Starting at
Starting at
| 290-580 | Horsepower (hp) | 277-420 |
| 265-775 | Torque (lb-ft) | 383-460 |
| 14,000 | Max Towing (lbs) | 13,300 |
Perhaps few rivalries are better known than the one between Ford and Chevy. No matter which decade you look at, it seems that these two manufacturing titans have always been attempting to outdo one another. From the days of the Mustang and Camaro ripping it up on the blacktop to today, the rivalry has existed in various forms and will continue to do so as the years go by. Perhaps no rivalry has captivated the imagination more than the battle between both brands and the pickup trucks they offer.
While Chevy has rallied behind the Silverado 1500 as the flagship of its fleet, Ford has the F-150 as its premier workhorse, which has only grown in popularity since it first rolled off the assembly lines back in 1975. With no sign of either combatant slowing down in perfecting their respective offerings, it can be difficult to compare the 2023 Ford F-150 vs 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500. However, while the Silverado puts up a good fight, it's hard to beat the power that comes from a Ford F-150. With Ford also being the first of the two to offer a fully electric version of its truck and a hybrid engine option, it is clear to see that Chevy is starting to fall behind in the battle between these two titans.
The long-standing rivalry between Ford and Chevy needs little to no introduction. As with any two brands constantly attempting to outperform the other, technological innovations emerge from the world of competition. One of the biggest stories to emerge from earlier in the year was the announcement that Chevy will be introducing an all-electric version of the Silverado in conjunction with the 2024 model year. A bold move, to say the least. However, just as the Mustang emerged before the Camaro, Ford has once again stolen the thunder (or, in this case, the lightning) from Chevy.
The Ford F-150 Lightning is what fans of the blue brand have long been waiting for and sets a new standard in the world of the pickup truck that many manufacturers will be following for quite some time. That's right, the Ford F-150, the symbol of versatility and power, has gone electric! Debuting for the 2022 model year, the EV pickup pulls no punches and delivers the goods to consumers who are looking to forgo trips to the pump altogether. The all-electric powertrain allows the 2023 F-150 Lightning to produce up to 580 hp and have a range of up to 320 miles from a full charge.
Detractors of the EV industry who might be skeptical as to whether or not such a vehicle can perform at the same level as its gasoline and diesel counterparts will be impressed to know that in terms of performance, Ford has once again asserted its dominance. With the ability to tow a maximum of 10,000 lbs and possessing a payload capacity of up to 2,000 lbs, the Lightning is ideal for city driving, working on the job site, and that long road trip you've been meaning to take.
With the debut of the Silverado EV still a full year away, consumers looking for an electric option will have to go with the Lightning if they want to get in on the EV revolution. Whether or not the Silverado EV will come close to measuring up to its long-standing rival remains to be seen. The Lightning has already proven itself and earned its stripes.
The engine is probably the thing you care most about having in your truck. After all, you need an excellent engine in order to have the towing specs to get your daily jobs done. Both the F-150 and Silverado 1500 have a variety of powertrains and engine options, so you are able to tailor your choice to meet your performance. We'll start at the very beginning and work our way up. We won't be going over every single engine, but we've chosen the best of each that exemplifies both brands.
There are four available engines for the Silverado 1500 and five for the Ford F-150 (not counting the electric options for the Lightning or the special high-output engine for the Raptor). Chevy throws down the gauntlet with a standard 2.7L turbocharged high-output four-cylinder. Equipped with an eight-speed transmission and producing 310 hp, the engine can generate a hefty 430 lb-ft of torque. Not too shabby. Ford answers this challenge with its 2.7L turbocharged V6. Like all of the engines available on the F-150, it comes equipped with a ten-speed automatic transmission. Overpowering the Silverado with 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, it also manages to out-tow its rival. With a maximum capacity of 10,100 lbs to the Silverado's 9,500 lbs, Ford once again climbs into the winner's circle.
What about a V8? Surely both these workhorses have that option open for those who have heavy workloads, don't they? The answer? Yes. As a matter of fact, the Silverado comes equipped with two different V8 powertrains that mean serious business. The first is the 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 which generates 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. For those that need to push power to the absolute limit, the 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 grants drivers 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Both of these models come equipped with a ten-speed automatic transmission.
Ford answers this challenge with its 5.0L V8, which is affectionately known as the "Coyote." Its 400 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque outclass Chevy's 5.3L. While Chevy's 6.2L does produce more horsepower than Ford's V8, the Blue Oval has another trick up its sleeve. Ford's 3.5L turbocharged V6 outdoes the Chevy V8 with 400 hp and a best-in-class 500 lb-ft of torque.
With such a close race, how do these mammoth motors perform as far as towing is concerned? The 5.3L EcoTec3 can pull up to 11,200 lbs, and the 6.2L maxes out at 13,300 lbs. How does the F-150 fair in this situation? The Coyote, a tried and tested veteran, delivers with a maximum towing capacity of 13,000 lbs. For those with heavy workloads, the 3.5L V6 outclasses both V8 offerings from Chevy with a total of up to 14,000 lbs.
Ford does offer one more engine that Chevy doesn't, and that is the 3.5L PowerBoost turbo V6 hybrid. This engine and electric motor combo produce 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque. Towing maxes out at 12,700 lbs, but you will save a lot of money when it comes to gas with a fuel economy rating of 25 MPG combined for the 2022 model. Ford remains as strong as ever when it comes to delivering the goods and carrying heavy loads.
Perhaps style and comfort aren't the main things you look for in a truck, but the interior is where you'll spend your time at work, play, and every other activity in between. Starting with outward appearances, it's clear that both vehicles are evenly matched. That said, we think that the F-150 does a better job presenting itself as a vehicle with prestige, while the Silverado feels like it would only be appreciated by a niche audience.
Opening the door and sitting behind the wheel is a clash of cultures, one that appears to be catering to brand loyalists and one that believes in putting emphasis on versatility. The 2023 Silverado 1500 has an interior that's to be expected for a truck in its class. That is to say, there's nothing that makes it stand out. Of course, fans of the bow-tie brand who await the release of any new vehicle with unbridled enthusiasm will certainly appreciate it; a newcomer to Chevy will look at the interior and think of it as nothing more than "run-of-the-mill." The basic elements, such as a large infotainment screen compatible with Apple and Android devices, are present, but any fancy trimming is restricted to the upper trims.
The 2023 F-150, on the other hand, has a very appealing aesthetic once you're in the driver's seat. Aside from the spacious room you and your passengers will have, you'll find that everything is strategically placed for complete and total control at your fingertips. If you're someone who utilizes their vehicle as a work truck, Ford has implemented several extras to make the workday more enjoyable. An available onboard generator is available to provide up to 7.2 kW of 240V power wherever you go. As an added bonus, the gear shifter can be folded down to provide a flat workspace, perfect for those moments when the paperwork has to be done, and normal desk space is unavailable. It's the little things that the Ford has that make it a far more versatile vehicle than its competitors.
With so much to offer, there's no wonder why the Ford F-150 is widely regarded as America's pickup. When it comes to performance, versatility, and getting the job done, you can always rely on Ford, and when it comes to the people to help you get behind the wheel of the F-150 and the rest of its iconic and celebrated fleet, Pearson Ford takes immense pride in the services we offer our customers. Whether helping you decide what vehicle is ideal for you and your situation or helping you obtain financing, getting you into the Ford of your dreams is our business.
Keeping your Ford on the road and running is important, which is why we have a service and parts department to ensure you recoup the maximum return on your investment. We will handle everything from your regular oil changes and tire rotations to any major repairs your vehicle needs. For a hassle-free sales experience with easy and quick service visits, you'll want to work with us. Experience the difference at Pearson Ford. You'll be glad you did.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
