A Better Way to Cruise: 5 Areas Where Chevy Trucks Outshine Ford

In America, Ford trucks get a lot of attention. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean they're the best option for serious truck enthusiasts. While Ford has Chevy beat in terms of standard safety, Chevy has a fantastic pickup truck lineup that boasts some truly compelling features.

Even if Ford sells more trucks every year, there are some very solid arguments for buying a Chevrolet. Read on to find out about five of the areas where Chevy trucks outshine their Ford competitors.

1. Brand Reliability

When it comes to recently manufactured trucks, Chevy is by far the winner when it comes to overall reliability. J.D. Power ranked the 2019 Chevy Silverado a 4.5 out of 5 in terms of reliability, while the 2019 Ford Ranger and the 2018 F-150 only got three stars out of five.

When it comes to older trucks, Chevy still has Ford beat. It's still possible to buy a Classic Chevy Truck that has been refurbished to a perfect condition and features some of the original parts. All it takes is watching one 1950's restored Chevy truck roll down the road to show that these vehicles truly can last a lifetime, or longer, with proper maintenance and occasional repairs or restoration work.

2. Towing Capacity

The Chevrolet Silverado leads its class when it comes to towing capacity, so there's no arguing that it outshines the competition. The 2020 Chevy Silverado boasts a max tow capacity of 13,400 pounds compared to the Ford F-150's 12,100 lb max capacity. Plus, drivers who buy 2020 Silverados can also take advantage of Chevy's advanced tow package, which includes a high-tech trailer camera system integrated with a user-friendly smartphone app.

It's not just the Silverado that boasts the most impressive towing capacity in its class. The 2020 Chevy Colorado has a max capacity of 7,700 pounds, while the Ford Ranger tops out at just 7,500 lbs. To sweeten the deal, even more, Chevy's 2020 midsized turbodiesel-powered trucks get up to 30 mpg at highway speeds, even while towing heavy loads. Those are some pretty impressive numbers for a midsize pickup.

3. Road Performance

The entire lineup of modern Chevrolet trucks boasts a wide range of desirable features and options. The Silverado offers five engine options ranging from a fuel-efficient 4.3 L V6 to a powerful 6.2L V8, and the diesel models are rated at the top of the class for fuel economy.

What's even better is that every truck in Chevy's current lineup, including its compact Chevy Colorado, can be outfitted with multiple engines. Colorado offers drivers three choices of engines, while the comparable Ford Ranger features the same engine across all its trim levels.

For those interested in boosting performance even further, Chevy also offers a performance package that adds a horsepower boost to its V8 engines. With the exception of the F-150 Raptor, none of Ford's truck lines can seem to eke out an advantage over Chevrolet when it comes to fuel economy, power, or overall performance.

4. Standard and Available Tech

All modern Chevy trucks now come standard with seven-inch touchscreen infotainment displays equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Ford pickups, on the other hand, stick to the basics when it comes to standard infotainment features. They usually have a radio, a Bluetooth connectivity option, and little else, which means drivers who want a full suite of tech features have to upgrade to more expensive trim models.

For 2021, Chevy went even further when it came to improving standard tech equipment across its entire range. The popular brand also introduced advanced features such as multi-function tailgates and improved towing and payload capacities last year along with little extras like trailer length indicators, jack-knife alerts, and cargo bed view enhancements.

Chevy didn't stop at improving its pickups' towing capacities, either. It also added heated and ventilated seats, extra USB ports, powered rear sliding windows, and even rear heated seats for crew cab models to its lineups. Features like remote start, EZ-lift power tailgates, and LED cargo lighting now come standard on most of the brand's most popular trucks.

5. Compact Truck Lineup

With gas prices rising, compact trucks are becoming more popular than ever. They're still capable of performing all the same basic functions as their larger alternatives, but they get much better gas mileage and still perform amazingly well.

The 2020 Chevy Colorado may be small, but it is mighty. This impressive compact truck comes loaded with features that boost performance and give it a leg-up on the competition. Colorado was listed as one of the Best Diesel Trucks of 2020 by US News and World Report, and it comes with a wide array of off-roading packages and options. Ford, on the other hand, is still in the early phases of developing its first compact truck, which will not even be available until 2022 at the earliest.

How to Choose the Right Truck

At this point, even Ford enthusiasts might be reconsidering their brand preferences. Drivers who want to make the switch and buy Chevy trucks still need to do their homework, though, because the popular brand has plenty to offer.

Classic truck enthusiasts are in luck in that there are many older model Chevrolets still on the road today. They can be registered as antique vehicles and make a perfect addition to any classic car show lineup.

For the more contemporarily minded, Chevy still has plenty of options. The Colorado line is obviously the best option for anyone looking for a compact or smaller midsize truck. When it comes to full-size trucks, the Silverado is the way to go. The heavy-duty Silverado 2500 and 3500 HD have some of the best capabilities in their class, so they're perfect for drivers who want to tow heavy loads and put their trucks through their paces.

Make the Switch

Brand loyalty shouldn't stop American drivers from buying the trucks that are best suited to meet their needs. In most cases, that means making the switch to Chevrolet. Chevy trucks are reliable, powerful, and great at everything from towing to offroading, so there's really no reason for people to avoid making the switch from Ford to Chevrolet the next time they purchase a vehicle.