2020 Ford Ranger vs 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

The 2020 Ford Ranger marked its return to the American market after an eight-year hiatus, during which it was sold internationally in a different form. The current-generation Ranger, based on the international version, was larger and more sophisticated than its predecessor. Ford attempted to align the Ranger with its F-Series lineup through similar grille styling, but the similarities ended there. The Ranger's design avoided the "bigger-and-blockier" trend of American trucks, instead presenting a clean, somewhat aggressive appearance that highlighted its sporty and capable nature.

Inside, the Ranger featured a function-first cabin that was modern but not particularly welcoming. Hard plastics dominated the interior, making it durable but less refined compared to competitors like the Jeep Gladiator and Honda Ridgeline. The Ranger was available in three trims: XL, XLT, and Lariat, each offering progressively more features and upscale touches. Various appearance packages and off-road options like the FX2 and FX4 packages were also available, enhancing the truck's versatility and appeal.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD was a towering presence, redesigned for the 2020 model year with additional updates for 2021. It offered new special editions, advanced camera technology, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Chevrolet provided a wide variety of body styles, trim levels, colors, and bed lengths, emphasizing customization. The Silverado 2500HD was available in Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ, and High Country grades, with Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab body styles.

Special editions like the LTZ Premium Texas Edition and Z71 Sport Edition added unique features and styling. The truck's bed, made of high-strength steel, came in standard and long-bed versions, with integrated BedSteps and large CornerSteps for easier access. The Silverado 2500HD's exterior design was more rugged and less sophisticated than some competitors, with a look that leaned towards a Hot Wheels aesthetic. Despite its imposing size, the truck offered practical features like 12 standard tie-down rings and an EZ Lift tailgate on LT models.

The 2020 Ford Ranger was powered by a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission, available in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive with low-range gearing. The turbo engine provided ample power for low-speed driving and highway passing. The Ranger's towing capacity was impressive for a midsize truck, capable of towing up to 7,500 pounds when properly equipped. The SuperCab with a 4x2 drivetrain offered the best payload capacity at 1,860 pounds.

However, the Ranger's ride quality was somewhat stiff, with noticeable chatter and vibration over small bumps and body roll around corners. Ford offered FX2 and FX4 Off-Road packages, adding off-road tires, an electronically locking rear differential, and off-road-tuned suspension. The FX4 package further included Trail Control and the Terrain Management System, enhancing the truck's off-road capabilities with various drive modes for different conditions.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD offered two engine options: a 6.6-liter V8 gasoline engine with 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and a 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine with 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 10-speed Allison automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive available. The gasoline engine had a maximum payload of 3,979 pounds with RWD and 3,965 pounds with 4WD, while the diesel engine had a maximum payload of 3,715 pounds.

The Silverado 2500HD excelled in towing, with the gas engine capable of towing up to 14,500 pounds with a conventional setup and 17,370 pounds with a fifth wheel/gooseneck connection. The diesel engine could tow up to 18,500 pounds. The diesel engine provided smoother and more vigorous acceleration, especially when towing, thanks to its high torque and smooth 10-speed transmission. Fuel economy figures were not provided for heavy-duty trucks like the Silverado 2500HD, as they are considered work vehicles.

The 2020 Ford Ranger was available in SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations. The SuperCab seated four with a 2+2 layout, featuring rear-opening clamshell half-doors for access to the tight rear seats, which were more suitable for children. The rear seats could be folded up for additional storage or deleted altogether for more cargo space. The SuperCrew, a full four-door crew cab, seated five with a full rear bench, providing more comfortable seating for adults. Both body styles offered practical storage solutions, including deep in-door pockets, a center console bin, and a coin/key tray atop the dash.

The Ranger paired a six-foot bed with the SuperCab and a five-foot bed with the SuperCrew. Features like a remote locking tailgate, LED bed lighting, and a wall-style power outlet were available, though a bed-step was notably absent. An optional spray-in bed liner was offered for added durability.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD provided a spacious and comfortable interior, with more headroom than most SUVs. The Crew Cab version offered ample rear seat legroom, making it suitable for three adults across the cab. The truck came standard with a 40/20/40 split-bench seat with a covered armrest, with higher trims featuring bucket seats and a full center console. Vinyl or cloth upholstery was standard, along with a power-sliding rear window with defogger and a four-way manual driver and front passenger seat.

Assist handles, manual windows, a rubberized floor, manual-tilt steering wheel, and single-zone climate control were standard. Higher trims offered more luxurious features, including 10-way power-adjustable front seats with lumbar support, carpeted floor mats, and softer-touch surfaces. The Silverado 2500HD's interior could be quite upscale in upper trims, though competitors like the Ford Super Duty and Ram 2500HD offered more luxurious appointments.

The 2020 Ford Ranger's base XL trim featured a basic AM/FM stereo with four speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port. FordPass Connect was included, offering remote lock/unlock, remote start, and WiFi hotspot capability for up to ten devices, though these features required a subscription after an initial complimentary period. The XLT trim upgraded to SYNC 3 with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Lariat trim included a premium B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen with ten speakers.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD came standard with a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, two USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system worked well but had some quirks, particularly when scrolling through radio stations. Additional standard features included a 12-volt front power outlet, two-speaker audio system, a 3.5-inch driver information display, Bluetooth, and Chevrolet Connected Access cable. Available features included a 120-volt power outlet, WiFi hotspot, an 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 trims for 2021, enhancing visibility and convenience.

The 2020 Ford Ranger came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, a child-seat anchoring system, tire-pressure monitoring, automatic headlights, automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, and pedestrian detection. The XLT trim added Ford CoPilot 360, which included lane-departure warning and avoidance, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse parking sensors. An available Technology Package added forward parking sensors and adaptive cruise control. The Ranger earned top scores in most IIHS crash tests and a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with one recall for the ten-speed automatic transmission.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD was not crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS due to its heavy-duty classification. Standard safety features included six airbags, a rearview camera, Teen Driver software, electronic stability control with traction control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. The Safety Confidence Package, available on Work Truck and Custom models, added 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 front and rear park assist, lane-departure warning, OnStar and Chevrolet Connected Services, rear-seat reminder, high-beam assist, and following distance indicator.