Ford F-150 vs. Chevy Silverado: Best Used Pickup Truck?
The two best-selling trucks in America have been rivals for generations. Here is how they stack up in the used market on the things truck buyers actually care about: towing, payload, engines, reliability, and price.
Both are proven, capable used trucks. Choose the Ford F-150 if you want the widest engine lineup, the highest max towing and payload numbers, and stronger resale. Choose the Chevy Silverado if you want proven V8 simplicity, a lower used purchase price for comparable equipment, and the roomiest bed in the class. Configuration matters more than badge: two F-150s can differ more from each other than from a Silverado.
The Ford F-150 has been America's best-selling truck for over four decades, and the Chevy Silverado has spent most of that time in second place by a margin small enough to keep the rivalry heated. In the used market around Trooper and Maple Shade, they are the two full-size pickups shoppers cross-shop most, and for good reason: both do everything a truck needs to do, and both are available in a huge range of cabs, beds, engines, and trims.
That range is the real story. The right way to shop these trucks is to pick your configuration first, then compare how each brand executes it. Here is the framework we use with buyers on our lots.
How Do the F-150 and Silverado Compare on Capability?
The F-150 wins the spec sheet at the top end, while the Silverado stays within a few hundred pounds across most real-world configurations. The figures below reflect recent used model years (2021 to 2024) commonly found on dealer lots.
| Category | Ford F-150 | Chevy Silverado 1500 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine lineup | 3.3L V6, 2.7L EcoBoost, 5.0L V8, 3.5L EcoBoost, PowerBoost hybrid | 2.7L Turbo, 5.3L V8, 6.2L V8, 3.0L Duramax diesel |
| Max horsepower | Up to 430 hp (PowerBoost hybrid) | Up to 420 hp (6.2L V8) |
| Max towing | Up to 14,000 lbs (3.5L EcoBoost, properly equipped) | Up to 13,300 lbs (properly equipped) |
| Max payload | Up to 3,300 lbs | Up to 2,280 lbs |
| Fuel economy standout | PowerBoost hybrid about 24–25 mpg combined | 3.0L Duramax diesel about 26–27 mpg combined |
| Body construction | Aluminum body panels on steel frame | Steel body, roll-formed steel bed |
| Signature features | Pro Power Onboard generator, hands-free BlueCruise on some trims | Largest bed volume in class, available Multi-Flex tailgate |
| Known strengths | Engine variety, max capability, resale value | Proven V8s, value pricing, bed practicality |
Maximum ratings apply only to specific configurations. Figures are approximate and vary by model year, cab, bed, axle ratio, and package. Verify the door jamb sticker and towing guide on any specific truck.
Which Truck Is More Reliable Used?
Reliability in this matchup tracks the engine more than the brand. The Silverado's 5.3L V8 is one of the most proven powertrains in any pickup, with a long history and simple architecture that shops everywhere know how to service. The 6.2L V8 shares that DNA with more muscle. On the Ford side, the 5.0L V8 has a similarly strong record, and the 2.7L EcoBoost has quietly become one of the most respected small truck engines on the road.
Two things to know when shopping used: some GM 5.3L engines with cylinder deactivation have documented lifter issues on certain model years, and higher-mileage 3.5L EcoBoosts can need attention to turbos and timing components that cost more than V8 equivalents. Neither is a dealbreaker. Both are reasons to prioritize service records and a pre-purchase inspection over an extra-shiny listing photo.
What Do They Cost to Buy and Own?
The Silverado is usually the value play up front, and the F-150 usually returns more at trade-in. Comparable used Silverados often list slightly below equivalent F-150s because Ford's resale value leads the segment. Fuel costs favor the F-150 PowerBoost hybrid or the Silverado Duramax diesel if efficiency matters to you; the traditional V8s in both trucks land in the same high-teens to low-20s mpg range.
Insurance and maintenance run close between the two. The Silverado's V8s tend to be slightly cheaper to repair when something does go wrong, while the F-150's aluminum body panels can cost more at the body shop after a collision.
Strengths and Trade-Offs, Side by Side
Ford F-150
Widest engine lineup in the segment, from efficient hybrid to max-tow EcoBoost
Highest available towing and payload ratings in this matchup
Pro Power Onboard turns the truck into a jobsite or tailgate generator
Strongest resale value among full-size trucks
Usually costs more used than a comparable Silverado
Turbo engines can mean pricier repairs at high mileage
Chevy Silverado 1500
Proven, simple V8 powertrains with low long-term running costs
Typically lower used purchase price for comparable equipment
Largest bed volume in the class plus the clever Multi-Flex tailgate
Duramax diesel delivers standout fuel economy for a full-size truck
Interior materials on 2019–2021 models trail the F-150
Some 5.3L model years have documented lifter concerns to inspect for
Which One Should You Buy?
Buy the F-150 if you tow near the top of the segment's limits, want the hybrid's efficiency and onboard power, or plan to trade the truck in a few years and want resale working for you. It is the more configurable truck, and the top trims feel genuinely premium.
Buy the Silverado if you want maximum truck per dollar. The combination of a lower used price, famously durable V8s, and the most practical bed in the class makes it the smart-money pick for buyers who plan to keep the truck and work it.
If your needs are typical, hauling a boat or camper under 10,000 pounds, weekend home projects, and daily driving, either truck handles it without breaking a sweat. Drive both and let your gut break the tie.
F-150s and Silverados in Stock at CarVision
Truck inventory turns over quickly, so browse the live feeds below for current stock rather than a snapshot.
Used Ford F-150 Inventory
Browse every used F-150 and other Ford models currently in stock across both CarVision locations.
Shop Ford inventory →Used Chevy Silverado Inventory
See every used Silverado and other Chevrolet models available right now in Trooper and Maple Shade.
Shop Chevrolet inventory →Every Truck in Stock
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Shop truck inventory →Frequently Asked Questions
Is a used Ford F-150 or Chevy Silverado more reliable?
Both have strong long-term records, and reliability depends heavily on the specific engine. The Silverado's 5.3L V8 is one of the most proven engines in any truck, while the F-150's 5.0L V8 and 2.7L EcoBoost are similarly well regarded. On either truck, maintenance history and how hard it was worked matter more than the badge.
Which tows more, the F-150 or the Silverado?
Properly equipped, the F-150 holds the segment's max towing crown at up to roughly 14,000 pounds with the 3.5L EcoBoost, versus roughly 13,300 for the Silverado. In the real world, most used examples of both trucks are configured to tow 9,000 to 11,000 pounds, which covers the vast majority of trailers, boats, and campers.
Which is cheaper to buy used?
Comparable used Silverados often list slightly below equivalent F-150s because the F-150's resale value is stronger. That makes the Silverado a value play on the purchase end, while the F-150 tends to return more at trade-in time.
What should I check on a used truck before buying?
Look at how the truck was used, not just the mileage. Check for a towing package and hitch wear, frame and bed condition, service records, and tire wear patterns. A highway-commuter truck with 80,000 miles can be a better buy than a 50,000-mile truck that spent its life towing at max capacity.
Does CarVision have used F-150s and Silverados in stock?
Yes. CarVision stocks used full-size trucks including the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado at its Trooper, PA and Maple Shade, NJ locations, so you can compare them side by side on the same lot.
Put Them Side by Side on Our Lot.
CarVision stocks used F-150s and Silverados in Trooper, PA and Maple Shade, NJ. No hassle, no haggle, no hidden fees.
Specifications and figures reflect typical 2021–2024 model years and are drawn from manufacturer specifications, published towing guides, and EPA estimates. Maximum ratings apply only to specific configurations; verify details on the specific truck you are considering.