2021 Ford F-150 vs. 2021 Chevrolet Silverado

This is a battle between two of the country’s most popular full-size pickups, the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Ford and Chevy have been in the pickup business for over 100 years and the rivalry is hotter than it has ever been.

In 2019, Chevy completely redesigned its big pickup, improving its capability, comfort, and refinement. And this year, Ford has made many improvements to its F-150, which has been America’s best-selling pickup since Burt Reynolds was The Bandit. Both trucks are available in a wide range of body styles and configurations, and they’re offered with an expansive variety of engines including turbodiesels, and Ford has just introduced the first hybrid powertrain in this class. But which is best? Let’s examine the 2021 Ford F-150 and 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in key areas and decide.

Although the Ford retains its popular boxy styling, this year the F-150 has been given a complete redesign and Ford has rounded off a few of its edges, Every panel is new, and the truck looks tougher and more imposing than before. Its body and bed are still made from aluminum, and we particularly like its new power dome hood and wrap-around bumpers. There’s also more attitude in its stance thanks to larger-diameter tires and wider tracks. 

Both trucks are assembled in the United States, but the Chevy’s bod is constructed in steel, which is more common in this class. The Silverado’s design has been controversial since it debuted in 2019 and it remains a love-it-or-leave-it shape, especially up front. Some feel its futuristic grille and headlamps are overly aggressive. The Chevy is most attractive from the rear, but its overall design isn’t as sophisticated or successful as the Ford’s. 

Winner: Ford F-150

Both of these trucks are extremely comfortable. Their seats are wide and well-shaped and both offer a long list of luxury features. Both are also offered in a wide range of body styles and bed sizes, and both have spacious interiors. Their crew cab models offer the same amount of rear legroom, but the Chevy’s extended cab has a bit more than the Ford’s. Still, we still prefer the Ford’s new interior design overall, which feels more modern and is packed with new features. The F-150’s suspension also provides a smoother ride.

Though their hauling and towing capabilities are generally the same, the F-150 has the edge when it comes to maximum payload. Its 3,000-lb max payload rating is quite a bit higher than the Silverado’s 2,280-lb capability. However, when it comes to towing, it’s the Chevy that has a slight advantage, with an ultimate rating of 13,300 lbs. The Ford’s maximum rating is 13,000 lbs. 

Winner: Ford F-150

Ford has really stepped up when it comes to the F-150’s infotainment system. Every 2021 F-150 gets the brand’s best SYNC 4 system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It has also significantly increased the size of the truck’s touchscreens. An 8-inch screen is now standard on the base XL model and a 12-inch screen is standard on all other trim levels.

Chevy’s lineup offers smaller 7-inch or 8-inch screens. Upper Silverado trim levels get navigation, 4G WiFi hotspot, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are available, and both trucks offer wireless phone charging. Although the two systems are equally easy to use and offer similar graphics quality, Ford puts its best system in more models and offers the largest screen in the class.

Winner: Ford F-150

The Ford has been awarded a five-star safety rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Chevy’s rating is four stars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety hasn’t tested the redesigned 2021 F-150 yet, but the 2020 model performed well in all of its crash tests, and the new truck should perform the same or better with its updates. The Silverado also performed well in IIHS testing, but not quite as well as the Ford. 

Both trucks offer a long list of high-tech accident avoidance technology, but the new Ford comes with more standard systems and offers more systems overall. Even the base XL now gets automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and the F-150 is the first truck in this class to offer autonomous capability. Its available Active Drive Assist system allows for hands-free driving. The Chevrolet’s list of available systems is also extensive, but not as comprehensive. Options include blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. 

Winner: Ford F-150

Both trucks offer a wide range of engines. Ford offers the new F-150 with a naturally aspirated V6, a V8, two turbocharged V6s, a turbodiesel V6, and a hybrid powertrain. Its most powerful configuration is the new hybrid, which combines a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 with an electric motor and battery pack. It’s the first full hybrid in this class and produces a whopping 430 hp at 6000 rpm and an incredible 570 lb-ft of torque at just 3000 rpm. With this engine and the standard 10-speed automatic transmission, the Ford hits 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds.

Chevy’s engine lineup includes a turbocharged four-cylinder, a V6, two V8s, and a turbo-diesel inline-six. With 310 horsepower, its standard turbocharged 2.7-liter four is stronger than the Ford’s base V6. With this engine, the truck can accelerate to 60 mph in about 7 seconds. With ratings of 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, its turbo-diesel is also more powerful than the Ford’s. Then there’s the brand’s 5.3-liter and 6.2-liter V8s, which pack plenty of punch. With the larger V8, the truck sprints to 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds.

Winner: Tie

With its standard V6 and rear-wheel drive, the F-150’s EPA fuel economy estimates are 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. The V8 version is rated up to 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway and its popular twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 manages 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Unfortunately, EPA estimates are not yet available for the Ford’s new diesel engine or its new PowerBoost hybrid powertrain, thoughthe company says the hybrid will give the truck a fuel range of about 700 miles per tank. 

With its standard turbocharged four-cylinder and two-wheel drive, the Silverado’s EPA fuel economy estimates are 20 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. With its V6, it’s rated at 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. Its diesel is impressive with ratings of 23 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, and its V8s aren’t as thirsty as you may expect. The 5.3-liter is rated at 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway, and its 410 horsepower 6.2-liter is rated 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway (with four-wheel drive standard). 

Winner: Chevrolet Silverado 1500

This year, Ford has retuned the F-150’s suspension, giving the truck a smoother ride. It’s more comfortable and carlike than before, soaking up most road surfaces better than the Silverado, especially with an empty bed. Its suspension is more composed over large road irregularities than the Silverado’s, and it just doesn’t feel as big and heavy as the Chevrolet. 

With its quick steering and light athletic feel, the Ford is also more fun to drive. From behind the wheel, it’s more maneuverable, more responsive. It turns more quickly than the Chevy. It just feels sportier than its rival. 

Winner: Ford F-150

These two trucks cost about the same overall, but the Ford is the better value since it includes its best infotainment system, 12-inch touchscreen, and more safety systems in more models at lower price points. Prices for the 2021 Ford F-150 range from about $30,000 up to over $75,000 for the top Limited model with the hybrid powertrain. About $50,000 will get you a Lariat Crew Cab 4x4 with a powerful yet economical twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 with 325 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. 

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500’s prices range from about $30,000 up to over $63,000 for the very well equipped and luxurious High Country with the massive 6.2-liter V8. With a few desirable option packages, this truck gets close to $70,000. At the heart of the lineup is a well-equipped LT Crew Cab 4x4 with the 5.3-liter V8, which starts at about $50,000.

Winner: Ford F-150

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a great truck. It’s comfortable and performs well, and it offers the configurations and capability truck owners are looking for along with a spacious cabin and a long list of luxury and features. Overall, its mix of power, refinement, and fuel economy is impressive.

But the redesigned 2021 Ford F-150 is consistently the best-selling vehicle in America for a reason, and it wins this battle quite easily. The Ford beats the Chevy when it comes to design, comfort, ride quality, driving dynamics, safety, and infotainment tech. And it offers the configurations and capability truck buyers are looking for, along with the first hybrid powertrain in this class.

Winner: Ford F-150