
2020 F-150 vs Chevrolet SilveradoWhen you're the champ, there's always a challenger lining up to take their best shot. Recently, F‑150 found itself staring down two all-new, redesigned competitive pickups eager to do battle - the Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500. Silverado hit the market with an expressive new design, improvements in trailering ability, a larger cargo box and a new diesel engine. Let's take a look at these historic rivals and see where F‑150 still wins.

When you're the champ, there's always a challenger lining up to take their best shot. Recently, F‑150 found itself staring down two all-new, redesigned competitive pickups eager to do battle - the Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500. Silverado hit the market with an expressive new design, improvements in trailering ability, a larger cargo box and a new diesel engine. Let's take a look at these historic rivals and see where F‑150 still wins.

ADVANTAGE: FORD
Performance Picture

F‑150 offers the highest torque rating in this comparison with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6. And with 375 horsepower as well, the 3.5L EcoBoost provides owners with plenty of power for work or fun. You may notice Silverado customers can upgrade to a 6.2L V8, but even that beast has a lower torque rating than the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and can't match the available high-output 3.5L EcoBoost engine.
Engine
F-150
+ /​ - Engine Silverado
HP Torque (lb.‑ft.) HP Torque (lb.‑ft.) 2.7L EcoBoost V6
325
400
+15/​+52
2.7L Turbo I‑4 310
348
3.5L EcoBoost V6
375
470
+20/​+87
5.3L V8 355
383
5.0L V8
395
400
+40/​+17
5.3L V8 355
383
High-output 3.5L EcoBoost
450(1)
510(1)
+30/​+50
6.2L V8 420
460

F‑150 offers the highest torque rating in this comparison with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6. And with 375 horsepower as well, the 3.5L EcoBoost provides owners with plenty of power for work or fun. You may notice Silverado customers can upgrade to a 6.2L V8, but even that beast has a lower torque rating than the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and can't match the available high-output 3.5L EcoBoost engine.
Engine | F-150 | + /​ - | Engine | Silverado | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HP | Torque (lb.‑ft.) | HP | Torque (lb.‑ft.) | |||
2.7L EcoBoost V6 | 325 | 400 | +15/​+52 | 2.7L Turbo I‑4 | 310 | 348 |
3.5L EcoBoost V6 | 375 | 470 | +20/​+87 | 5.3L V8 | 355 | 383 |
5.0L V8 | 395 | 400 | +40/​+17 | 5.3L V8 | 355 | 383 |
High-output 3.5L EcoBoost | 450(1) | 510(1) | +30/​+50 | 6.2L V8 | 420 | 460 |
EPA Estimates

Ford uses a high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy body to help keep the F‑150 weight down while maintaining excellent strength and durability. This strategy helps F-150 maintain strong EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings. Note the advantages in standard V6 fuel economy and with the popular 3.5L EcoBoost V6, which provides an outstanding blend of power and efficiency. Chevy employs cylinder deactivation on its engines to save fuel, but F‑150 still holds its own with EPA fuel economy ratings.

Ford uses a high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy body to help keep the F‑150 weight down while maintaining excellent strength and durability. This strategy helps F-150 maintain strong EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings. Note the advantages in standard V6 fuel economy and with the popular 3.5L EcoBoost V6, which provides an outstanding blend of power and efficiency. Chevy employs cylinder deactivation on its engines to save fuel, but F‑150 still holds its own with EPA fuel economy ratings.
Engine
F-150
+ /​ -
Engine Silverado
City Hwy. Cmb. City Hwy. Cmb. 3.3L V6 19
25
22 +3/​+4/​+5
4.3L V6 16
21
17 2.7L EcoBoost V6
20
26
22 =/​+3/​+1
2.7L Turbo I‑4 20
23
21 3.5L EcoBoost V6
17
23
19 =/​-1/​-1
5.3L V8* 17
24
20 5.0L V8
17
23
19 +2/​+2/​+2
5.3L V8 15
21
17
Engine | F-150 | + /​ - | Engine | Silverado | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
City | Hwy. | Cmb. | City | Hwy. | Cmb. | |||
3.3L V6 | 19 | 25 | 22 | +3/​+4/​+5 | 4.3L V6 | 16 | 21 | 17 |
2.7L EcoBoost V6 | 20 | 26 | 22 | =/​+3/​+1 | 2.7L Turbo I‑4 | 20 | 23 | 21 |
3.5L EcoBoost V6 | 17 | 23 | 19 | =/​-1/​-1 | 5.3L V8* | 17 | 24 | 20 |
5.0L V8 | 17 | 23 | 19 | +2/​+2/​+2 | 5.3L V8 | 15 | 21 | 17 |
* With advanced cylinder deactivation.
Towing Time

F‑150 beats Silverado in max. available towing comparing crew cabs with gas engines (13,200 lbs. vs. 12,000 lbs.) and diesel engines with any cab size. But in 2020, Silverado gained the edge over F‑150 with up to 13,400 lbs. towing in the Silverado Double Cab 4x4 with available 6.2L V8 engine. F‑150 offers the max. available towing number(3) with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 in the SuperCrew model. With the available 3.0L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel engine (late availability), F‑150 can out-tow Silverado with the available 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel.
Â
F-150
+ /​ -
Silverado
Gas engine max. available towing (SuperCab)
11,800 lbs.(3)
-1,600 13,400 lbs.(4)
Gas engine max. available towing (SuperCrew)
13,200 lbs.(3)
+1,200 12,000 lbs.
Diesel engine max. available towing (late availability)
11,500 lbs.
+2,200 9,300 lbs.

F‑150 beats Silverado in max. available towing comparing crew cabs with gas engines (13,200 lbs. vs. 12,000 lbs.) and diesel engines with any cab size. But in 2020, Silverado gained the edge over F‑150 with up to 13,400 lbs. towing in the Silverado Double Cab 4x4 with available 6.2L V8 engine. F‑150 offers the max. available towing number(3) with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 in the SuperCrew model. With the available 3.0L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel engine (late availability), F‑150 can out-tow Silverado with the available 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel.
 | F-150 | + /​ - | Silverado |
---|---|---|---|
Gas engine max. available towing (SuperCab) | 11,800 lbs.(3) | -1,600 | 13,400 lbs.(4) |
Gas engine max. available towing (SuperCrew) | 13,200 lbs.(3) | +1,200 | 12,000 lbs. |
Diesel engine max. available towing (late availability) | 11,500 lbs. | +2,200 | 9,300 lbs. |
Payload Advantage

While we're talking about capacity, here's another way F‑150 proves it's Built Ford Tough. Ford delivers a max. available payload rating of 3,270 lbs. in pickups equipped with the available 5.0L V8 engine with the Heavy-Duty Payload Package available on XL and XLT models.
Â
F-150
+ /​ -
Silverado
SuperCrew/Crew Cab (4x2)Â max. available payload
2,930 lbs.
+750 2,180 lbs.
SuperCab/Double Cab (4x2)Â max. available payload
3,070Â lbs.
+880 2,190 lbs.
Regular Cab (4x2)Â max. available payload
3,270 lbs.
+1,020 2,250 lbs.

While we're talking about capacity, here's another way F‑150 proves it's Built Ford Tough. Ford delivers a max. available payload rating of 3,270 lbs. in pickups equipped with the available 5.0L V8 engine with the Heavy-Duty Payload Package available on XL and XLT models.
 | F-150 | + /​ - | Silverado |
---|---|---|---|
SuperCrew/Crew Cab (4x2)Â max. available payload | 2,930 lbs. | +750 | 2,180 lbs. |
SuperCab/Double Cab (4x2)Â max. available payload | 3,070Â lbs. | +880 | 2,190 lbs. |
Regular Cab (4x2)Â max. available payload | 3,270 lbs. | +1,020 | 2,250 lbs. |
Backing Up Made Easier

Most truck manufacturers address the challenge of backing up a trailer by designing better mirrors. Ford, though, is managing the opportunity with technology. Available Pro Trailer Backup Assist(5) allows the driver to rotate a knob in the direction they want the trailer to go and lets the truck do most of the work. Chevy doesn't offer a similar backup assist system.
Raptor vs. Trail Boss

Most truck manufacturers address the challenge of backing up a trailer by designing better mirrors. Ford, though, is managing the opportunity with technology. Available Pro Trailer Backup Assist(5) allows the driver to rotate a knob in the direction they want the trailer to go and lets the truck do most of the work. Chevy doesn't offer a similar backup assist system.
Raptor vs. Trail Boss

Both brands offer specific off-road 4x4 models, but F‑150 Raptor has advantages over Silverado LT Trail Boss. The high-output 3.5L EcoBoost V6 in Raptor generates more horsepower and torque than the standard 5.3L V8 Trail Boss engine. Raptor provides exclusive FOX Racing Shox™ along with Trail Control, which is a Ford-only cruise control system for low-speed, off-road use. And Raptor features 35" off-road, all-terrain tires compared to the Trail Boss 32" tires.
Â
F-150 Raptor
+ /​ -
Silverado LT Trail Boss
Horsepower
450(1)
+95 355
Torque (lb.-ft.)
510(1)
+127 383
Tire size (overall dia.) 35" +3" 32"


Both brands offer specific off-road 4x4 models, but F‑150 Raptor has advantages over Silverado LT Trail Boss. The high-output 3.5L EcoBoost V6 in Raptor generates more horsepower and torque than the standard 5.3L V8 Trail Boss engine. Raptor provides exclusive FOX Racing Shox™ along with Trail Control, which is a Ford-only cruise control system for low-speed, off-road use. And Raptor features 35" off-road, all-terrain tires compared to the Trail Boss 32" tires.
 | F-150 Raptor | + /​ - | Silverado LT Trail Boss |
---|---|---|---|
Horsepower | 450(1) | +95 | 355 |
Torque (lb.-ft.) | 510(1) | +127 | 383 |
Tire size (overall dia.) | 35" | +3" | 32" |
POINT
Silverado cargo boxes offer more volume than F‑150 cargo boxes, in all three box sizes.
Silverado cargo boxes offer more volume than F‑150 cargo boxes, in all three box sizes.
COUNTERPOINT
True, Chevy redesigned its cargo boxes to increase volume, which could come in handy when carrying bags of mulch. But F‑150 still surpasses Chevy in available payload capacity, which applies to F‑150 models powered by either the 2.7L V6, 3.5L V6 or 5.0L V8 engine. For example, the maximum available payload for an F‑150 SuperCrew is 2,930 lbs. (with 5.0L V8 and Heavy-Duty Payload Package), while the maximum for a Silverado Crew Cab is 2,180 lbs. (with 5.3L V8 engine and Max Trailering Package). Also, maximum available payload for the F‑150 SuperCab is 3,070 lbs. versus 2,190 lbs. maximum for the comparable Silverado Double Cab.

True, Chevy redesigned its cargo boxes to increase volume, which could come in handy when carrying bags of mulch. But F‑150 still surpasses Chevy in available payload capacity, which applies to F‑150 models powered by either the 2.7L V6, 3.5L V6 or 5.0L V8 engine. For example, the maximum available payload for an F‑150 SuperCrew is 2,930 lbs. (with 5.0L V8 and Heavy-Duty Payload Package), while the maximum for a Silverado Crew Cab is 2,180 lbs. (with 5.3L V8 engine and Max Trailering Package). Also, maximum available payload for the F‑150 SuperCab is 3,070 lbs. versus 2,190 lbs. maximum for the comparable Silverado Double Cab.
POINT
Silverado has 12 standard tie-down rings in the bed and nine additional rings can be ordered as accessories.
Silverado has 12 standard tie-down rings in the bed and nine additional rings can be ordered as accessories.
COUNTERPOINT
Silverado has us on quantity, but F‑150 holds its own on utility. Chevy provides three fixed rings in each corner of the bed - at high, middle and low points - for a total of 12 fixed tie-downs. Ford has a tie-down hook in each corner, too, so practically speaking, owners can secure items in the bed at similar anchor points (corner-to-corner).
It's important to remember F‑150 has the available innovative cargo bed system for securing loads: BoxLink. Two plates on each bed wall (four total) are designed to accept cleats that provide additional tie-down and mounting points. Many Ford Accessories are designed to attach to the cleats, such as bed dividers and Stowable Loading Ramps.
Chevy offers nine additional, movable tie-down rings, which are available as accessories. On the Chevrolet accessories site, there is no video demonstrating how they work. If you're curious, Ford offers this BoxLink video.
​
Silverado has us on quantity, but F‑150 holds its own on utility. Chevy provides three fixed rings in each corner of the bed - at high, middle and low points - for a total of 12 fixed tie-downs. Ford has a tie-down hook in each corner, too, so practically speaking, owners can secure items in the bed at similar anchor points (corner-to-corner).
It's important to remember F‑150 has the available innovative cargo bed system for securing loads: BoxLink. Two plates on each bed wall (four total) are designed to accept cleats that provide additional tie-down and mounting points. Many Ford Accessories are designed to attach to the cleats, such as bed dividers and Stowable Loading Ramps.
Chevy offers nine additional, movable tie-down rings, which are available as accessories. On the Chevrolet accessories site, there is no video demonstrating how they work. If you're curious, Ford offers this BoxLink video.