Alliances run deep when it comes to full-size pickup trucks, and when determining the better of the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2019 Ford F-150, the answer typically depends on who you are asking.
The interest in the full-size truck market is typically immune from fluctuations in fuel cost, or even economic downturns, as the sector is continually one of the most competitive in the United States year after year. Among American drivers, the two best sellers in the sector are perennially the Ford F-150 and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. So, let’s take a deeper look into these two trucks for the 2019 model year.
Engine and Powertrain
While any number of factors can come into play when deciding to purchase a full-size pickup truck, more than likely, the capabilities and performance of the vehicle are near the top of the list. Both the F-150 and Silverado offer excellent powertrain options that should be enough to satisfy the requirements of the majority of those in the market for a pickup truck.
F-150
With a 3.3-liter V6 as its base engine, the F-150 manages to produce 290 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque, and depending upon equipment options, is capable of towing between 5,000 and 7,700 pounds.
For greater performance, you can upgrade the V6 to the 2.7L EcoBoost, bumping up the numbers to produce 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, without sacrificing fuel economy. The added power results in more towing capacity, handling 7,500-8,500 pounds.
If you’re looking for a more traditional truck experience, Ford offers a 5.0-liter V8 for the F-150 that delivers 395 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. Towing capacity takes a nice jump with the added size and cylinders, allowing for loads between 8,300 and 11,600 pounds. More power is available if that isn’t enough, offered with a twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 that produces 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque that boosts the towing capacity to between 10,700 and 13,200 pounds.
At the top of the gas-powered options is the High Output 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 that is offered in the Limited and Raptor editions of the F-150. Topping out at 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, this option provides enough power for both on and off-road capability. Also available is 3.0-liter PowerStroke turbo diesel as an option in the F-150. It will generate 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque, enough to tow 10,100 to 11,400 pounds, while offering an impressive 30 miles per gallon fuel rating on the highway.
Silverado 1500
There are four different engine options available with the Silverado, with the entry-level 4.3-liter V6 remaining as the standard. A new turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four is offered as an optional upgrade, which adds a whole new demographic of potential buyers for the Silverado. An industry exclusive, the 2.7-liter produces 310 hp and 348 lb-ft of torque.
GM offers a pair of tried-and-true V8 engines in the Silverado, a 5.3-liter and a 6.2-liter. The 5.3-liter with put out 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, which will equal the fuel economy rating to that of the 5.0-liter V8 offered in the F-150. The 6.2-liter increases output to 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both engines offer Chevy’s new Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) technology, which functions by improving the Active Fuel Management (AFM) cylinder-deactivation system.
Other benefits include a single-speed transfer case, which is now standard on all off-road models through the available Z71 Off-Road package, and is standard on the Trail Boss models. Controlling the system on every all-wheel-drive Silverado is a push-button electronic control, although floor-mounted shifters are found on some base and near-base models.
Interior
The 2019 Silverado increased in interior size from the 2018 model and now offers more cabin space, nearly equaling the interior room of the 2019 Ford F-150. However, with the addition of two new, large storage bins along with storage beneath the seats, the Silverado has gained a bit of an edge on the F-150. While the changes are not as significant to those of the exterior, the Silverado continues to have a functional and simplistic design. Higher trim models offer additional luxury features, such as two-toned heated and ventilated seats.
While similar to the Silverado with a simple and somewhat boxy interior style, the F-150 takes things up a notch with available luxury trims such as the King Ranch and Limited, although the price reflects these upgrades.
Exterior
The biggest changes to the Silverado 1500 are the size and exterior styling, having grown slightly bigger for 2019. Even with the addition of more interior room and a wider box, the Chevy did manage to drop some weight. There is a curvier look and softer edges to the new Silverado and a variety of trim levels, which can take the standard utility-like look to anywhere from sporty, to rugged, to luxurious.
The F-150 hasn’t changed much over the past few years, with only slight revisions providing buyers an update. However, Ford offers a wide range of appearance enhancements throughout its trim lines.
With respect to box and cab configurations, both trucks are similar in their options. Regular cab, extended cab, or crew cab are all available, with standard and long bed boxes offered depending upon how you intend to utilize the truck. With a new, bigger size, the Silverado will afford a slightly larger capacity over similar-sized F-150s.
Pricing
Starting at just under the $30,000 mark for their base models, the Silverado and the F-150 are comparable in cost. Upon entering the top end market, the F-150’s range-topping Limited trip package will take you beyond the $60,000 mark, while the top-end Silverado, the High Country, starts in the $50,000 range.
Based on similar equipment, both models are comparable in price and offer excellent tech and safety features. But, Ford’s top of the line, all the bells and whistles model, tops the sticker price of the Chevy by quite a margin. However, the F-150’s luxury model has a slight edge in available features over the Silverado.
Conclusion
Brand loyalty among truck owners is very strong, and for most, their purchase of a new truck will likely align with their prior purchases. But, in some cases, either by way of dissatisfaction or just a need for something new, a truck buyer will forgo a predisposition and look at the facts.
Your choice to head to a Ford dealership or a Chevy one may be already set in your decision-making process, but for our purposes, we would have to give an ever-so-slight edge to the 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500. The added interior space and cargo room, along with the new available turbocharged 4-cylinder, may sway buyers. But (and of course, there’s a “but”), as you make your way up the trim ladder, adding up the options and boosting engine size and power, the decision becomes less clear.
The high-end F-150, with its high-output, fuel-efficient 3.5L EcoBoost V6, gives the Ford the nod at the top end of the model lines.
The Chevy may be the better of the two options in the $30K range, but if you’re looking to pull a mid-six figure amount on your next truck, the F-150 Limited would be a difficult full-size truck to best with the capabilities and luxury the model affords. So, we’ll leave the decision up to you.
