Compare 2018 Ford F-150 vs Chevy Silverado 1500

Performance

When the six-cylinder engines go head to head, you’ll find the new Ford V6 has an advantage. It generates 290 horsepower, exceeding the 285 horsepower on the Silverado V6. Moving up the ladder, the F150 has a ten-speed automatic transmission which it pairs with its advanced engines. Six- and eight-speed automatics are used by Chevrolet. Ford Ecoboost engines are also V6 powertrains but they use turbo power to generate V8-level power while maintaining good gas mileage. As an example, the Ford HEMI V8 generates 400 lb-ft, but that is matched by a Ford EcoBoost V6. The Raptor Ecoboost engine produces 510 lb-ft. of torque, and the other top Ecoboost engine produces 470 lb-ft. of torque. Either way, it edges ahead of the Silverado’s top V8 output of 460 lb-ft. of torque. With so many ways to drive Ford, you can haul as much as 3,270 pounds and tow as much as 13,200 pounds.

Ecoboost engines stand up to EcoTec engines in terms of fuel economy and efficiency. Fords often do better because they are made with a lightweight aluminum rather than the heavy steel on Chevy trucks. A light weight build helps the F-150 perform better. Another advantage is the stop-start system which helps the Ford F150 Ecoboost models save fuel at redlights. Another helpful system is cylinder management which reduces how much fuel is used during highway cruises.

Towing and Parking

Pro Trailer Backup Assist is available only on Ford. This helps the driver maneuver the trailer inch by inch. Instead of steering, the driver uses a dial on the dash. Another special feature is the Ford’s extended blind spot system. It puts radar sensors in the truck’s tail lamps, providing electronic eyes that watch the sides of the trailer. The Ford dynamic hitch assist helps the driver direct the hitch with its line-of-sight guide. Another Ford exclusive is the smart trailer tow connector which will warn the driver about lighting and connectivity issues. Speaking of lighting, Ford has more LED systems to help you on worksites. These include LED side lights on the outside mirrors, LED box lighting, and LED tailgate lighting to help with hook-ups.

Safety Systems

Ford and Chevy are both offering crash avoidance systems, but Ford systems go further. For starters, the Ford vibrating steering wheel and Chevy vibrating seat are tied to the forward collision warning (FCW) and lane departure warning. Chevy has a low-speed autobrake paired with the FCW. Ford has a full-speed autobrake and pedestrian detection, broadening what the FCW system can do. Full-speed braking mitigation is also part of the adaptive cruise control, but only on the F-150. The lane watch includes a lane keeper, which is available on both brands. Only Ford has a 360-degree system to watch the truck’s perimeter and an automated parking system to take the anxiety out of parking the truck. The camera system is especially useful on worksites.

You can compare the 2018 Ford F-150 when you take a test drive at Peoria Ford. Come have some fun behind the wheel.