Test drove 2 trucks today F150 EcoBoost and Chevy Silverado

[KDOG]

Hmmmm.... I'm in search of a new truck for towing duties so today I went down to the local Chevy/GMC dealer to give the Silverado/Sierra's a try. I made sure I tried to keep the styles and configs similar to give a comparison, based on what was available for me to test drive. ( I was looking to try the Sierra but they only had a ext cab Silverado 4x4 which is pretty much the same thing...) Then I went over to the Ford dealership where they had a ext cab 4x4 EcoBoost. I thought for sure that it would trounce all over the Silverado. But really, it didn't. I was kind of surprised by that. The Silverado I drove had the 5.3L V8 with the 6spd auto and it seemed to have more low end grunt than the EcoBoost (Also had 6spd auto). Oddly enough, both were rated at 21mpg Hwy. The F150 had a premium interior package and the Silverado was more of a regular trim interior (but still well equipped) so I can't compare them directly in fairness.

Price difference between the two were immense though. Fords' aint cheap, thats for sure. The Ford I test drove was $37,800 and there are no rebates or incentives on them. The Silverado on the other hand was listed at $34, 700 and there is $4000 worth of rebates/incentives which makes it $30,700 so as you can see, price factor really comes into play.

However I was testing for "feel" with similar sized trucks. (Dodge has nothing I want). Both were ext cab 4x4s' with the "premium" engines and tow gear. As far as regular driving feel they both felt pretty solid and quiet inside. The Silverado felt a little more "brawny" when I slammed the gas than the Ford ecoboost, maybe cuz of the turbo lag? Don't know. I haven't tried Fords 5.0L V8 but since its less torque-y than the Ecoboost that means it would fare slightly worse.

All in all if the price difference is as dramatic on similar configs when I'm ready to buy, I will probably end up with a Silverado or Sierra.

 

[joutlaw]

Very interesting. Current Silverado owner here who will be looking at Ecoboost F-150 for my next purchase. The other thing that has me watching to switch is Microsoft Sync. Hopefully GM will step up in ~2 years when I am ready to buy.

 

[WackyDan]

Ford is now offering a $500 incentive if you get an ecoboost.

 

[KDOG]

I just saw a comment on Edmunds review page of the F150 where they stated that the competitors offer more grunt so my perceptions seems to be correct on the feel of the powertrains. Also on consumerguidauto.coms page, the F150 scored lower in reliability than the Silverado/Sierras... Hmmmm..... I don't know. My head is still spinning.

 

[LTC8K6]

More grunt than 365HP & 420 pound feet from 2500 to 5000?

Seems like the Ecoboost easily outgrunts the 5.3L, and by a long shot.

Is someone fudging some numbers?

 

[EightySix Four]

Because of the difference in the way power is delivered between a TT6 and a V8, I'm not surprised most people are complaining about a lack of grunt. To get the power out of the ecoboost, you have to be in boost with the throttle open or producing a big load on the engine by towing.

I would bet you'd have a different experience with both hooked up to a mid to heavy trailer.

 

[KDOG]

Remember, I'm just commenting on the feel of the two trucks I drove. Different configs may get different results of course. That said, I'm a huge Ford drooler. I've been on Fords site for a while now constantly "building" my dream F150. Who knows what I'll end up getting.

 

[Saga]

The premium engine for the Sierra would be the 6.0 Vmax, for comparison sake, FYI. The 5.3 is far from that. And of course you get the 6.2 in the Denali/Yukon - but the added weight from extra electronic bloat generally puts it at the same and/or worse performance as the 6.0 VortecMax.

I have a Vmax. But mine is far from stock.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

I'm a Chevy guy when it comes to the trucks. The GM trucks are IMO more comfortable. I can not stand the seats in Ford trucks. Doesn't matter if it is a the base F150 up to a King Ranch. Their seats are not as comfortable as a the GM offernings.

Part of the difference you are feeling in 'oomph" is gearing.

And HP/Tq aren't the end all of performance. Can the vehicle effectively get it to the ground? The G80 diff in the GM trucks is superior to fords offering. And I believe the Ford truck is heavier than the GM.

 

[angry hampster]

5.3L is not a premium engine. Try again with the 6.2L in a Chevy. That's a hell of a motor.

 

[EightySix Four]

You're not the first to mention it feels weak when unladen.

We didn’t participate in the mpg challenge. Instead, we chose to get a better feel for the 3.5-liter V-6 driving over longer distances. We’d swear the 3.15 rear axle was geared 25% shorter because when empty, it was just waiting to soak up the revs.

But it also laid the smack down in 0-60's with a trailer too.

 

[Castiel]

I'm sure you can talk down the ford to a better price then sticker.

 

[c3p0]

Was the Test Drive in preparation for buying a new truck? If so, then buy the Chevy/GMC.

c3p0

 

[Saga]

Even though you lost crazy points for thinking the 5.3 was "premium" over the 6.0 or 6.2, you regained them for the obvious statement that a Dodge truck wasn't even a possibility.

Every time I see someone around here driving a new Ram I simply can't help but laugh at how stupid they are.

 

[Eli]

I dunno if it's just Ford's marketing surrounding the Ecoboost or what, but I'm sold. That is one solid engine.

Don't know about the rest of the truck though.

 

[LTC8K6]

Ford says the F150 EB has 90% of it's torque at 1700 revs, or 378 lb ft. Should feel like a monster, loaded or not.

 

[Greenman]

I dunno if it's just Ford's marketing surrounding the Ecoboost or what, but I'm sold. That is one solid engine.

Don't know about the rest of the truck though.

I'm right behind you. That's one hell of a power plant Ford has built. I'd be willing to bet there is a lot to be had out of that engine with a new tune. They only run 8 pounds of boost stock, there has to be a hell of a lot of air going out the waste gate.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Ford says the F150 EB has 90% of it's torque at 1700 revs, or 378 lb ft. Should feel like a monster, loaded or not.

Yeah, with these new turbo engines I don't buy turbo lag. Most have ridiculous torque curves that gives them a lot of low end grunt. BMW's new 4 cylinder turbo puts out 260lb/ft of torque at 1250 RPM.

Also, I'll never trust anyone's (including my own) "butt dyno", its way too easily duped.

That's not to say I'm saying you're wrong OP, as there's a lot of factors involved. Between the transmissions, the rear-ends, 4WD systems, and even computers (I believe many cars will adjust their throttle response and other things as it gets used to the way you drive).

I think its likely that it might be setup to be a little lax (responsiveness, the computer probably gets more aggressive when loaded) when unloaded.

 

[dug777]

The (m)ad men have clearly done a top notch job here, with people who've never driven an ecoboost F-150 stepping up to defend it

That's pretty much the definition of a marketing slam-dunk

Last thought: it would be mildly amusing if the engine is pulling punches unladen (or whenever), given the angst on here about manufacturers like Hyundai pulling electronic punches to protect 'glass transmissions' (I believe that's the term? )

(As I disclaimer I should note that my experience with F-150s is limited to DIRT 2, where the Kincaid F-150 is an utter pig )

 

[LTC8K6]

The (m)ad men have clearly done a top notch job here, with people who've never driven an ecoboost F-150 stepping up to defend it

That's pretty much the definition of a marketing slam-dunk

Last thought: it would be mildly amusing if the engine is pulling punches unladen (or whenever), given the angst on here about manufacturers like Hyundai pulling electronic punches to protect 'glass transmissions' (I believe that's the term? )

(As I disclaimer I should note that my experience with F-150s is limited to DIRT 2, where the Kincaid F-150 is an utter pig )

Yes, someone already suggested something like that... :whiste:

 

[dug777]

Yes, someone already suggested something like that... :whiste:

:ninja:

I felt the urge to say it again, but with more ironing

 

[LTC8K6]

:ninja:

I felt the urge to say it again, but with more ironing

Try starch too... :biggrin:

 

[Zivic]

ecoboost or not... Ford > chevy any day of the week. I plan on driving an ecoboost shortly. I am looking forward to it.

 

[KDOG]

Also, Both have 6.2 liter gas engines that are available but I won't even consider them. I would like to have SOME efficiency for the power I need so that left only the EB with the Ford and the 5.3 Vortec with the GMC/Chevy.

 

[dug777]

ecoboost or not... Ford > chevy any day of the week. I plan on driving an ecoboost shortly. I am looking forward to it.

If you don't drive a chevy back to back with henry, then your current brand preference and future plans (fun-filled and exciting as they no doubt are) don't really hold much in terms of a useful contribution to this thread, do they? :ninja:

A hardon for henry is laudable, but not especially helpful in this circumstance :$