Rugged, tough, and engineered to go the distance, pickup trucks are the epitome of performance. So it’s no real wonder why so many people want to own one. The Chevy Silverado and Ford F-150 are two of the most popular truck models available, but deciding which to purchase can be a tough choice.

If you’re in the process of picking out your next full-size pickup truck, you’re in the right place. Here, we’ll put the Silverado and F-150 head-to-head, comparing them in terms of reputation, performance, safety features, and more. Keep reading for everything you need to know.

History and Reputation

Chevrolet and Ford are two of the oldest automotive brands in America. And their vehicles have a rich history, too:

Chevrolet Silverado

The Chevy Silverado was first introduced as a light-duty pickup in 1999 and developed as a successor to the long-running C/K model line. There are currently four generations of Silverado, with the most recent beginning in 2019. Current generation Silverados are offered in eight distinct trim levels: WT, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country.

Expert reviews of current-gen Silverados range from very favorable to somewhere more middling; for example, Car and Driver gave the 2024 model a 6/10 rating. With the Chevy brand being founded over 100 years ago, however, they’ve had plenty of time to garner a reputation as one of the best automakers around.

Ford F-150

Even more established than the Chevrolet brand, Ford began its automotive journey all the way back in 1903. It wasn’t until 1948 that the first F-Series trucks began production, with the F-150 being introduced in 1975 as an evolution of everything that had come before it. It was at this point that pickups became about more than just hard work, with Ford updating the suspension and cabin to give drivers a more car-like experience.

The 2021 model year marked the 14th generation of the Ford F-150, refining the design even further to add better towing and payload capacities, as well as the latest technology and connectivity. Unlike the Chevy Silverado, reviews are much more favorable across the board. Car and Driver gave the 2024 model a very respectable 9/10 rating. The least you’d expect from one of the longest-standing pickup lines in the world.

The winner in this category: Ford F-150

Design and Comfort

Both trucks have a regular cab, extended cab, and four-door crew cab models, with comfortable passenger accommodations and similar seating space. Both also have three-bed options, but the biggest Ford F-150 model (77.4 cubic feet) has a slightly bigger maximum volume than the biggest Chevy Silverado (71.7 cubic feet). As you’d expect from the lower trims of both vehicles, interior quality is lacking, but the Ford F-150 feels better made than the Silverado’s hard plastics.

Arguably, the Silverado’s interiors don’t feel worth the price point, even in higher trims. Cloth upholstery comes as standard with all Ford F-150 trims, but the Silverado has vinyl upholstery unless you upgrade to the Custom trim.

Winner in this category: Ford F-150

Performance and Capabilities

When it comes to acceleration, the Ford F-150 offers a standard 290-horsepower V6 engine option. Upgrades include twin-turbo V6 engines, a 400-horsepower V8, or the 700-horsepower V8 of the range-topping Raptor R. In comparison, the Silverado 1500’s standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine puts out 310 horsepower. There are more powerful V8 engines available with up to 420 horsepower, but none of them come close to the Raptor R’s incredible acceleration.

The F-150 also comes out on top for handling, providing light steering and an overall smooth ride. The Chevrolet Silverado also has impressive maneuverability but can, unfortunately, feel jittery over large bumps on or off-road. One area in which the Silverado comes out on top is fuel economy — with rear-wheel drive, it returns 23 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 26 combined mpg.

The most efficient F-150 is the hybrid with rear-wheel drive, which returns a fuel economy of 25 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. The F-150 Raptor R returns just 10 mpg city, 15 mpg highway, and 12 mpg combined.

Winner in this category: Ford F-150

Technology and Safety Features

Again, the Ford F-150 has the edge regarding interior features. All trims have an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Potential upgrades include a 12-inch touch screen, an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium stereo system, a fully digital instrument panel, and wireless device charging. If you’re feeling extra luxurious, you can even add in massaging front seats.

In contrast, the Silverado comes equipped with a standard 7-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For upgrades, you can choose a 13.4-inch touchscreen, wireless device charging, and various stereo upgrades.

Both vehicles have a range of safety features, earning themselves a five-star rating for overall crash protection from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In addition to technology like forward-collision warnings and pedestrian detection, the Ford F-150 also offers the BlueCruise partially automated highway driving system.

Winner in this category: Ford F-150

Price and Value

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 starts at $36,000 MSRP for the Work Truck. Moving up the ladder to the Custom trim bumps the price up to $43,600, then $48,000 for the LT, and $51,400 for the RST. For the upmarket trims: the LTZ starts at $57,200, the High Country starts at $62,700, and the range-topping ZR2 starts at $69,900. When it comes to expected annual ownership costs, RepairPal estimates that the Silverado 1500 will set you back $714 per year — lower than the $936 average for full-size trucks.

As for the Ford F-150, the base MSRP for the XL trim is just $33,385. The XLT trim increases the price to $41,940, the Lariat starts at $57,480, and the King Ranch starts at $63,225. The higher-end Platinum trim starts at $64,915, the Raptor trim starts at $76,775, and the range-topping Limited trim starts at $83,010. The average annual cost to own a Ford F-150 is a little higher than the Chevy Silverado at $788.

With both vehicles predicted to retain around 60% of their value after five years, it’s a close call on price and value, but the Ford F-150 wins out by a hair’s breadth thanks to its slightly lower starting price.

Winner in this category: Ford F-150

Extended Warranty Considerations

Full-size pickups aren’t cheap to buy, and they aren’t cheap to maintain either. You don’t want to spend all of that money to have to fork out more when repairs rear their ugly head, so it pays to invest in an extended warranty. After all, you want to enjoy your driving experience and can’t put a price on peace of mind.

You can usually get an extended warranty contract via your dealership or directly from your manufacturer, but these can be extremely expensive for what you receive in return. A vehicle service contract (or auto protection plan) from a third-party provider is the universally preferred option, offering almost like-for-like coverage at an even better price point. Third parties also usually add in extra benefits to sweeten the deal and enable you to have the work carried out at any certified repair shop (rather than tying you to dealerships).

Endurance has various plans perfect for pickup drivers, from basic stated coverage to near bumper-to-bumper protection. Whether you just want to look out for your powertrain with our Secure plan or need the comprehensive defense of Supreme, we’ll be more than happy to help you customize a contract to suit your pickup and your needs.

Silverado vs. F-150 FAQs

Still have questions about which truck to purchase? You should find the answers right here:

Which truck offers better towing capacity, the Chevy Silverado or Ford F-150?

If you want a pickup truck for towing and hauling, the Ford F-150 should be your top consideration. When properly equipped, it has a towing capacity of 14,000 pounds, as opposed to the 13,300 pounds of the Chevy Silverado.

Can extended warranties from Endurance cover both new and used models of these trucks?

The simple answer is yes. While all new vehicles come with factory warranty coverage, by putting an extended warranty in place before it expires, you can be certain there’ll never be a moment you aren’t covered. Endurance has a range of plans that are suitable for the Chevy Silverado and Ford F-150, including basic powertrain and fully comprehensive plans.

Which truck is more fuel efficient, and how does this impact overall value?

Overall, the Chevrolet Silverado is more fuel-efficient. With rear-wheel drive, it returns with rear-wheel drive it returns 23 mpg in the city, 29 mpg on the highway, and 26 combined mpg, which trumps the Ford F-150’s 25 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. Theoretically, a vehicle that’s cheaper to run is worth paying a higher ticket price for, as you’ll save more money in the long run. Efficient vehicles should also put less strain on components, meaning fewer breakdowns and fewer repair bills.

Keep Your Truck Protected with the Best Extended Warranty

Trucks may be built to perform, but even the toughest vehicles eventually break down. When unexpected component failure occurs, you can guarantee it will be at the worst possible moment, leaving you stranded at the roadside and facing a repair bill you couldn’t possibly afford. The only way to have total driving confidence is with an extended warranty watching your back — and Endurance is America’s number one provider.

Since 2006, we’ve helped thousands of vehicle owners save some serious money. Our range of vehicle protection plans is designed to cater to an even wider range of drivers, with something for casual commuters, rideshare drivers, high-mileage vehicles, and even select luxury car models. We’re always willing to be flexible, so if none of the base plans quite meet your individual needs and budget, we can figure out a bespoke plan that’s more suitable.

We also offer top-tier coverage and some of the best-added benefits. Every Endurance auto protection plan includes 24/7 roadside assistance (including towing, fuel delivery, and lockout services), rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption costs as standard. If that wasn’t enough, new Endurance customers also get a year’s access to our Elite Benefits package, adding tire repair or replacement, key fob replacement, $500 in collision discounts, and $1,000 in total loss protection. Just pay a small activation fee, and they’re all yours to enjoy.

We’re also the direct administrator of most of our plans, so there’s no dealing with pesky middlemen when you come to make a claim. If you have a question or query, our award-winning customer service team is always on hand via phone or email, and the handy Endurance Mobile app puts all of the most important plan information right in the palm of your hand. Endurance plans are also fully transferable to subsequent owners, potentially increasing the value of your vehicle should you come to sell it.

Automotive experts across the web rate Endurance as the best vehicle service contract in the country. But if you need a little more convincing, hopefully, the thousands of five-star reviews from happy customers on sites like Trustpilot and ConsumerAffairs should be enough. Take a look, and when you’re ready to find out more, call us at (800) 253-8203 to request a FREE quote or shop online to see your price now.

If you’d like to do more reading before you go, our blog has more helpful articles on truck comparisons with the Dodge RAM, other vehicle rankings, and even DIY auto tips for your enjoyment.