Ford F-150 vs. Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Plymouth Truck Showdown

From school drop-offs by Plymouth State to jobsite runs along Tenney Mountain Highway and I-93, the right powertrain saves time and money all week. In this head-to-head, only one truck offers a full hybrid, brings generator-grade power to the site, and posts stronger independent crash-test results. That truck is the Ford F-150.¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵ ⁶ ⁷

At-a-Glance: What’s Different?

Always observe “when properly equipped.” Max ratings vary by configuration.

1) The Only Full-Hybrid Option

What’s unique: Among these two, only F-150 offers a PowerBoost full-hybrid V6. Silverado 1500’s engines are a turbo four, two V8s, and a diesel—no hybrid.¹ ²

Why you’ll feel it around Plymouth:

• Smoother stop-and-go on Main Street/US-3 and quieter idle at job sites
• Fewer fuel stops between campus, Route 25 projects, and Squam Lake weekends
• Strong low-rpm torque for towing/hauling without stepping up to a bigger engine

EPA anchor: 2025 F-150 4WD Hybrid is rated 23 mpg combined (22 city / 24 hwy).³ Silverado 1500 has no hybrid entry to match that efficiency play.²

See F-150 Hybrid inventory

2) Built-In Jobsite (and Campsite) Power the ICE Silverado Can’t Match

What Ford does: F-150’s available Pro Power Onboard turns the truck into a mobile generator with factory outlets—up to 7.2 kW on PowerBoost.⁴ That’s real power for saws, compressors, lights, or a campsite cooktop.

What Chevy offers: Silverado 1500 (gas/diesel) provides traditional 120-V outlets, but Chevy’s high-output PowerBase system is tied to the Silverado EV, not the gas 1500.⁵

Local reality: From a renovation off Route 25 to a tailgate at The Flying Monkey, the only truck here that’s a generator is the F-150.

Book a Pro Power Onboard demo/test drive

3) Independent Safety Snapshot

When you’re shuttling family and gear, independent crash-test results matter.

• F-150 crew cab (2025): Good in the updated Side test; strong results across key evaluations on the 2025 page.⁶
• Silverado 1500 crew cab (2025): Marginal in small-overlap front, Poor in the updated moderate-overlap front, Acceptable in the updated side, and Poor headlights as tested on evaluated configurations.⁷

Why it matters locally: From winter I-93 commutes to weekend runs up Route 175, those results are worth weighing.

Quick-Hit Usability: Access at the Hitch

Loading up with a trailer connected? F-150’s available Pro Access Tailgate swings open so you can stand up to 19 inches closer to the bed—and you can still open it while hitched.⁸ ⁹
Chevy’s Multi-Flex tailgate offers six clever configurations (step, load stop, work surface, etc.), but Ford’s open-while-hitched design is the difference when driveway space is tight.²

Our Take for Plymouth Drivers

If you value better efficiency without giving up capability, built-in power for work and weekends, and stronger independent safety results, the 2025 Ford F-150 is the smarter buy around Grafton County.

Ready to try it? Visit Nucar Ford of Plymouth, 14 Town West Rd—because Everyone loves a Nucar!