2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty vs 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 had a distinctive appearance thanks to a myriad of design details. It featured different grilles and finishes, various wheel sizes and styles, and options for black, body-color, or shiny bumpers, giving each version a unique look. Customers could select from Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab styles and choose among several trim levels: WT (Work Truck), Custom, LT, RST, LTZ, and High Country. Off-roading enthusiasts had the Trail Boss treatment added to the Custom or LT trims. The MSRP ranged from $28,500 to $57,100, excluding the $1,595 destination charge.

The Silverado LT Trail Boss in the review came with a 6.2-liter V8 engine and was equipped with the Midnight Edition, Convenience Package II, Leather Package, and Advanced Trailering Package, raising the price to $59,185, including the destination charge. Its black paint, black wheels, and blacked-out exterior trim lent it a custom appearance, although maintaining this pristine look was a challenge, especially if used for off-roading.

Overall, the Silverado's styling had some appealing elements, although preferences varied with different trim treatments, wheel designs, and paint colors. However, the inside left much to be desired. The cabin, industrial in its aesthetic, conveyed a raw architectural strength with plastic silver trim and a busy, layered modular nature. Despite leather seating, the interior did not reflect a nearly $60,000 price tag, appearing dated and unrefined, especially compared to the competition.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, specifically the Limited trim, exuded luxury and capability. Shining in Iconic Silver paint, with chrome grille and polished wheels, it looked both stately and ready for heavy-duty tasks. The interior, with plush leather seats and a high-end audio system, felt upscale enough for any occasion. The power-deploying running boards made entry into the high cab easy, revealing a spacious, sensibly laid-out interior.

The F-350 came in six trims: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited, with higher-end trims like the King Ranch and above offering more luxurious interiors. It was available in regular, extended (SuperCab), and crew cab (Super Crew) styles, with standard or long cargo beds and a choice of single or dual rear-wheel axles. The Limited trim, tested with a standard cargo bed and single rear-wheel axle, featured a turbodiesel V8 engine and four-wheel drive (4WD) system. With an additional spray-in bedliner and destination charge of $1,695, the MSRP totaled $87,655.

Inside, the F-350 Limited featured soft two-tone leather with exposed stitching, real wood and aluminum trim, an extended leather treatment, and a panoramic glass sunroof, providing a premium feel. Despite this, the "4x4" graphics on the cargo bed seemed cheesy to some. In summary, the F-350 Limited's luxurious interior and high price were justified by its premium materials and capability.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a choice of five engines and three transmissions, depending on the configuration and trim. A new 3.0-liter turbodiesel 6-cylinder engine produced 277 horsepower at 3,750 rpm and 460 lb-ft of torque at 1,500 rpm. This diesel engine, costing up to $6,705 extra, offered up to 27 mpg on the highway per EPA ratings. The Silverado also incorporated Chevrolet's turbocharged 2.7-liter 4-cylinder, 6.2-liter V8, and 10-speed automatic transmission configurations more broadly.

The test truck featured a 6.2-liter V8 generating 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, capable of thrilling acceleration and a commanding exhaust note. Equipped with the Z71 Off-Road Package, the LT Trail Boss excelled off-road, thanks to its Off-Road suspension with Rancho shocks, 2-inch lift, skid plates, and Auto mode in the 4WD system. However, the whirring noise of the all-terrain tires on pavement and steering response lag somewhat hindered its on-road performance. The Silverado managed an average fuel consumption of 16.8 mpg with Autotrac in Auto mode, which was commendable compared to its EPA rating of 17 mpg combined.

In comparison, the 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty's 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 engine offered an impressive 475 horsepower and a staggering 1,050 lb-ft of torque. Without EPA fuel-economy estimates for heavy-duty trucks, the test truck averaged 15.4 mpg unloaded in two-wheel drive during testing, with an improvement to 16.5 mpg on heavy highway use.

The Powerstroke diesel's performance was remarkable, providing formidable thrust and efficient power delivery, even when towing loaded trailers. The F-350’s Tremor off-road package further enhanced its off-road prowess, with a front suspension lift, custom dampers, and 35-inch all-terrain tires offering substantial ground clearance and better handling on rugged terrains.

Adaptive steering in the F-350 Limited adjusted steering ratio based on speed, but the truck still required considerable effort to maneuver, especially in urban settings. Despite its size and cumbersome handling, the diesel engine's brake system and stopping power impressed, even on mountainous roads.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 provided practical interior features like leather upholstery and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, making long drives uncomfortable for passengers. The Crew Cab's back seat offered ample space and thigh support, complemented by heating options, USB ports, air conditioning vents, and a power sliding rear window for added ventilation.

Storage was abundant with dual glove compartments, a large center console bin, lower door panel bins, and hidden compartments within the rear seatback cushions. The Silverado's cargo capabilities were formidable, with a maximum payload capacity of 2,250 pounds and a towing capacity of up to 13,400 pounds, depending on the configuration. The test truck’s payload and towing capacities were 2,170 pounds and 11,300 pounds, respectively, with the Max Trailering Package.

On the flip side, the 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty posed challenges in accessing its high cargo bed without the integrated tailgate step or retractable bed step. Nevertheless, the BoxLink system, spray-in bedliner, and LED box lighting made securing and organizing cargo easier.

Inside the F-350 crew cab, five passengers enjoyed expansive space, power-adjustable and ventilated front seats, and an abundance of storage options, including dual glove compartments and door panel bins. The rear seats provided incredible legroom and additional storage under the flip-up seat cushion, ensuring comfort even for backseat passengers.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Chevrolet Connected Access services, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The larger display provided high-definition views, and upgrades included navigation, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, wireless device charging, and a seven-speaker Bose premium sound system. However, some features had short free trial periods, while the infotainment screen in the test truck lacked navigation.

Chevy's Advanced Trailering Package provided up to 15 different camera views, enhancing visibility while towing, although it required an additional purchase. However, the test truck did not include options such as the head-up display (HUD) or the camera-based rearview mirror.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with the Sync 3 infotainment system, lacked the competitive edge of more modern systems. Nonetheless, it offered comprehensive features, including smartphone integration, wireless charging, navigation, FordPass Connect services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a high-quality B&O premium sound system. The smaller screen size posed challenges in parking and navigating tight spaces.

Ford's Ultimate Trailer Tow Camera, Trailer Reverse Guidance, and Pro Trailer Backup Assist technologies utilized the display, but a larger screen would have provided greater convenience. The F-350 also offered trailer camera and Live Drive Power Take-off system options, complete with useful upfitter switches on the truck’s roof.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered standard features such as a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology, but advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) were limited to the higher LTZ and High Country trims. Forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control were not available for lower trims. Additionally, the Silverado's blind-spot warning system was optional for LT and RST trims only, and the test truck lacked these precautionary measures despite a price close to $60,000.

The Silverado's crash-test ratings were underwhelming. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded it a 4-star overall rating, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) provided a Marginal rating for front passenger protection in small overlap frontal-impact collisions on the right side. The Silverado’s headlights received a Poor rating, indicative of the need for significant safety improvements in an otherwise all-new 2019 design.

Conversely, the 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, although lacking official crash-test data, inherently offered better protection due to its size and weight at approximately 7,300 pounds. However, the test truck's adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, rear cross-traffic alert, and 911 Assist feature ensured advanced safety features were available.

The F-350’s ADAS included ample steering wheel vibrations for lane-departure warnings and easy-to-miss blind-spot indicators. Adaptive cruise control performance varied in LA traffic, and the absence of a full stop capability required vigilant driving.