F2026 Ford F-150 Vs. Chevy Silverado: Towing Capacity & Fuel Economy

A white Ford F-150 Raptor and a blue Chevy Silverado parked in front of a mountain backdrop.

The 2026 Ford F-150 at a Glance

Offers best-in-class maximum towing and payload capacities¹
Recommended by Consumer Reports,² unlike the Silverado 1500³
Received several "Good" (the highest score) IIHS crash-test ratings⁴
The #1 full-size truck on the market according to Kelley Blue Book®⁵

The 2026 Chevy Silverado 1500 at a Glance

Ranked as only the third-best full-size truck by Kelley Blue Book®⁶
Has fewer engine options and lower maximum towing and payload ratings than the F-150
Has less standard and available horsepower and lower maximum gasoline mileage than the F-150
Charges extra for many of the F-150 truck's standard safety features, such as a Blind-Spot Monitor

Which Truck Wins the Ford F-150 vs. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Matchup?

Comparing the F-150 vs. Silverado 1500 is easy. The Ford F-150 has best-in-class maximum towing and payload capacities;¹ the Chevy Silverado 1500 does not. The F-150 is a Consumer Reports Recommended truck;² the Silverado 1500 is not.³ The Ford F-150 earned high marks in IIHS testing, including a "Good" rating (the highest possible score) for the "Small Overlap Front" crash test,⁴ while the Silverado 1500 received a "Marginal" rating (the second-lowest ranking) in the same test.⁴

Whether it's safety features or performance specs, the Ford F-150 vs. Chevy Silverado comparison continuously favors the Ford truck. Drivers across America do as well, so see the details below and come by Jones Ford Casa Grande to experience your next F-150.

How Do the Ford F-150 vs. Chevy Silverado 1500 Specs Stack Up?

Only the 2026 Ford F-150 is the #1 best full-size truck according to the Kelley Blue Book®.⁵ The Silverado 1500, meanwhile, sits farther down that podium in third place.⁶ That alone speaks volumes, but to make the picture even clearer, here are three more Ford F-150 vs. Chevy Silverado specs that display the F-150 truck's dominance:

The maximum Ford F-150 towing capacity (13,500 pounds) and payload rating (2,440 pounds) are best-in-class figures,¹ exceeding the Silverado 1500's 13,300-pound maximum towing capacity⁷ and 2,260-pound payload maximum.⁸
The standard F-150 engine makes 325 horsepower, while the Silverado 1500's has 310 horsepower; the most powerful F-150 engine has 720 horsepower, while the strongest Silverado 1500 only has 420 horsepower.
The Silverado 1500's gasoline efficiency falls short of most F-150 fuel economy specs; the F-150 has up to an EPA-estimated 22/24 MPG (City/Highway),⁹ outclassing the Chevy's maximum gas mileage of 18/21 MPG (City/Highway).¹⁰

A blue Ford F-150 tows a camper trailer. A Blue Chevy Silverado offroads on rocky terrain.

What About the F-150 vs. Silverado 1500 Safety Features and Ratings?

Beyond winning hard-working categories like Ford F-150 vs. Chevy Silverado towing capacity, a new Ford F-150 for sale will also sweep the floor for safety.

Every 2026 F-150 has the Ford Co-Pilot360™ 2.0 package as standard, which provides a massive range of safety features, including a Blind-Spot Monitor and an Intersection Assist. The Silverado 1500, meanwhile, has a standard Chevy Safety Assist package, which lacks many of the Ford Co-Pilot360™ 2.0 package's features, such as the aforementioned Blind-Spot Monitor and Intersection Assist.

More importantly, F-150 vs. Silverado safety ratings reveal the Silverado 1500 received "Poor," Marginal," and "Acceptable" ratings in multiple IIHS tests, while the F-150 easily earned a "Good" score.⁴ These include the standard headlights (the Silverado 1500's are "Poor," while the F-150 truck's are "Good"⁴), the "Small Overlap Front" crash test (the Silverado 1500 had a "Marginal" rating vs. the F-150 getting "Good" in the same test⁴), and the "Side: Updated" crash test (an "Acceptable" score was given to the Silverado 1500, while the F-150 has a "Good" rating⁴).

A collage of Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado interior safety features.

Ready To Discover Your Next Ford F-150 at Jones Ford Casa Grande?

From expert ratings to everyday safety, it's easy to see that the new F-150 is the king of its class when you compare the F-150 vs. Silverado. And, luckily for drivers who love ample choice, the entire new Ford lineup shares its spirit, offering you top-rated specs and features across compact, midsize, full-size, and heavy-duty truck segments.

On top of all that, the 2026 F-150 has a slightly lower starting price than the 2026 Silverado 1500, making its many advantages even more appealing. To discover everything about this iconic Ford truck and get even more value, visit us today, explore our new Ford specials, and take a test drive.

Front view of a silver Ford F-150 driving on a mountain highway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I tow a fifth-wheel camper with the 2026 Ford F-150?

The 2026 Ford F-150 can tow up to a best-in-class 13,500 pounds,¹ which means it can likely tow select fifth-wheel campers. However, make sure the fifth-wheel hitch and trailer are designed for light-duty trucks like the Ford F-150, as the F-150 payload rating may not be able to handle campers designed for heavy-duty trucks.

Is the 2026 F-150 good on gas for everyday driving around Arizona?

The F-150 is great on gasoline for those who drive around Arizona on a daily basis, delivering an EPA-estimated 19/25 MPG (City/Highway)⁹ in its standard configuration, and up to an EPA-estimated 22/24 MPG (City/Highway)⁹ with its available hybrid setup. Comparing F-150 vs. Silverado gasoline MPG ratings, the Silverado falls short with its EPA-estimated 18/21 MPG (City/Highway).¹⁰

Can I use the F-150 as a mobile power source on a job site?

If your Ford F-150 is equipped with Pro Power Onboard, it can be used as a mobile power source on a job site. In certain cases, like when configured with the PowerBoost hybrid engine, this system can even be used to power your house for a limited amount of time. For even stronger home or jobsite power, consider the all-electric F-150 Lightning.

Featured Customer Review for Ford F-150

Nathan Pace

05/12/2025

Travis was excellent to work with. My wife and I came to buy a F-150 that looked perfect for us. Travis was perfect with communication and the experience was fast and easy.!

¹Maximum towing capabilities are for properly equipped vehicles with required equipment and a 150-lb. driver and passenger and vary based on cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories, option content and number of passengers. Maximum payload capabilities are for properly equipped vehicles with required equipment and vary based on vehicle configuration, accessories, and option content. Horsepower, torque, payload and towing are independent attributes and may not be achieved simultaneously. For additional information, see your Ford Dealer.

²Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, Consumer Reports members can visit https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/ford/f-150/

³Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, Consumer Reports members can visit https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/chevrolet/silverado-1500/

⁴Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, visit https://www.iihs.org

⁵Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://www.kbb.com/ford/f150/

⁶Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://www.kbb.com/chevrolet/silverado-1500/

⁷Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the Trailering section of the Owner's Manual. The weight of passengers, cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow.

⁸For comparison purposes only. See the Owner's Manual and the label on the vehicle door jamb for the carrying capacity of a specific vehicle.

⁹EPA-estimated city/hwy mpg for the model indicated. See fueleconomy.gov for fuel economy of other engine/transmission combinations. Actual mileage will vary. On plug-in hybrid models and electric models, fuel economy is stated in MPGe. MPGe is the EPA equivalent measure of gasoline fuel efficiency for electric mode operation.

¹⁰EPA-estimated 18 city/21 hwy w/ 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine.

Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This site, and all information and materials appearing on it, are presented to the user "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. All vehicles are subject to prior sale. Price does not include applicable tax, title, and license charges. ‡Vehicles shown at different locations are not currently in our inventory (Not in Stock) but can be made available to you at our location within a reasonable date from the time of your request, not to exceed one week.

Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This site, and all information and materials appearing on it, are presented to the user "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. All vehicles are subject to prior sale. Price does not include applicable tax, title, license, and $499 documentation fee. Additional equipment added by the dealer or the purchaser will increase the overall transaction amount. ‡Vehicles shown at different locations are not currently in our inventory (Not in Stock) but can be made available to you at our location within a reasonable date from the time of your request, not to exceed one week.