F-150 vs Sierra
Cross-brand comparisons are where priorities show. Ford’s F-150 and GMC’s Sierra target the same full-size pickup space in different ways. Neither wins across the board. The F-150 makes its case with fuel economy & range; the Sierra makes its case with engine & performance.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Sierra wins
- Fuel Economy & Range F-150 wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Safety & Tech Sierra wins
- Price F-150 wins
- Engine & Performance1.4
- Fuel Economy & Range10.0
- Engine & Performance1.4
- Fuel Economy & Range0.0
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
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The F-150 has better fuel economy
Not a big gap, but a consistent one. The F-150’s 21 mpg beats the Sierra’s 19 mpg. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
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The F-150 has better highway fuel economy
The numbers aren’t close. The F-150 lists 25 mpg for fuel economy (highway), while the Sierra lists 21 mpg. The F-150 uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
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The Sierra has 30 lb-ft more torque
The Sierra wins this narrowly, 430 lb-ft against 400 lb-ft, which makes it more of a bonus than a reason to buy. The Sierra’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
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The Sierra has a bigger 13.4 in touchscreen
The Sierra has a modest edge on largest touchscreen: 13.4 in against 12 in for the F-150. A bigger touchscreen makes maps and phone mirroring easier to read at a glance.
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The F-150 has better city fuel economy
It’s a small lead (19 mpg versus 18 mpg), but it’s real, and it goes to the F-150. City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
Design & Size
Engine & Performance
Sierra leads
The Sierra has the slight upper hand on engine & performance. The Sierra adds 30 lb-ft more torque. Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type. In short, the Sierra is the better-equipped car for engine & performance.
Torque
F-150: 400 lb-ft Sierra: 430 lb-ft More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
Fuel Economy & Range
F-150 leads
Look at the fuel economy & range table and one name keeps coming out on top: the F-150. Choose the F-150 and you get better fuel economy. The F-150 uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot. So if fuel economy & range tops your list, lean toward the F-150.
Fuel economy (combined)
F-150: 21 mpg Sierra: 19 mpg Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
Fuel economy (highway)
F-150: 25 mpg Sierra: 21 mpg Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
You can skip ahead if off-road & towing was your deciding factor: the two are evenly matched here. So off-road & towing is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Safety & Tech
Sierra leads
A modest lead on safety & tech belongs to the Sierra. In its favor, the Sierra has a bigger 13.4 in touchscreen. Screen size isn’t everything (physical controls and software speed matter too), but bigger is easier to read. On safety & tech alone, the Sierra gets the nod.
Largest touchscreen
F-150: 12 in Sierra: 13.4 in The Sierra’s larger display gives navigation and menus more room.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | F-150 | Sierra |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.7L twin-turbo V6 (EcoBoost) | 2.7L turbo I4 (TurboMax) |
| Total system output | 325 hp | 310 hp |
| Torque | 400 lb-ft | 430 lb-ft (winner) |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD (4x4 available) | RWD (4WD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | F-150 | Sierra |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 21 mpg (winner) Most efficient in class | 19 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 19 mpg (winner) Best city economy | 18 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 25 mpg (winner) Best highway economy | 21 mpg |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | F-150 | Sierra |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | F-150 | Sierra |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 12 in Smallest touchscreen | 13.4 in (winner) |
| Driver-assist suite | Ford Co-Pilot360 | GMC Pro Safety |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Price
| Spec | F-150 | Sierra |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $37,450 | $38,300 |
“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 F-150 saves $850 at launch prices, which is nice but not decisive. The F-150 saves you $850, and given the trade-offs, that saving deserves serious thought.
Based on US launch pricing as of launch. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the F-150 if…
- you drive a lot and want lower running costs (21 mpg vs 19 mpg combined)
- you cover long highway distances (25 mpg vs 21 mpg on the highway)
- you want better city fuel economy (19 mpg vs 18 mpg)
- you want more value for your money ($850 less at launch)
Choose the Sierra if…
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (430 lb-ft vs 400 lb-ft of torque)
- you rely on navigation and phone mirroring on a larger display (13.4 in vs 12 in)
- you’re loyal to GMC and happy with it
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the F-150 or the Sierra?
There’s no single right answer. The F-150 leads on fuel economy & range and the Sierra on engine & performance.
Which costs less, the F-150 or the Sierra?
The F-150 is the cheaper option, launching at $850 less than the Sierra (launch prices as of launch).
Executive Summary
I love a proper cross-brand matchup, and the F-150 against the Sierra is exactly that. I keep coming back to one thing: the F-150 gets better fuel economy. There’s a bonus as well: the F-150 has better city fuel economy. The Sierra’s strongest argument is 30 lb-ft more torque.
I’d steer fuel economy & range fans toward the F-150 and engine & performance fans toward the Sierra.
My pick: I’d go with the F-150 if I cared most about fuel economy & range, and the Sierra if engine & performance mattered more.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.