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Starting at
Starting at
| 8 | Available Trims | 6 |
| 62.9 - 89.1 | Bed Capacity (cu.ft.) | 52.8 - 77.4 |
| 10.88 | Max Ground Clearance (in) | 9.4 |
If you are shopping for a pickup, one of the first things you will quickly notice is that you have a lot of options available to you. There is no shortage of different models out there. Choosing the right one is not always easy, but it is very important to ensure you get everything you need. With so many options to choose from, it can get a little overwhelming. This is why it often helps to narrow things down a bit and to look at just two vehicles. For example, let us consider the 2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 vs 2021 Ford F-150 to see what they both have to offer.
While the Ford F-150 is certainly a fine truck, we had expected to see a lot of major improvements and new features for its updated 2021 model, and ultimately it still feels a lot like the same old truck. By comparison, the recent update to the Silverado from a couple of years ago still feels as fresh as ever and really showcases everything Chevy is doing right. For example, the multi-flex tailgate available on the 2021 Silverado is truly amazing; with functionality you cannot find anywhere else. Easy changes that let you turn it into a step, gain easier access to more of your truck bed, or have it function as a load stop without any additional equipment. While the F-150’s tailgate is fine, the lack of this kind of design and forward-thinking definitely shows when you compare them.
Similarly, the Ford F-150 has quite a few great trim levels to choose from, but the Silverado offers more, letting you more easily customize your pickup to get just what you want. Beyond that, there are a number of Special Edition models of the Chevy Silverado that you can choose for a unique style and flair. The Ford F-150 completely lacks any Special Edition options. Add in things like greater available conventional horsepower and a lower starting price, and you can see that the Silverado clearly comes out on top.
To some, it might seem a little strange to fixate on the functionality of a truck’s tailgate, and with a lot of pickups out there, that would certainly be true. With many trucks, the tailgate has one function: raise and lower to allow access to whatever you have in the bed of your truck. While the tailgate of the 2021 Chevy Silverado certainly allows you to do that, it does so with far greater functionality than the tailgate of the Ford F-150.
Let us start by looking at the F-150 to see what you would probably expect from most trucks out there. The standard tailgate can be raised or lowered, and it works just fine. There are some available features that improve upon this, including LED lighting for the bed, along with a 400W power outlet for small devices. Additional power outputs are available, as is remote functionality that lets the tailgate lower and rise at the push of a button on the key fob. Finally, an available tailgate step makes it easier for someone to get into or out of the bed, and the tailgate functions as a decent work surface.
That all sounds well and good until you start to look at the multi-function tailgate that is available with the 2021 Chevy Silverado. It has basic functionality, as you would expect, along with 12 standard tie-downs in the bed of the truck, which makes it easier to secure cargo in the back. There is also an available power-up/down function that lets you easily lower or raise the tailgate at the push of a button, as well as LED cargo area lighting.
Where the Silverado really shines, however, is when you look at its available multi-flex tailgate that offers six different functions. There is the standard tailgate function, of course, but there is also a built-in load stop that you can lift from the tailgate, acting as a stop for extra-long items in the bed of your truck. An easy-access function lets you fold down an inner gate, which makes it easier for you to get to your cargo and allows you to reach farther into the truck bed, as well as a large, full-width step that lets you get into the truck bed more easily. There is also an inner-gate load stop, which lets you keep second-tier items that are stacked from sliding out of the bed, along with an inner gate that can be opened to provide a work surface for a laptop and makes second-tier loading easier.
As you can see, this is a tremendous amount of functionality from a truck tailgate and really showcases how much something that seems simple can really make a difference. You want a truck that can work as hard as you do, of course, but it should also make your work easier. More and more trucks are coming out with multi-function tailgates to help owners get the most use out of their trucks, and it looks like the F-150 is falling behind in this category.
Trim levels might not be the very first thing you look at when shopping for a truck, but it is definitely something you should consider. Powerful engines are great, but you need to choose a pickup that gives you the freedom to get everything you want in one vehicle. And more trim levels make it easier for you to do exactly that.
At the moment, the 2021 Ford F-150 has six trim levels available. It starts with the standard XL, then goes up to the XLT, then the Lariat. From there, a King Ranch trim is available, then a Platinum trim, and finally the Limited trim – do not let the name fool you, though; it is not a limited edition or anything like that. There is almost certainly a seventh trim on the way, the off-road-focused Raptor, but at the moment, Ford has not revealed much information on it.
By comparison, the 2021 Chevy Silverado has eight different trims for you to choose from, including two different off-road options. This gives you a lot more freedom to find the right combination of features and available options to get just what you need. The Silverado starts with the Work Truck or WT model and then goes to the Custom, with a Custom Trail Boss trim available that features a 2-inch factory suspension lift and automatic locking rear differential for outstanding off-road performance.
From there, you can choose an LT trim for greater luxury or choose a more refined experience with the RST trim. The LT Trail Boss trim gives you the impressive features of the LT with great off-road support, while an LTZ trim includes improved interior technology. Finally, the High Country represents the pinnacle of what the Silverado has to offer, with amazing features inside and out.
While trims are a great way to look at flexibility and different options with a truck, you should also consider Special Editions that can really let you make your pickup stand out. Although these options might not be for everyone, that simply makes your model even more unique. That being said, Ford has no Special Editions available for the F-150 at this time.
In contrast to that, there are numerous Special Editions available for the 2021 Chevy Silverado. For example, both the Custom trim and the RST trim are available in a special Rally Edition, which includes black badging and emblems, black hood and tailgate stripes, black assist steps and exhaust tips, and high-gloss black-painted aluminum wheels. The LT Trail Boss is available in a special Midnight Edition, which includes similar black appearance features and details. These kinds of special touches might not drastically change how your truck performs, but they can really help make your truck feel unique to you and match your personality.
Although there are certainly plenty of Ford F-150 fans out there, the evidence is pretty clear: the Silverado can give you far more options and better functionality. With more trims to choose from, Special Editions that you simply cannot find with the F-150, and a far more impressive multi-flex tailgate, the 2021 Chevy Silverado is a truck that is simply unmatched. The fact that it starts at a lower price is the icing on the cake and really showcases the exceptional value that the Silverado represents. Of course, you do not have to simply take our word for it since you can come to Blossom Chevrolet and see it for yourself.
Here at Blossom Chevrolet, we specialize in building a relationship with our customers to help you get exactly what you need when shopping for a vehicle and for many years to come. Our friendly and knowledgeable salespeople can answer any questions you might have, show you the wide variety of options available to you, and make sure you find exactly the right vehicle for what you need. And with our certified service center and factory parts department, we will be here to help you with anything you need while you enjoy your vehicle, from basic maintenance to more elaborate repairs. Call or come visit us at Blossom Chevrolet today and discover how easy and rewarding it can be to shop for a truck.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.