The Ford F-150 has been the leader of the pack for the past several decades. Its popularity makes it hard to consider a different brand. Ask friends and co-workers their truck preferences and be ready for a thousand different opinions. The truck wars between all the different brands have been going on for years.

Everyone has a favorite truck and will be sure to tell you all the reasons to go with their recommendation. But, what happens when you pit the award-winning 2021 Ford F-150 against the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500?

Kelley Blue Book helped us take on the challenge to determine which half-ton pickup truck holds up best to the competition, regardless of what your friends think.

The 2021 Ford F-150 is America’s most popular truck

While comparing the 2021 Ford F-150 with the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500, Kelley Blue Book pointed out that the F-150 offered plenty of best-in-class features.

The redesigned 2021 Ford F-150 brings innovative styling, improved storage options, and updated working space to this year’s model. The payload limit is best in class, and the interior is more functional than other competitors. The luxurious cabin provides a comfortable ride for all occupants, although it is worth noting that Ford did stop a little short with the cabin upgrades.

With a starting price of $28,940, the F-150 can’t be beat. America’s favorite truck offers powerful performance up to 430 hp and has a cargo-carrying capacity of 3,250 pounds.

The V6 engine that was capable of 450 hp is no longer available in the 2021 Ford F-150, although a new Power Boost hybrid is an exciting change for the reliable truck.

Kelley Blue Book said the Ford F-150 is “the truck others are benchmarked against… as the market continues to mature, the competition is fiercely nipping at its heels.” They were confident in saying, “the F-150 consistently offers capability, innovation, value, and choice.”

Is the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 a good truck?

The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 has a starting price of $30,000 and comes with a wide choice of engines, including the turbocharged inline four-cylinder, diesel, and energetic V8. There are several cab and bed configurations as well as impressive features such as the multi-camera towing system. The top-of-the-line Denali trim is exceptional, providing unsurpassed luxury and making a statement every step of the way.

Towing capacity is not as good as its competitors, capable of only 11,800 pounds with the Max Trailering Package. The Ford F-150 doesn’t max out until it reaches 14,000 pounds, making a big difference for those looking to pull a boat or small recreational vehicle.

Although versatile and energetic, Kelley Blue Book said in the comparison,

“you would expect the GMC Sierra would compete head-to-head against its rivals. That’s not quite the case as the Ford F-150, RAM 1500, and even the GMC’s cousin, the Chevrolet Silverado, can out-pull and out-carry the Sierra.”

Critics agree the 2021 Ford F-150 is the better choice

At the end of the day, Kelley Blue Book falls back on the truck that proudly wears the blue oval, saying, “Ford’s F-150 is the old reliable, but along the way, it has learned many new tricks. The GMC has kept pace, but its numbers fall short when it comes to towing. For this reason, we recommend the Ford F-150.”

Consumer Reports agreed with Kelley Blue Book’s choice, saying, “Ford looks to deliver with an interior upgrade, work-friendly innovations, a hybrid powertrain, and a generous roster of safety and driver-assist features that rival a luxury vehicle.”

U.S. News also selected the 2021 Ford F-150 as the best pickup truck in its class. They said, “The F-150 has poised handling and a smooth ride, and none of its classmates can tow or haul as much.”