​
Both the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the Ford F-150 offer high performance, smart tech, and advanced features. If you're a Texas truck buyer who faces sweltering summers and needs reliable hauling power, choosing between these two trucks is about which one handles your daily tasks better. Our team at Huffines Chevrolet Plano breaks down which one gives you more value, whether you're hauling gear around Plano job sites, pulling the family boat to Lake Texoma, or looking for something dependable for weekend runs to Home Depot.
Key Differences at a Glance
The 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 starts at $36,900 while Ford's F-150 starts at $39,330. Ford offers more capability, though, maxing out at 14,000 pounds of towing capacity, when properly equipped, vs. the Silverado's 13,300 pounds. Payload follows the same pattern: the F-150 hauls up to 3,325 pounds, while the Silverado is limited to 2,280 pounds. These numbers are crucial if you're regularly maxing out your truck's limits.
The Silverado boasts the biggest standard touch screen in its class at 13.4 inches with Google built right in. Ford counters with its proven 12-inch SYNC 4 setup plus the comprehensive Co-Pilot360 safety package. Both trucks include solid driver-assistance features, but the Silverado's Super Cruise works while you're towing. If you're planning a weekend trip to East Texas with the boat, Super Cruise handles the highway stretches hands-free. Ford's BlueCruise can't do the same while towing.
Performance and Powertrain Comparison
The Silverado starts you off with the TurboMax 2.7-liter turbo four-cylinder engine pushing 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. Opt for an upgrade, and you'll find the 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 making 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. For even more power, the 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V-8 cranks out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. But the real star of the show is the Duramax 3.0-liter turbo-diesel six-cylinder engine that delivers 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque.
Ford's base engine is a 2.7-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 that produces 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. The 5.0-liter V-8 bumps things up to 400 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque, and the 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V-6 delivers 400 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. Ford's most powerful F-150 engine is the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 hybrid powerplant that generates 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque.
Fuel economy is key for work-focused trucks, and these two models offer respectable numbers. The Silverado's Duramax diesel reaches 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway in rear-wheel-drive. Ford's hybrid F-150 manages 22 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. The standard 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine gets just 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.
For off-road adventures, the Silverado ZR2 offers Multimatic dynamic suspensions spool valve dampers, 33-inch tires, and a 2-inch factory lift. The F-150 Tremor answers with 33-inch tires on 18-inch aluminum wheels, an upgraded suspension, a Torsen limited-slip differential, and solid trail control.
Design and Build Quality
The Silverado offers regular, double, and crew cabs while Ford counters with regular, SuperCab, and SuperCrew options. The longest Silverado bed stretches 98.1 inches and is exclusively available on regular cab pickups, making it perfect for lumber runs or hauling furniture. Ford's F-150 SuperCrew also has an 8-foot bed option, but the Silverado's 89.1 cubic feet of storage easily surpasses Ford's 77.4 cubic feet. That extra 11.7 cubic feet gives you more room for tools, camping gear, or coolers.
The Silverado's innovative Multi-Flex Tailgate offers six different positions and a built-in step that holds 375 pounds. Chevy has you covered if you're at a job site and need a mobile workstation, if you're loading gear and need a ramp, or if you just want somewhere to sit while you eat lunch. In contrast, Ford's Pro Access tailgate swings open like a door.
Space matters in Texas-sized trucks. Both trucks give you 139 cubic feet of passenger room, but the Silverado's front seats offer extra headroom and legroom that'll make Dallas-Fort Worth traffic jams more bearable.
Technology and Infotainment
Chevy's 13.4-inch touch screen includes Google Assistant and Google Maps. Base models start with a 7-inch screen, but you'll likely opt for the bigger display for easier reading and smoother functionality. Ford's 12-inch SYNC 4 system gets the job done, but it lacks seamless Google integration.
Driver-assistance technology is impressive on both trucks. Chevrolet's Super Cruise handles over 200,000 mapped highway miles completely hands-free and also works while towing, which is a game changer. Ford's BlueCruise covers over 130,000 mapped miles with decent lane-changing assistance but no towing support.
The Silverado earned a Great rating of 84/100 from J.D. Power for quality and reliability, while Ford's F-150 scored an Average rating of 78/100. That difference translates to fewer surprise repair bills, better resale value, and a truck that starts every morning. Both vehicles offer mobile hot spot capability that's handy for job sites, but the Silverado's Google integration delivers more natural voice control and AI assistance compared to Ford's more traditional approach.
Your choice between the Chevrolet Silverado vs. the Ford F-150 depends on what you need. Pick the F-150 if maximum towing and payload capacity top your list and you don't mind paying extra for Ford's name recognition. Choose the Silverado if you want tech advantages, better fuel mileage, clever bed features, and solid reliability.
Choose Your Perfect Full-Size Pickup
To find your perfect truck, visit our dealership today and check out the 2026 Silverado 1500 lineup. Our friendly sales team knows these trucks inside and out, and we'll help you find the right configuration for your needs. Whether you're hauling work equipment around Dallas-Fort Worth or planning weekend trips across Texas, we've got financing options, incentives, and maintenance programs that make truck ownership more affordable.