2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty received subtle updates that were noticeable to keen observers. The front bumper featured more black painted areas and less chrome, while the grille adopted a less gaudy design. The headlights became sleeker, contributing to a more restrained styling. The F-250 was available in various trims, each offering distinct visual differences. The interior was functional, with a logical layout and ample storage, though it felt cold and mechanical due to the extensive use of hard plastics.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered three cab styles, three bed lengths, and eight trim levels, each with a unique appearance. The Silverado's exterior was boxy and commanding, with Northsky Blue paint and plenty of chrome trim. However, the interior felt outdated, with glossy plastic, large panel joints, and small infotainment screens. Despite the supportive front seats and ample rear seat space, the Silverado's cabin lacked the sense of quality found in its competitors.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty came standard with a 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine producing 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. It also offered a 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8 with 475 hp and an impressive 1,050 lb-ft of torque. A new 7.3-liter gas V8 option delivered 430 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The gas engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel V8 used a six-speed automatic. The F-250 could tow up to 30,000 pounds when properly equipped. The ride was bumpy when unloaded, but the truck excelled in towing and hauling capabilities. The Tremor off-road package added features like 33-inch tires, a 2-inch lift, and rock crawl mode.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a range of engines, including a 3.0-liter inline-six Duramax turbodiesel. This engine provided 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, achieving 22.6 mpg in combined driving. The Silverado's maximum towing capacity was 13,300 pounds with the 6.2-liter V8, while the Duramax could tow up to 9,500 pounds. The 10-speed automatic transmission paired with the Duramax was smooth and efficient. The Z71 Off-Road Package improved the Silverado's suspension, making it more capable off-road. However, the standard suspension allowed too much body movement on the highway and felt skittish on rough pavement.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available in Regular Cab, SuperCab, and Crew Cab configurations, with 6-foot-9-inch or 8-foot bed sizes. The cabin was spacious and functional, with deep cup holders and cubbies. The center console was large enough to store files, tools, or a laptop. The rear seats in the SuperCrew and Crew Cab folded up to reveal a load floor for large items, providing secure storage inside the cabin.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab offered a spacious interior with wide, flat, supportive front seats that featured 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat accommodated three adults comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom. The Silverado had dual dashboard glove compartments and various storage areas, though they were smaller than those in competitors. The bed was the deepest and roomiest among its rivals, with useful features like the CornerStep rear bumper and up to 12 tie-down hooks. The new Multi-Flex tailgate offered six configurations, though it was not available on the test truck.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty's base XL trim came with four speakers, an AM/FM/MP3 radio, Bluetooth, and a USB-C port. The XLT added more speakers, SiriusXM satellite radio, and the SYNC 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. FordPass Connect was standard across the lineup, providing a WiFi hotspot and remote vehicle control via a smartphone app.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 featured the Chevrolet Infotainment System 3 with 7-inch and 8-inch screens. The LTZ trim included an 8-inch HD display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The system was user-friendly, with quick response times and modern graphics. The Silverado also offered a head-up display and up to 15 high-definition cameras for improved visibility and trailering assistance.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty included standard safety features like front- and side-impact airbags, trailer sway control, and hill start assist. Optional features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera system. The F-250 had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS, and it would benefit from making more safety features standard.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 received a "Marginal" rating from IIHS for front passenger protection in a small-overlap frontal-impact collision and a four-star overall rating from NHTSA. Standard and optional safety features included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera. The Silverado also offered adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and a Safety Alert Seat.