Silverado vs F-150
The Silverado and the F-150 are two different answers to the same full-size pickup brief, each with its own set of priorities. Both have a headline advantage (engine & performance for the Silverado, fuel economy & range for the F-150), so the right choice depends on how you’ll use it.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Silverado wins
- Fuel Economy & Range F-150 wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Safety & Tech Silverado wins
- Price Silverado wins
- Engine & Performance1.4
- Fuel Economy & Range0.0
- Engine & Performance1.4
- Fuel Economy & Range10.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The F-150 has better fuel economy
Slight advantage to the F-150: 21 mpg compared with 19 mpg. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
-
The F-150 has better highway fuel economy
Big gap, real consequences. The F-150’s 25 mpg versus the Silverado’s 21 mpg changes how the two compare in daily use. Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
-
The Silverado has 30 lb-ft more torque
On torque, the Silverado edges out the F-150, 430 lb-ft to 400 lb-ft. Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
-
The Silverado has a bigger 13.4 in touchscreen
Don’t expect a night-and-day difference here. 13.4 in against 12 in is a small but genuine lead for the Silverado. Screen size isn’t everything (physical controls and software speed matter too), but bigger is easier to read.
-
The F-150 has better city fuel economy
The F-150 nudges ahead with 19 mpg, while the Silverado lists 18 mpg. City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
Design & Size
Engine & Performance
Silverado leads
The F-150 keeps it close on engine & performance, yet the Silverado holds a small lead. The Silverado answers with 30 lb-ft more torque. More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades. Prioritize engine & performance, and the Silverado is where you should land.
Torque
Silverado: 430 lb-ft F-150: 400 lb-ft The Silverado’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
Fuel Economy & Range
F-150 leads
This is one of the F-150’s strongest areas. On fuel economy & range, the Silverado falls well short. The F-150 pulls ahead with better fuel economy. The F-150 uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot. Net result: the F-150 leads this part of the comparison.
Fuel economy (combined)
Silverado: 19 mpg F-150: 21 mpg Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
Fuel economy (highway)
Silverado: 21 mpg F-150: 25 mpg The F-150 uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
The differences on off-road & towing are small enough to ignore in daily use. The takeaway: off-road & towing is not where these two differ.
Safety & Tech
Silverado leads
The Silverado squeezes out a win in the safety & tech section. The Silverado takes this one with a bigger 13.4 in touchscreen. A bigger touchscreen makes maps and phone mirroring easier to read at a glance. The takeaway: on safety & tech, the Silverado is the stronger car.
Largest touchscreen
Silverado: 13.4 in F-150: 12 in The Silverado’s larger display gives navigation and menus more room.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Silverado | F-150 |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.7L turbo I4 (TurboMax) | 2.7L twin-turbo V6 (EcoBoost) |
| Total system output | 310 hp | 325 hp |
| Torque | 430 lb-ft (winner) | 400 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD (4WD available) | RWD (4x4 available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Silverado | F-150 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 19 mpg | 21 mpg (winner) Most efficient in class |
| Fuel economy (city) | 18 mpg | 19 mpg (winner) Best city economy |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 21 mpg | 25 mpg (winner) Best highway economy |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Silverado | F-150 |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Silverado | F-150 |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 13.4 in (winner) | 12 in Smallest touchscreen |
| Driver-assist suite | Chevy Safety Assist | Ford Co-Pilot360 |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Price
| Spec | Silverado | F-150 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $37,000 Lowest price in class | $37,450 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Choosing the Silverado saves $450 at launch prices, which is nice but not decisive. With strengths on both sides, the $450 price gap becomes a useful tiebreaker.
Prices shown are US launch prices as of launch. Retail prices change often, so it’s worth checking current offers.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Silverado if…
- you often drive loaded up or with a trailer (430 lb-ft vs 400 lb-ft of torque)
- you want the bigger touchscreen (13.4 in vs 12 in)
- you’re working to a firm budget and $450 matters
Choose the F-150 if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (21 mpg vs 19 mpg)
- you cover long highway distances (25 mpg vs 21 mpg on the highway)
- you want better city fuel economy (19 mpg vs 18 mpg)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Silverado or the F-150?
The Silverado and the F-150 split the comparison (engine & performance for the Silverado, fuel economy & range for the F-150), so pick the strength you’ll use.
Is the Silverado cheaper than the F-150?
The F-150 launched at $450 more than the Silverado, based on prices as of launch.
Executive Summary
I read both spec sheets (the Silverado’s and the F-150’s) so you don’t have to. Practically speaking, the Silverado’s biggest advantage is 30 lb-ft more torque. Secondary, but worth mentioning: the Silverado has a bigger 13.4 in touchscreen. The F-150 does have a strong card to play: better fuel economy.
Choose by what you’d use most: engine & performance leads to the Silverado, fuel economy & range leads to the F-150.
My pick: I’d go with the Silverado if I cared most about engine & performance, and the F-150 if fuel economy & range mattered more.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.