Ford vs Chevrolet Reliability: A Detailed Comparison
I am a serial entrepreneur and a consumer advocate. When I’m not helping car buyers, I love working on ventures that have a positive impact.
I run a cause marketing agency and serve on the board of Vayu Global Health where we are disrupting the medical industry and preventing the needless deaths of mothers and babies during childbirth.
Ford and Chevrolet are notable car brands leading the way in the production of amazing trucks. However, there has been an unending debate comparing the performance and durability of these brands. When you are to choose a truck for longevity, dependability, and reliability, which do you go for: Ford or Chevy?
The main difference between Ford and Chevrolet is that while Chevrolet is slightly more reliable, Ford cars are cheaper to fix and maintain.
You must understand that Ford and Chevy’s production line-up is not limited to trucks. Ford and Chevy also specialize in producing SUVs, hybrids, trucks/pickups, subcompact cars, and all types of commercial vehicles.
However, Ford offers more reliability than Chevy when it comes to a head-to-head comparison of both brands. Don’t get it twisted. Chevy has a higher reliability rating than Ford cars, but Ford offers better safety, durable designs, great performance, and amazing off-road traction.
The reliability of Ford versus Chevrolet cars differs according to their models. If you are new to driving, you might find it difficult to differentiate the reliability of Ford and Chevy cars.
Let’s walk you through all you need to know about Ford and Chevy’s reliability.
Table of Contents
Ford vs. Chevy Reliability
| Features | Ford | Chevy |
| Design | ||
| Technology | ||
| Durability | ||
| Repair and Maintenance Cost | ||
| Gas mileage | ||
| Safety | ||
| Engine |
Which is better?
Considering the different factors in the existence of both brands, many instances prove that Fords are more reliable than Chevys. The comparison of Ford and Chevy differ in other models. However, both car brands have their strengths and differences.
Ford has a higher reliability rating, but Chevy has a lower repair and maintenance cost. Ford beats Chevy at better performance, but Chevy produces more reliable small and midsize cars. Ford performs better with large cars, SUVs, and trucks, with an unbeatable strength that makes it better than Chevy for towing and trailering.
Ford doesn’t not only beat Chevy in producing better engines but also in closing more sales.
Design
Ford and Chevy share similar ideologies in their design mechanisms. Over the years, Ford has presented itself as a symbol of excellence and strength. This also includes versatility and the ability to optimize design strategies to achieve great products at affordable prices.
From the integration of design for manufacturability (DFM) principles to the deployment of kinetic design, Ford has always shown concern in matching its designs to customer satisfaction.
Chevy is not left out in the design battle. The Chevy design philosophy is guided by a combination of heritage and intangible ideas to match customers’ desires and needs.
Chevy designs are similar to Ford’s, just that Ford integrates some level of aesthetics. On an overall scale, Ford and Chevy offer the same standard of durability in designs, although Chevy offers better interior designs.
Winner: Both
Technology
Chevy and Ford have impressive technology packages. No matter the model you use, you are in for reliable tech features that provide safety, security, and comfort between both car brands.
In 2019, Chevy and Ford kicked off a dual project that oversaw the launch of a 10-speed automatic transmission. While it looks like Ford pushes innovation to its technology packages, Chevy also does the same.
Winner: Both
Durability
When it comes to durability, Ford and Chevy are good at it. Ford and Chevy’s cars last long. They adopt the use of durable frames, parts and assembling techniques to ensure that their cars last longer.
Ford cars can last up to 200,000 to 250,000 miles, with an average lifespan of 10 -13 years, while Chevy cars can last up to 200,000 to 250,000 miles, with an average lifespan of 10 – 13 years.
However, there are glaring differences when different models of both car brands are placed side by side. For instance: The Ford Expedition and Ford F150 offer more durability than Chevy Suburban, Silverado 1500, etc.
Winner: Both
Repair and Maintenance Cost
Ford offers a higher maintenance and repair cost than Chevy. Chevy has an average annual repair and maintenance cost of $649. This is cheaper than Ford, which costs $775.
Both car brands have a similar chance of visiting the mechanic, an average of 0.3 visits, with a 15% probability of severe damage.
Winner: Chevy
Gas mileage
Gas Mileage reliability varies according to the individual models that these brands offer. Ford and Chevy offer impressive gas mileage, making it hard to place one above the other. In the truck category, the Ford F-150 beats the Chevy Silverado with a better fuel economy.
Chevy’s V6 engine consumes more gas than Ford’s offering. Chevy takes its game to the next level with the launch of the 2021 Chevrolet Spark, which offers an amazing gas mileage of 38 mpg city and 30 on the highway. This is higher than all its category.
Both car brands offer hybrid and energy-efficient models. It is up to you to choose which model meets your needs.
Winner: Both
Safety
Ford beats Chevy in high safety ratings. Ford has five cars that earned the IIHS top safety pick rating and two cars in the Top Safety Pick + ratings. This features Ford cars in the small SUV, midsize SUV, and large pickups categories.
On the other hand, Chevrolet has only two cars in the 2021 Top Safety Pick rating, and one car makes it to the Top Safety Pick + rating. Chevy has no high safety rating cars in the Large Pickup category.
Placing Ford trucks side by side with Chevy trucks, Ford trucks offer a more dependable safety than Chevy. The F-150 is safer than the Silverado. Ford F-150 earned a five-star overall crash test rating from NHTSA, compared to Chevy, which barely got away with a four-star rating from NHTSA.
Winner: Ford
Engine
Ford beats Chevy in all categories in terms of engine durability and performance. After close comparisons, we can conclude that Ford’s Power Stroke pulls more power than Chevy’s Duramax engine.
Ford F-150, Expedition, and Mustang have better engine strength than Chevy’s. This is also visible in their gas mileage.
Winner: Ford
Verdict
Ford cars are more reliable than Chevys. However, this boils down to the category you are going for.
Ford maintains a motto; “the bigger, the better”. This has brought more reliable bigger Ford cars with less reliability on the smaller models. Chevy does better than Ford with a lower maintenance cost.
Whichever choice you make amongst these brands, you are in good hands.
