*All information in this article has been revised and updated for the latest 2021-2022 models.
Drivers want a truck that gets the job done and looks the part. In this comparison, we'll put the heavyweight 2022 Ford F-250 and Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD in a head-to-head. We'll show you which has more power and which has the looks to go with it.
ACCELERATION AND POWER: TIE
Speed in a truck is nice but workhorse can-do capability is better. That's why, even though the Silverado 2500HD is faster, the Ford F-250 still brings this category to a draw. In an all-out, no-holds-barred race, the Silverado would cross the finish line first. In a zero-to-60 comparison, the Chevy Silverado came in at 6.2 seconds. However, the Ford F-250 wasn't far behind, coming in a heartbeat later at 6.9 seconds.
That might feel decisive, but we're not through yet: the Ford proves to be stronger. Though both the Silverado and F-250 have virtually the same horsepower (445 and 430 respectively), the Ford truck has tons more torque. With the Powerstroke Turbo Diesel engine, the F-250 puts out an incredible 925 lb-ft of torque. The Silverado's best engine, a 6.6-liter V8, generates 910 lb-ft. With similar or varying comparisons on acceleration, horsepower, and torque, we're calling this one a tie.
TOWING AND PAYLOAD: 2022 FORD F-250
Arguably, the numbers that matter most in a truck are those that measure actual work, like towing and payload capacity. If part of your job or hobby is hauling heavy loads from here to there, these numbers are where the rubber hits the road. The 2022 Ford F-250 has a best-in-class towing capacity, at 15,000 pounds when properly configured. The payload capacity, also best-in-class, comes in at pounds.
The Chevy Silverado 2500HD does almost as well, with 14,500 pounds for towing capacity. That's 500 pounds less and it won't make much difference to some buyers, but why step up to the Chevy 3500HD when the Ford F-250 will do? The difference in payload capacity is even greater. The Silverado only hauls 3,900 pounds, about 425 pounds less. That could mean the difference between getting it down in one trip, or going back for that second load.
EXTERIOR: 2022 FORD F-250
Any evaluation of appearance is going to be at least partly subjective but if you're looking for a modern take on a traditional style, we think the Ford F-250 is more your speed. The F-250 greets the world with two metal bars on its grille, the Ford symbol sitting on top. On each side, headlights wrap around these bars. On the F-250, the words Super Duty are embossed into the hood and the tailgate. All this conveys bold, barely-contained power with a flare for the modern.
By comparison, the Silverado 2500HD has a single modest metal bar on the grille with the Chevy bowtie logo front and center. Headlights are narrow and bisected. Overall, the Silverado looks traditional but a little dated. Nothing stands out and everything looks as you would expect the average pickup to look.
Whether you buy the Ford for its fierce looks or its unparalleled power, the 2022 Ford F-250 is the superior pickup. Find the F-250 at a dealership near you.