Choosing a new truck can be a bit of a hassle. You need to make sure you get the features you want, the room and performance you need, and the look that will make you happy for years to come. New truck models of various brands come standard with technology that keeps you connected while you’re on the road and some of the best safety features consumers have seen in vehicles to date. While having so many options is great, it can make the car buying experience a little more difficult for consumers. Which truck will be the right fit for you? Two of the most highly rated trucks on the market today are the 2018 Chevy Silverado and the 2018 Ford F-150. To determine whether either of these would be right for you, take a look at what each has to bring to the table.
The 2018 Chevy Silverado
Basics
The 2018 Chevy Silverado lineup consists of three models, multiple cab and bed combinations, a few different trim levels, six powertrain options, and the choice between two-wheel or four-wheel drive. The models include Silverado 1500, 1500 Fleet, 1500 Special Service Vehicle (SSV), 2500HD, 2500HD Fleet, 3500HD, 3500HD Fleet, and the Silverado 3500HD CC.
As for the engines, the Silverado 1500 has:
4.3-liter V-6 LV3 EcoTec3 engine (gasoline)
5.3-liter V-8 L83 EcoTec3 engine (gasoline)
5.3-liter V-8 eAssist LB3 mild hybrid (gasoline hybrid electric)
6.2-liter V-8 L86 EcoTec3 engine (gasoline)
The Silverado HD has:
6.0-liter V-8 L96 Vortec engine (gasoline)
6.6-liter V-8 L5P Duramax engine (diesel)
When towing performance and power are your concern there is certainly no shortage of options. The 2018 Chevy Silverado offers outstanding specifications in terms of horsepower and torque in all of their engines and models. For example, the 2500HD can tow 14,800 pounds with the standard Vortec engine and 18,100 pounds with the Duramax engine. The Chevy 3500HD tows up to 14,600 pounds with the standard Vortec engine and up to 23,300 pounds with the Duramax engine.
Performance
The 2018 Chevy Silverado offers top-notch performance, making either model a great choice when you need a truck that can last through hard work and long hauls. In towing mode, the Chevy Silverado transmission shifts and adjusts so that there is reduced shift cycling when transporting heavy loads. The 2018 Chevy Silverado comes equipped with StabiliTrak® with Trailer Sway Control, which automatically detects a swaying trailer and applies brakes to regain stability. It also comes with Hill Start Assist, which holds the brakes until you press the accelerator, giving you more time to switch from brake to accelerator without the truck rolling backward. Digital Steering Assist makes hauling easier with electronic controls that keep you stable on your drive.
Connectivity and Comfort
When you choose the truck of your dreams, you want one that will give you performance and style, but also one that is comfortable. In today’s technology-driven world, being comfortable also means staying connected to your devices when you need or want them. The 2018 Chevy Silverado offers easily accessible steering wheel controls to answer phone calls and manage the Chevrolet MyLink display and cruise controls. All Chevy vehicles come equipped with MyLink, which is an operating system that allows users to wirelessly connect and control their devices through voice recognition and manual controls. The truck also has available USB ports, a 110-volt power outlet, wireless charging, and a seven-inch (or optional eight-inch) touchscreen display. Also available are Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which let you access and control the apps on your phone. The seats are firm and supportive, and the cabin is quiet and is made with sound-deadening materials so that you can hear your radio and devices and not road noise.
Style
That just leaves us looking at style, and the 2018 Chevy Silverado had loads of it. The truck is available in nine colors, such as Cajun Red, Deep Ocean Blue Metallic, Iridescent Pearl, and Havana Metallic. As discussed above, the 2018 Chevy Silverado comes in one body style with several cab and bed combinations. Those include a Silverado 1500 full-size pickup truck with three cabs (regular, double, and crew cab) and three beds (short, standard, and long box). It also includes a Silverado HD full-size pickup truck with three cabs (regular, double, and crew cab) and two beds (standard and long box). The 12 trim levels include:
Silverado 1500
- Work Truck (1WT)
- LS (1LS)
- Silverado Custom (1CX)
- LT
- 1LT
- 2LT
- LTZ
- 1LZ
- 2LZ
- High Country (3LZ)
Silverado 2500HD
- Work Truck (1WT)
- LT (1LT)
- LTZ (1LZ)
- High Country (3LZ)
Silverado 3500HD
- Work Truck (1WT)
- LT (1LT)
- LTZ (1LZ)
- High Country (3LZ)
With so many combinations, you can get the truck of your dreams without having to compromise on style, comfort, technology, or performance, and finding one in your price range won’t be difficult.
Price
The price for the 2018 Chevy Silverado will vary based on the trim level, model, engine, and body type you choose, but to give you an understanding of the available price points, the Silverado 1500 regular cab basic work truck is going to start at $28,000, and the prices creep up from there. A double cab with the same model and trim would start at $32,000, and a crew cab would start at $34,800.
Pros and Cons
Pros and cons that have been reported include the following.
Pros:
Quick acceleration, strong towing ability, comfortable seating, quiet cabin, extensive customization capability.
Cons:
Not as smooth a ride as competitors, materials aren’t high end, feels heavier than other comparable trucks.
The 2018 Ford F-150
The biggest competitor for the Chevy Silverado is the 2018 Ford F-150. This truck has been Ford’s top-selling model for a long time and America’s best-selling truck for 40 years. It is currently ranked number two in full-size pickup trucks. (The Silverado is number three.)
Basics and Style
The F-150 comes in seven models and multiple trim levels per model with five gasoline engines, one diesel engine option, and in three body styles: Basic Cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew cab configurations. All models come standard with a rearview camera, dynamic hitch assist, electronic stability control, and curve control. The base model—the XL—does not offer Ford SYNC technology (Ford’s version of the MyLink technology), but all other models do include it standard.
Trim levels include the base model XL, the midrange XLT, and the higher-end Lariat (which comes fully-equipped with electronic controls, leather trim, and 18-inch aluminum wheels).
If the basics leave you wanting more, you can get fancier (and pricier) with the 2018 Ford F-150 King Ranch, Platinum, Limited, and Lariat models. These models add on high-end features and options such as 5.0-liter V8 engine, premium audio system, power outlets in the front and rear, more leather, front bucket seats with heating and cooling abilities, heated rear seats, a voice-activated touchscreen, navigation system, and much more. It’s about as luxurious as you can get in a pickup truck, and each trim level adds more luxury to the previous level.
If you want the ultimate in off-road performance, the 2018 Ford F-150 Raptor comes in SuperCab or SuperCrew cab configurations and has a H-O 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and 10-speed transmission, four-wheel drive, and a 5.5-foot bed box. This truck was built for off-roading and has high-output, off-road Fox Racing Shox, 17-inch cast aluminum wheels with All-Terrain tires, Ford Performance aluminum scuff plates, and performance bumpers in the front and rear.
Performance
As mentioned above, the 2018 Ford F-150 has five gas engines and one diesel option (out later this year). All F-150 engines have Auto Start/Stop engine tech to help save fuel. The base engine (in the XL and XLT) is a 3.3-liter V6 with 290 horsepower, 265 pounds of torque, and a six-speed automatic transmission with three driving modes: Normal, Tow-Haul, and Sport. The Lariats come with 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 with 325 horsepower, 400 pounds of torque, and an electronic 10-speed automatic transmission. The King Ranch and Platinum have the Ti-VCT 5.0-liter V8 with 395 horsepower and 400 pounds of torque. The Limited model has only one engine choice: the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with 375 horsepower and 470 pounds of torque. The Raptor has a twin-turbo, intercooled DOHC, 24-valve, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with 450 horsepower, 510 pounds of torque, and a 10-speed automatic transmission in Normal and Tow-Haul options.
Comfort and Connectivity
In 2018, the Ford F-150 underwent some changes in the technology and comfort it offered. Several models now offer different colors, materials, and styles for interior design and comfort. The infotainment system gives consumers the option of having 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity, and a high-end audio system is also among the new options. When compared with the connectivity and basic standard comfort of the 2018 Chevy Silverado, the Ford F-150 doesn’t come out on top. While the higher-end models of the F-150 offer more than the base models, the Chevy Silverado gives you more with base models and lower prices than the Ford.
Price
Speaking of pricing, how does the Ford stack up to the Chevy? Basic pricing includes the three body styles and the XLT model/trim. The Regular Cab, XLT starts at $27,705. The SuperCab begins at $31,790. The SuperCrew Cab is priced from $34,245. Of course, the XL model will be cheaper, and the higher-end models will cost more.
Pros and Cons
Some of the reported pros and cons of the 2018 Ford F-150 include the following.
Pros:
Multiple powertrain options on all models, new transmission options, easy driving and towing, and better driving aids, such as cruise control.
Cons:
Poor fuel economy, driver aids are rough, poor stock tires, not enough connectivity on base models.
2018 Chevy Silverado Versus 2018 Ford F-150
The Silverado and F-150 have similar configurations. Ford offers aluminum body parts and turbocharged engines, while Chevy offers more traditional options. Chevy also offers more variations and basic technology, even on its lower-end models. Ford, however, has a wider range of what its models can do. From basic use, luxury models, family vehicles, and off-road sport trucks, Ford has a lot to offer. When it comes down to it, the major differences will be in what you need from your truck and what brand you prefer. Either way, both brands offer you multiple models, trim levels, performance options, and styles to help you customize the truck of your dreams.
