Choosing between all the different makes and models of trucks out there can be a challenge. There are some obvious factors to compare like seating capacity, towing capability, and price, but there are also less obvious features like remote start and Wi-Fi hotspots to consider. Two of the leading competitors in the full-size truck market are the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2019 Ford F-150.
If you don’t know a whole lot about trucks, you might think that the main difference between these two is on the exterior. A GMC Sierra 1500 just looks… cooler… on the road. While everyone knows that F-150s will reliably help you out at work. There are a lot of similarities between these trucks, but the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 and the 2019 Ford F-150 cater to different clientele with the Sierra being noticeably more upscale than the F-150. Both have their pros and cons. If you’re looking for the base definition of a “truck,” you might want the Ford. If you’re looking for an upscale vehicle to make a statement with, the Sierra might be your best bet. Here’s a look at how these two similar trucks stack up against each other.
Performance
Both of these trucks have similar performance stats. For example, both the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 and the 2019 Ford F-150 have either RWD or 4WD drivetrains. Horsepower is fairly similar as well. The base GMC Sierra 1500 provides 285 horsepower and can be upgraded all the way up to 420 horsepower. Similarly, for the Ford F-150, horsepower is between 250 – 450 depending on the options you choose. Each truck has a slew of engine options available to customize the power depending on the driver’s needs.
The Sierra has 5 total engine options, including a 285-horsepower V6, a 310-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, 355- and 420-horsepower V8s, and a new turbodiesel that we’re all looking forward to checking out later this year. The smaller V8 engine gets 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.
You can expect to get between 15 – 20 MPG in the city and 19 – 23 MPG on the highway with this truck, which is comparable to most others in its class.
For the Ford F-150, you can choose from 6 different engine options. There’s a base V6 engine, a V8, a turbodiesel, and three turbocharged V6 options. For both of these trucks, you’ll get stronger performance with a V8 engine, but a V6 make great options for your everyday driving. Depending on the options you have in your new Ford F-150, you can expect to get between 15 – 20 MPG in the city and 18 – 26 MPG on the highway.
If you’re planning to put your new truck to the test and tow around a large boat or moving trailer, you can do so with the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 if it’s properly equipped. It can tow up to a max of 12,000 pounds and haul more than 2,000 pounds of cargo! This is a differing point between the Sierra and the F-150. With the F-150, the maximum you can possibly tow is only 5,000 pounds. This is still a lot of weight, but depending on what you’re planning on towing, might not be enough.
In terms of handling on the road, both the 2019 Ford F-150 and 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 perform very well. Both are noted for their smooth and comfortable rides. For off-roading in a Ford, you can upgrade to the Raptor trim for an excellent and smooth off-roading experience. For 2019, the Raptor has received new shocks and a new Trail Control system. For the best off-roading experience in a GMC Sierra, you’ll want to jump in an AT4 trim to experience what makes a true off-roading specialist. Despite the Sierra’s impressive size, it handles well on winding roads and absorbs shocks and bumps wherever you go.
Interior
The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 was completely redesigned for this model year and is the first of its new generation. GMC has improved the overall look of the cabin while keeping many standard features that make the Sierra comfortable and upscale in a market of work-horses. The GMC looks good and uses premium materials, one of the reasons it’s considered to be more upscale than some.
Inside the 2019 GMC Sierra you’ll find spacious seating for between 5 – 6 people so that you can take the whole family with you. Unlike many other trucks like the F-150 which only have seating for 3 people standard, you won’t have to compromise with the 2019 Sierra. With an upgrade, you can increase the seating capacity of your F-150 to 6 people.
Comfort is a big driver (no pun intended) for many people who choose the Sierra over the F-150. This is something you should pay attention to when you’re buying a new truck because not all trucks are created equal. With an upgrade to the SLE trim, which is the second lowest available trim, you can opt for Climate Control, heated mirrors and seats, and Dual Zone A/C. To get these same features in the 2019 Ford F-150, you’ll have to opt for a much higher trim level.
Features
Both the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 and the 2019 Ford F-150 have some pretty decent features. In the Sierra you’ll find a user-friendly infotainment system with a 7-inch touch screen, a six-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, a USB port, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. If you want to boost the usability and fun-factor of your new truck, you can upgrade for a sunroof, wireless device charging, an 8-inch touch screen, a seven-speaker Bose audio system, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot, three additional USB ports, and navigation!
GMC’s infotainment system ranks among the best in the class. You’ll find that the touch screen responds quickly to inputs and that the menus are easy to navigate, making it one of the most intuitive infotainment systems out there. If you haven’t used an infotainment system before, there’s nothing to fear from GMC’s system.
The Ford F-150 isn’t known for having a lot of extra features, and the 2019 version of this truck isn’t any different. You’ll find that a regular radio and manual climate control come standard on the 2019 F-150’s base trim, and not a whole lot else. You can, however, upgrade to get a twin-panel moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, the SYNC 3 infotainment system, an 8-inch touch screen, navigation, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, satellite radio, Bluetooth, a USB port, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. Much like GMC’s infotainment system, Ford’s SYNC 3 system is quite intuitive and responsive.
The Verdict
These two trucks have a lot of the same features but may cater to different audiences. The 2019 Ford F-150 is built to get the job done, and that’s about it. It’s reliable, powerful, and can be customized with a large array of engine options to ensure you’ve got the capability you need. This truck fits into the definition of a truck pretty perfectly.
The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 is more than just a truck, however. Not only is it robustly powerful like the F-150, but it can also tow a whole lot more, is more comfortable, looks cooler, and has more available features. The Sierra isn’t built purely for work, instead, it’s built to be a vehicle you’re happy to spend hours and hours in and on the road.
