Starting at
Starting at
| 570 | Max Torque (lb-ft) | 460 |
| 3,325 | Max Payload (lbs) | 2,280 |
| 14,000 | Max Towing (lbs) | 13,300 |
Two of the most popular full-size pickup trucks in America are the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado 1500. When it comes time to finding the right pickup, you have to know which one has the right kind of performance, capabilities, and towing capacities that fit your lifestyle and budget. In the case of the 2021 Ford F-150 vs 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500, you're pitting two marketplace titans against each other to determine how they fare across a number of areas.
Both pickups are available in two-wheel or four-wheel drive and come with multiple powertrain options for those who want to customize their full-size pickup performance. However, the F-150 has a much wider variety of powertrains, including the new PowerBoost hybrid and impressive EcoBoost turbocharged V6 as well as the traditional V8 and turbo-diesel options. The F-150 also offers much higher towing and payload ratings than the Silverado, thanks to its more capable engines and military-grade lightweight aluminum construction.
Both the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado 1500 provide drivers with lots of options when it comes to choosing the right kind of powertrain to get you on the road with enough muscle to handle any job. For the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500, this includes five different engines with a range of horsepower and torque. At the heart of the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 is a 4.3-liter EcoTec3 V6 engine that comes standard on the base trim; it delivers 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque. An available 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder produces 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet of torque. You can also opt for a 3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel, which is great for a lot of low-end torque.
For additional power, the 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 houses 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The top-of-the-line engine option for the Silverado 1500 is a 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 that delivers 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The Silverado 1500 is available with a 6-speed, 8-speed, or 10-speed automatic transmission for the drivetrain, and some of the powertrain options offer dynamic or active fuel management, depending on what you prefer. However, the 5.3-liter EcoTec3 for the 2021 model years had the active fuel management removed due to a lack of semi-conductors being available.
For the Ford F-150, there are six powertrain options available across the different trims. At the base is the 3.3-liter V6 with twin independent variable cam timing for maximum engine efficiency and fuel economy optimization. A 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 produces a very robust 325 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque, overwhelming Chevy's small turbocharged op. Further up the chain is the 5.0-liter V8 with twin independent variable cam timing offers 400 horsepower with 410 pound-feet of torque. For even more power, the available 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 delivers an impressive 400 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque.
Rivaling the Silverado's Duramax is Ford's 3.0-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel engine that boasts 440 pound-feet of torque. New for 2021, a full hybrid 3.5-liter PowerBoost engine rounds out the F-150's powertrain options, delivering a massive 430 horsepower and up to 570 pound-feet of torque, which is 110 more pound-feet of torsional efficiency over the Silverado 1500's 6.2-liter V8. Despite such incredible power, the F-150 Hybrid is rated for 25 MPG combined.
The Ford F-150 also has two different transmissions available; one is a standard 10-speed automatic transmission, while the other is a hybrid electronic 10-speed automatic transmission with an integrated 33 kilowatt electric motor for instant power to accelerate quickly on a dime. Whether you want a mid-range or high-end powertrain setup, the Ford F-150 delivers in spades, leaving the Silverado 1500 in its dust.
The big selling point for any full-size pickup is its ability to tow thousands of pounds of equipment. Each year the big automakers continue to elevate and evolve the tow-ratings for their respective brands. In the case of the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500, both the 2.7-liter turbocharged engine and the 3.0-liter Duramax engine have had their tow ratings increased. In the case of the 3.0-liter Duramax, it can now tow up to 9,500 pounds when properly configured, and in the 2.7-liter's case, it can now tow up to 9,600 pounds.
In total, the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 series can tow up to 13,300 pounds when paired with the top 6.2-liter V8. The pickup also enables drivers to make use of up to 2,280 pounds worth of payload capacity across the cabin and the rear bed. The updates to the max towing capacity and multiple powertrains to give additional payload capacity make the Silverado 1500 a formidable competitor on the market.
However, the Silverado's towing and trailering feats are not up to scratch when compared to the 2021 Ford F-150. America's favorite pickup is capable of towing up to 14,000 pounds when paired with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. That's 700 additional pounds worth of towing capabilities over the Silverado 1500's maximum towing capacity. If you want a diesel truck, then the difference is even larger as a diesel F-150 can tow 12,100 pounds - 2,600 pounds more than the diesel Silverado.
The F-150 also comes out on top when it comes to payload capacity, allowing drivers to haul up to 3,325 pounds when the truck is configured with the 5.0-liter V8 powertrain. With the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, you still have more payload capacity than the Silverado 1500, with the ability to haul up to 3,250 pounds worth of cargo. Even the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 offers 2,480 pounds of payload. It is clear that the Ford F-150 has an advantage over the Silverado across multiple powertrains, cab configurations, and wheelbases when it comes to payload capacity and trailering.
On the technology front, the 2021 Chevy Silverado is equipped with plenty of the latest and greatest, from an Autotrac 2-speed transfer case to StabiliTrak's electronic stability control system for traction and stability control. There is a lot of technological advancement present within the 2021 model year of the Silverado, which even includes the availability of a wide variety of driver aids and assists, from forward collision alerts to front and rear parking assists.
The big new addition to the 2021 Silverado 1500's line-up is additional functionality for the Multi-Flex Tailgate, which provides up to six unique bed functions, whether you plan to use it for casual outings or commercial hauling. Inside, the Silverado can seat up to six in the Crew Cab configuration and comes with a healthy selection of the latest tech and infotainment, including the availability of 10-way power driver and passenger seating, 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability, and of course, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.
But even Chevy's best fall far short of what the fully-redesigned 2021 Ford F-150 brings to the table. Ford's Co-Pilot360 2.0 technology rests at the heart of the new truck, with plenty of advanced features like pre-collision assist and automatic emergency braking, putting the F-150 a cut above the competition. However, Ford also included the all-new BlueCruise system, making the 2021 F-150 the first pickup truck to offer hands-free highway driving.
Inside, the F-150 can also seat up to six people and features all-new storage capacities with available partitioned lockable compartments. On the infotainment side, features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, along with Bluetooth and 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity. Where the F-150 really manages to separate itself from the competition is with its touchscreen display. While the Silverado only has an 8-inch infotainment screen available, the F-150 offers a massive 12-inch display with the all-new SYNC 4 technology, giving the edge to the F-150 in almost every conceivable way.
Find your next Ford at a Newton Ford South dealership today. Our expert and friendly staff can help get you squared away with a brand new or used Ford at a price you can't beat. For the very best that Ford has to offer, the best Tennessee Ford dealership is Newton. We have a great line-up of all the most popular Ford vehicles, including everything from the Ford Explorer and Mustang to the Ford Transit and F-150.
Do you need a used vehicle? We have you covered, with everything from recent model years to cars, trucks, and SUVs priced under $15,000, so you can explore your options even while working with the most stringent of budgets. Let our experts from the finance department help sort you out with an auto-loan by getting you pre-approved or learn more about the Ford Credit option for your next purchase.
For the best quality used vehicles, you can explore our Certified Pre-Owned offerings, which come with Ford limited powertrain warranties as well as bumper-to-bumper coverage. Our line-up of Certified Pre-Owned vehicles that have been rigorously tested with a multi-point inspection and have only a limited number of miles on them. Find out more about how you can own a Ford today by talking, calling, or chatting with a representative from Newton Ford South.
*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.
