The amount of effort that goes into a pickup truck is honestly outstanding. Every element is factored in from engine to mirrors so that the truck is safe, durable, and most of all powerful. Both the Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-150 have demonstrated their excellence in the past as they battled it out to show who has what it takes, and the 2018 models are just as passionate. The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado and 2018 Ford F-150 offers drivers everything they could desire in a pickup, and even more, but only one can be your chosen vehicle. So, instead of just telling you which you should choose, let’s just let the essential elements of a pickup speak for themselves.
Classification
Primarily there are three classifications of pickups: compact, mid-size and full-size; each a representation of their power and size. Both the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the 2018 Ford F-150 can be considered at the top of their class as full-size pickups.
Cab Configuration and Box Sizes
Virtually the cabin configuration and box size options for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado and 2018 Ford F-150 are identical, but they do go by brand-based titles and can be matched up differently.
Both offer a Regular Cab which has two full-doors with only front seating for a maximum of three passengers. As the smallest cab configuration, it is also the most capable of towing large loads. This cab offers either a 6.6 ft. Standard box or an 8 ft. long box. This cab is not available for any of the higher trim levels for either truck.
The Double Cab as Chevrolet calls it, or Super Cab as Ford calls, has a two full-doors up front and two half-doors in the back designed for limited rear seating for up to five passengers. This cab is only offered with a standard box for the 2018 Silverado, but the Ford F-150 allows this cab with any bed size if you purchase the Raptor trim.
The Chevrolet Crew Cab or Ford Super Crew as is the largest of the options with four full-doors and spacious front and rear seating. This type of cab can come with either a standard box or a 69.33-inch short box. This cab allows for either a 5.6 ft. Short box or a standard box for either model.
Engine
Engines are an essential part of any automotive, but they are especially sacred for pickup trucks. Neither shares the same selection of V6, V8, and Diesel engines.
2018 Chevrolet Silverado
- 4.3l EcoTec3 v6 engine with 285 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque
- 5.3l EcoTec3 v8 engine with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque (Optional eAssist)
- 6.1l EcoTec3 v8 engine with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque
- 2018 Ford F-150
- 3.3L Ti-VCT V6 Engine with 290 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque
- 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 Engine with 395 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque
- 2.7L EcoBoost V6 Engine with 325 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque
- 3.5L EcoBoost V6 Engine with 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque
- High-Output 3.5L EcoBoost V6 Engine with 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque (Raptor trim only)
- 3.0L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel Engine with 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque
- All Ford F-150 engines come with auto start-stop technology.
Transmission
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado and the 2018 Ford F-150 come standard with a 6-speed automatic transmission. For Chevrolet the 6.2L V8 engine is only paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. For Ford, the base transmission comes with the standard engine, but with all other engines, you will get a ten-speed automatic transmission.
Drive
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado and 2018 Ford F-150 Share the same drive options by offering rear-wheel drive as the standard and asking for $4,000 more in a Silverado and closer to $5,000 more in an F-150 for the 4×4 option.
Suspension
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado and 2018 Ford F-150 both offer off-road trims and packages that will allow for heavy-duty suspension with locking differentials and descent control.
Towing
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado and 2018 Ford F-150 are both class-leading towing machines that refuse to back down from even the heaviest of loads. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 when properly equipped can tow up to 12,500 pounds, while the Ford F-150 can tow up to 13,200 pounds.
Hitch Type
The most common type of hitch is a receiver hitch that is under the rear bumper and uses a ball and pin system to attach its load. This is an excellent hitch that allows a load to be hauled with no impact on the cargo capacity or bed cargo. There is also a Gooseneck ball hitch that attaches near the rear axle on the frame of the truck. Lastly, there is Fifth wheel hitch which you will notice has a horseshoe plate and is at the center of the bed to offer maximum towing capacity.
Due to their superior engines and towing capacity, the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado and 2018 Ford F-150 can both handle any of these hitch types with the proper weight distribution and equipment.
Seating
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado and 2018 Ford F-150 are both comfortable beyond expectation and come standard with cloth seating. Both also will upgrade you to heated leather seating around the third highest trim level. However, as far as looks go the Silverado has a more down to earth charm while the F-150 plays to its more rough nature.
Side-View Mirrors
This may seem like a silly element to mention, but anyone that owns a pickup will tell you how essential it is to have a reliable side-view mirror. Luckily, both the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado and 2018 Ford F-150 power folding and heated mirrors are available for your convenience and vision needs.
All in all, these are two trucks that will always be competing for the spotlight and showing off their enormous muscles every chance they get. In the end, it comes down to whether you love your classic Chevrolet that keeps it humble and hardworking or the Ford with its “Built Ford Tough” mentality.
