option is a traditional extended auto warranty, which can usually be purchased via your dealership or directly from your manufacturer. This does exactly what the name implies and extends your vehicle’s factory warranty beyond the expiry date, allowing you to continue enjoying total peace of mind whenever you’re out on the road.

While this sounds great on paper, there are some significant drawbacks to this kind of coverage. For example, this kind of coverage usually costs so much to purchase, and it’s unlikely you’ll make your money back before it’s up. Work can only be carried out at authorized dealerships (which is bad news if you break down hours away from the closest one), and to make matters worse, you must have a valid factory warranty to qualify for an extension. Leave it just a moment too late, and you’ll be out on your own.

For these reasons, a vehicle service contract via a third-party provider is the universally preferred alternative. Third-party providers are incentivized to offer almost like-for-like coverage at an even better price point, often throwing in useful added benefits to give you even better value for money. Work can be carried out at the certified auto shop of your choice, and you don’t need any form of factory warranty to qualify. Even if your vehicle is well used, as long as you meet your chosen provider’s eligibility criteria, you’re all set.

While we’re on the topic, it’s worth clarifying that an extended car warranty or vehicle service contract is not the same as auto insurance. More specifically, an extended warranty or vehicle service contract is designed to protect you from repair bills incurred as a result of unexpected component failure. In contrast, car insurance is designed to protect you from repair bills incurred as a result of a collision, extreme weather, or other such incident. The two work great together, however, so it’s highly recommended you invest in both and ensure you’re covered from all possible angles.

Get Total Peace of Mind With the Best Extended Warranty

It’s an unfortunate fact of vehicle ownership, but even the most dependable ride will let you down eventually. No component lasts forever, and you can bet your bottom dollar that when failure finally occurs, it will be at the worst possible moment. No one wants to be stranded hundreds of miles from home and faced with a repair bill they couldn’t possibly afford, so drivers across America are protecting themselves (and their wallets) with the help of a vehicle service contract from Endurance.

We pride ourselves on our unrivaled eligibility, so we offer a wide range of plans designed for all types of drivers. Whether you’re a casual commuter, a rideshare driver, drive a high-mileage vehicle, or even if you own a luxury car, we’ll have a plan with you in mind. And, if our base plans don’t quite meet your individual needs and budget, we will customize a plan that works for you.

We don’t just offer market-leading coverage — our added perks are second to none. Every Endurance plan includes Asistencia en carretera 24 horas al día, 7 días a la semana (including towing, fuel delivery, and lockout services), rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption costs as standard. On top of that, all Endurance customers also get a year of our Beneficios de élite, adding on up to four tire repairs or replacements annually, key fob replacement, up to $500 in collision discounts, and up to $1,000 in total loss protection.*

Unlike the majority of our competitors, we’re also the direct administrator of all our plans, cutting out those pesky middlemen when you want to make a claim. If that wasn’t enough, all Endurance plans are fully transferable to subsequent owners, giving you extra selling power and potentially increasing the value of your vehicle should you decide to part ways with it while coverage is active.

Call an Endurance plan advisor at (800) 253-8203 o Solicite una cotización GRATIS. Tú también puedes shop our eStore para ver su precio ahora.

Nuestro extended warranty blog has plenty more helpful articles like this one, comparing the F-150 with more models like the Toyota Tundra, so make sure to head over if you’d like to read more.