Used Silverado 1500 vs. Used Ford F-150

When you’re looking for a used full-size pickup truck, you have plenty of options to choose from. Two of the most popular large pickup trucks are the Ford F-150 and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. They both have impressive power and high-performance capabilities, amazing towing capacity, and plenty of safety and high-tech features. Depending on your lifestyle and how you plan to use your full-size pickup, either of these models will suit you well. Let’s take a look at the similarities and differences between a used Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 so you can decide which one is perfect for you.

Exterior Options

Both used F-150s and Silverado 1500s have multiple trim levels depending on the year the truck was built. Most dealerships carry more recent years of either model like the 12th and 13th generation F-150 and the second and third-generation Silverado 1500. With the F-150, the 12th generation model years began in 2009 and went through 2014, while the 13th generation started its model years in 2015 and continues production today with technology and safety feature upgrades.

Production of the Silverado 1500’s second generation began in 2007 until 2014. The third generation started production in 2015 and is still in production today, with changes to the body style as well as newer technology and driver-assist features added. Both models feature numerous cab and bed configurations and offer two-door or four-door options. When you want a more durable bed on your truck, choose the Silverado 1500, which has a bed made of high-strength roll-formed steel. This bed can handle more wear and tear than the F-150’s aluminum one.

Engine Options

Both the F-150 and Silverado 1500 offer numerous engine options, including some with diesel variations. Within the F-150’s 12th generation, you’ll find seven engine options depending on the trim level. Throughout the generations of the Silverado 1500, you’ll also find a variety of engine options, so you’ll want to look at specific models to find the perfect engine for your needs.

Just for an example, in a 2015 F-150, you can get a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that delivers 283 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque in the base trim. Move up the trim levels, and you can find a 5.0-liter V-8 engine that generates 385 horsepower and 387 pound-feet of torque. In comparison, the base trim of the 2015 Silverado 1500 gets a 4.3-liter V-6 engine with 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque.

For even more power, the upper trims of the Silverado 1500 have an optional 6.2-liter V-8 engine that produces 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet to torque. Either one of these engines provides plenty of power to tow a boat or trailer. When you’re looking for more powerful engine options in a used F-150 or Silverado 1500, the Chevrolet model comes out ahead.

Performance

Both models rank high in performance, towing capacity, and off-road capability. They each come standard with rear-wheel drive or available four-wheel drive depending on the year and trim level. Going back to our comparison of the 2015 Silverado 1500 or F-150, when equipped properly, the Chevrolet has a maximum towing capacity of 13,400 pounds while the F-150 can tow up to 13,200 pounds when properly equipped.

If you plan on taking your truck off-roading, add the FX4 Off-Road Package to the F-150 and for the Silverado 1500, choose the Z71 Off-Road Package. They both have beefier suspension, hill descent control, protective skid plates, and an electronic locking rear differential. Additional off-road features for the Silverado 1500 include a high-capacity air cleaner and an Autotrac two-speed transfer case designed for low-speed rock crawling.

Technology and Connectivity

The newer the model of either pickup truck, the more advanced technology features you’ll find. Older models will typically have AM/FM radios and CD players, while newer versions have infotainment systems with Bluetooth, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto smartphone integration. In general, infotainment systems with touch-screen displays, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot, and voice-activated controls begin in models and select trims made after 2007. If these features are important to you, search for a used F-150 or Silverado 1500 made after that year.

Interior Space and Conveniences

Because there are so many cab and bed configurations on both the F-150 and the Silverado 1500, passenger volume and cargo space vary. Using our 2015 example, in the F-150, optional on lower trims and standard on higher ones are 10-way power-adjustable front seats with built-in heating and ventilation. There’s plenty of interior space with flexible storage options, like the 40/20/20-split front seat with cubby holes. The rear seats lift up for lots of places to store tools and supplies.

On the 2015 Silverado 1500, upper trims come with tinted windows, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, a power sliding rear window, leather upholstery, and power-adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats. You can also upgrade to a premium six-speaker Bose stereo system. In addition, you can get add-ons like a rear-seat entertainment system with a DVD/Blu-ray player and a power sunroof.

Safety Features

The newer the model, the more safety and driver-assist features you’ll find for both the F-150 and the Silverado 1500. Even in older models going back to 2014, you’ll get traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes, and front and rear airbags. However, if modern safety features are important to you, choose a newer used model.

For instance, if you choose a 2017 Silverado 1500, you’ll get a vehicle with the highest safety rating given by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Available driver-assist features like a forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring are advanced safety features. The 2017 F-150 has similar driver-assist features, including land-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and the available Pro Trailer Backup Assist.

Both the Ford-150 and the Chevrolet Silverado1500 are great pickup trucks for the job site, towing a boat to the lake, or for hauling supplies to the ranch. We have a large inventory of both these models, so stop by Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC to take either of these trucks for a test drive, and learn more about their features.