Starting at
Starting at
401 | Standard Horsepower (hp) | 385 |
464 | Standard Torque (lb-ft) | 430 |
83.5 | Max Cargo Space (cu ft) | 78.5 |
Henry Ford and Louis Chevrolet pioneered the American automotive industry with their vision to bring transportation to the masses. For Henry Ford, that vision meant giving people the freedom to travel while Chevrolet sought to build more affordable, high-performing models for the everyday driver. Although these visions are over a century old, they're still very much alive today, especially when you compare best-selling models like the 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD vs 2022 Ford F-250.
The Silverado 2500 HD and the F-250 are more than capable workhorses; they make up the backbone of America. They're the reliable steeds that get drivers to and from work, that navigate family ranches and cattle farms, that safely take kids to school, haul groceries, and blaze new trails. These trucks embody the vision of the American automotive industry's founding fathers while setting new standards of what it means to deliver a reliable and capable workhorse that can log hundreds of thousands of miles with ease.
So, which truck is better? While there's a lot to be said for the F-250, it's hard to beat the 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD when you look at its higher standard horsepower and torque, as well as its best-in-class cargo capacity. This makes it a better overall value and gives it a clear advantage over the Blue Oval's F-250.
Chevy is renowned for building capable workhorses that are powerful, reliable, versatile, and durable. Trucks like the Silverado 2500 HD embody Chevy's early vision to deliver affordable, high-performing workhorses to Americans, and the 2022 Silverado is no different. Marketed as the "strongest, most capable Silverado HD ever," the latest 2500 HD has much to offer in terms of performance.
For 2022, Chevy offers two heavy-duty powertrains that match the demands of every terrain and load imaginable. The 6.6-liter V8 gas engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and delivers 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque. Gas engines are known for their responsiveness, and this V8 is no different, making the 2500 HD agile on the road even for a truck of its size.
The V8 is also responsible for the 2500 HD's maximum payload of 3,979 pounds on two-wheel-drive models and 3,965 pounds on four-wheel-drive models. When it comes to towing, the V8 can easily handle its own with a maximum trailering capacity of 14,500 pounds on a conventional trailer. When towing with a gooseneck or fifth-wheel, the V8 can haul quite a bit more at 17,370 pounds.
There's no question that the 2500 HD is designed as a workhorse, and that's why Chevy offers a 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine. Mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, the diesel churns out 445 horses and 910 lb-ft of torque for exceptional hauling capability. This translates to 18,500 pounds on a conventional, fifth-wheel, or gooseneck trailer or a maximum payload of 3,715 pounds.
In comparison, the 2022 F-250 comes standard with Ford's 6.2-liter Flex-Fuel V8 engine. The engine is paired with the TorqShift 6-speed automatic transmission and delivers just 385 horses and 430 lb-ft of torque, which is a far cry from the Silverado's standard output of 401 horses and 464 lb-ft of torque. To enjoy the same power on the F-250 requires upgrading powertrains to the 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbodiesel or the 7.3-liter V8, both of which add considerably to the F-250's price tag.
Trucks like the Silverado 2500 HD and the F-250 are designed to work hard and get any job done, which is why Chevy and Ford equip each truck with a suite of functional features that make your job easier. Right out of the gate, the Silverado outshines the F-250 by offering the most camera views in the segment via its 8-camera system that delivers 15 unique views around the truck and trailer. These views include four hitch views, six driving views, and five parking views that enhance your visibility whether you're driving, parking, or maneuvering in reverse.
The Silverado 2500 HD also offers the segment's first Advanced Trailering System. Accessible via the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system or the myChevrolet mobile app on your smartphone, the system allows you to create custom trailer profiles for each trailer. This makes it even easier to hitch, tow, and unhitch because it puts vital information at your fingertips whether you're in the cab or outside the truck.
Beyond trailering features, Chevy also expands the functionality of the Silverado 2500 HD's bed and tailgate. The Durabed offers more cargo room than any competitor at 83.5 cubic feet, which is significantly more than the F-250's 78.5 cubic feet of space. The Silverado's Durabed is also one of the most functional because it comes standard with 12 tie-downs along with the option to add integrated LED bed lighting and a 120-volt outlet that's ideal for charging power tools and small equipment.
For 2022, Chevy also gives you the option to add the Multi-Flex tailgate to the 2500 HD. The tailgate is unique to the industry and offers six functions that add to its versatility and make it easier to access the bed. The primary gate works like a traditional tailgate while the primary gate load stop unfolds to prevent longer items from sliding out of the bed. The inner gate folds down to give you easier access to the bed and extends further into a full-width step that can support up to 375 pounds. The inner gate load stop keeps items on the second tier from sliding out of the bed and can be stowed away to create an inner gate work surface that's great for loading second-tier items or supporting a laptop or other equipment.
The F-250's functional features aren't as plentiful as that of the Silverado 2500 HD. The F-250 is equipped with a traditional tailgate that you can upgrade to include an integrated step or an available bedside step, neither of which match the versatility of the Multi-Flex tailgate. You can also add Ford's BoxLink system to the bed, which gives you secure storage but reduces the available cargo volume. Other available upgrades include exterior LED lighting and an electric winch.
Chevy and Ford equip the Silverado 2500 HD and the F-250 with state-of-the-art technology that's designed to keep you informed, safe, and connected when you're on the road. On the Silverado, the heart of this technology is in the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system that's housed on a 7-inch or 8-inch color touchscreen display. Through the system, you can sync your smartphone via wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, navigate the quickest route, or make use of the available WiFi hotspot. The F-250 offers similar capability via Ford's SYNC 4 infotainment system and the FordPass Connect that allows you to connect to a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot when you're on the road.
Safety is another priority for Chevy and Ford, which is apparent when you look at the safety and driver-assist tools that come with the Silverado 2500 HD and the F-250. Chevy's safety features include tools like Rear Park Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, which help you drive the truck in reverse by alerting you to obstacles and traffic crossing behind you. Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert takes the guesswork out of changing lanes on the highway by notifying you of vehicles in your blind spots, while Lane Departure Warning helps you keep the truck and trailer safely in the designated lane. Automatic Emergency Braking works with features like Forward Collision Alert and can enhance your emergency braking or bring the truck to an emergency stop when a collision is imminent.
You'll find many similar features on the F-250 in what's known as the Ford Co-Pilot 360 suite. Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking works like Chevy's Forward Collision Alert. Ford's Blind Spot Information System with Trailer Coverage is comparable to Chevy's Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert. Other similar tools include Ford's Lane-Keeping Alert, Automatic High-Beam Headlamps, and the standard rearview camera, although the latter offers fewer views than Chevy's exclusive 8-camera system.