2020 Ford Ranger vs 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a distinctive appearance thanks to a variety of design details, including different grilles, finishes, wheel sizes, and styles. Buyers could choose between Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab styles, with trim levels that ranged from WT (Work Truck) to High Country. For off-roading enthusiasts, a Trail Boss treatment was available for the Custom or LT trims. The price of the Silverado ranged from $28,500 to $57,100, not including the $1,595 destination charge.

A particular model of interest was the LT Trail Boss, equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 engine and a slew of option packages that inflated the test truck’s price to $59,185. This version, with its black paint, wheels, and exterior trim, had a custom look but was notably challenging to keep clean. Chevrolet aimed this model at off-roading, evident from its muddy usage.

Stylistically, the Silverado was liked for its rugged and distinctive exterior. However, its interior needed significant improvement, presenting an industrial appearance that lacked refinement and modernity. Despite the leather seats, the cabin still felt dated and unrefined, especially for a vehicle nearing $60,000.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford Ranger reentered the American market in 2019 after an eight-year hiatus. The renewed Ranger was a larger and more sophisticated truck than its predecessors, drawing on the international model's design language. The Ranger displayed a clean, somewhat aggressive look that conveyed its sporty and capable nature without succumbing to the "bigger-and-blockier" trend.

Inside, the Ranger had a functional, purpose-first cabin with modern but hard plastic surfaces, making it feel durable but low-rent compared to competitors like the Jeep Gladiator and Honda Ridgeline. Trim levels for the Ranger were XL, XLT, and Lariat, with the higher trims offering more features like leather upholstery, heated and power-adjustable seats, and ambient cabin lighting. The exterior also featured various appearance packages and off-road-oriented FX2 and FX4 packages, bolstering its appeal to different tastes and needs.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 came with multiple engine options and transmissions, offering flexibility based on the truck’s configuration and trim level. New for 2020 was a 3.0-liter turbodiesel 6-cylinder engine that produced 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The diesel engine offered up to 27 mpg on the highway, though at a significant cost.

Among the available engines was a 6.2-liter V8 engine that delivered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. This engine was powerful, providing impressive acceleration and a commanding exhaust note. The LT Trail Boss, equipped with this engine and an Autotrac 4WD system, accelerated authoritatively on various surfaces. However, its off-road tires produced noticeable tire noise on pavement and felt limited in terms of grip.

The Silverado impressed with its ride quality and fuel efficiency, averaging 16.8 mpg in combined driving. It also had a substantial towing capacity, rated to tow up to 13,400 pounds and haul up to 2,250 pounds of payload, depending on the configuration.

Meanwhile, the 2020 Ford Ranger was powered by a single-engine across all trims. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. This engine was punchy, providing ample power at low speeds and for highway passing.

The Ranger’s towing capabilities were impressive for a midsize truck, with a maximum towing capacity of 7,500 pounds. The best payload capacity came from the SuperCab with a 4x2 drivetrain, rated at 1,860 pounds.

While capable off-road, the Ranger felt a bit stiff on normal roads, with chatter and vibration over small bumps and noticeable body roll in corners. It offered FX2 and FX4 Off-Road packages, enhancing its off-road credentials with features such as off-road tires, a locking rear differential, and Trail Control.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a comfortable interior, particularly with its leather upholstery and 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with separately heated cushions. However, the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster, which was a point of discomfort for some passengers. The Crew Cab’s back seat was spacious, though the seating position was low.

Storage was abundant, with dual glove compartments, a large center console bin, and hidden compartments in the rear seatback cushions. The Silverado was highly capable in terms of towing and payload, with a maximum towing capacity of 13,400 pounds and a payload capacity of up to 2,250 pounds. The cargo box offered more storage room than competitors, thanks to its depth and high sides.

In comparison, the 2020 Ford Ranger was available in SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations. The SuperCab seated four and had a 2+2 layout, with rear seats suitable for children and accessed through clamshell half-doors. The SuperCrew provided seating for five with more comfortable rear seats. Both configurations had ample front storage options.

The SuperCab paired a six-foot bed, and the SuperCrew came with a five-foot bed. The Ranger offered a remote locking tailgate, LED bed lighting, and an optional spray-in bed liner. It did not, however, include a bed-step like some competitors.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 came standard with a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Upgrades included a high-definition display, navigation, SiriusXM 360L, wireless device charging, and a 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The Advanced Trailering Package provided up to 15 different camera views and added a trailer brake controller. The Silverado also offered technological aids like a head-up display and a camera-based rearview mirror.

On the other hand, the 2020 Ford Ranger kept things basic at the XL trim level with an AM/FM stereo, four speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port. FordPass Connect enabled remote locking and starting, along with WiFi hotspot capability. Upgrading to the XLT trim included the SYNC 3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The range-topping Lariat trim boasted a B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen with ten speakers.

For the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, standard safety features included a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. However, advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control were only available on the LTZ and High Country trims.

The Silverado’s crash-test ratings were not stellar. The NHTSA awarded it a 4-star overall rating, with 4-star performances for driver and front passenger protection in frontal collisions. The IIHS gave it a Marginal rating for front passenger protection in small overlap frontal collisions on the right side and a Poor rating for headlights.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford Ranger came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, and pedestrian detection. The XLT trim added Ford CoPilot 360, which included lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Safety ratings were strong, with the IIHS giving it top scores in most crash tests and a Superior rating for vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention technology. The NHTSA rated it with a Four-Star overall rating, with some variations in individual test results.