Chevy guys and Ford guys don’t just trash talk about cars. As a matter of fact, the truck rivalry is just as heated, if not more so, than that of the cars. Instead of spending their wad on a Corvette or Shelby GT500, these guys opt for the massive power teamed with the hauling capacity of each division’s high-end haulers.
Chevrolet redesigned its Silverado line for 2007, presumably staggering rollouts of the new models as dealers rid themselves of remaining Silverado “Classic” inventory. The new truck has already garnered critical and consumer praise alike and it seems that it’s worth shelling out the extra dough, no matter how many incentives the salesman waves at you to settle for the old -- sorry, Classic -- truck.
Naturally, whenever the Bowtie folks upgrade their trucks, the Blue Oval crowd won’t be too far behind. Ford’s venerable F-Series Super Duty line gets a new look and hardware for 2008, also improving upon an already great formula, and further blurring the line between commercial workhorse and consumer carryall.
Recent sales numbers find both truck builders in a pickle; Chevy in particular is licking its wounds after Silverado sales skidded 23.5% this past June. That’s a shame, because these are both great trucks. We’ll reveal which one is better based on several criteria, each carrying its own assigned numeric weight, relative to the vehicle class. One hundred points would mean a truck is perfect. Is that possible? Read on…
Chevy Silverado 3500HD LTZ Crew Cab
MSRP: $39,210Engine: 6.0-liter OHV turbo gasoline V8
Horsepower: 353 @ 5,400 rpm
Torque: 373 @ 4,400 rpm
MPG: City: Not rated; Highway: Not rated
Performance - 18/20
Before you become too puzzled by the high rating, we accounted for towing and hauling abilities as the bulk of the performance score. Trust us; this truck is good for lugging around a thing or two. Showing a rare display of restraint, we stuck with the single rear-wheel 4x4 Silverado, though dualies are an option in the intentionally misspelled “Big Dooley” package. So is the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel engine, and we couldn’t resist. That’s because despite the combined sticker price boost of almost $8,400 for the engine and mandatory six-speed Allison automatic transmission, it’s worth every penny. Payload in this configuration remains at 4,608 pounds in the eight-foot box, but the diesel’s towing capacity jumps to staggering 14,900 pounds from the standard 10,100. Manufacturers aren’t required to spit out their fuel economy ratings for trucks of this capacity, so don’t make any bets with a Prius owner -- assuming you’re on speaking terms with one.
Exterior design - 17/20
Trucks have come a long way in styling, but face it, Chevy wasn’t always leading the way. Their haulers never looked all that bad, really. It’s just that they looked outdated from day one. This time around, they’re good-looking and contemporary. The HD-designated Silverados wear slightly modified sheet metal, but without being pretentiously butch or drastically changed from the lighter-load carriers.
Interior design - 8/10
Other than the need for enlarged controls (so you can fiddle with them while wearing gloves), the Silverado HD interior is very car-like, only bigger. It’s easily one of the best-equipped Chevy interiors you’ll find, feeling a lot like the redesigned Suburban from the driver’s seat. Gauge layout is attractive but straightforward, and ergonomics represent an overall improvement from the last design.
Sound system/goodies - 7/10
By the time you step up to the LTZ package, nearly every last bell and whistle is present and accounted for. That includes a six-disc sound system with an MP3 input and Bose speakers and center console subwoofer, plus rear seat controls. Navigation and a rear-seat DVD system are options -- a couple of the few choices left at extra cost in this configuration.
Bang for the buck - 13/20
If you truly need a truck with these capabilities, it’s worth the entrance fee. If the purchase is ego-based, think twice. You can still drive an impressive truck without spending more than a base Corvette. Unlike the Vette, however, the Silverado allows multiple configurations for a number of needs and tastes.
Driving experience - 16/20
Narrow neighborhood streets render the Silverado useless, unless you’re helping a buddy move. Out on the open road with a load, this truck is in its element. Seat time on the freeway is no chore to be dreaded -- though filling the 34-gallon tank could easily be a triple-digit expense.
Overall score - 79/100
Chevy has made huge strides with its redesigned truck line. They’re as tough as ever and they finally don’t look like yesterday’s news. For the urban cowboy who only wants to look the part, driving an HD is plain silly. But for serious work, even Ford guys should test drive the Silverado.
Ford F-350 Super Duty King Ranch Crew Cab
MSRP: $38,150Engine: 5.4-liter SOHC gasoline V8
Horsepower: 300 @ 5,000 rpm
Torque: 365 @ 3,750 rpm
MPG: City: Not rated; Highway: Not rated
Performance - 19/20
About all this truck won’t pull is a building from its foundation… and even that’s a possibility. As with our Silverado, we matched as much as we could: the top trim line with four-wheel drive, crew cab and eight-foot box. We held off on dualies (this time, no misspelled name for the option), but splurged for the oil burner -- it wasn’t cheap in the Chevy, and Ford doesn’t give it away either. The diesel and required five-speed automatic together set us back almost $8,400. Payload in this setup is rated at a slightly worse 4,170 pounds, but the standard pulling power is up, at 11,100 pounds. The Super Duty feels more controlled than the HD did pulling identical moderate loads. Like the HD, the Super Duty isn’t rated for fuel economy. Best guesses put it in the “don’t ask, don’t tell” range.
Exterior design - 12/20
Dodge, an outsider in this comparison, has to get partial credit (or blame) for the new Super Duty’s snout. When the Ram was finally redesigned for 1994, it signaled the arrival of the big-rig grille for pickups. Ford hasn’t shamelessly cloned the look for their truck and will probably counter that it’s more inspired by their own commercial trucks. In any case, this in-your-face face is like a reverse nose job: it’s an enlargement. We think Ford’s trying a little too hard. It’s on the verge of goofiness. Get beyond that, and the trendy fender vents couldn’t look less tacked on if they still had the price tag on them. That’s offset by a ho-hum look for the rest of the truck. Unappealing? No. Otherwise indistinguishable from the old truck? Yeah.
Interior design - 8/10
If you can ignore the exterior, the interior makes up for it in a big way. Modern F-Series models typically have decent fit-and-finish with good materials and agreeable ergonomics. This truck follows that rule and shows influential hints of Range Rover and -- dare we say -- the Hummer H2. A word of caution: If you drive the new Super Duty with the King Ranch package, don’t ever offer a ride to a PETA member. The animal lover probably won’t love the animal content within. The thick-feeling, embossed leather covering the four buckets will probably make her lose her couscous all over your rich-looking interior.
Sound system/goodies - 8/10
The standard single-CD audio system was a bit of a letdown with only marginal sound quality from its four speakers, but the optional six-disc, eight-speaker Audiophile system makes up for it. As is the case with the HD, the Super Duty offers optional navigation and a DVD entertainment system for the rear passengers. Most other features that Ford offers on their trucks already comes standard in the King Ranch setup.
Bang for the buck - 16/20
Even with the indulgent and cosmetic appointments of the King Ranch edition, this truck is ready for serious work. It’s anything but cheap, though you could retain all the ability while cutting costs if you could get by with a more modest trim level. On the other hand, there’s really nothing else modest about this truck, is there?
Driving experience - 17/20
Once you get over any apprehension about the Super Duty’s size, it’s easier to maneuver than you might guess, especially when hauling or towing. Even when it’s working hard, it feels like it’s hardly working. The 38-gallon tank will make you pull over more often for filling than your body will for stretching.
Overall Score - 80/100
You can’t drive much more truck than the F-350 Super Duty without a commercial license. Not that you’d need something this big for commuting. In that case, you should know the difference between looking dominant and looking foolish. This truck may be easy to handle, but it was made to work hard.
and the winner is…
Most Chevy versus Ford matchups are close calls, and this head-to-head shows just how highly competitive the two are. On looks alone, the Silverado HD is a winner. But trucks are more about work, and the Super Duty feels just a little more composed and controllable when it’s on the job. Both will get the job done, but in this case, Super is superior.Resources:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070704/AUTO01/707040378/-1/ARCHIVE
http://autos.aol.com/
http://www.chevrolet.com/silverado/specifications/
http://www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/superduty/features/specs/
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