The numbers are in, and full-size pickup trucks were some of the top-selling vehicles of 2021, with Chevrolet and Ford topping the charts. When it comes to utility, it doesn’t get much better than a pickup truck, and when it comes to leading names in this category, Chevrolet and Ford are reputable choices. So if you’re shopping for a truck and have come down to choosing between the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 vs 2022 Ford F-150, it’s those final details that will push you in one direction. There’s a lot to love about both.
While some trucks make you choose between either having enough space for passengers (to sit comfortably) and having a large bed to store all of your gear, Chevrolet and Ford are known for their trucks that offer both. When you drive one of these cars, having a truck doesn’t have to mean being disqualified from taking charge of the kids’ carpool or being the driver for a weekend road trip. The latter is especially true because both offer impressive fuel economy for their vehicle type. The heavy and tiresome handling that many trucks are known for won’t be an issue with these picks, either. Their navigation is known to be smooth and easy, even when the roads beneath your tires are anything but.
Buying a new car is a big decision, and it’s important that you select one that will meet your needs for years to come. Between lugging gear around, keeping passengers happy, and staying safe, no matter what, you need a truck that has your back. So we put the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 and the 2022 Ford F-150 head to head to determine a winner. It was a close call, but in the end, the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 came out on top thanks to the addition of a few key features. Let’s take a look at what makes one stand out over the other.
Technology: An Important Part of Any Modern Vehicle
Staying connected while on the road is important to drivers. Drivers need things like weather updates, traffic updates, access to messages, and access to the apps that help their lives run smoothly. Those who spend a lot of time on the road simply can’t drive a car that skimps on this type of technology. Technology is always changing, and passenger requirements are, too. Manufacturers that can keep up with passenger expectations in the technology department will always remain relevant. Let’s see how these two top picks did.
Both the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the 2022 Ford F-150 present a convenient array of technology. Each has a mobile hotspot, so riders can connect their Wi-Fi-enabled devices to enjoy the Internet while on the road. This eliminates the need for messy cables to access Wi-Fi and ensures passengers can enjoy things like music and movies on long trips. This is especially useful for parents who take kids on road trips and need to keep them entertained for hours in the car. Most parents know that kids expect to remain connected at all times these days. In-vehicle hot spots make that possible.
Both vehicles boast a sizable infotainment screen, making it easy to see and navigate your favorite apps all in one place. However, the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 has an impressive available 13.4-inch touchscreen on its LT trims and up, whereas the 2022 Ford F-150 only has 8-inch and up to 12-inch screens, depending on the trim. Drivers who like a large, clear view of apps will do better with the Silverado’s massive screen.
Each car has the popular Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These make it easy to access your preferred apps on your smartphone while on the road. However, the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 stands out again because it additionally offers Amazon Alexa integration and Google voice assistant. Many drivers are now accustomed to the streamlined connectivity such systems offer and won’t want an interruption to access just because they’re in their cars. Being able to use these systems to do things like turn on appliances at home and check on Amazon Prime deliveries is a major bonus the Chevy offers. Ford hasn’t yet added these options to its F-150.
Safety: Paramount to Your Travels
Safety is arguably the most important element of any vehicle. Style and entertainment aside, having the confidence that your vehicle will reduce the chances of accidents and minimize severity when accidents occur is priceless. So, the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 really got the spotlight in this category. Its extensive suite of safety features is standard. As for the 2022 Ford F-150, the standard features on the basic trim are more limited, and buyers will need to upgrade to some of the pricier options to see those truly impressive safety elements.
The 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 comes standard with a Following Distance Indicator, which notifies you when you’re too close to another vehicle. Forward Collision Alert with Automatic Emergency Braking will alert you and help you brake when it senses you are about to collide with another car, and Front Pedestrian Braking does the same when it senses people. Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning helps you stay in your lane with notifications and auto-adjustments.
The Chevy Silverado also has adaptive cruise control and IntelliBeam High Beam Assist – an intelligent high beam system that automatically senses dark surroundings and turns on and off accordingly. A rear-vision camera lets you see what’s happening behind your car – which is especially useful for those trailering – and high-def surround vision gives you a comprehensive look at what’s happening around your vehicle. The 2022 Ford F-150 also has automatic emergency braking, plus pedestrian detection, along with lane departure warnings and lane departure assist. But again, buyers will need to look at higher trims for more advanced safety features on the Ford F-150.
There’s one more area in which the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 gained points here: maintenance. The first maintenance visit is complimentary with your Chevrolet dealer. Ford offers no such deal for owners of the Ford F-150. Service can be a substantial cost, and having Chevrolet handle the first one can give drivers peace of mind that taking care of their vehicle won’t cost too much.
Comfort: Necessary for Spending Time on the Road
Each of these vehicles is known for versatile and customizable seats for unique storage and seating options. They’re both quite spacious, so drivers won’t hear complaints from passengers about feeling cramped. Though they are pickup trucks, their passenger cabins feel more like those of an SUV. Comfort isn’t sacrificed on these trucks. Each boasts generous headroom and legroom, including in the back rows, so passengers should be content no matter what seat they get.
Each also has smartly-placed storage cubbies throughout the vehicles, making it easy for everybody to stash away items like magazines, iPads, snacks, and more. Fighting over the limited storage space won’t be an issue in either of these options. As for storing things in the truck beds, both the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 and the 2022 Ford F-150 offer three truck bed lengths. For the Chevy Silverado, those range from around 70 to 98 inches, and for the Ford F-150, those range from around 66 to 96. The Chevy does have the Ford slightly beat there with marginally longer bed options. However, drivers shouldn’t struggle to pack everything they need, from outdoor adventure gear to work tools, in either of these options.
While pickup trucks can have a reputation for being awkward to handle, no such issue exists with either of these cars. Drivers consistently commend these full-size pickups for feeling smooth and easy behind the wheel. Navigating difficult roads won’t leave you feeling tired, and making turns won’t feel like a strenuous project. That remains true when trailering with these vehicles, both of which have impressive towing capacities.
It is worth mentioning that the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pulled out some extra stops in the style department with this year’s model. The LT trim has an attractive dashboard, and the High Country has leather upholstery and open-pore wood trim, giving these a sophisticated and classic aesthetic that makes the interior feel more like a luxury vehicle than a utility vehicle.
Do Truck Life In Style With Chevy
Each of these trucks proves that you don’t have to choose between passenger space or cargo space and that driving such a vehicle doesn’t have to be tiresome. Ultimately, the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 stood out a bit more, thanks to advanced safety features that the Ford F-150 lacks or only offers in higher trims. The Chevy Silverado 1500 also has the thoughtful addition of Amazon Alexa compatibility, which many drivers have grown accustomed to in this day and age. It’s a close call, but Chevy really does pull ahead of Ford in this comparison.
