2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2022 Ford Maverick

In 2021, prospective buyers of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 found an extensive array of choices. The Silverado came in three different cab styles, offered three distinct bed lengths, and boasted eight unique trim levels—each with a distinctive appearance. Buyers also faced decisions regarding the six available engines paired with six, eight, and 10-speed automatic transmissions. While rear-wheel drive (RWD) was standard, four-wheel drive (4WD) added versatility for buyers needing extra traction.

The LTZ trim, present in the tested model, was just one rung below the top-most tier. This crew cab and short bed vehicle came with 4WD and a remarkable 3.0-liter inline-six turbodiesel engine known as Duramax. Priced at $995, this engine option brought the total cost of the test vehicle to $61,165 with included packages.

Visually, the 2021 Silverado commanded attention. With its boxy design, chiseled details, flared fenders, and blunt nose, it presented a confident and towering presence. The Northsky Blue paint, chrome trim, and 20-inch polished aluminum wheels made it shine like a star in a constellation.

Once inside, however, the charm diminished. The cabin, featuring silver accent trims with an industrial vibe, largely failed to impress. Glossy plastics, large panel joints, inelegant control panels, and small infotainment screens contributed to an overall dated feel. While trucks might not need sophisticated interiors, a sense of quality was noticeably absent in the Silverado.

In stark contrast, the 2022 Ford Maverick adopted a more conventional pickup design. Its exterior drew inspiration from Ford’s larger trucks like the F-150 and Ranger, especially noticeable in the wheel arches and taillights. However, the front end deviated from this pattern with large headlights and a unique grille crossbar that made a distinct styling statement.

Remarkably smaller than its sibling, the Ranger, the Maverick measured 199.7 inches in length and stood at 68.7 inches tall. It used the C2 unibody platform shared with the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport crossover SUVs, diverging from the traditional body-on-frame construction typical of larger Ford trucks.

Base Maverick XL models featured 17-inch steel wheels, with higher trims sporting 17 or 18-inch alloy options. The 2022 Maverick First Edition package, based on the Lariat trim, introduced black graphics, a soft tonneau cover, and unique wheels and paint colors. Furthermore, luxury packages on XLT and Lariat trims added amenities like a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel and heated seats.

Inside, the Maverick made practicality stylish even in its base form. Although dominated by plastic, the interior was multicolored and innovative, incorporating speckled plastic reminiscent of playground equipment. Exposed fasteners and minimally trimmed door cards added character, and base XL seats featured a unique weave pattern, with leather available in higher trims. Ford’s design team managed to make the entry-level interior visually appealing without sacrificing style.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 epitomized American power with its range of engine options. For maximum towing capability and the iconic rumble of a V8, the 6.2-liter V8 engine was the go-to choice. However, the 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel provided a compelling alternative. Costing only $995, it was a bargain compared to similar options from Ford and Ram. The Duramax was also fuel-efficient, achieving 22.6 mpg in combined driving without much effort. With 460 lb-ft of torque at just 1,500 rpm, it matched the 6.2-liter V8’s torque but at lower engine speeds. Though it lagged behind in horsepower (277 hp versus the V8's 420 hp), the Duramax offered smooth, seamless acceleration after a brief turbo lag.

Chevrolet enhanced the Duramax’s towing capacity to 9,500 pounds (9,100 pounds with 4WD) and payload capacity to 1,870 pounds. However, these paled in comparison to the maximum capacities of the Silverado’s other configurations, which could tow up to 13,300 pounds and carry a payload of 2,280 pounds.

The Silverado also benefitted from a ten-speed automatic transmission and the Autotrac 4WD system. Despite falling short of its 24-mpg EPA rating for combined driving in the test, the truck still delivered respectable fuel efficiency without any special driving techniques. The standard suspension in the LTZ trim felt firm and athletic in town, though it allowed excessive body movement on highways and rough pavement, making the Z71 Off-Road Package with its re-tuned suspension and Rancho shock absorbers a recommended option for improved control.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Maverick featured a standard hybrid powertrain combining a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with a single electric motor and continuously variable transmission (CVT). This setup produced 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. The optional 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine offered more punch with 250 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Maverick hybrid was available only in front-wheel drive (FWD), whereas the EcoBoost variant offered standard FWD and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The AWD models could also be equipped with the FX4 off-road package, adding features like different suspension tuning, underbody protection, hill-descent control, and specific drive modes for muddy or sandy terrain.

During an off-road test set up by Ford, the Maverick FX4 navigated rocky hills and muddy tracks with ease, though hardcore off-road enthusiasts might prefer a traditional pickup. On pavement, the Maverick’s unibody platform facilitated a car-like driving experience, with a smooth ride quality that surpassed most body-on-frame trucks. The Maverick’s hybrid powertrain delivered linear power and smoothness, while the EcoBoost engine provided the option for AWD, better towing capability, and stronger acceleration.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered the spaciousness expected of a full-size pickup. The crew cab was enormous inside, with wide, flat, and supportive front seats that featured 10-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The test truck also included a heated steering wheel. However, lacking optional power running boards, it was challenging to climb in and out of the cab.

Storage space abounded, though not innovatively so. The Silverado had dual dashboard glove compartments, but the sizes were modest compared to competitors, and Chevrolet missed opportunities for additional storage solutions. Still, the rear seats provided ample space, easily accommodating three adults, with heated outboard seats and a power sliding rear window.

Cargo-wise, the Silverado’s bed was among the deepest and roomiest in its class, and it featured the CornerStep rear bumper designs and up to 12 tie-down hooks. For 2021, the Multi-Flex tailgate, offering six different configurations, was an optional add-on, though the test truck did not include this feature. It did, however, come with a remote power tailgate.

Conversely, the 2022 Ford Maverick, available only as a four-door crew cab, offered more front legroom than the Hyundai Santa Cruz and more rear legroom in its 2.0-liter EcoBoost form. Nevertheless, the Hyundai had superior headroom and shoulder room in both seating rows.

The Maverick excelled in interior storage, featuring numerous spots for small items, including cubbies behind and next to the touchscreen and on the center console. Under-seat storage in the rear, large door-card storage with water bottle clips, and the innovative FITS (Ford Integrated Tether System) added to its practicality. This system included slots for various accessories and even allowed customers to 3D-print their own components.

The Maverick’s 4.5-foot bed, while shorter than the Ranger’s, could handle 1,500 pounds of payload. It also featured an in-bed power outlet, tie-downs doubling as bottle openers, and the FlexBed system, which included tiedown cleats and indents for dividers or a false floor. The multi-position tailgate could be adjusted to support carrying large sheets of plywood. In terms of towing, the Maverick’s maximum capacity was 4,000 pounds (2,000 pounds for the hybrid), less than some crossover SUVs, but still practical for most needs.

In 2021, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500’s infotainment system lagged behind Ford and Ram competitors in screen size, but it still had plenty to offer. The smaller 7-inch and 8-inch screens in the Silverado were supplemented by quick loading and response times, and the high-definition 8-inch display was visually pleasing. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and access to a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot.

The test truck’s LTZ trim included a comprehensive infotainment setup with an 8-inch HD display, Bluetooth for dual smartphone connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, navigation, enhanced voice recognition, wireless smartphone charging, and a 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. Controls were user-friendly, with both stereo volume and tuning knobs, along with shortcut buttons. However, the Bose speakers did not deliver premium audio quality.

Additional technologies in the Silverado included an available head-up display covering a wide area and a rear camera mirror option, supplemented by up to 15 different high-definition cameras for various purposes such as towing and hauling.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Ford Maverick’s infotainment system focused on the essentials. Utilizing the older Sync 3 system rather than the latest Sync 4, it came with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but not their wireless versions. The 8-inch touchscreen housed basic graphics and functions, including a built-in WiFi hotspot supporting up to 10 devices. While not groundbreaking, the system met essential needs with a large slot for phones, available wireless charging, and a stand-up slot for cables. Hybrid models included a brake-coaching feature to maximize regenerative braking efficiency.

In terms of safety, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 left much to be desired. The IIHS rated it “Marginal” for front passenger protection in small-overlap frontal-impact collisions, highlighting a risk for the front passenger in certain crash scenarios. The NHTSA gave it an overall four-star rating, with four-star results for both driver and front passenger in frontal impacts.

For the 2022 Ford Maverick, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available. However, standard safety features included under the Ford Co-Pilot360 banner were forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beams. Optional extras included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-centering, and evasive steering assist.