I've Driven Both The Chevy Silverado EV And Ford F-150 Lightning, Ford's Build Quality And Frunk Design Shows Why I Chose The Blue Oval

Every few miles on any American road, the familiar silhouette of a Ford F-150 emerges, dirty, dented, hauling lumber, kids, or nothing at all. It's been the best-selling truck in the United States for over four decades, and one of the best-selling vehicles of all time. Ford took the most iconic truck in America and gave it a 1,600-pound lithium-ion heart. No gimmicks. No over-styled concept fantasy. Just a truck that still hauls and still works, but happens to be silent.

One of the best side-by-side comparisons of this new breed came not from a press fleet or a corporate shootout, but from a man named Brandon Breeden in the Ford F-150 Lightning Owners Group on Facebook. Brandon owns a 2024 F-150 Lightning Flash and has spent time comparing it to his father’s 2025 Silverado EV LT with the luxury package and extended range:

"Update on comparing my dad's 2025 Silverado EV LT w/ luxury package and extended range to my 2024 F150 Flash. 

Pros and cons so far: 

Silverado pros: 

1: Without a test, it went 445 miles on a full charge. And with only charging to 80% for local driving, it's still 380 miles.

2: charges faster

3: From what I can tell, the trailer brake comes standard, and there are more bed power outlets

4: no rake 

Cons: 

1: To me, the use of materials feels a little cheap compared to the lighting.

2: Smaller frunk

3: Opening and closing the frunk is annoying 

4: No automatic tailgate with multi-flex tailgate (which is nice, but more steps to get the "step" open)

Lighting pros and cons

Pros: 

1: faster

2: bigger frunk and easy to open and close

3: directional headlights

4: power tailgate

5: The tailgate step makes it easier to open and close 

6: Materials inside the seam of higher quality 

Cons:

1: Lower range

2: Charges slower but still decent charge times, so this isn't really a huge con

3: While it uses some accessories from the ICE sibling, Ford doesn't make accessories for the Lightning like Chevy does for the Silverado EV

4: Silverado seems to stop faster when under heavy braking."

Yes, the Silverado’s 445-mile range is impressive. Yes, it charges faster. But materials matter. Functionality matters. And for those who use trucks the way they were intended, not as statement pieces, but as tools, the Lightning brings more than just numbers to the fight. As Josh Creel puts it, “Major Pro on the Lightning … it’s a real truck that can do real work! With a full steel frame and a steel hitch! I use it on my farm daily!” 

Ford F-150 Lightning Key Specs: 460–492 mi Range, Frunk Size & Off-Road Tech

• It offers an EPA-estimated range of up to 460 mi (standard trims) and 492 mi for the 8WT/Max Work Truck trim
• About 233.1 in long × 83.8 in wide × 78.7 in tall, with a robust presence on the road
• Delivers up to 785 lb‑ft torque and 760 hp (in Max/tow‑haul mode), trailer capacity up to 12,500 lb
• Innovative features include the Multi‑Flex Midgate (for bed extension) and a spacious 11 cu ft frunk, complementing advanced off‑road tech like four‑wheel steer and Sidewinder diagonal steering

Ford also deserves praise for how they designed around day-to-day practicality. Brandon highlights the bigger, easier-to-use frunk, arguably the Lightning’s killer feature. It's a lockable, weather-sealed front cargo space that’s easy to operate. 

Not every truck owner needs to tow a yacht. Some need room for tools, groceries, or gear that shouldn’t be baking in a 110-degree bed. And the power tailgate, directional headlights, and smarter step design? They're little things that make a big difference when you’re in the dirt, not the dealership.

Chevy deserves credit, too. The Silverado EV is bold, with its skateboard chassis, available four-wheel steering, and that aforementioned range. 

Silverado EV vs. Lightning: Long-Distance Hauling, Integration & User Feedback

For long-distance haulers, it’s a real contender. But Brandon's post and others echo a theme: GM may have pushed innovation ahead of integration. As user Richard Dean bluntly posted, “Cons for GM: no Apple Play. The only reason I wouldn’t buy one.” When the Lightning hits so many notes, traditional truck feel, modern comfort, and tech that’s useful, it’s easy to see why loyalists stick with the Blue Oval.

Of course, there’s one consistent gripe with the Lightning: charging times. Kory Leach summed it up well: “The only real con to the Ford is the charge times for DC charging. They are atrocious… A near 40-minute 10-80% is not good.” For now, the Silverado EV and other platforms like Hyundai’s EGMP have Ford beat here. But Ford is already working to update its architecture and partnerships, plus, for many who charge at home overnight, it’s a manageable compromise in exchange for better design and build quality.

Chevy Silverado EV Specs: 580 hp, 14.1 cu ft Frunk & 7,700 lb Towing

• Length 232.7 in × Width 80.0 in (mirrors stowed) × Height 78.3 in, with a 145.5‑inch wheelbase
• Dual‑motor AWD, standard‑range model makes 452 hp and 775 lb‑ft, extended‑range bumps it to 580 hp while torque remains ~775 lb‑ft
• Extended‑range hits 0–60 mph in about 3.8–4.0 seconds, standard range in ~4.2 seconds
• Storage, impressive 14.1 cu ft frunk, and standard towing is 7,700 lb, with payload up to 2,235 lb

And then there’s towing. One Lightning owner pointed out something Chevy likely didn’t anticipate: charge port placement. “The Silverado's charge port location makes charging impossible while towing a trailer unless you have a pull-through station,” they noted, citing a multi-state trailer haul. That’s a small but critical detail that shows Ford’s working-truck DNA is still deeply embedded in the Lightning’s design.

What makes the Lightning feel right is that it doesn’t try to reinvent the F-150; it evolves it. It honors the lineage without dressing it up as something it isn’t. You step into the cabin, and it still feels like a truck, not a concept vehicle. The Lightning isn’t about being first. It’s about being right. And while the Silverado EV might have a longer stride, the Lightning walks the walk that truck owners actually live day-to-day. That's why, for Brandon and for many others, the choice was clear.

Image Sources: Ford Media Center

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.