2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty vs 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty had an updated styling with a more detailed grille and headlights. The new grille moved away from the gaudy chrome-clad bars of the 2019 model, yet remained imposing. The massive headlights, though still large, featured additional detail and contouring, making them look less like a glass-fronted dorm fridge. These subtle changes resulted in a more mature-looking heavy-duty pickup. However, the design was still a modest evolution of the 2017 model year, and as newer trucks like the 2021 F-150 hit the road, the Super Duty began to look more dated. The cabin remained unchanged with blocky styling, ideally suited for work use but not particularly inviting compared to rivals like Ram. The F-350 Super Duty was available in six trim levels: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited, each offering a range of features from basic work truck amenities to luxury touches like leather upholstery and premium audio systems.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD was notably tall, with a hood height just shy of the average American woman's height. Redesigned for 2020, the 2021 model introduced new special editions, fresh camera technology, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Chevrolet offered the Silverado 2500HD in various body styles, trim levels, colors, and bed lengths, emphasizing variety. Special editions included the LTZ Premium Texas Edition, Midnight Edition, Z71 Sport Edition, and Z71 Chrome Sport Edition. The truck featured high-strength steel beds, 17- to 20-inch wheels, and integrated BedSteps and CornerSteps for easier access. However, the exterior design was less sophisticated compared to its counterparts, with a more Hot Wheels-ready look. The Silverado 2500HD was not available as a dually, unlike the Silverado 3500HD.

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty came with three engine options. The standard 6.2-liter gas V8 produced 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. A 6.7-liter turbodiesel Power Stroke V8 delivered 475 hp and an astounding 1,050 lb-ft of torque. New for 2020 was a 7.3-liter gas V8, putting out 430 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The 6.2-liter V8 could be paired with a six-speed automatic transmission or an available 10-speed automatic, while the 7.3-liter gas engine and the 6.7-liter diesel engine came standard with the 10-speed automatic. The F-350 offered rear-wheel drive or available four-wheel drive with low range. It had impressive towing capacities: 24,200 pounds for conventional towing, 32,500 pounds for fifth-wheel towing, and 37,000 pounds for gooseneck trailers. The maximum payload capacity was 7,850 pounds. The Tremor off-road package added features like 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler all-terrain tires, a lifted suspension, and Trail Control.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD offered a choice between a 6.6-liter V8 gasoline engine and a 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel power plant. The gas engine achieved 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Duramax diesel, available for a surcharge, produced 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque, mated with a 10-speed Allison automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive available. The gas engine had a maximum payload of 3,979 pounds with RWD and 3,965 pounds with 4WD, while the diesel had a 3,715-pound maximum payload. The gas engine could tow up to 14,500 pounds with a conventional setup and 17,370 pounds with a fifth wheel/gooseneck connection. The diesel could pull 18,500 pounds regardless of the trailering setup. The Silverado 2500HD featured a 36-gallon fuel tank for gasoline models and varying tank sizes for diesel models depending on the cab and bed configuration.

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty was available in Regular Cab, Super Cab, and Super Crew configurations. The Super Cab had rear-hinged half-doors, providing decent space for rear-seat passengers but requiring the front door to be opened for access. The Super Crew was a full four-door crew cab with ample headroom and legroom in the rear seats, which could fold up to create a large load floor. The F-350 offered either a 6-foot-9-inch bed or an 8-foot bed, with the regular cab only available with the longer bed. The 8-foot bed was also available in a dual-rear-wheel configuration. The bed featured a step that extended from the tailgate for easier loading.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD provided a spacious and comfortable interior, with more headroom than most SUVs. The Crew Cab version offered the best rear seat legroom. The truck came standard with a 40/20/40 split-bench seat with a covered armrest, while higher trims featured bucket seats and a full center console. Standard upholstery options included vinyl or cloth, with power-sliding rear windows and four-way manual front seats. Higher trims offered 10-way power-adjustable front seats with lumbar support. Assist handles, manual windows, a rubberized floor, and single-zone climate control were standard. Upper trim levels added carpeted floor mats and softer-touch surfaces, approaching GMC’s premium territory.

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty featured the SYNC 3 infotainment system, which included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The system had an intuitive menu layout with large icons for Audio, Phone, Navigation, Apps, and Settings. However, SYNC 3 occasionally experienced buggy hiccups, especially when switching between SYNC 3 and Apple CarPlay. Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist included a 360 camera, wide-angle backup camera, and Trailer Reverse Guidance, making trailer backing easier by taking over the steering inputs.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD came standard with a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, with two USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system worked well most of the time but had issues when scrolling through radio stations. Additional standard features included a 12-volt front power outlet, two-speaker audio system, 3.5-inch driver information display, Bluetooth, and Chevrolet Connected Access. Available features included a 120-volt power outlet, WiFi hot spot, 8-inch driver information screen, bed view camera, Bose audio system, 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, keyless entry, rear camera mirror, remote start, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Chevrolet excelled in camera technology, adding a bed-view camera to lower trim levels.

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty came standard with a full array of airbags, automatic high beams, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The XLT trim added automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage. The Lariat added a reverse-sensing system, while the King Ranch included Pro Trailer Backup Assist. The Platinum trim featured adaptive cruise control and adaptive steering, with all these features standard on the Limited trim.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD was not crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with six airbags, a rearview camera, Teen Driver software, electronic stability control with traction control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. The Work Truck and Custom models could be equipped with a Safety Confidence Package, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, steering-wheel audio controls, a 4.2-inch driver information screen, and cruise control. Additional available safety features included cruise control, forward-collision warning, front and rear park assist, lane-departure warning, OnStar and Chevrolet Connected Services, rear-seat reminder, high-beam assist, and following distance indicator.