Edmunds comparison review: Silverado RST vs F-150 Lightning Lariat

[StevenC56]

Chevy gives you midgate, 75kw more battery, and faster DC charging for $20k more. We will see how the Chevrolet LT versions stack up with less options at lower prices.

$20K more, plus no tax credit and very few Mfg incentives.

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[VTHokies]

As an owner of both, I can tell you the storage on the Lightning is far superior. I spent about 45K miles with the Lightning and now my wife drives it while I moved to a Sierra Denali (4K miles so far). The frunk is much bigger in the ford and includes the small under tray area which is great for keeping the charger and some other misc rarely used items. The Lightning also has under seat storage where any of the Silverado/Sierras with the midgate give up that storage area which is a real pain. Center console is about even as each has their own advantages. The other missing thing in the sierra is the second glove box. That one is a noticeable loss of space for me.

As for the rest of it, I could write a book at this point. Both are great.

How does the efficiency of the Denali compare? I saw MotorTrend did a comparison between it and the R1T and they were able to go 420 miles at 70mph using 95% of the battery…. It would be awesome to not have to charge on my trips from Dallas to Houston. On the way back to Dallas on Tuesday I was only able to go 160 miles before having to charge (92% to 18%) but was doing 75-80mph.

 

[PJnc284]

My platinum payload is only 1591 lbs! With an 8600 lbs GVWR, which is still better than the 1300 lbs in the GM EVs. Also the Mid-gate is a cool design, I would love that on the Ford as long as it doesn’t leak or rattle

That's more than my ER Lariat. lol. Mine shows 1592 with an 8400lb GVWR. Lost some due to the AT tires.

 

[broncoaz]

I briefly considered the Silverado EV LT trim because they were subsidizing the lease with a 78% residual value. My Chevy guy never got back to me with numbers, so I leased the Lighting Flash instead as I wanted to get it done before the end of 2024. Looking at this video I really prefer the look and equipment on the Lightning. Good thing since I’m taking delivery tomorrow.

 

[dww]

The midgate on the Chevy is great and I am jealous of it; but the F150 frunk is better than the Chevy's. I think that is pretty equal. If you need to put a kayak, lumber, etc. on either you don't even need the midgate you can just buy a $70 extender. Can't make the frunks any larger.

I would not trade the mid gate for the Ford’s fold up seats and flat floor. It’s a use every time I use the truck vs once or twice a year.

 

[Jamchampnate]

Also…the Silverado is ugly. Sorry. It just is. The lightning looks so much better IMO.
And yeah, I use the fold up seats weekly. Greatly expands space.

 

[2000Firehawk]

How does the efficiency of the Denali compare? I saw MotorTrend did a comparison between it and the R1T and they were able to go 420 miles at 70mph using 95% of the battery…. It would be awesome to not have to charge on my trips from Dallas to Houston. On the way back to Dallas on Tuesday I was only able to go 160 miles before having to charge (92% to 18%) but was doing 75-80mph.

So far about half of my miles have been ok trips of about 300 miles each. I do not drive slowly and primarily don’t adjust my driving speed to maximize my EV distance. I am typically on the faster side of traffic but not outrageously slow. That is where the GM towns really do pull away from the Lightning. The Denali does not drop off in efficiency as dramatically as you move from 70 to 75 and above vs the Lightning. Combine that with the significantly larger battery and it makes for a monumental difference in road tripping. When you work the miles difference available to you in the 10-80 or 20-80% bracket - even before any efficiency differences - it makes for a difference experience. If you start at a full charge, you could very easily get a 600 mile driving day in with only one charging stop. We do a lot of road trips in the 350-500 mile range with a full truck of gear for kids sports so the Denali is phenomenal.

 

[VAF84]

How does the efficiency of the Denali compare? I saw MotorTrend did a comparison between it and the R1T and they were able to go 420 miles at 70mph using 95% of the battery…. It would be awesome to not have to charge on my trips from Dallas to Houston. On the way back to Dallas on Tuesday I was only able to go 160 miles before having to charge (92% to 18%) but was doing 75-80mph.

Many long trips in both. Slower speeds the LER was slightly more efficient, at higher speeds the Sierra does way better. Speed and weather don’t dramatically impact the Sierra like it does the Lightning. I’d never exceed the speed limit on longer trips in my Lightning. In the Sierra I’m cruising 75-85mph and efficiency is similar to that of my Lightning at 65-70mph.

I’ve always summed it up as the Lightning being a great local vehicle for areas with speed limits under 60mph. The GM twins are great for suburb and beyond where 65mph+ highways are frequently used for extended periods of time.

Personally, I preferred the space and size of the Lightning, but driving controls and technology of GM.

Ford bed, but Sierra tailgate.

Neither is decisively better than the other. It’s down to which one is better at the features you prioritize. Currently, the range and charging speeds provided by GM have given me the freedom that has made any other considerations obsolete.

 

[William Munny]

I would not trade the mid gate for the Ford’s fold up seats and flat floor. It’s a use every time I use the truck vs once or twice a year.

Yeah the fold up seats are great. I am a musician and have put my gear back there many a time.

 

[RickKeen]

Does anybody have a F150L with a payload capacity that high? This PDF states that number for the standard range Pro and 1913 lbs. for the Flash. The door jamb sticker in my Pro says 2092 lbs. and just yesterday I was wondering what specs or options on my truck contributed to the reduction. Asking out of sheer curiosity.

Maybe the tire option?
My '22 Pro SR also says 2092 and I have the factory "All Terrain" tires.
That said, I have hauled 2500+ lbs in the bed plus myself at close to 300 lb more.

 

[Adventureboy]

I've had the mid-gate in an older Avalanche. I thought it was really cool but in reality, I never used it after the first time. It opened the truck up to wind and noise and made a longer trip with inclement weather untenable. A rack on the top works better for a kayak or canoe. It keeps the seats for additional passengers, dogs etc. Climate control is pretty much useless when the midgate is open. Keep the gate closed and the heat/cool stays in the cab and keeps the wind, rain, sleet and snow, out.

The only advantage of RST is the range if you need it, but it comes at a cost ($s, weight, efficiency etc.)

 

[FirstF150InCasco]

She had me at 3:20 when she says (about the Chevy), "I do not like the way this vehicle drives at all." I LOVE to drive the Lightning. I'd never consider buying a vehicle where I did "not like the way the vehicle drives." And CarPlay is deal change for me. Must have it.

 

[Chillguy]

I did consider Chevy Silverado EV (and Hummer and Cybertruck too) before I got my Lightning Platinum and I absolutely hated how cheap looking the interior was for about $20K more! I love the luxurious Lighting interior and I agree with the midgate statement that wind/rain/road debris would be a significant issue for me.. 300 mile range is also sufficient for me as well as I cannot drive more than 2 hours at one shot.. Need to stop and when I do that at Tesla Superchargers it gives 20%-80% fill up in 30 minutes. Amazing! And I personally am a stickler and I'd rather use my trailer to haul anything heavy then use the truck bed for that.. I like it clean and tidy!... Oh.. And Ford gave me 0% loan too so I just couldn't say no to buying my Lightning! Absolutely love the truck!

 

[Altivec]

The midgate on the Chevy is great and I am jealous of it; but the F150 frunk is better than the Chevy's. I think that is pretty equal. If you need to put a kayak, lumber, etc. on either you don't even need the midgate you can just buy a $70 extender. Can't make the frunks any larger.

I went and looked at one before deciding on the lightning. The midgate is not what it's cracked up to be. You definitely hear the difference in cabin sound. But the biggest thing, is you lose the under seat cargo area. another thing that is rarely mentioned, is how dangerous it is. When open, you have to make sure every single thing in the back is strapped down solid. You can't just throw a shovel in the back or an extra strap, or a wrench. If you need to make an abrupt stop that shovel could projectile right to your head. At least for me, giving up my under seat storage that I use every day and 40% more frunk space just to have a noisy midgate that I will use once in a blue moon, if ever, was actually a negative when considering it.

 

[2000Firehawk]

The interior between the Denali and the RST is really night and day for what it’s worth. I drove an RST earlier on and although I really wanted the range bump, I could not work with that interior. I’m not a huge midgate or sunroof person but that’s what it takes to get the bigger range…which is sort of funny in a way. My ideal spec would be the max range Denali with no midgate or sunroof but that is never going to be an available combo. You can get a Silverado without either but with the 20 pack battery instead of the 24 but when you want the max range pack it adds back the roof. Frustrating circle.

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