Jan 17, 2025
A red 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 for sale is shown an ATV.

The rivalry between Chevy and Ford pickup trucks dates back to the earliest days of truck manufacturing and is certainly not limited to just the Silverado 1500 and the F-150. Year after year, both Chevy and Ford outfit their full-sized trucks with cutting-edge technology, which is presented in a trim lineup that makes sense for a lot of different drivers and a lot of different budgets. And year after year, fans of both brands will debate the results in an attempt to persuade fans of the other brand that their vehicle is superior.

If you’re looking at a Chevy Silverado 1500 for sale, there are plenty of die-hard Ford fans who will attempt to tell you that you’re making a terrible mistake, but the facts aren’t on their side. There are plenty of different angles one can take when deciding who is “The Best,” but for our comparison between the 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 and the 2025 Ford F-150, we looked at three very simple factors that we figured most drivers could agree upon: Power, Performance, and Overall Value. Take a look at why we feel the 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 outshines the Ford F-150.

A Major Power Difference

One of the most important considerations for pickup truck drivers is the machine’s power source. After all, full-size trucks are not only meant to do big jobs, but they’re pretty big in and of themselves. Given the fast pace of living and driving these days, it’s also a good idea to drive something that can merge onto the freeway with or without a trailer.

On many levels, the Silverado 1500 and Ford F-150 have a similar power story. However, the Chevy stands out in some key areas. For instance, the 2.7L TurboMax engine that’s standard on most of the 2025 Silverado 1500 trims provides 310 hp, while the standard power supply in the 2025 F-150 is a 2.7L EcoBoost with 325 hp. However, while the Ford engine offers 400 lb-ft of torque, the Chevy TurboMax offers 430 lb-ft of torque. That extra torque makes all of the difference, allowing a Silverado 1500 with the base engine to tow up to 9,500 lbs and haul up to 2,260 lbs of payload. For comparison, an F-150 with the base 2.7L EcoBoost tops out at 8,400 lbs of towing and 1,785 lbs of payload.

Further, the 2025 Silverado 1500 has something the 2025 F-150 lineup does not, and it’s something a lot of truck drivers are looking for: a diesel engine. The 3.0L Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine comes standard on the Silverado 1500 ZR2 trim, and drivers who select any trim except the base WT and Custom can choose this engine option for their truck. Providing 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque and paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission, Chevy’s diesel has serious towing tenacity, making it a clear choice for drivers who are looking to get the most performance out of their pickup truck. Not only can it tow up to 13,300 lbs—this engine is also rated for an EPA-estimated 29 MPG on the highway, making it the most efficient full-size truck on the market. Even the F-150’s hybrid option only gets an estimated 24 MPG on the highway!

Black and grey seating is shown in a 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2 Bison.

Helping You Get the Job Done

Any pickup truck driver knows that sometimes, how you get the job done is just as important as the final product. The 2025 Silverado 1500 offers plenty of assistance for drivers who plan to make the most of their truck’s towing and hauling capacity. That includes an available Multi-Flex Tailgate with six different functions that make your truck more useful, including an inner gate that extends your reach into the bed, a full-width fold-out step, and a work surface. While Ford has added the new Pro Access Tailgate to the 2025 F-150, its small swing-out center door is no match for the added versatility of the Chevy Multi-Flex Tailgate.

Also, Silverado 1500 drivers have the ability to equip their trucks with up to eight external cameras, offering 14 different trailering views. This starts with the traditional Hitch View and the familiar HD Surround View but also includes front and rear side views, front and rear top-down views, an optional Inside Trailer View, and even a unique Transparent Trailer View. Drivers who choose the Silverado 1500 High Country trim also have Super Cruise with Trailering technology on board, allowing hands-free driving that takes into account the size and weight of your trailer. Although the Ford F-150 does offer its own BlueCruise hands-free driving technology, this feature cannot be used safely with a trailer in tow. Further, BlueCruise can only be activated on around 130,000 miles of highways, while Super Cruise is available on 750,000 miles of roads.

Overall Package: Chevy Silverado 1500 vs Ford F-150

Here’s where things tend to get more subjective. Features that are very important to one driver may be entirely irrelevant to another. However, nearly every driver appreciates that purchasing a full-size pickup truck is a significant investment, and they’re looking for the best overall value. If you compare the Silverado 1500 lineup to that of the F-150, it’s pretty clear that the Chevy emerges as the best value.

The price of a truck depends on many factors, especially when that truck is as customizable as a Silverado or an F-150. However, the starting price for many Ford F-150 models is significantly higher than that of the comparable Silverado 1500 trims. For instance, the popular F-150 King Ranch starts at $74,805 compared to the Silverado 1500 LTZ at $57,700. But what do you get for your money?

Chevy drivers can choose from a range of trims that includes the WT, Custom, LT, RST, Custom Trail Boss, LTZ, LT Trail Boss, High Country, and ZR2, each of which has its own specialty. While the trim and any extra packages you choose will make a difference in the features and price, driving a Silverado 1500 means you can enjoy a Durabed with 12 standard tie-downs, under-seat storage, and handy things like power-adjustable seats, a massive 13.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and 20-inch wheels, even in the more budget-friendly trims like the LT.

The Ford F-150 is also offered in a range of trims, including the XL, STX, XLT, Lariat, Tremor, King Ranch, Platinum, and Raptor. The Ford’s touchscreen is frozen at a maximum size of 12 inches, though, and power-adjustable seats aren’t standard until the Lariat trim, which starts at $45,595. If making the most of your hard-earned money is important to you, consider stretching your dollar with the Chevy Silverado 1500, which has more to offer in every trim, not just the ones that cost the most.

A close-up shows the front of a white 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2 Bison.

Why the Chevy Silverado 1500 Takes the Crown

It’s not that the 2025 Ford F-150 is a terrible truck—there are just so many more things that make sense about the 2025 Chevy Silverado 1500 and the features it offers. From class-exclusive features like a diesel engine and hands-free driving with a trailer to more affordable trim and package offerings that drivers can fully appreciate, we feel that the Chevy Silverado 1500 is simply better overall value than the Ford F-150. Sure, there are drivers who disagree, but if you happen to be searching for a Chevy Silverado 1500 for sale, let this be your sign that you’re on the right path.