The full-size pickup truck segment has long been dominated by fierce competition, and the 2023 GMC Sierra and Ford F150 continue to be formidable contenders in this arena. Both trucks offer a range of appealing features and capabilities, catering to a wide array of preferences and requirements.
In this detailed comparison, we take a closer look at these two popular trucks, highlighting their strengths and differences, to help you make the best choice for your needs.
Exterior Design:
The GMC Sierra and Ford F150 both boast impressive exteriors that convey power, durability, and style. Each truck offers a unique take on what a modern full-size pickup should look like, with GMC opting for a bold, chiseled design, while Ford opts for a more aerodynamic and sleek appearance.
The Sierra sports a large, imposing grille flanked by C-shaped LED headlights, adding to the truck’s aggressive stance. The F150, on the other hand, features a more restrained grille and sleeker LED headlights, emphasizing its aerodynamic qualities. Both trucks offer various wheel options and paint colors, as well as customizable appearance packages to suit individual preferences.
Interior Design:
Moving inside, both trucks provide a comfortable and functional cabin, with high-quality materials and user-friendly technology. The GMC Sierra’s interior features a more traditional, upscale look with wood accents, while the Ford F150 opts for a more contemporary design with its clean lines and innovative storage solutions.
In terms of infotainment, both vehicles offer user-friendly touchscreens compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sierra comes standard with an 8-inch screen, while the F150 offers a slightly larger 12-inch screen on higher trims. Both trucks also provide optional premium audio systems for those who enjoy an enhanced audio experience.
Seating:
Both the GMC Sierra and Ford F150 offer seating configurations that cater to various needs, with options for regular, extended, and crew cab models. The Sierra’s seats are known for their comfort, with available heated and ventilated front seats, as well as power-adjustable driver and passenger seats.
The F150 also offers comfortable seating, with available heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats. Additionally, the F150 provides an optional flat-fold front passenger seat that can double as a workspace, a feature not found in the Sierra.
Storage:
When it comes to storage, both the Sierra and F150 shine in their own ways. The GMC Sierra boasts its exclusive MultiPro Tailgate, offering six different functions for improved access, loading, and utility. The Ford F150 counters with its Pro Power Onboard system, which serves as a mobile generator with up to 7.2kW of power, perfect for powering tools and devices at job sites.
Both trucks offer ample interior storage, with multiple compartments and cup holders throughout the cabin. The F150 does edge out the Sierra in terms of innovative storage solutions, with its available lockable under-seat storage and fold-flat rear load floor.
Performance:
Performance is a key factor for truck buyers, and both the GMC Sierra and Ford F150 deliver. The Sierra offers a choice of four powertrains, including a 6.2-liter V8 and a 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine. The F150 counters with six available powertrains, including a hybrid option and the powerful 3.5-liter PowerBoost engine.
While both trucks offer impressive towing and payload capacities, the F150 has a slight edge in overall performance due to its broader range of engine options and the inclusion of a hybrid powertrain.
Fuel Efficiency:
Fuel efficiency is becoming increasingly important for truck buyers, and both the Sierra and F150 strive to deliver in this area. The GMC Sierra offers a range of engine options with varying levels of fuel efficiency. The 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine stands out, delivering an impressive EPA-estimated 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. The other engine options offer decent fuel efficiency as well, considering the truck’s size and capabilities.
The Ford F150, on the other hand, sets the bar higher with its 3.5-liter PowerBoost hybrid engine, which provides an EPA-estimated 25 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. This not only makes the F150 more fuel-efficient but also contributes to a reduced carbon footprint. The other powertrains offered by the F150 deliver competitive fuel efficiency numbers in their respective categories.
Safety:
Both the GMC Sierra and Ford F150 prioritize safety, offering a suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies to keep occupants secure. The Sierra comes standard with the GMC Pro Safety package, which includes features like Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Lane Keep Assist. Additional safety features, such as Adaptive Cruise Control and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, are available on higher trims.
The Ford F150 also offers a comprehensive safety package, known as Ford Co-Pilot360. This suite includes Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane-Keeping System, and Auto High-Beam Headlamps. Higher trims offer additional safety features, such as Active Park Assist and a 360-Degree Camera.
Trim Levels:
Both the GMC Sierra and Ford F150 offer a wide range of trim levels to suit different budgets and preferences. The Sierra is available in six trims: Base, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, and Denali. Each trim adds various features, with the Denali serving as the luxury-oriented flagship model.
The Ford F150 offers seven trims: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Limited, and Raptor. As with the Sierra, each trim builds upon the previous one, adding more features and options. The Limited serves as the top-of-the-line luxury model, while the Raptor is the high-performance off-road variant.
Pricing:
When it comes to pricing, both the GMC Sierra and Ford F150 cater to a wide range of budgets. The Sierra’s base model starts at around $30,000, while the top-of-the-line Denali can reach up to $70,000, depending on options and packages.
The Ford F150 starts at a similar price point, with the base XL model beginning around $30,000. The high-end Limited model can reach over $75,000, while the performance-oriented Raptor starts at around $68,000.
Key Differences:
Storage Solutions:
While both trucks offer ample storage, the F150 has a slight edge in terms of innovative storage solutions. The F150 features available lockable under-seat storage and a fold-flat rear load floor, which the Sierra does not offer. However, the Sierra boasts its exclusive MultiPro Tailgate with six different functions for improved access, loading, and utility.
Powertrain Options:
The Ford F150 offers a broader range of powertrains, including a hybrid option with its 3.5-liter PowerBoost engine. The GMC Sierra has a more limited selection of powertrains, with four options available, including the efficient 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine. The F150’s wider range of engine choices allows buyers to prioritize factors such as fuel efficiency or performance more easily.
Fuel Efficiency:
The Ford F150 has a slight advantage in fuel efficiency, particularly with its hybrid powertrain, which delivers an EPA-estimated 25 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Although the GMC Sierra’s 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine also provides impressive fuel efficiency (23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway), the F150’s hybrid option sets it apart.
Trim Levels:
Both trucks offer a variety of trim levels, but the Ford F150 has seven options (XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Limited, and Raptor), while the GMC Sierra has six (Base, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, and Denali). The F150’s Raptor trim, in particular, stands out as a high-performance off-road variant, which is not directly matched by any Sierra trim.
Final Thoughts:
After comparing the 2023 GMC Sierra and Ford F150 across multiple aspects, it’s clear that both trucks have much to offer, each excelling in different areas. The GMC Sierra impresses with its bold design and upscale interior, while the Ford F150 stands out with its diverse powertrain options and innovative storage solutions.
Ultimately, the decision between these two trucks comes down to individual preferences and priorities. By understanding the key differences and considering your own requirements, you can confidently choose the truck that will provide a satisfying and rewarding ownership experience.
Features Breakdown:
GMC Sierra:
- Exterior Design:
- Bold, chiseled design
- Large, imposing grille
- C-shaped LED headlights
- Interior Design and Features:
- Traditional, upscale look with wood accents
- Standard 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Optional premium audio systems
- Seating:
- Regular, extended, and crew cab configurations
- Heated and ventilated front seats (available)
- Power-adjustable driver and passenger seats (available)
- Storage:
- Exclusive MultiPro Tailgate with six different functions
- Ample interior storage compartments and cup holders
- Performance:
- Four powertrain options, including a 6.2-liter V8 and 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine
- Impressive towing and payload capacities
- Fuel Efficiency:
- 3.0-liter Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine with EPA-estimated 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway
- Safety:
- GMC Pro Safety package with Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Lane Keep Assist
- Additional safety features available on higher trims
- Trim Levels:
- Six trims: Base, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, and Denali
- Pricing:
- Base model starts at around $30,000
- Denali trim can reach up to $70,000, depending on options and packages
Ford F150:
- Exterior Design:
- Aerodynamic, sleek appearance
- Restrained grille design
- Sleeker LED headlights
- Interior Design and Features:
- Contemporary design with clean lines
- Standard 12-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility (on higher trims)
- Optional premium audio systems
- Seating:
- Regular, extended, and crew cab configurations
- Heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats (available)
- Flat-fold front passenger seat that doubles as a workspace (available)
- Storage:
- Pro Power Onboard system as a mobile generator (up to 7.2kW)
- Lockable under-seat storage and fold-flat rear load floor (available)
- Performance:
- Six powertrain options, including a hybrid option with the 3.5-liter PowerBoost engine
- Slightly higher towing and payload capacities compared to the Sierra
- Fuel Efficiency:
- 3.5-liter PowerBoost hybrid engine with EPA-estimated 25 mpg city and 26 mpg highway
- Safety:
- Ford Co-Pilot360 package with Pre-Collision Assist, Lane-Keeping System, and Auto High-Beam Headlamps
- Additional safety features available on higher trims
- Trim Levels:
- Seven trims: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Limited, and Raptor
- Pricing:
- Base model starts at around $30,000
- Limited trim can reach over $75,000, while Raptor starts at around $68,000
