mmarshall

I recently posted a thread on an 2019 F-150 XLT Extended-Cab 4WD I sampled for our Condo-Maintenance man. He will shortly be in the market for a new truck and is considering a Ford, even though, having owned an old Silverado and GMC Jimmy, he is clearly more of a GM fan. And, of course, he also asked me to check out the new Silverado as well. I won't do a long thread on the new Silverado, or explain it in minute detail, but I will briefly share what I found with it, and a brief comparison to the F-150, for any truck-shoppers here on CL as well.


I sampled a 1500-series RST Double-Cab that, with options, listed for $53,740. The same guy at the Chevy/Buick/GMC shop that sold me both of my two Buicks said, if our condo-man were interested, the dealership would let it go for $44,705....that's a typical discount for full-sized trucks like this, which right now, are basically going for 8-10K of off list, which makes them a bargain even with the traditional large mark-up on full-size trucks.


First, compared the Extended-Cab F-150, the Silverado felt a little longer and more bulky to maneuver at close quarters. Chevy does not offer an extended-cab version with small rear-hinged "suicide" doors like the F-150...only a choice between two smaller front-hinged doors and two somewhat larger ones for a slightly roomier rear seat. The Double-Cab version I drove had the smaller of the two rear doors, but, with its long bed-length, still felt a little longer and bulkier than the F-150 Extended-Cab. The Silverado, unlike the F-150, still has a steel body, but an aluminum tailgate.....I found that out when I tried to stick on the magnetized dealer test-drive-plate, and it wouldn't stick to the aluminum (I had to put it in the rear window instead).


I generally preferred the Silverado's interior, controls, instrumentation, trim, and layout to the F-150's, and the Silverado's driver's seat, to my large frame, felt more comfortable. Both trucks had a traditional column-lever for the transmission. Neither one really seemed to use particularly durable materials inside (perhaps in an effort to save weight).....it seemed like a toss-up there. On the road, the normally-aspirated (non-turbo) 5.3L V8 had adequate power (348 ft-lbs of torque) but, of course, was hauling around a generally heavy vehicle. The F-150 had a noticeably smoother ride (the Silverado's was more traditional truck-stiff)......the F-150 would probably be the better of the two for a long trip, where comfort is more of an issue. Both trucks had decent wind-noise control, but, as speed increased, some audible road-noise from the large tires and open truck-bed in back. The Silverado had much better electric power-steering, with some steering/road feel...the F-150's is more or less like mush. Brakes on both were adequate, though they both have a lot of vehicle to stop. At speed, I did not notice any of the noted "Chevy-Shake" that has plagued the structure of some recent Chevy and GMC full-sized trucks/SUVs, but my test-drive wasn't really that long or that fast, and it was a brand-new vehicle without any real stress having been put on it yet. Both trucks carry the same standard factory warranty.....5/60 on the drivetrain and 3/36 Bumper-to-Bumper.


There's also another ace in the hole. I have not test-driven an equivalent 1500 GMC Sierra, but, from truck-reviews I've read, the Denali version, at least, has a smooth ride that is (almost) the equal of the silky Dodge Ram 1500. That could (?) be a solution to the Silverado's stiffish ride, and also offering a slightly more upscale GMC-class interior, though the GMC will probably cost a little more, and I don't know just how much he can afford to spend.


If it were me, I'd choose the F-150 if I were going to make long trips in it and/or drive appreciable distances. The F-150's reliability record is also somewhat better than the Silverado's, decreasing the likelihood of a breakdown on a long trip, although the F-150's 10-speed automatic (used only on some F-150 versions) is still basically new and untested in the long run. Its mushy steering is less of a factor on a long Interstate trip, where one is driving straight ahead most of the time. But, for everyday around-town driving and hauling loads, even with its stiffer ride, I'd choose the Silverado, with its better steering-feel, its steel bed vs. the F-150's aluminum, and (IMO) better dash/instrumentation layout. Except for a little more bounce over some bumps than the F-150, it is just a more pleasant truck to steer and drive. And I might also check out the GMC Sierra version and its smoother ride.

And, as Always, Happy-Truck-Shopping.

MM

JDR76

Thanks for taking the time to do a write-up.

I have a 2001 Silverado that has been very reliable, but is nothing special to drive. I use it for weekend runs to Home Depot and such. Otherwise it just sits. I suppose one day I'll replace it with something newer.

I have a question about this:

Did you mean a choice between two smaller forward-hinged doors?

If I were to buy a full size truck now, I'd probably go with a new F150 or perhaps a lightly used Tundra. I just don't like the Silverado interior design.

mmarshall

Any time. I'll be doing a much longer one on the new Explorer when it debuts in a couple of weeks....Ford has already started to ship them, but they haven't reached local dealers yet.

If you want to replace it now, you can get a least 8-10K off of new ones without any bargaining at all.



Yes...good catch, and Thanks. I'll correct the typo.

None of those three trucks currently have what I would call durable interior materials...all three have a plasticky feel inside. I just thought that the Silverado's basic layout was clearer and easier to read at a glance....and the front beltlines on the doorsills avoid that awkward-looking dip on the F-150.

pbm317

The exterior picture you're using is not the 2019.

This is what a 2019 would look like:

mmarshall

OK....good enough. Thanks. Google seems to have a problem labeling some of their images....this is not the first time there was a mix-up from a mislabeling. Starting with the next review or test-drive I do, probably on the new Explorer, I'm going to try and take more actual, direct shots with my I-Phone 7, though the lighting is not always good enough for some interior shots.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

to me that's the uglist truck design ever.

there's at least 10 'layers' to that front 'cake' and that's not a good thing.

the front is so ludicrously high visibility is more like this than a normal vehicle.

mmarshall

Don't forget next year's 2020 Silverado LOL.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

GM just can't get away from the cheap plastic looking interiors

mmarshall

Plastic has become the staple of many manufacturers, not just GM.

Sulu

Mike, what do you mean by this? As I understand it, the beltiine (the line where the window meets the door) and the door sill (the part you step over to enter the vehicle) are parallel so never meet.

Toys4RJill

The issue is that there is good plastic and crappy plastic. Although I really like the design and overall theme of these new trucks, it does have crappy plastic inside.

GM and Ford have this issue.

mmarshall

Sorry if it was unclear the way I explained it. I meant the window/door belt line, not the sill. Notice, in the F-150, how, where the window and door meet, it takes that (IMO) awkward-looking forward-dip about halfway along the door.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

That plastic dash looks cheap and ugly.

Sulu

Yes, that is correct. But I think what Joeb427 meant is that GM's plastic interiors look cheaper than other automakers' plastic interiors.

To me, this interior looks like a particularly cheap plastic (in the worst sense of the word) dashboard.

mmarshall

Yes, most of it is plastic....with some surface-coatings, in various trim-levels, to give it a chrome or wood-tone look. But what else is new? So is that of most of its competitors. And, in general, I preferred Chevy's instrument/control-layout to Ford's. But, in the end, it's not up to me...I simply test-drove this truck at the request of someone else.

Here'a a little more high-zoot version, BTW...I think you'll be able to tell the difference.