2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2026 Ford F-150
If you're shopping full-size trucks around Selma, Schertz, or New Braunfels, the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the 2026 Ford F-150 are probably both on your list. Here's how they compare in the builds most local shoppers look at, the Silverado 1500 LT and F-150 XLT crew cab 4x4s with their standard 2.7L turbo engines. We'll cover towing to Canyon Lake, the daily run up I-35, and everything in between.
| Category | 2026 Silverado 1500 LT | 2026 F-150 XLT |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $53,700 | $51,915 |
| Max towing, 2.7L engine | 9,000 lbs | 8,000 lbs |
| Standard payload | 2,020 lbs | 1,640 lbs |
| Engine output | 310 hp, 430 lb-ft | 325 hp, 400 lb-ft |
| Bed length | 69.9 in. | 67.1 in. |
| Fuel economy and tank | 19 MPG combined, 24.0 gal. | 20 MPG combined, 36.0 gal. |
| Standard cabin features | 13.4-in. touchscreen, dual-zone climate, heated front seats, keyless ignition | 12.0-in. touchscreen, single-zone A/C |
| Blind spot and rear cross traffic alert | Available | Standard |
Compares the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. (2.7L TurboMax) and 2026 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew 4WD 5.5 ft. (2.7L EcoBoost V6). Starting MSRP, excludes destination. Data from Edmunds, Chevrolet, and Ford, current as of September 24, 2026.
The Silverado 1500 LT gives you more truck for the money
The Silverado 1500 LT starts at $53,700, which is $1,785 more than the F-150 XLT. That money buys a truck that tows 1,000 lbs more with its base engine, carries 380 lbs more payload, and comes standard with a longer bed and a better-equipped cabin. It runs the 2.7L TurboMax four-cylinder, rated at 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque, with an 8-speed automatic and four-wheel drive. Browse the 2026 Silverado 1500 LT in stock at Gunn Chevrolet.
Tows and hauls more from the same-size engine
Both trucks start with a 2.7L turbo, but the Silverado gets more work out of it. Properly equipped, the LT crew cab 4x4 is rated to tow up to 9,000 lbs, and its standard payload capacity is 2,020 lbs. The F-150 XLT tops out at 8,000 lbs with its Max Tow/Haul Package and carries 1,640 lbs. The Silverado's 430 lb-ft of torque is 30 more than the Ford's, which you'll feel pulling a loaded boat up the ramp at Canyon Lake.
Schedule a test driveA cabin that's ready for hot Texas commutes
South Texas summers put climate control to the test. The LT comes standard with dual-zone climate control, so the driver and passenger each pick their own temperature, plus an 8-way power driver seat with power lumbar, keyless ignition, and hands-free entry. You also get a 13.4-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel for the odd cold morning. The F-150 XLT lists single-zone air conditioning and a manual driver seat as standard.
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A longer bed and real traction for ranch roads
The LT's short bed measures 69.9 inches against 67.1 inches in the F-150 XLT, a little more room for coolers, feed sacks, or camping gear. A rear locking differential and automatic locking hubs come standard for muddy pastures and wet boat ramps. Every 2026 Silverado also includes Chevy Safety Assist, with Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, and Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning.
Schedule a test driveWhere the 2026 Ford F-150 XLT has the edge
he F-150 XLT is a well-rounded truck, and it's worth knowing where it leads before you decide. It starts at $51,915, and its 2.7L EcoBoost V6 with twin turbochargers makes 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque through a 10-speed automatic. Here's where the Ford comes out ahead.
Fuel range for long highway runs
This is the Ford's clearest advantage. The XLT SuperCrew carries a 36.0-gallon tank, 12 gallons more than the Silverado's 24.0 gallons. EPA estimates are 18 MPG city and 23 highway for the Ford against 17 and 21 for the Silverado. That works out to an estimated 828 highway miles per tank for the F-150 and 504 for the Silverado. If you tow long distances or run I-10 out to West Texas often, that gap is real.
Standard blind spot and rear cross traffic alerts
Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Braking are available on the Silverado LT, but they aren't standard. The XLT includes blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert on every truck, along with a pre-collision system, lane keep assist, and rear parking sensors.
More horsepower, clearance, and all-terrain tires
The Ford's V6 makes 15 more horsepower than the Silverado's 310. Its 9.8 inches of ground clearance beats the LT's 8.1 inches, and 18-inch all-terrain tires come standard where the Silverado LT rides on 17-inch all-season tires. For rutted lease roads and caliche driveways, that's a genuine plus for the F-150.
Which truck makes more sense around Selma?
If towing, payload, bed length, and a well-equipped cabin sit at the top of your list, the 2026 Silverado 1500 LT is the stronger pick, even at $1,785 more to start. If you log long highway miles and want the bigger fuel tank or standard blind spot alerts, the F-150 XLT earns a look. The easiest way to decide is to drive the Silverado at Gunn Chevrolet, 16550 IH-35 North in Selma.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs less, the 2026 Silverado 1500 LT or the F-150 XLT?
The 2026 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew 4WD starts at $51,915, and the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Crew Cab 4WD starts at $53,700, a $1,785 difference. The Silverado includes dual-zone climate, heated front seats, keyless ignition, and a power driver seat that the XLT doesn't list as standard.
Which truck tows more with its standard engine?
The Silverado 1500 LT Crew Cab 4WD with the 2.7L TurboMax is rated to tow up to 9,000 lbs when properly equipped. The F-150 XLT SuperCrew 4WD with the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 is rated up to 8,000 lbs with the Max Tow/Haul Package. Both trucks offer larger engines with higher ratings.
Which gets better gas mileage?
The F-150 XLT 4WD is EPA-rated at 18 MPG city, 23 highway, and 20 combined. The Silverado 1500 LT 4WD is rated at 17 city, 21 highway, and 19 combined. The Ford also carries a 36.0-gallon tank against 24.0 gallons in the Silverado.
Does the Silverado 1500 LT have blind spot monitoring?
Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Braking are available on the 2026 Silverado 1500 LT but not standard. Every 2026 Silverado includes Chevy Safety Assist, with Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, and Lane Keep Assist. The F-150 XLT includes blind spot and rear cross traffic alerts as standard.
How do the warranties compare?
Both trucks carry 3-year/36,000-mile basic coverage, 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage, and 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance. Chevrolet covers rust for 6 years or 100,000 miles. Ford's corrosion coverage runs 5 years with unlimited miles. Ask our team to walk you through the full terms before you sign.
Drive the 2026 Silverado 1500 in Selma
Numbers only tell part of the story. Come feel how the Silverado 1500 LT rides and pulls on the roads you actually drive, whether you're coming from Schertz, Cibolo, Seguin, or New Braunfels. Our team can walk you through trims, engines, and trailering equipment, and we'll get you a trade estimate on your current ride. Call us at 866-610-3718, or stop by and take one out.
Shop Silverado 1500 Inventory Schedule a test driveSpecifications, pricing, and equipment are based on manufacturer-published data from Chevrolet and Ford and on Edmunds 2026 model year specifications as of September 24, 2026, and are subject to change. This comparison uses the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Crew Cab 4WD 5.8 ft. bed with the 2.7L TurboMax engine and the 2026 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew 4WD 5.5 ft. bed with the 2.7L EcoBoost V6, selected as each brand's closest mid-grade crew cab 4x4 by starting MSRP. Feature availability and specifications differ across other trims and options and may change with production. Starting MSRP excludes destination charge, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Contact the dealership for current pricing and availability. EPA-estimated fuel economy and driving range are for comparison only, and actual mileage varies with driving conditions, habits, load, and maintenance. Maximum towing and payload require proper equipment and vary by configuration. The F-150 towing rating shown requires the 3.73 axle and Max Tow/Haul Package. Ratings assume a base vehicle with driver, and passengers, cargo, and options reduce available capacity. Never exceed the ratings on the vehicle's door jamb label. Driver-assistance features are supplemental and do not replace attentive driving. They have limitations and may not function in all conditions. See the Owner's Manual for details. Warranty coverage is summarized, and terms, exclusions, and conditions apply. See the manufacturer's warranty statement for complete details. Ford, F-150, and EcoBoost are trademarks of Ford Motor Company. Information about Ford vehicles is drawn from manufacturer-published materials and Edmunds as of September 24, 2026. Gunn Chevrolet is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ford Motor Company. Confirm all details with the dealership before purchase.