Compare the2023 GMC Sierra 1500VS 2023 Ford F-150

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Sierra 1500 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The F-150 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Sierra 1500’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the F-150.

Both the Sierra 1500 and the F-150 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available four-wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Sierra 1500’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the F-150’s (6 vs. 5 years).

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Sierra 1500 has a standard 730-amp battery (850 optional). The F-150’s 610-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sierra 1500 second among large light duty pickups in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The F-150 was rated third.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in initial quality. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks GMC 6 places higher in reliability than Ford.

The Sierra 1500 has more powerful engines than the F-150:

The Sierra 1500’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 15 more horsepower (305 vs. 290) and 230 lbs.-ft. more torque (495 vs. 265) than the F-150’s standard 3.3 DOHC V6. The Sierra 1500’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 95 lbs.-ft. more torque (495 vs. 400) than the F-150’s optional 2.7 turbo V6. The Sierra 1500’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 85 lbs.-ft. more torque (495 vs. 410) than the F-150’s optional 5.0 DOHC V8.

On the EPA test cycle the Sierra 1500 gets better mileage than the F-150:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Sierra 1500 V8’s fuel efficiency. The F-150 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the Sierra 1500 and the F-150 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Sierra 1500s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The F-150 PowerBoost doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

For better traction, the Sierra 1500 has larger standard tires than the F-150 (255/70R17 vs. 245/70R17).

The Sierra 1500 has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The F-150 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sierra 1500’s wheelbase is longer than on the F-150:

For better maneuverability, the Sierra 1500’s turning circle is tighter than the F-150’s:

For greater off-road capability the Sierra 1500 Short Box AT4X Crew Cab has a 1.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the F-150 6.5-foot Regular Cab (11.1 vs. 9.4 inches), allowing the Sierra 1500 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Sierra 1500 Regular Cab has 2.3 inches more front headroom and .6 inches more front legroom than the F-150 Regular Cab.

The Sierra 1500 Double Cab has 2.2 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front legroom and 1.7 inches more rear legroom than the F-150 SuperCab.

The Sierra 1500 Crew Cab has 2.2 inches more front headroom and .6 inches more front legroom than the F-150 SuperCrew.

The Sierra 1500 Regular Cab shortbed has a much larger cargo box than the F-150 shortbed (71.7 vs. 62.3 cubic feet). The Sierra 1500 longbed has a much larger cargo box than the F-150 longbed (89.1 vs. 77.4 cubic feet).

The Sierra 1500 Double Cab has a much larger cargo box than the F-150 SuperCab shortbed (71.7 vs. 62.3 cubic feet).

The Sierra 1500 Crew Cab shortbed has a much larger cargo box than the F-150 SuperCrew shortbed (62.9 vs. 52.8 cubic feet). The Sierra 1500 Crew Cab longbed has a much larger cargo box than the F-150 SuperCrew longbed (71.7 vs. 62.3 cubic feet).

The Sierra 1500’s cargo box is larger than the F-150’s in almost every dimension:

The GMC Sierra 1500 has a standard CornerStep, which allows for much easier access to the cargo area. A Tailgate Step costs extra on the Ford F-150.

The Sierra 1500’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the F-150’s (8800 vs. 5000 pounds).

The Sierra 1500 has a much higher standard payload capacity than the F-150:

The Sierra 1500 AT4/Denali offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The F-150 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Sierra 1500’s standard power windows allow the driver or passenger to lower and raise the windows without leaning over or being distracted. Power windows cost extra on the F-150.

The Sierra 1500’s standard front and rear power windows all open fully with one touch of the switches and its driver’s window also automatically closes, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The F-150’s basic optional power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them. The F-150 XLT/Lariat/King Ranch/Platinum’s rear windows don’t open automatically.

The Sierra 1500’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the F-150’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

When the Sierra 1500 SLT/AT4/Denali is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The F-150’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Bluetooth wireless connectivity is standard on the Sierra 1500, connecting the driver and passenger’s cell phones to the vehicle systems. This allows them to use the vehicle’s stereo and hand controls to place calls safely and easily. Bluetooth costs extra on the F-150.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the GMC Sierra 1500 will be $2180 to $25700 less than for the Ford F-150.