Ford F-250 Super Duty vs Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD was a massive vehicle, available in various configurations including regular, double, or crew cabs, and offered with a seven-foot or eight-foot bed. It came in six trims: Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ, High Country, and the off-road-specific ZR2. The truck's size was imposing, with a wheelbase that could reach up to 14 feet and an overall length of 22 feet. Each trim had distinct front fascia styling, with the Work Truck being plain yet handsome, while the Custom added a body-colored bar across the grille. The LT trim featured a chrome bar, and the LTZ and High Country trims had a fully chromed grille with C-shaped headlamps. The ZR2 trim blacked out the grille and included the Chevrolet “flow tie” badging. For 2024, Chevrolet introduced standard tow hooks and wheel options up to 22 inches, along with ten color choices, though many were similar shades.

Inside, the High Country trim was the pinnacle of luxury, featuring open-pore wood, leather trim, and intricate embroidery. The Jet Black interior was accented with brown Umber, offering a simple yet upscale look. Chevrolet had previously struggled with interior materials, but the 2024 model achieved a high-quality feel. The ZR2 trim, tested alongside the High Country, provided a rugged off-road experience. Overall, the Silverado 2500HD offered a blend of functionality and style, catering to both work and leisure needs.

The 2025 Ford F-250 Super Duty was an enormous truck, measuring two feet longer than a Chevrolet Suburban, even with the "short" 6.75-foot bed. Ford embraced its size with styling elements that emphasized its mass, including a massive grille that spanned the entire front fascia. The base trim featured a blacked-out grille, while the top Platinum trim, with the optional Platinum Plus package, showcased chrome elements. The truck could be further enhanced with dual rear wheels on the F-350 and F-450 models. Our F-250 tester was equipped with the Tremor Off-Road package, which raised the ride height, added off-road running boards, and mounted 35-inch all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels. Despite the larger tires, the Super Duty appeared to ride on undersized rubber, but the chrome accents hinted at a luxurious interior.

Inside, the F-250 continued the blocky and industrial look with upright cockpit elements and chunky trim pieces. In the Platinum trim, these were covered with high-quality materials, including quilted leather on the seats and door panels, and elegant micro mesh metallic trim on the dashboard. The materials rivaled those of luxury trims from GMC and Ram, though the leather was sturdy rather than supple. The truck's construction felt rock-solid, with occasional creaks typical of body-on-frame trucks. The F-250 was positioned as a luxurious workhorse for wealthy buyers, offering comfort and capability for towing large trailers or exploring the outdoors.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD came standard with a 6.6-liter V8 gas engine producing 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque. An optional 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel V8 was available, delivering 470 horsepower and 975 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. The Duramax diesel was notably quiet, with smooth shifts and quick acceleration to highway speeds. In a 100-mile test drive in two-wheel drive, the Silverado returned 20.3 miles per gallon, while a mix of two-wheel and Auto four-wheel drive over 250 miles resulted in 17 mpg. Most configurations offered a 36-gallon tank, though some variations had smaller tanks.

For off-road enthusiasts, the Silverado 2500 ZR2 with the Bison package excelled. It featured Multimatic DSSV spool valve shocks, 35-inch tires, and a 1.5-inch lift, providing 11.6 inches of ground clearance and impressive approach, departure, and breakover angles. The Bison package also included skid plating and steel bumpers, making it a formidable off-road vehicle.

The 2025 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered four powertrain options, starting with a 6.8-liter V8 gas engine producing 405 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque. A 7.3-liter gasoline V8 was available, delivering 430 horsepower and 485 pound-feet of torque. Two diesel options were offered, with the base Power Stroke 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 producing 475 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque, while the high-output version delivered 500 horsepower and 1,200 pound-feet of torque. All F-250s featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, with four-wheel drive standard on all but the base XL trim.

The F-250 excelled in towing, with the base gasoline V8 capable of pulling up to 17,300 pounds, while the 7.3-liter upgrade increased capacity to 18,200 pounds. Diesel engines were rated for a maximum of 22,000 pounds, which could be increased to 23,000 with a fifth-wheel gooseneck. The Tremor Off-Road package reduced towing capacity by around 3,000 pounds but enhanced off-road capabilities with features like a locking rear differential, upgraded suspension, and all-terrain tires.

The high-output diesel engine provided impressive acceleration, though it was unmistakably a diesel at full throttle. The brakes were smooth and composed, though there was noticeable nose dive during panic stops. Steering was typical of a heavy-duty truck, requiring constant attention to maintain lane position. Handling was predictable, with expected body roll, and parking posed challenges due to the truck's size.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD offered impressive towing capabilities, with a maximum capacity of 22,430 pounds, though our tester was closer to 19,000 pounds. Payload capacity varied, with the 2500HD capable of hauling around 3,700 pounds, while our tester managed 3,000 pounds. Towing was made easier with various camera views, including a transparent trailer camera and a 360-degree view camera. The truck featured a side step for easy bed access and a six-way MultiFlex tailgate, which could serve as a desk, bed extender, or step. The High Country trim included heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel, though the audio system was limited to six speakers.

The 2025 Ford F-250 Super Duty provided ample space in the front seats, with adjustable pedals and plenty of lateral room. The crew cab's rear seats were spacious, though the panoramic sunroof rails could limit headroom for taller passengers. Storage options were abundant, with a large phone tray, cupholders, a center armrest bin, and multiple door pockets. The Pro Power Onboard system turned the F-250 into a mobile generator, powering outlets in the cabin and bed. The power tailgate and integrated step made bed access easy, while the retractable hard tonneau cover protected cargo. The Tremor Off-Road package raised the running boards, requiring a sizable step up to enter the cabin.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD featured a 12.3-inch configurable gauge cluster and a 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard on the LT trim. The system was user-friendly, with Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa integration. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, though the screen was always in split-mode. Charging options were plentiful, with USB ports, wireless charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An available 15-inch head-up display provided key information, and a rear camera mirror offered a video feed from the back-up camera. However, the Silverado lacked an on-board generator like Ford's ProPower Onboard.

The 2025 Ford F-250 Super Duty boasted advanced technology, including the Pro Trailer Backup Assist system, which simplified trailer maneuvering. The truck featured a standard integrated trailer brake controller, tire-pressure monitors for the trailer, and additional camera views. The Onboard Scales system displayed the weight being loaded into the bed or attached to the hitch. Inside, the Platinum trim included a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument panel. A 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system provided powerful sound, though treble distortion was noted at higher volumes. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard and wireless, with wireless charging available on higher trims.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD offered standard safety features like front pedestrian braking, forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a following distance indicator. The GM Safety Seat provided tactile alerts, and adaptive cruise control was optional. The truck included GM's Buckle to Drive feature and Teen Driver technology, though it had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2025 Ford F-250 Super Duty lacked crash test ratings due to its heavy-duty classification. Standard trailer sway damping was included, with additional safety features available on higher trims. The XLT trim offered forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, while the Lariat added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system. Adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were standard on the King Ranch trim and above, though the lane-keep assist was not perfect.