Compare the2026 Ford F-150VS 2026 GMC Sierra 1500

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Ford F-150 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Sierra 1500 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The F-150 has standard Post-Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Sierra 1500 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The F-150 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Sierra 1500’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the F-150 has standard Cross Traffic Alert and Cross Traffic Braking automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. GMC charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Sierra 1500.

The F-150’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Sierra 1500 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the F-150 and the Sierra 1500 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available four-wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford F-150 is safer than the GMC Sierra 1500:

	F-150	Sierra 1500
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	360	410
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	28%	38%
Neck Stress	152 lbs.	200 lbs.
Neck Compression	65 lbs.	76 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford F-150 is safer than the GMC Sierra 1500:

	F-150	Sierra 1500
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	31	74
Hip Force	142 lbs.	189 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	15 inches
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	43 G’s
Hip Force	432 lbs.	591 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Ford F-150 SuperCrew is safer than the Sierra 1500 Crew Cab:

	F-150	Sierra 1500
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	40	49
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.28 in	.51 in
Shoulder Force	89 lbs.	134 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.55 in	.71 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	424 lbs.	558 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	178 lbs.
Neck Compression	67 lbs.	112 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	.55 in	1.65 in
Shoulder Force	223 lbs.	446 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.98 in	2.13 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	12 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

The F-150’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Sierra 1500’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 71 percent more Ford dealers than there are GMC dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the F-150’s warranty.

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the F-150 have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Sierra 1500.

The F-150 has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Sierra 1500 doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the F-150 first among large light duty pickups in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Sierra 1500 isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than GMC vehicles. With 6 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Ford higher than GMC.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Ford vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ford 7 places higher in reliability than GMC.

Engine

The F-150 has more powerful engines than the Sierra 1500:

	Horsepower	Torque
F-150 2.7 turbo V6	325 HP	400 lbs.-ft.
F-150 5.0 DOHC V8	400 HP	410 lbs.-ft.
F-150 3.5 turbo V6	400 HP	500 lbs.-ft.
F-150 3.5 turbo V6 hybrid	420 HP	570 lbs.-ft.
Sierra 1500 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder	310 HP	430 lbs.-ft.
Sierra 1500 5.3 V8	355 HP	383 lbs.-ft.
Sierra 1500 6.2 V8	420 HP	460 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford F-150 turbo V6 is faster than the GMC Sierra 1500 V8:

	F-150	Sierra 1500
Zero to 60 MPH	5.3 sec	5.7 sec
Quarter Mile	13.9 sec	14.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	99.9 MPH	99 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the F-150 gets better mileage than the Sierra 1500:

			MPG
F-150
	RWD	2.7 turbo V6	19 city/25 hwy
		3.5 turbo V6	17 city/25 hwy
		5.0 V8	16 city/24 hwy
	AWD	3.5 turbo V6 Hybrid	22 city/24 hwy
		2.7 turbo V6	18 city/23 hwy
		3.5 turbo V6	16 city/24 hwy
		5.0 V8	16 city/24 hwy
		Tremor 3.5 turbo V6	16 city/21 hwy
Sierra 1500
	RWD	2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	18 city/21 hwy
		5.3 OHV V8	16 city/21 hwy
	AWD	AT4 3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	21 city/24 hwy
		AT4X 3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	19 city/20 hwy
		2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	17 city/21 hwy
		Elevation 2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	17 city/19 hwy
		Elevation 2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	17 city/18 hwy
		5.3 OHV V8	15 city/19 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	15 city/19 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the F-150 PowerBoost’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Sierra 1500 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The F-150 Regular Cab’s standard fuel tank has a gallon more fuel capacity than the Sierra 1500 2WD Diesel’s standard fuel tank (23 vs. 22 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The F-150 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 6.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sierra 1500’s standard fuel tank (30.6 vs. 24 gallons). The F-150 Long Bed/SuperCab/SuperCrew’s standard fuel tank has 8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sierra 1500 Long Bed’s standard fuel tank (36 vs. 28 gallons).

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ford F-150 higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the GMC Sierra 1500 (4 to 6). This means the F-150 produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Sierra 1500 every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the F-150’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Sierra 1500:

	F-150	Sierra 1500
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	13 inches

The F-150 stops much shorter than the Sierra 1500:

	F-150	Sierra 1500
60 to 0 MPH	126 feet	136 feet	Motor Trend

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the F-150’s wheelbase is longer than on the Sierra 1500:

	F-150	Sierra 1500
Crew Cab Standard Bed	157.2 inches	157 inches

The F-150 5.5-foot XLT SuperCrew 4x4 handles at .76 G’s, while the Sierra 1500 Short Box AT4X Crew Cab pulls only .69 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The F-150 5.5-foot Platinum SuperCrew 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Sierra 1500 Short Box AT4X Crew Cab (27.6 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 29.3 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the F-150 6.5-foot SuperCrew has a 1.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Sierra 1500 Standard Box Crew Cab (9.7 vs. 8 inches), allowing the F-150 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

For excellent aerodynamics, the F-150 has standard flush composite headlights. The Sierra 1500 has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

Passenger Space

The F-150 Regular Cab has 1.6 inches more front hip room and .7 inches more front shoulder room than the Sierra 1500 Regular Cab.

The F-150 SuperCab has 1.3 inches more front hip room, .7 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 2.4 inches more rear hip room and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Sierra 1500 Double Cab.

The F-150 SuperCrew has 1.3 inches more front hip room, .7 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, .2 inches more rear legroom, 2.4 inches more rear hip room and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Sierra 1500 Crew Cab.

Cargo Capacity

The Ford F-150 has a standard Tailgate Lift Assist, which prevents the heavy tailgate from falling with a crash and causing injury. It allows adults and children to easily open and close the tailgate with one hand to better facilitate loading and unloading. Tailgate assist costs extra on the GMC Sierra 1500.

The F-150 has stake post holes, to allow the containment of tall, light loads. The Sierra 1500 doesn’t offer stake post holes.

Payload and Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the GMC Sierra 1500 is limited to 13300 pounds. The F-150 6.5-foot SuperCrew 4x4 offers up to a 13500 lbs. towing capacity.

The F-150 has higher optional payload capacities than the Sierra 1500:

	F-150	Sierra 1500
Regular Cab 150	2440 lbs.	2230 lbs.
Extended Cab 150	2155 lbs.	2040 lbs.
Crew Cab 150	2235 lbs.	2020 lbs.
Regular Cab 150 4x4	2175 lbs.	2110 lbs.
Extended Cab 150 4x4	2055 lbs.	2030 lbs.

Ergonomics

The F-150’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Sierra 1500’s standard power windows’ front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the F-150’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Sierra 1500 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its OnStar® can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The F-150’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Sierra 1500’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the F-150 offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Sierra 1500 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The F-150 Lariat/King Ranch/Platinum also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The F-150 has standard power remote mirrors. The Sierra 1500 only comes with remote mirrors at extra cost. Without them the driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

The F-150’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. GMC charges extra for heated mirrors on the Sierra 1500.

The F-150 (except XL/XLT)’s optional Park Assist can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Sierra 1500 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Motor Trend selected the F-150 as their 2018 Truck of the Year. The Sierra 1500 has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the F-150 as the 2021 North American Truck of the Year. The Sierra 1500 has never been chosen.

The Ford F-Series outsold the GMC Sierra by over two to one during 2024.

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