If you’re in the market for a used truck, you could do much worse than a 2018 Chevy Silverado or a 2018 Ford F-150. They were that year’s best-sellers and remain solid pickups. However, deciding between a used Silverado and a Ford F-150 can be challenging. We present a 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500 vs. 2018 Ford F-150 comparison to help you decide which truck is better. 

2018 Chevy Silverado and 2018 Ford F-150 specs

Here are the general specs of the 2018 Silverado 1500 and F-150 base models, except the price range, which spans all trim levels. 

	2018 Chevy Silverado 1500	2018 Ford F-150
Average Used Price Range	$19,800–$41,800	$21,200–$50,000
Base Engine	4.3-liter V6	3.3-liter V6 cylinder
Horsepower + Torque	285 hp + 285 lb-ft of torque	290 hp + 265 lb-ft of torque
Transmission + Drivetrain	Automatic + RWD	Automatic + RWD
0–60 Mph Acceleration	5.9 seconds	7.6 seconds
Estimated Gas Mileage	18/24 mpg city/highway	20/25 mpg city/highway
Payload + Towing Capacity	1,739–2,004 lbs + 5,500–7,600 lbs	1,731–2,138 lbs + 13,200 lbs

2018 Chevy Silverado vs. 2018 Ford F-150: Driving and performance

The 2018 Silverado offered three engine options. Under the hood of the WT (Work Truck) base model is a 4.3-liter EcoTec3 V6 making 285 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque. Other trims have a 5.3-liter V8 (355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque) or a 6.2-liter V8 (420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque).

Unfortunately, the 2018 Silverado’s driving experience isn’t the best due to iffy steering and unresponsive acceleration. 

One of the main talking points for the 2018 F-150 is the truck’s number of available engine options. The base XL model packs a 3.3-liter V6 producing 290 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque, but other trims might have a 2.7-liter EcoBoost (325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque), 5.0-liter V8 (395 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque), 3.5-liter EcoBoost (375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque), or a 3.0-liter PowerStroke diesel. 

Even with the least powerful engine, the F-150 offers decent performance and drivability for daily use. 

2018 Chevy Silverado vs. 2018 Ford F-150: Interior and tech

The 2018 Silverado WT has three seats and a spacious interior, including 45.27 inches of front legroom. It also earned four- or five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In addition, the WT has a rearview camera, cruise control, a safe-driving system for young drivers, and a tire-fill alert that honks the horn to tell you when it has reached the correct inflation pressure.

Standard tech includes 17-inch steel wheels, HID headlights, a locking rear tailgate, and manually adjustable mirrors. The WT also features a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Chevrolet’s MyLink interface, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, an auxiliary audio jack, and a six-speaker audio system with a USB port.

Meanwhile, the Ford F-150 XL base model also has three seats and a roomy interior but slightly less front legroom at 43.9 inches. 

There are many versions of the truck (more on that below), but every 2018 F-150 model received a four- or five-star NHTSA rating. Standard equipment includes roll stability and curve control, side-curtain airbags, an anti-theft system, and a post-crash alert system. 

On the infotainment front, the F-150 XL has a 4.2-inch color display screen and a four-speaker radio with an auxiliary jack. Other amenities include a tilt-telescopic steering wheel and trailer sway control. 

2018 Chevy Silverado vs. 2018 Ford F-150: Trim levels and features

Chevrolet offered plenty of flexibility to configure the 2018 Silverado, so you’ll likely find a broad range of trims in your used-truck search.

This truck was available in three cab styles: the regular two-door cab, the four-door extended (Double) cab, and the crew cab. The regular cab seats three and could be paired with a standard 6.5-foot bed or an 8.0-foot bed, while the extended cab has seating for six and pairs only with the standard bed. The crew cab, which was available with the standard bed or a shorter 5’8″ bed, added full-size rear doors and increased rear legroom. All cab and cargo bed configurations could be ordered with two- or four-wheel drive.

In addition, the 2018 Silverado can be found in five trim levels:

• WT (Work Truck)
• LS: The LS adds power mirrors and windows, keyless entry, and GM’s OnStar system with 4G LTE Wi-Fi. 
• LT: This trim has a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, an EZ lift and lower tailgate, and SiriusXM.
• LTZ: Chevy offered the LTZ only in Double Cab or Crew Cab styles. It features 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, a remote starter, a memory system for the mirrors and seats, and an 8.0-inch color touchscreen.
• High Country: This range-topping trim is the only one to use the 6.2-liter V8 engine and came only with the Crew Cab. It features stitched leather seats, a Bose audio system, and cooled front seats. 

Meanwhile, a wide variety of configurations isn’t just limited to the engine on the 2018 F-150. This truck has six trim levels, including the XL base model, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and range-topping Limited. There’s also a Raptor variant skewed toward off-road performance.

In addition, the F-150 offers three cab styles — regular, SuperCab (extended), and SuperCrew (crew cab) — and three bed lengths of 5.5, 6.6, and 8.0 feet. The two longer beds are available in regular and SuperCab styles, while the SuperCrew is eligible for the shortest or standard bed. 

The 2018 F-150’s trim levels are as follows:

• XL
• XLT: The XLT offered the optional XL 101A package, which added power windows and locks (including the tailgate), power mirrors, remote keyless entry, and seat lumbar adjustments, among other features. This trim also has 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, additional interior storage, and carpeting. 
• Lariat: The Lariat is equipped with a 2.7-liter engine and brings in leather upholstery, heated/ventilated front seats, 18-inch wheels, power-adjustable pedals, the Sync 3 infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, and ambient lighting. 
• King Ranch: The King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited trims are only available with the SuperCrew cab. As you can probably tell from the name, the King Ranch is styled in a Western theme. It has a remote starter, remote tailgate release, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 10-speaker Sony audio system.
• Platinum: The Platinum includes more traditional examples of luxury, such as voice-activated navigation, automatic high-beam detection, and other design upgrades.
• Limited: The Limited has 22-inch alloy wheels and comes with nearly every optional package offered with other trims. 
• Raptor: The Raptor caters to adventuresome drivers, with numerous features suited for rugged terrain. They include a specialized suspension for longer travel, skid plates, a Terrain Management System, and 17-inch wheels with upgraded all-terrain tires. 

Which used truck is the right fit for you?

The 2018 Chevy Silverado and 2018 Ford F-150 are decent used trucks. Each has advantages and disadvantages. 

The Silverado has a quieter and more user-friendly interior, but it has less power and worse fuel economy at lower trim levels. Meanwhile, the Ford truck has broader engine options and efficiency. However, the 2018 F-150 has some reliability issues. Still, J.D. Power reports that used-truck buyers typically pay more for 2018 F-150 examples than 2018 Silverado 1500 models.

The choice between these trucks primarily depends on how each driver ranks these factors in terms of personal importance and budget. 

Regardless of which used truck you choose, obtain a vehicle history report and have a trusted mechanic perform an inspection to uncover potential problems before purchasing. Also, prices may vary depending on trim level, mileage, overall condition, and location.