Used Pickup Trucks: Why the 2014 Silverado Outdoes the F150 and Ram 1500

 

Choosing to buy a used car rather than a new one can be a great decision. Used vehicles have plenty of advantages over buying new ones, with the most obvious being the price. As soon as you take a vehicle off the lot, it depreciates in value. If you purchase a used vehicle, you will likely get more amenities and standard features for a lower price than you would if you bought the same vehicle new. This can especially be true for pickup trucks, which makes them a great vehicle to purchase used.

Selecting a Used Pickup Truck: Which is the best option?

Drivers, car enthusiasts, and automotive manufacturers have been arguing over which pickup truck is the better choice for decades. While Ford, RAM, and Chevrolet all have quality pickup trucks in their lineups, each one has its list of pros and cons. For some people, it comes down to brand preference. Buying Fords may run in the family of one truck driver, while another has always been loyal to the bowtie brand.

With so much confusion around which pickup truck offers the most reliability and performance for the money, we thought we would narrow it down and simplify it to help clear the air. With so many used pickup trucks available on the market, we have focused on the 2014 model year of three of the most popular trucks in America.

The 2014 RAM 1500: What does it bring to the table?

Starting with what is generally considered to be the least popular out of these three pickups, the 2014 RAM 1500 is still quite a contender in its segment.

For the 2014 model year, the RAM 1500 was the only standard-duty pickup to offer a diesel-powered engine, which made it a popular choice at the time of production. Because of the diesel engine offering, the Ram pickup features the highest fuel economy rating of 28 miles per gallon on the highway. The 2014 RAM 1500 with the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 allows for 240 hp and 420 lb.-ft of torque.

It also comes attached to the lowest starting MSRP of just $24,810. For drivers who are concerned mainly with financial implications, the RAM 1500 may be the best choice.

If you go with the 2014 RAM 1500 that has the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine, you will get 305 hp, 269 lb.-ft of torque, and 25 mpg highway thanks to:

• The thermal management system keeps temperatures at peak operating performance for ideal performance and fuel-efficient operation.
• Lightweight and durable alloy pistons reduce the reciprocating mass inside the engine to enhance performance and overall efficiency.
• Flex Fuel capability that permits the use of either unleaded gasoline or ethanol.
• Variable Valve Timing enables efficient power and precise operation.

You could also choose to select the 5.7L HEMI V8, which is capable of 395 hp, 410 lb.-ft of torque, and 22 mpg on the highway.

Whichever engine you choose to select for the 2014 RAM 1500, you can rely on RAM for efficiency, capability, and power.

The 2014 Ford F150: What are the specs?

 

Ford’s light-duty full-size pickup truck was offered with a base MSRP of $25,025 when it was new on showroom floors in 2013. Nearly three years later, this used truck is likely available for well under $20,000.

The 2014 Ford F150 maxed out at 411 horsepower, and a maximum of 434 lb.-ft. of torque with the 6.2L V8 engine. These numbers put the F150 in the middle spot between the Ram 1500 and the Chevy Silverado for the 2014 model year. Also in the middle is the towing capacity rating for the Ford F150 of 11,300 pounds – nearly one thousand pounds less than the Silverado.

Coming in last of the two pickups in the fuel economy category with an EPA-estimated rating of 23 miles per gallon on the highway. The 2014 F150 simply does not impress when it comes to fuel savings. The blue oval truck also has the smallest truck bed capacity, maxing out at just 55.4 cubic feet. That’s two cubic feet less than the Ram, and nearly 5.5 cubic feet less than the Silverado.

The 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500: Impresses in All the Right Ways

 

The 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 comes out ahead when compared to the Ram 1500 and the Ford F150. The Silverado 1500 is the definitive choice if torque if power and performance are essential to you. With the 6.2L V8 engine, you get the highest horsepower rating in this list of 420, and the highest maximum of 460 lb.-ft.

Also beating both the Ram 1500 and Ford F150 is the Silverado’s towing capacity. With a maximum towing rating of 12,000 pounds, the 2014 Silverado 1500 is the most powerful truck out of these three.

In terms of fuel economy, the Silverado does not beat the Ram 1500’s 28 miles per gallon on the highway, but it does outperform Ford with an EPA-estimated rating of 24 miles per gallon. With the largest truck bed of all three pickups, drivers can expect to take advantage of an impressive 61.0 cubic feet of total truck bed space.

The 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 started out new at $25,575, making it the most expensive of the three trucks when it initially hit dealer showrooms. This sticker price accurately reflects the clear advantages the Silverado 1500 has over both the F150 and Ram 1500. For most people, this small jump in price is worth having the extra performance specifications as well as peace of mind that Chevrolet trucks come with.

The Silverado Offers Better Overall Protection

If the clear performance advantages aren’t enough to sway you, let’s take a look at the protection that comes with owning a 2014 Silverado 1500. These Chevrolet trucks were offered with a slew of standard and available safety features including:

• Lane Departure Warning
• Trailer Sway Control
• Forward Collision Alerts
• Stabilitrak Control

The 2014 model of the Silverado was recognized for its safety advancements and was awarded the highest possible Five Star rating for Overall Vehicle Safety by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Both the Ram 1500 and Ford F150 were only given four stars for the 2014 model year.

Just as important as protecting you on the road, is protecting your investment. Chevrolet offers one of the most extensive warranty programs for their vehicles, including a three-year or 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, a five-year or 100,000-mile Powertrain warranty, and a two-year or 24,000-mile scheduled maintenance program.

With the 2014 model year less than three years old, a lot of these warranties may still be in place for used 2014 Chevy Silverado models. Out of all three of these pickup trucks, the Silverado 1500 offers the most extensive warranty program, which ensures you will be protected even when purchasing a certified pre-owned version of the bowtie-brand truck.

Buying used doesn’t have to be scary. Knowing what you want, what to look for, and the best quality vehicle in the segment you are shopping in can make all the difference.

Tags: 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2014 pickup trucks, 2014 RAM 1500, 2014 Trucks
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