Ford F-250 Super Duty vs Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD was a formidable presence on the road, available in various configurations including regular, double, or crew cabs, and offering a choice between a seven-foot or eight-foot bed. It came in six trims: Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ, High Country, and the off-road-specific ZR2. The truck's massive size was evident, with a wheelbase reaching up to 4.25 metres and an overall length of 6.7 metres. Each trim had distinct front fascia styling, with the Work Truck being plain yet handsome, while the Custom added a body-coloured grille bar. The LT trim featured a chrome bar, and the LTZ and High Country trims boasted a fully chromed grille with C-shaped headlamps. The ZR2 trim blacked out the grille and introduced the Chevrolet “flow tie” badging. For 2024, Chevrolet enhanced the Silverado with standard tow hooks, wheel options up to 22 inches, and a palette of 10 colours, albeit with limited standout options. The High Country trim impressed with its upscale interior featuring open-pore wood, leather, and metal trim, while the ZR2 trim offered a rugged yet refined look.

The 2025 Ford F-250 Super Duty was equally imposing, measuring 60 centimetres longer than a Chevrolet Suburban with its "short" 6.75-foot bed. Ford embraced its size with styling elements that accentuated its mass, including a massive grille that spanned the entire front fascia. The base trim featured a blacked-out grille, while the top Platinum trim with the optional Platinum Plus package showcased chrome elements. The Tremor Off-Road package further enhanced its rugged appearance with a raised ride height, off-road running boards, and 35-inch all-terrain tires. Inside, the F-250 maintained a blocky and industrial look, with the Platinum trim offering quilted leather seats and elegant micro mesh metallic trim. The materials used were top-notch, rivaling luxury trims from GMC and Ram. The F-250 was designed for wealthy shoppers seeking a luxurious yet capable workhorse, with supporting trims catering to more utilitarian needs.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD came standard with a 6.6-litre V8 gas engine producing 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque. An optional 6.6-litre Duramax turbodiesel V8 delivered 470 horsepower and an impressive 975 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. The Duramax diesel was notably quiet, with smooth shifts and quick acceleration. In Canada, most trims offered standard rear-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive available on the ZR2 and High Country trims. Fuel efficiency varied, with the truck returning 11.6 litres per 100 kilometres in 2WD and 13.8 L/100 km in mixed driving. The ZR2 Bison package enhanced off-road capabilities with Multimatic DSSV spool valve shocks, 35-inch tires, and a 3.8-centimetre lift, providing 29.4 centimetres of ground clearance and impressive approach, departure, and breakover angles.

The 2025 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered four powertrain options, starting with a 6.8-litre V8 gas engine producing 405 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque. A 7.3-litre gasoline V8 delivered 430 horsepower and 485 pound-feet of torque, while two diesel options provided serious towing capabilities. The base Power Stroke 6.7-litre turbodiesel V8 produced 475 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque, while the high-output version delivered 500 horsepower and 1,200 pound-feet of torque. All F-250s featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, with four-wheel drive standard on all but the base XL trim. The F-250 excelled in towing, with capacities ranging from 7,850 kilograms with the base gasoline engine to 10,430 kilograms with a fifth-wheel gooseneck. The Tremor Off-Road package reduced towing capacity but enhanced off-road capabilities with features like a locking rear differential and upgraded suspension. The high-output diesel engine provided impressive acceleration, though the ride quality was firm and bouncy when unladen.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD offered impressive towing capabilities, with a maximum capacity of 10,175 kilograms, though our tester was closer to 8,600 kilograms. Payload capacity varied, with the 2500HD capable of hauling up to 1,680 kilograms, while our tester managed 1,360 kilograms. Towing was made easier with advanced camera views, including a transparent trailer camera and a 360-degree view camera. The Silverado featured practical touches like a side step for bed access and a six-way MultiFlex tailgate. The High Country trim offered heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel, though the audio system was limited to six speakers.

The 2025 Ford F-250 Super Duty provided ample interior space, with adjustable pedals and plenty of lateral room. The crew cab's rear seats offered generous legroom, though headroom was limited by the panoramic sunroof rails. Storage options were abundant, with a large phone tray, cupholders, and a cavernous centre armrest bin. The F-250 featured Ford's Pro Power Onboard system, turning the truck into a mobile generator with outlets in the bed. The power tailgate and integrated step made bed access easy, while the retractable hard tonneau cover protected cargo. The Tremor Off-Road package raised the running boards for improved ground clearance, resulting in a higher step up to the cabin.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD featured a 12.3-inch configurable gauge cluster and a 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard on the LT trim. The system was user-friendly, with Google Maps and Google Assistant built-in. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, though the screen was always in split-mode. Charging options were plentiful, with USB ports, wireless charging, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An available 15-inch head-up display provided key information, while a rear camera mirror offered a video feed from the back-up camera. However, the Silverado lacked an on-board generator like Ford's ProPower Onboard.

The 2025 Ford F-250 Super Duty boasted advanced technology, including the Pro Trailer Backup Assist system and an integrated trailer brake controller. Additional camera views and Ford's Onboard Scales enhanced towing capabilities. The Platinum trim featured a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument panel, with lower trims offering analog gauges and an 8-inch screen. A 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system provided potent bass, though treble distortion was noted at higher volumes. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard and wireless, with wireless charging available on higher trims.

The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD offered standard safety features like front pedestrian braking, forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a following distance indicator. The GM Safety Seat provided tactile alerts, while adaptive cruise control was optional. The Silverado had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2025 Ford F-250 Super Duty lacked crash test ratings due to its heavy-duty classification. Standard trailer sway control was included, with additional safety features available on higher trims. The XLT trim offered forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, while the Lariat added blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera system. Adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were standard on the King Ranch trim and above.