Nowadays, there seems to be a trend towards small, fuel-efficient, and often underpowered. While these kinds of vehicles serve their purpose, they don’t always satisfy the driver who expects their vehicle to be a true workhorse. Pickup trucks have always been the kinds of vehicles that specialized in power, offering some of the best specs in horsepower, torque, and towing capacity. Fortunately, while trends continue towards the compact, manufacturers like Ford and Chevy still continue to introduce some serious heavyweights. Take for instance the 2019 Ford Raptor vs 2019 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss, two titans of the pickup truck game that are unapologetic in terms of power. While both vehicles certainly have plenty of muscle beneath the hood, only one is the superior super duty pickup truck.
At First Glance
Before we delve into the details, it is important to note that the 2019 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss and the 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor are both range-topping trim options. They are the best of the best of each of their models, and for the sake of brevity will be focusing only on these top trims. That being said, both of these pickup trucks make a stunning first impression. Take the Ford Raptor – a robust pickup sat high on a set of rugged off-road ready tires. The Raptor is the epitome of adventure pickup, and at a starting price of $52,855 MSRP, expectations are already high for this sizable Ford truck.
On the other hand, the 2019 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss brings a classic appearance that drivers will either love or love to hate. While the exterior can seem dated to some, it is hard to disregard the powerful energy that this supped up Chevy pickup presents at the forefront. As can be expected of a top trim pickup truck, the price is no joke either, starting at $48,300 MSRP.
Both of these pickup trucks are designed for more than just street driving and around the town work. These are off-road rated vehicles that won’t balk in the face of a dirt trail, or particularly rigorous route at Moab. While both of these pickups are surely capable, only one is the superior off-road champ.
Powerful Machinery for a Powerful Appearance
When it comes to pickup trucks, few factors take up as much importance as the machinery roaring beneath the hood. Starting with the 2019 Chevy Trail Boss, drivers will find a sizeable 5.3-liter V8 engine that pumps out 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft worth of torque. At first glance that might seem like a lot, and you certainly won’t find power like that on your standard pickup truck. That said, the feeling behind the wheel can be somewhat underwhelming. For some, it may feel more like a well-powered V6 rather than a range-topping V8. That said, the lackluster engine is saved by a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission which will respond to direction without a moment’s hesitation. The Trail Boss is also fitted with a stable and fully capable 4×4 drivetrain and has an incredible max towing capacity of 12,200 lbs which is something you would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.
The Ford Raptor, on the other hand, shows drivers that you don’t need a V8 engine to be a powerhouse. The 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor is equipped with a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine which puts out an astounding 450 horsepower, 510 lb-ft worth of torque, and has a max towing capacity of 12,000 lbs. Apart from the marginally lower towing capacity, the Ford Raptor outperforms its Chevy competitor in every way. With a 4×4 drivetrain, you can put that extra bit of torque to the test and take on some of the most complicated and demanding off-road routes without breaking a sweat.
Gas mileage, unfortunately, is pretty rough in both vehicles, as to be expected when you’re working with engines and chassis so large. The Chevy Silverado Trail Boss comes in at an abysmal 16 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. Meanwhile, the Ford Raptor offers some respite from the low range of the Trail Boss earning an EPA-rated 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. While these numbers are low, its fair to say that when it comes to engine power, torque, and efficiency, the Ford Raptor blows the competition out of the water, all with a smaller engine.
The Bells and Whistles
While engine performance is incredibly important when discussing power-hungry pickup trucks like the Ford Raptor and the Chevy Trail Boss, the extra off-road gear takes a second priority. These bells and whistles allow drivers to take advantage of all of the power at their disposal and take to the outdoors with complete peace of mind. In that capacity, both pickups bring plenty to the table.
The 2019 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss is equipped with the Z71 package which includes features like a seamless four-wheel-drive system, Rancho shocks, skid plates, 18-inch-off-road tires, and a 2-inch lift. This standard off-road package can be advanced upon by adding optional features such as a spray-on bedliner, and an Advanced Trailering package which gives you a slew of camera angles to make towing easier.
How does the Ford Raptor hold up in this area? Well, you’ll certainly get an off-road system with six different drive modes, as well as next-level ground clearance, and specialized off-road tires that won’t let you down when in a pinch. Although besides that, you won’t find much extra in terms of off-road gear. That said, the Ford Raptor comes with a range of other features that make driving easier, such as keyless entry, a 4G LTE hotspot, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. A slew of 12-volt outlets and a 400-wat inverter add a level of utility as well.
Extras in the Chevy Trail Boss don’t really exceed beyond extra off-road gear. Sure, you’ll get a pretty basic 8-inch infotainment system, a six-speaker audio system, and a rearview camera, but beyond that, you’ll find interior comforts to be rather spartan. It appears as though Chevy designed their most off-road worthy pickup truck to be all utility and very few luxuries.
Which is Superior?
In many ways, this is a close match-up. It’s impossible to disregard all of the additional off-road gear and features that are offered in the Chevy Trail Boss. Skid plates and a set of heavy-duty shocks can go a long way when taking your vehicle to the trail. That said, the underwhelming engine power can be a deal-breaker for a lot of drivers, especially those who prioritize power above all things. The lack of interior tech can be pretty jarring as well. While this isn’t a luxury pickup truck, a handful of special add-ons would have been nice to see. For these reasons, the Ford Raptor is clearly the superior power pickup truck. While it may not offer all of the off-road add-ons that you can find in the Chevy Trail Boss, it is hard to argue against the amount of power beneath the hood; and all in a more fuel-efficient V6. Although, we encourage you to visit a local dealership and see for yourself what both of these rugged top trim pickup trucks have to offer.
