Ford and Chevy have been going head to head since the early 1900s. Today, they offer competing lineups of SUVs, trucks, and muscle cars, but Ford is typically favored for higher quality, better value, and marginally improved performance.
Both are industry leaders with origins dating back to the birth of the automotive industry in
Detroit. We love them for their highly capable work trucks, family-oriented SUVs, and engine-revving sports cars. But which manufacturer comes out on top in the century-long smackdown between Ford and Chevrolet?
Here to get to the bottom of whether or not Ford really is better than Chevy is
Jerry, the licensed
car insurancebroker and super app for car owners. We’ll cover everything from costs and design to safety and reliability, and we’ll even take a look at how to save money on Ford and
Ford insurance costs(or insurance for any other vehicle)!
Ford vs. Chevy: how do they stack up?
Ford and Chevy are neck and neck in many ways, but Ford tends to be favored by consumers when it comes to quality and value. Let’s take a look at how these two manufacturing leaders compare when it comes to affordability, safety, reliability, and design.
Price
Ford and Chevrolet cater to the same market of buyers, so their prices appeal to a similar economic demographic. However, the real question is which brand offers better value for its price?
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the base prices of some of the brands’ most popular SUVs and sports cars:
Ford model | Starting price | Chevy model | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|
2022 Ford Escape | $28,660 | 2022 Chevy Equinox | $27,695 |
2022 Ford Edge | $39,440 | 2022 Chevy Blazer | $36,495 |
2022 Ford Mustang | $28,845 | 2022 Chevy Camaro | $26,395 |
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Chevy looks like it has Ford beat when it comes to dealership prices, but there are a few key differences between the two brands to keep in mind:
Ford models are regularly rated better than their Chevy counterparts.
Ford powertrains consistently outperform those of their Chevy rivals when it comes to horsepower, speed, and refinement.
Fords tend to come with more standard convenience and driver assistance features than Chevrolet includes in their comparable trim levels.
While Chevy may seem like a clear winner for affordability at first glance, you’ll likely get better upfront value from Ford.
Don’t forget to compare long-term costs of ownership like your car insurance expenses, too. Your exact costs will depend on your model, age, location, and more, but we can at least compare some overall averages. The average
cost of Chevrolet insuranceis $2,473 a year, or $206 a month. The average cost of Ford insurance is much lower at $1,671 a year, or $139 a month.
Considering Chevy and Ford have a similar lineup of vehicles, it’s easy to see that Chevrolet insurance will likely be much more expensive than Ford insurance on a comparable model.
Insurance providers use factors like risk and reliability to determine rates, so these numbers give us a clue that Ford is likely safer, more reliable, or both. Let’s take a closer look to see if that assumption holds up.
Key Takeaway Chevrolet models tend to cost less than their Ford competitors, but Ford offers more value and less expensive long-term costs like car insurance.
Safety record
Ford has considerably stepped up its reputation for safety in recent years—more so than Chevrolet, unfortunately. Let’s take a look at how both fare when it comes to ratings and recognitions from the International Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Ford received Top Safety Pick+ awards (the highest recognition from the IIHS) for the 2022
Ford Broncoand
Ford Explorer. Ford also earned five Top Safety Picks for certain configurations of the 2022 Escape, Edge, Mustang Mach-E, and F-150. Chevy only received one Top Safety Pick+ for its 2022
Chevrolet Trailblazer.
Ford also has a better track record of 5 out of 5-star ratings than Chevrolet when it comes to
NHTSA safety ratings. Take a look at the table below to see how models from both brands performed in various crash tests for the 2022 model year:
NHTSA crash test | 2022 Ford 5-star ratings | 2022 Chevy 5-star ratings |
|---|---|---|
Overall ratings | 20 out of 37 rated models (54%) | 13 out of 28 rated models (46%) |
Frontal crash ratings | 22 out of 47 rated models (47%) | 9 out of 29 rated models (31%) |
Side crash ratings | 47 out of 47 rated models (100%) | 31 out of 32 rated models (97%) |
Rollover ratings | 3 out of 54 rated models (6%) | 9 out of 43 rated models (21%) |
Ford introduced its Ford Co-Pilot 360 driver assistance technology back in 2020, which has definitely helped this brand’s safety ratings. Chevrolet offers a similar driver assistance technology suite called Chevy Safety Assist, but it’s not as developed or widely available. Compare the standard safety features between the two below.
Driver assistance feature | Ford Co-Pilot 360 | Chevy Safety Assist |
|---|---|---|
Forward collision warning w/ pedestrian detection | Standard | Standard |
Automatic emergency braking | Standard | Standard |
Lane departure warning | Standard | Standard |
Lane keeping assist | Standard | Standard |
Automatic high-beam headlights | Standard | Standard |
Blind-spot warning | Standard | Available |
Rear cross-traffic warning | Standard | Available |
Reversing camera | Standard | Available |
Following distance indicator | Available | Standard |
Upgraded driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control are available from both makes.
MORE:
Are Fords expensive to maintain?Reliability
While Ford comes ahead in safety, Chevrolet takes the lead in reliability—ever so slightly. They both offer similar 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranties and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranties.
Both Ford and Chevrolet receive 3.5/5 ratings for reliability from RepairPal, but Chevrolet ranks 20th out of 32 car brands while Ford ranks 21st. It’s a tight lead, but Chevrolet comes out on top nevertheless. Here’s why.
The average cost of repairs and maintenance for a Chevy is $649. Ford, on the other hand, sees average repair and maintenance costs of $775. Moreover,
Ford models tend to last around 200,000 miles, but your
Chevrolet could last up to 300,000 milesso long as you stick to the recommended
basic car maintenance schedule.
MORE:
Chevrolet common problemsInterior design
Generally speaking, Chevrolet’s interiors are criticized for lagging behind most of its competitors—Ford included.
Both Ford and Chevrolet offer standard infotainment touchscreen setups—Ford Sync 3 and Chevy Infotainment 3—with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and available in-car navigation. Overall, Ford tends to offer more standard interior features than Chevrolet and just a little bit more cubic feet of storage across comparable models.
If you’re not too concerned about tech or convenience features, then you may just have to take a few test drives to see which interior better fits your style.
MORE:
Does Ford have a self-driving car?Fuel efficiency and mileage
Fuel economy is a toss-up between Ford and Chevrolet as it varies widely by model. Take a look at the models we compared earlier to get an idea of fuel efficiency between the two brands.
Ford model | Fuel economy (city/highway/combined mpg) | Chevy model | Fuel economy (city/highway/combined mpg) |
|---|---|---|---|
2022 Ford Escape | 28/34/30 | 2022 Chevy Equinox | 26/31/28 |
2022 Ford Edge | 21/28/23 | 2022 Chevy Blazer | 22/29/25 |
2022 Ford Mustang | 21/29/24 | 2022 Chevy Camaro | 19/29/22 |
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The
Chevrolet Bolttook the electric vehicle (EV) market by storm, but
Ford’s electric vehicle lineupis quickly catching up. Take a look at how the 2022 EV offerings from both brands compare in terms of efficiency with the table below.
Model | Electric driving range | Charging time with a 240V outlet |
|---|---|---|
2022 Chevrolet Bolt | 259 miles | 7 hours |
2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E | 247 to 314 miles | 11 hours |
2022 F-150 Lightning | 230 to 300 miles | 14 hours |
MORE:
Everything you need to know about Chevrolet electric carsAre Ford trucks better than Chevy trucks?
While the battle between Ford and Chevy cars can easily boil down to a point of preference, the same can’t be said for their pickup trucks. From compact trucks like the
Ford Rangerand
Chevy Coloradoto full-size pickups like the F-150 and Silverado, Ford has Chevy beat on upfront costs, engine options, fuel efficiency, and safety.
Let’s take a quick look at the pickup titans from both brands to get a clear idea of how their trucks compare.
Ford F-150 vs Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The 2022
Ford F-150starts at $33,315 and has an immediate advantage over the 2022
Chevrolet Silverado 1500: the daily driver-oriented LT trim starts at $45,945. The entry-level 2022 Silverado Work Truck trim is a cheaper option if you just need the basics, but it’s still more expensive than the F-150 at $34,845.
The Silverado’s base 2.7L four-cylinder engine puts out 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, which beats the F-150’s 290-horsepower 3.3L V6 with only 265 lb-ft of torque. However, the Ford F-150 offers more powertrain configurations with increasing might.
The
F-150’s towing capacitymaxes out at 14,000 pounds with the 400-horsepower 3.5L V6. The Silverado tops out at 13,300 pounds.
The Ford F-150 Raptor is the best option for off-roading—unparalleled by any of the Chevy Silverado 1500’s available trim levels. And while the Silverado’s diesel engine is the most economical choice between the two trucks—with 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway—the F-150’s gasoline engines get better mileage than their Chevy equivalents.
A hybrid Ford F-150 is also available. The Silverado, meanwhile, offers no hybrid powertrain.
MORE:
How to build a custom Ford F150How to find cheap car insurance (no matter the automaker!)
The comparison shopping isn’t over yet! Once you’ve decided which make is right for you, it’s time to compare your
car insuranceoptions. Skip the hours of research and form-filling by downloading the
Jerryapp to do it for you.
Let’s review how Jerry works: complete a 45-second sign-up, then our
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Yes—it really is that easy. The best part: Jerry users save an average of over $800 a year!
“My policy covers two people and four cars: a truck, SUV, convertible, and muscle car.
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FAQs
I'm an automotive enthusiast with a deep understanding of the industry, particularly when it comes to the rivalry between Ford and Chevrolet. My knowledge is not just theoretical; I've followed the developments, innovations, and market trends closely over the years, giving me a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics between these two automotive giants.
The article you provided explores the century-long competition between Ford and Chevrolet, covering various aspects such as affordability, safety, reliability, design, fuel efficiency, and even a comparison of their trucks. Let's break down the key concepts mentioned in the article:
-
Affordability and Value:
- Ford and Chevrolet cater to similar markets, but Ford is often favored for better upfront value.
- Ford models are rated better than their Chevy counterparts.
- Ford powertrains consistently outperform Chevy in terms of horsepower, speed, and refinement.
-
Cost of Ownership and Insurance:
- While Chevy may have lower dealership prices, Ford offers better upfront value.
- The article highlights the average cost of insurance for Chevrolet being higher than Ford, indicating potential differences in safety and reliability.
-
Safety:
- Ford has received Top Safety Pick+ awards and higher NHTSA safety ratings compared to Chevrolet.
- Ford's safety features, such as Ford Co-Pilot 360, are more developed and widely available compared to Chevy Safety Assist.
-
Reliability:
- While both Ford and Chevrolet receive similar ratings for reliability, Chevrolet ranks slightly higher.
- The average cost of repairs and maintenance is lower for Chevy, and Chevy models tend to last longer in terms of mileage.
-
Interior Design:
- Chevrolet's interiors are criticized for lagging behind competitors, including Ford.
- Ford tends to offer more standard interior features than Chevrolet.
-
Fuel Efficiency:
- Fuel economy varies by model, and there is no clear winner between Ford and Chevrolet.
- The article provides specific fuel efficiency figures for popular models from both brands.
-
Electric Vehicles:
- The Chevrolet Bolt and Ford's electric vehicle lineup are compared in terms of efficiency and driving range.
- Ford's electric vehicle, the 2022 F-150 Lightning, is introduced as a contender against the Chevrolet Bolt.
-
Trucks:
- A detailed comparison between Ford and Chevrolet trucks, particularly focusing on the Ford F-150 vs. Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
- Ford is highlighted as having advantages in terms of upfront costs, engine options, fuel efficiency, towing capacity, and available configurations.
-
Car Insurance:
- The article concludes with a mention of the Jerry app, a licensed car insurance broker and super app that helps car owners find competitive insurance rates.
In summary, the article provides a thorough comparison of Ford and Chevrolet, touching on various aspects that influence consumers' preferences, including performance, safety, reliability, and cost of ownership.
