Starting at
Starting at
385-475 | Horsepower (hp) | 401-445 |
430-1,050 | Torque (lb-ft) | 464-910 |
4,260 | Payload (lbs) | 3,979 |
For most folks, any pickup truck will do. But for those who need to tow the biggest trailers and carry the heaviest loads, only a heavy-duty truck will meet their expectations. Two of the most popular models to compare are the 2022 Ford F-250 vs 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD. These heavy-duty trucks give you plenty of options to choose from, with different engine options, drive trains, trims, and configurations. That puts you in the driver’s seat, but it can also create confusion. Fortunately, in comparing these two models, you will see that there are certain benefits to one model over the other, as well as key things to keep in mind when designing the model you want with all the features and capabilities you need.
Ford and Chevrolet are two of the oldest truck manufacturers in America, which explains why their heavy-duty, or in the case of Ford, Super Duty, trucks are so popular. They have both developed a reputation for ruggedness, dependability, and affordability unmatched in the heavy-duty truck market. This is why it is so important to get to the specific facts and figures to make it easier for you to see which of these two powerful trucks has the clear edge.
With respect to their heavy-duty trucks, Ford and Chevrolet have taken a very different approach. The 2022 Ford F-250 comes in six different trims with no special editions but two extra packages. In contrast, the 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500HD has only five trims to offer but also comes in four different special editions. In addition, the price points are fairly similar, starting just a few hundred dollars apart.
The entry-level model of the 2022 Ford F-250 is the XL with an MSRP of $35,200.* The next trim level is the F-250 XLT, which adds certain active safety systems like automatic high beams, a blind spot information system with trailer tow feature, and automatic emergency brakes. The Lariat brings leather-trimmed seats and a premium 10-speaker sound system by Bang & Olufsen. The King Ranch adds a unique Kingsville antique effect leather-trimmed interior with an ultimate trailer tow camera system. The Platinum has multi-contour leather-trimmed seats, power-deployable running boards to improve entry and exit from the truck, and adaptive cruise control. The top trim is the Limited, which pulls out all the stops with adaptive steering, a twin-panel moonroof, and Admiral Blue and slate leather-trimmed seats.
The base model of the 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500HD is the WT, which stands for work truck. Next up, the LT adds a Wi-Fi hotspot, steering wheel-mounted controls, and remote keyless entry. The Custom adds vinyl floor mats and 20-inch alloy wheels. The LTZ provides more luxury features than the other models of the Silverado 2500HD, such as heated leather seats and an EZ liftgate. The top trim of the 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500HD is the High Country, offering features such as a bed view camera, HD surround vision, and a Bose premium audio system.
Chevy offers the 2022 Silverado 2500HD with four special editions, the Carhart Edition, Z71 Sport Edition, Z71 Chrome Sport Edition, and HD Midnight Edition. However, these are each built around the LTZ trim. This is not much different from the Black Appearance Package available on the Ford F-250 XLT and Lariat models or the Lariat Sport Appearance Package.
Both Ford and Chevy offer their respective heavy-duty trucks in three different configurations. The Regular Cab has two doors and one row of seats for up to three passengers. This is available on the 2022 Ford F-250 XL and XLT or the 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500HD WT and LT models. The Crew Cab has 4fourfull-size doors, two rows of seats, and room for up to five or six passengers, depending on whether you opt for bucket seats or a bench in the front row. This cab type is the largest and is offered on all models of the 2022 Ford F-250 and Chevy Silverado 2500HD.
The Super Cab on a Ford is the same thing as a Double Cab on a Chevy, with two rows of seats, two full-size front doors, and two half-sized rear doors. This will have a little less legroom in the rear seat than a Crew Cab. The Super Cab is available on all trims of the 2022 Ford F-250 except the Limited, which has a standard Crew Cab. Similarly, Chevy offers a Double Cab on all trims of the 2022 Silverado 2500HD, except the High Country, which is also Crew Cab only.
The 2022 Ford F-250 and 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500HD each come with a choice of engines. The difference is that Ford offers you three engines to choose from, while Chevy only gives you two options. The standard engine on all trims of the 2022 F-250 except the Limited is a 6.2-liter Flex-Fuel V8 gas engine. Nicknamed the Boss, this engine has a single overhead cam (SOHC) valve train with roller-rocker shafts to provide 385 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque.
Ford also offers you the choice of two other engines. The 7.3-liter V8 gas engine is called Godzilla because it is a real monster. This is port fuel-injected and features a cast-iron engine block, making it capable of producing 430 horsepower and generating 475 lb-ft of torque. The final engine option is a diesel, which is available on every trim of the F-250 but comes standard on the Limited. This is a 6.7-liter Power Stroke Turbo-Diesel V8. The engine features a 36,000-psi fuel-injection system to optimize performance, giving it the ability to produce 475 horsepower and an astounding 1,050 lb-ft of torque.
In contrast, Chevy offers each model of the 2022 Silverado 2500HD with the same engine, with one optional engine. The standard engine is a 6.6-liter V8 gas engine. It has direct fuel injection and a cast-iron block, producing 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque. While this provides slightly higher numbers than the standard 6.2-liter Boss V8 on the Ford F-250, it is no match for the 7.3-liter Godzilla V8. The optional engine on the 2022 Silverado 2500HD is a 6.6-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel V8 that produces 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of torque. Neither can match the impressive output of the Power Stroke Turbo Diesel V8 available on the F-250.
Both Ford and Chevy have decided to pair their engines with specific transmissions. The standard 6.2-liter V8 on the F-250 has a TorqShift G 6-speed automatic transmission. While this will give you solid control and efficient performance, F-250 models with the 7.3-liter V8 gas engine and the 6.7-liter Power Stroke Turbo-Diesel V8 upgrade to a 10-speed TorqShift transmission. This transmission offers you five selectable driving modes: Normal, Slippery for wet pavement, Tow-Haul to maximize trailering capacity, Eco for better fuel economy, and Deep Sand/Snow for improved traction.
The 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500HD comes with a Hydra-Matic 6L90 6-speed automatic transmission on every conventional gas engine model. This is no match for the 10-speed automatic transmission on the 7.3-liter V8 on the F-250. If you decide to get the available 6.6-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel on the Silverado 2500HD, it comes equipped with an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission.
Many folks choose to buy a heavy-duty truck for its trailering capability. This is certainly the case with the 2022 Ford F-250 and the 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500HD. The F-250 with the standard 6.2-liter V8 engine provides solid numbers, capable of towing up to 15,800 pounds. This is exceeded by the F-250 with the 7.3-liter V8, able to tow 19,500 pounds, and the 6.7-liter Power Stroke Turbo Diesel, with a maximum towing capacity of 22,800 pounds. In fact, these numbers also exceed those of the comparable engines on the 2022 Silverado 2500HD. The 6.6-liter V8 on the Silverado 2500HD provides the ability to tow up to 17,370 pounds, while the maximum towing capacity on the Chevy with the Duramax Turbo-Diesel is 18,510 pounds, over 2,000 pounds less than a Ford F-250 with the Power Stroke Turbo Diesel.
Infotainment systems have become some of the most valuable tools on today’s vehicles, and heavy-duty trucks are no exception. Not only do these systems allow us to stay connected to the outside world through such things as Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, but they also provide us with vital vehicle information and a screen to view things like backup cameras and trailer hitching guidance. This is why it is vital to get a heavy-duty truck with a sufficiently large touchscreen.
The 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500HD features the Chevy Infotainment 3 system, which has been out for a while. The three lower trims, the WT, LT, and Custom, all come with a standard 7-inch touchscreen. In order to get the 8-inch touchscreen, you will need to spring for either of the two top trims or find a lower-trim truck with an optional package.
Ford has taken a different approach with respect to the infotainment system on the 2022 Ford F-250. While the base model XL has a standard 4.2-inch touchscreen with the basic SYNC system, you can opt for a larger and more advanced SYNC 3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen. The next trim level, the XLT, has the 8-inch touchscreen and SYNC 3 infotainment system standard, the same size as on the premium LTZ and High Country models of the 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500HD. Furthermore, all other models of the 2022 Ford F-250 (the Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited) feature the new SYNC 4 system with an enormous 12-inch color touchscreen. This is four full inches larger than any touchscreen on the Silverado 2500HD, which can make all the difference when you are hitching up a trailer or backing out of a space in your heavy-duty truck. Having a larger screen on your truck may make all the difference.