2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2020 Ford Ranger

The 2020 Ford Ranger made its return to the U.S. market in 2019 after an eight-year break. In its time abroad, it became a different, more sophisticated truck than the third-generation model that last saw American roads in 2011. Ford incorporated styling cues from the F-Series lineup in the grille but kept a distinct and cleaner design to maintain its unique identity. The result was an aggressive yet clean look avoiding the "bigger-and-blockier" trend seen in many American trucks.

Inside, the Ranger offered a purposeful, function-first cabin that was modern yet not particularly inviting. Ford outfitted the Ranger with hard plastics designed to withstand wear and tear, which suited its utilitarian nature but made the cabin feel less refined compared to rivals like the Jeep Gladiator and Honda Ridgeline. The trim levels—XL, XLT, and Lariat—catered to varying needs, from basic features to more upscale touches. The base XL featured steel wheels and black door handles, while the XLT added more comforts like remote keyless entry and dual-zone climate control. The top-tier Lariat included premium features like leather upholstery and ambient cabin lighting.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 came with multiple cab styles, bed lengths, and trims, each offering a distinctive appearance. In our test truck, the LTZ trim was just below the top offering, complete with 4WD, a crew cab, and a short bed. The exterior featured a boxy design with flared fenders and a commanding presence that underscored its rugged aesthetic. Northsky Blue paint and plenty of chrome trim gave it a polished look, almost like a constellation on wheels.

While the Silverado dazzled on the outside, the interior was a different story. Despite silver accent trim with an industrial vibe, the cabin design felt outdated. Glossy plastics and large panel joints lacked the finesse one would expect from a modern truck. Though the truck's interior didn’t need to be luxurious, it fell short of exuding quality, making it feel a decade old compared to its competitors.

Every 2020 Ford Ranger was powered by a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A ten-speed automatic transmission directed power to either the rear wheels or the optional 4WD with low-range gearing. The turbo engine offered punchy performance, delivering ample power for low-speed drives and highway passes. The Ranger could tow up to 7,500 pounds when properly equipped, an excellent number for a midsize truck. Its payload capacity reached 1,860 pounds in the SuperCab 4x2 variant.

In everyday driving, the Ranger's ride felt somewhat stiff, similar to a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon not on the trail. The truck could be jittery over small bumps, and body roll was noticeable in corners, trading some comfort for its capability. Ford offered FX2 and FX4 Off-Road packages that included off-road tires, an electronically locking rear differential, and an off-road-tuned suspension. The FX4 package added more extras like skid plates and Trail Control, a system that managed throttle and brakes on the trail at speeds up to 20 mph.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a range of engines, but our test truck featured the budget-friendly yet efficient 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel, producing 277 horsepower and a robust 460 pound-feet of torque at just 1,500 rpm. Though not as powerful as the 6.2-liter V8, the Duramax provided smooth and seamless acceleration after a brief turbocharger spool-up. The turbodiesel Silverado towed up to 9,500 pounds, less than the V8’s 13,300-pound maximum but still impressive for most needs. The payload capacity with the Duramax engine reached 1,870 pounds.

Paired with a flawless 10-speed automatic transmission, the Duramax delivered an average of 22.6 mpg in combined driving. The Silverado's suspension felt firm and athletic in town but allowed for unsettling body movement on highways and rough roads. The Z71 Off-Road Package improved this by adding Rancho twin-tube shock absorbers, which better controlled the body's motions and made the truck more capable on varied terrains.

The 2020 Ford Ranger was available in SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations. The SuperCab seated four and featured a 2+2 layout with less rear space, making it more suitable for children. Accessing the rear seats required opening the front doors due to the clamshell half-doors. However, the SuperCrew version provided a full four-door layout with a more accommodating rear bench suitable for adults.

The Ranger's front row offered deep in-door pockets and bottle holders, along with ample storage options like a center console bin, cup holders, and a coin/key tray atop the dash. The SuperCab came with a six-foot bed, while the SuperCrew had a five-foot bed. Available options included a remote locking tailgate, LED bed lighting, and a wall-style power outlet, but a bed-step was notably missing.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500's crew cab configuration was impressively spacious. The front seats were wide and supportive, with 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. Our LTZ trim even included a heated steering wheel. However, without power running boards, entering and exiting the truck posed a challenge.

The Silverado’s rear seats could comfortably accommodate three adults, offering generous headroom and legroom. The back seat also featured a power sliding center rear window and heated outboard seat cushions. However, built-in storage compartments within the seatbacks were not secure enough for valuables.

For cargo, the Silverado claimed the deepest and roomiest bed in its class, featuring the useful CornerStep rear bumper design and up to 12 tie-down hooks. An optional Multi-Flex tailgate offered six different configurations, but our test truck had a remote power tailgate instead. Payload capacity for the Silverado with the Duramax engine was 1,870 pounds, close to the Ranger's best.

Ford kept the 2020 Ranger XL’s entertainment system basic with an AM/FM stereo, four speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port. The FordPass Connect app allowed for remote functions and WiFi hotspot capability. Moving to the XLT trim introduced the SYNC 3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Lariat trim included a B&O sound system by Bang & Olufsen with ten speakers.

In contrast, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 had smaller 7-inch and 8-inch screens but made up for it with modern graphics and quick response times. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. Our LTZ trim boasted extensive features like wireless smartphone integration, SiriusXM, navigation, wireless charging, and a 7-speaker Bose premium sound system. The Silverado also offered advanced voice recognition, 15 HD cameras for towing and hauling, and a head-up display. However, the quality of the Bose system was less impressive compared to rivals.

The 2020 Ford Ranger came standard with essential safety features like front and side-impact airbags, a child-seat anchoring system, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Higher trims added Ford CoPilot 360 with lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Ranger earned high safety ratings from the IIHS with top scores in most crash tests and a Superior rating for vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 didn’t perform as well in safety tests. The IIHS gave it a "Marginal" rating for front passenger protection in small-overlap crashes. NHTSA awarded it an overall four-star rating, with lower marks for frontal impacts. Safety features available included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Safety Package added adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, but advanced features like stop-and-go cruise capability were missing.