2010 Ford F-150 vs 2010 Chevy Silverado
2010 Ford F-150
Ford pride and joy resides in its number one top selling truck in the US, the F-150. This pickup comes in so many variations; there is a version to meet almost any truck buyer’s needs. For 2010, the F-150 comes in 10 trim levels, with the return of the FX2 and Harley-Davidson edition pickups and the introduction of the all-new SVT Raptor model. The F-150 offers best-in-class towing (11,300 pounds) and payload (3,030 pounds) ratings. There are three cab styles: regular, extended and crew cab.
Ford F-150 Power and Handling
For handling purposes the 2010 F-150 got a fully boxed frame. The entry-level’s engine is a 4.6-liter V-8 that's more powerful than the previous-generation's base V-6, but it is also more fuel efficient, despite using a four-speed automatic transmission. This engine is known as the two-valve to distinguish it from the more powerful new three-valve version of the 4.6-liter V-8. The all-new 6.2-liter premium V-8 is exclusive to the Raptor model. It offers a unique "off-road mode" that optimizes shift points for high-speed off-roading. Four-by-four versions come with a choice of manual or electronically actuated four-wheel-drive systems. The FX4 adds a locking rear differential and optional 17-inch wheels with off-road tires. F-150 has a fully boxed frame so it is 10-percent more resistant to twist and one hundred pounds lighter. The front suspension has been upgraded to a dual ball-joint design pioneered and still used by BMW and found on the Expedition sport-utility, while the rear suspension continues with long leafs and outboard shocks.
Design of the 2010 F-150
The front end of the F-150 emulates Ford's Super Duty work trucks, with a squared-off nose, a giant grille and a domed hood that adds 2 inches in height. Each trim level gets its own grille treatment. The Platinum also has chrome-capped side mirrors and 20-inch, 16-spoke aluminum wheels. The rest of the lineup offers 12 wheel options, starting with 17 inches and ranging to 20 inches in diameter. Borrowed from the Super Duty, a step pulls out of the open tailgate and hinges down to ease climbing into the bed. A post on the tailgate swings up and locks, forming a handle to help step up into the bed. Another option is a side step that you pop out of the rocker panel in front of the rear wheel by kicking a button. It allows you to reach over the side of the cargo box. This eases access to Ford's take on C-channel rails that let you position tie-down cleats anywhere along the box's length. Inside the F-150 there are enlarged buttons, controls and less-intrusive door panels with larger map pockets in the SuperCab and SuperCrew. There's a large, lockable center storage console. The F-150's seats use high-grade materials and are available with powered adjustments, including lumbar support, heating and cooling. The materials are easier to clean, Ford says, and the higher trim levels use real woods and metals in the interior. Cabin noise has been lowered dramatically, Ford says, and the Platinum trim level boasts additional noise abatement. The four-door SuperCrew F-150 Harley-Davidson has heated front captain's chairs and leather rear bench seats inspired by Harley-Davidson biker jackets. The four-door SuperCab F-150 SVT Raptor has unique cloth and leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with a center hash mark to help the driver quickly reorient to the centerline while running at high speeds off-road.
2010 Chevy Silverado
The 2010 Chevrolet Silverado is known as one of America’s top trucks. And it works hard to live up to its reputation as the 'strongest, most dependable and longest lasting truck on the road'. The 1500 is the 'half-ton', model in Chevrolet's full-size pickup line-up. There are four engine sizes to choose from and two transmissions. The 1500 is available in a wide array of bed sizes, wheelbases, drive types and cab sizes, as well as a variety of trim levels. The 2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 is visually unchanged from 2009, but the 4.8L engine is now flexible-fuel, air conditioning and electronic stability control are now standard on the Work Truck trim, and overhead curtain airbags are now standard on all trims. New audio systems feature audio-DVD and USB ports. Standard side curtain and side-impact airbags are safety additions.
Chevy Silverado Power and Handling
There are four engine sizes to choose from: 4.3-liter V6, 4.8-liter V8, 5.3-liter V8, and 6.2-liter V8; GM has dropped the long-running 6.0-liter V-8 engine from the Silverado lineup, leaving only the 6.2-liter V-8 for heavy towing needs. The rest of the Silverado's eight-cylinder lineup benefits from increased availability of its new six-speed transmission. That transmission is now available in regular and extended cab models equipped with the 5.3-liter V-8. The lineup also benefits from the enhancement of the 4.8- and 5.3-liter V-8 engines with variable valve timing for improved emissions and better fuel economy. All configurations are available in two- or four-wheel drive.
Design of the 2010 Silverado
The Silverado comes in regular, extended and crew cab versions. Standard and long cargo beds are available on regular and extended cabs, while the crew cab gets a short. The Silverado offers two distinct interiors. The WT, LS and LT get interiors that are more work-oriented, while the LTZ draws inspiration from the SUV lineup. Besides interior fabrics and colors, the dash layouts are different, and the work trucks have larger controls. The easiest way to tell the difference is that work trucks have two glove boxes and LTZs have one. The Silverado cab is spacious and well-organized. The work trucks come standard with cloth seating; leather is available on the LT. The LTZ gets heated leather seats, wood trim, a Bose sound system and a larger center console. The split-bench rear seat in crew cabs can be folded to expand load space.
Conclusions
Two of America’s top sellers, two workhorses that day in and day out do their job, whether it’s getting the crew to the worksite, or towing a trailer for weekend fun. The 2010 Ford F-150 pickup truck delivers outstanding performance with its distinct trim levels, equipment packages and its broad range of cab styles and pickup box lengths. For 2010, the Flareside models and the 133-inch wheelbase Super Cabs have been discontinued. The new for 2010 Special Vehicle Team (SVT) Raptor makes its debut. The Chevy Silverado is available in a long list of version, one to suit just about every truck owner. In addition, for 2010, the Silverado get a new flex-fuel engine. The two trucks are similarly priced; the 2010 Ford F-150 has a starting MSRP of $21,380 – $39,010 while the Silverado comes in at $20,850 – $41,775. Fuel economy is similar as well. The trucks both get an average fuel economy of 15/20 mpg (city/hwy).
