2024 Truck Comparison: GMC Sierra 1500 vs. Ford F-150
As we near the end of the 2024 model year cycle, we figured now was a good time to take stock and see who offered the best truck of the past year. And what better way to get to the bottom of things than to compare the two biggest players in the American pickup truck industry?
It’s fairly common knowledge that the F-150 is the most popular truck by the sales numbers—but does that mean it’s actually the best pickup truck for buyers in South Carolina? Let’s find out.
Powertrains and Towing
When shopping for a truck, the engine specs are often the first thing that buyers examine. Both the Sierra 1500 and F-150 are available with a wide range of powertrains.
2024 GMC Sierra 1500 engines and specs:
- TurboMax
- Horsepower: 310 HP
- Torque: 430 pound-feet
- Max towing: 9,500 pounds
- 3-liter V8
- Horsepower: 355 HP
- Torque: 383 pound-feet
- Max towing: 11,200 pounds
- 2-liter V8
- Horsepower: 420 HP
- Torque: 460 pound-feet
- Max towing: 13,100 pounds
- 0-liter Duramax Turbo Diesel
- Horsepower: 305 HP
- Torque: 495 pound-feet
- Max towing: 13,300 pounds
2024 Ford F-150 engines and specs:
- 7-liter EcoBoost
- Horsepower: 325 HP
- Torque: 400 pound-feet
- Max towing: 8,400 pounds
- 5-liter EcoBoost
- Horsepower: 400 HP
- Torque: 500 pound-feet
- Max towing: 13,500 pounds
- 5-liter PowerBoost Hybrid
- Horsepower: 430 HP
- Torque: 570 pound-feet
- Max towing: 11,200 pounds
- 0-liter Ti-VCT V8
- Horsepower: 400 HP
- Torque: 410 pound-feet
- Max towing: 12,900 pounds
- High-Output 3.5-liter V6
- Horsepower: 450 HP
- Torque: 510 pound-feet
- Max towing: 8,200 pounds
- 2-liter Supercharged V8
- Horsepower: 720 HP
- Torque: 640 pound-feet
- Max towing: 8,700 pounds
Okay, that’s a lot of numbers, so we’ll try to boil it down to the most important points.
The Sierra 1500 has a more powerful base engine overall, which makes it a better option for budget buyers. It’s also the only one of the two with a diesel option, which gives it the best available fuel economy of the two. It’s also the only truck of the two with multiple engine options that can tow over 13,000 pounds.
The F-150 has the highest towing capacity of the pair, but just barely. It also has the most powerful engine by far, but that motor is only available as an expensive upgrade in the off-road Raptor trim. It’s the only one with a hybrid option, but it still doesn’t get quite as good gas mileage as the diesel Sierra 1500.
Bed Utility
Both trucks are available with three different bed lengths:
2024 Sierra 1500 | 2024 F-150 | |
Short bed volume | 62.9 cubic feet | 52.8 cubic feet |
Standard bed volume | 71.7 cubic feet | 62.3 cubic feet |
Long bed volume | 89.1 cubic feet | 77.4 cubic feet |
All three of the Sierra 1500’s beds are longer, wider, and taller than the F-150’s, which results in a dramatic difference in total cargo carrying capacity and gives the Sierra a big advantage.
Both pickups can also be optioned with multi-function tailgate designs and bed functions.
New for the ’24 model year, the F-150’s Pro Access Tailgate has a lockable middle section that swings out and allows for easy access, and the cargo box can also be fitted with a built-in generator, which cranks out up to 7.2 kilowatts in the hybrid F-150.
While the Sierra 1500 lacks in-bed electrical capability, the MultiPro Tailgate is standard on most trims and features six different adjustable functions that can allow for easier cargo loading and increased storage capacity.
Interior Space
Both trucks also have three different cab configurations. Here are the measurements for the largest available cabs:
2024 Sierra 1500 | 2024 F-150 | |
Head room (front/rear) | 43.0 in./40.1 in. | 40.8 in./40.4 in. |
Shoulder room (front/rear) | 66.0 in./65.2 in. | 66.7 in./66.0 in. |
Hip room (front/rear) | 61.2 in./60.2 in. | 62.5 in./62.6 in. |
Leg room (front/rear) | 44.5 in./43.4 in. | 43.9 in./43.6 in. |
It’s a close call. The F-150 has a bit more shoulder and hip room to work with, but the Sierra 1500 has significantly more head and leg room overall, making it the best truck for tall drivers.
Tech and Amenities
One area that GMC undoubtedly pulls ahead is in their standard amenities, which skew more toward the luxury end of the spectrum. The F-150 can be optioned with its own high-end features, but these optional packages will quickly inflate the price tag, and the standard F-150 feels pretty spartan by comparison.
All but the base-level 2024 Sierra 1500 Pro comes with a 13.4-inch reconfigurable touchscreen display and a 12.3-inch digital driver information screen. Infotainment is paired with available Google built-in, voice recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Wi-Fi through GMC Connected Services. Optional upgrades include a 15-inch head-up display, wireless charging pad, up to 14 exterior camera views, and the ProGrade trailering system.
Every 2024 F-150 model comes with a standard infotainment setup that consists of a 12-inch center screen and a 12-inch driver info display, plus 5G Wi-Fi capability. It can also be kitted out with an available head-up display, wireless charging, and a collection of smart trailering systems.
Both trucks offer an impressive array of tech features, but the Sierra 1500’s inclusion of Google built-in, larger screens with greater resolution, and more available external cameras give it the advantage.
Safety
The 2024 Sierra 1500 comes with GMC Pro Safety as standard, which includes Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator, Front Pedestrian Braking, IntelliBeam, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and Automatic Emergency Braking. Adaptive Cruise Control with Trailering, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Rear Pedestrian Alert, and Front and Rear Park Assist are also available across the board.
The 2024 F-150 gets Ford Co-Pilot360, which gets features like Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Cross Traffic Alert, Lane-Keeping System, Rear View Camera, Auto High Beams, Reverse Sensing System, Reverse Brake Assist, and Post-Collision Braking.
In the upper-level trims, both trucks are also available with hands-free driving through Super Cruise (GMC) and BlueCruise (Ford). Both enable Level 2 self-driving on compatible roads, but there’s one key difference—Super Cruise in the 2024 Sierra 1500 has the trailering capability, while the F-150’s BlueCruise doesn’t.
GMC Sierra 1500 for Sale in Columbia, SC
There’s no doubt that the 2024 F-150 is a great truck, and it’s easy to see why it’s popular. But it just can’t quite hold a candle to the Sierra 1500’s impressive list of standard features and its thoughtful available upgrades.
If you’re still on the fence about which truck to buy, come check a Sierra 1500 out at our dealership near Dentsville. We have a wide selection of new Sierra 1500 models, plus special offers on new trucks to ensure you get the most bang for your buck.
Contact us online or give us a call at (803) 462-4475 to learn more.
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