Starting at
Starting at
401 | Standard Horsepower (HP) | 385 |
464 | Standard Torque (lb-ft) | 430 |
69.5 | Max Interior Cargo Space (cu.ft.) | 52.1 |
If you need some serious work done, there’s no better vehicle to handle the job than a full-size pickup truck. This class of trucks has been designed to withstand the rigors of tough, down-to-earth, and honest labor — from towing to hauling and everything in between. As technology has advanced and our needs have increased, and full-size pickups have adapted to the changes. Today, big trucks not only put in work but carry their passengers in style and comfort as well. The U.S. has long been enamored with its trucks, and there are many options to pick from, so deciding which one to purchase can be difficult. However, comparing two American classics like the 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500HD vs 2020 Ford F-250 can often make the decision a bit easier.
These two trucks aren’t your run-of-the-mill commuter pickups (although they can function as such). Rather, these are part of the heavy-duty and super-duty line of trucks from Chevy and Ford. They’re a step above the Chevy Silverado 1500 and Ford F-150, but a step below the Silverado 3500HD and Ford F-350. Since these are models meant for more heavy-duty work, you can expect better capabilities than their light-duty counterparts. And with increased capability comes a small increase in starting MSRP as well.
Don’t worry, though, the relatively low price increase brings even more performance out of these vehicles. For many consumers, the lower models for these trucks will be more than capable of what they need. With the 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500HD, you get a lot of bang for your buck at the starting MSRP. The 2020 Ford F-250 might start at a slightly lower price, but the decreased performance you get in return is a telling sign. In a head-to-head matchup between standard starting equipment, the 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500HD comes out on top.
The availability and affordability of a vehicle play a considerable role in whether you’d be interested in buying it or not. There also needs to be plenty of customization options to make the vehicle your own because if you’re going to be making such a large purchase, you might as well get what you want. Both of these vehicles have a lot to offer in terms of options, but one stands out above the other.
The 2020 Silverado 2500HD comes in five different trim levels and has plenty of available options. From lowest to highest, there’s the 2500HD WT ($38,300), Custom ($40,800), LT ($41,800), LTZ ($50,500), and High Country ($61,100).
The standard Work Truck is ready for action with a hitch, 7-pin connector, and 12 standard tie-down rings in the truck bed. As you move up the trim levels, you start to see some helpful additions, like the rear vision camera with Hitch Guidance on the Custom model or the tailgate with EZ Lift on the LT. The highest trim levels will have a lot more of the convenience features, such as keyless open and start or the power-up/down tailgate.
With the 2020 Ford F-250, there are six different models to choose from. They are the F-250 XL ($33,705), XLT ($38,485), Lariat ($46,600), King Ranch ($59,000), Platinum ($65,895), and Limited ($83,600).
These F-250 models quickly become quite expensive and even breach the $80,000 price point. For heavy-duty pickup trucks, it’s important to remember that they’re designed to work. Most of the time, it’s not necessary to shell out vast amounts of money to get the capabilities you need.
The Silverado 2500HD is an affordable truck on every level; it has everything you need without getting too expensive. For those more interested in luxury features, Chevy’s high-end High Country competes with the F-250 Limited, and it comes in over $20,000 cheaper. In all, with the Chevy, drivers get more for their money.
As with most vehicles, performance on heavy-duty trucks starts with the engine. With any 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500HD model, your standard engine is a 6.6L V8 gas engine. This engine has an output of 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque and is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. For increased shifting performance and an improved tow/haul mode, you can also opt for the available Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. And this upgrade will increase your control and cooling when you’re towing or hauling heavy loads.
The 2020 Ford F-250 standard engine is a 6.2L V8 gas engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. This engine has an output of 385 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. With these numbers, it doesn’t match the performance of the Silverado’s 6.6L V8 engine, as both the horsepower and torque are lower. And this lack of power certainly makes the Ford fall short.
Both vehicles have a diesel engine option, which can really increase the maximum torque and make it easier to transport heavy loads. If you opt for a diesel engine, you can typically expect to get better gas mileage as well.
However, the standard engine on the Silverado 2500HD allows most people the power and capabilities they need to do their job. If you need a heavy-duty truck for recreational purposes, the 6.6L V8 engine will still function admirably. Pitted against each other, the standard engine on the Silverado 2500HD has the numbers to outperform the standard engine on the Ford F-250. And since both trucks start at a similar price, it’s easy to see which one would offer the better deal: the Silverado 2500HD.
The 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500HD has many standard safety features attached, like hitch guidance, rear vision camera, StabiliTrak, and Teen Driver. With the popular Teen Driver function, you can customize vehicle settings and limit certain vehicle features depending on who is driving the vehicle. You can then check an in-vehicle report to give you information about driving habits. This allows you to coach new drivers and improve their driving skills.
Advanced safety features are also available. You can find automatic emergency braking, bed view camera, following distance indicator, forward collision alert, front and rear park assist, lane change alert with side blind-zone alert, and more. Perhaps best of all, drivers of the Chevy can make sure they are steering clear of obstacles while towing with up to 15 unique camera views with the available camera packages. Driving a big truck is one thing, but when you also have a huge trailer attached to the back, viewing angles can get a little messy. With so many camera views available, your stress levels can take a break.
The 2020 Ford F-250 has most of those same available advanced safety features, but it is missing the Teen Driver feature and does not offer as many camera views. There are a few different camera views available to help with trailering, but not nearly as many as Chevy. And with those two key features missing, the Ford F-250 just falls short.