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Comparing the 2025 Chevrolet Silverado RST with Ford F-150 and Ram 1500: Purchase and 5-Year Ownership Costs




The 2025 Chevrolet Silverado RST is a versatile full-size pickup with a range of engine options: the efficient 2.7L Turbo, the diesel-powered 3.0L Duramax, and the classic 5.3L and 6.2L V8s. But how does it stack up against its rivals, the 2025 Ford F-150 and 2025 Ram 1500? In this article, we’ll compare the Silverado RST’s purchase price and 5-year ownership costs to comparable trims from Ford (F-150 XLT) and Ram (1500 Big Horn), factoring in fuel, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation. We’ll assume 15,000 miles annually and even predict used car values by referencing 2020 model depreciation. Let’s break it down!

Base Purchase Price: 2025 Models

We’ll focus on Crew Cab 4WD configurations with standard beds for consistency. Pricing reflects MSRP estimates as of March 27, 2025, including destination charges:

  • Silverado RST (Chevrolet):

    • 2.7L Turbo: $55,100

    • 3.0L Duramax: $58,590 (+$3,490)

    • 5.3L V8: $56,645 (+$1,545)

    • 6.2L V8: $58,895 (+$3,795)

  • F-150 XLT (Ford):

    • 2.7L EcoBoost V6: $54,500

    • 3.5L EcoBoost V6: $56,800 (+$2,300)

    • 5.0L V8: $55,900 (+$1,400)

    • 3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid: $59,200 (+$4,700)

  • Ram 1500 Big Horn (Ram):

    • 3.6L V6 eTorque: $52,300

    • 3.0L Hurricane I6 (420 hp): $55,600 (+$3,300)

    • 3.0L Hurricane I6 HO (540 hp): $58,900 (+$6,600)

The Ram 1500 Big Horn starts at the lowest price, while the Silverado RST and F-150 XLT are neck-and-neck, with premium engines pushing costs higher across all three.

Fuel Costs: 75,000 Miles Over 5 Years

Fuel costs are based on EPA estimates, 15,000 miles/year, and March 2025 averages: $3.50/gallon (regular), $4.00/gallon (premium), $4.25/gallon (diesel).

  • Silverado RST:

    • 2.7L Turbo (19 MPG): 789 gal x $3.50 x 5 = $13,807

    • 3.0L Duramax (24 MPG): 625 gal x $4.25 x 5 = $13,281

    • 5.3L V8 (17 MPG): 882 gal x $3.50 x 5 = $15,435

    • 6.2L V8 (17 MPG, premium): 882 gal x $4.00 x 5 = $17,640

  • F-150 XLT:

    • 2.7L EcoBoost (20 MPG): 750 gal x $3.50 x 5 = $13,125

    • 3.5L EcoBoost (19 MPG): 789 gal x $3.50 x 5 = $13,807

    • 5.0L V8 (17 MPG): 882 gal x $3.50 x 5 = $15,435

    • 3.5L PowerBoost (23 MPG): 652 gal x $3.50 x 5 = $11,410

  • Ram 1500 Big Horn:

    • 3.6L eTorque (20 MPG): 750 gal x $3.50 x 5 = $13,125

    • 3.0L Hurricane (18 MPG): 833 gal x $3.50 x 5 = $14,578

    • 3.0L Hurricane HO (17 MPG): 882 gal x $3.50 x 5 = $15,435

The F-150 PowerBoost hybrid leads in efficiency, while the Silverado’s Duramax edges out gas options. The Ram’s Hurricane engines lag slightly in MPG.

Maintenance Costs: 5-Year Estimates

Maintenance includes oil changes, tires, and repairs, with diesels and hybrids costing more due to complexity:

  • Silverado RST:  

    • 2.7L: $3,250 ($650/year)

    • 3.0L Duramax: $4,500 ($900/year)

    • 5.3L: $3,500 ($700/year)

    • 6.2L: $3,750 ($750/year)

  • F-150 XLT:  

    • 2.7L EcoBoost: $3,200 ($640/year)

    • 3.5L EcoBoost: $3,400 ($680/year)

    • 5.0L: $3,600 ($720/year)

    • 3.5L PowerBoost: $4,200 ($840/year)

  • Ram 1500 Big Horn:  

    • 3.6L eTorque: $3,300 ($660/year)

    • 3.0L Hurricane: $3,500 ($700/year)

    • 3.0L Hurricane HO: $3,700 ($740/year)

The Silverado Duramax and F-150 PowerBoost top maintenance costs, while simpler gas engines across all brands stay lower.

Insurance Costs

Insurance averages $2,450/year for full-size trucks (national estimate, clean record):

  • 5-year total (all models): $12,250

Depreciation and Used Car Value Prediction

Using 2020 models as a guide (e.g., a 2020 Silverado RST 5.3L dropped 40% from $50,000 to $30,000), we assume a 40% depreciation rate after 75,000 miles:

  • Silverado RST:  

    • 2.7L: $55,100 - 40% = $33,060; Dep: $22,040

    • 3.0L: $58,590 - 40% = $35,154; Dep: $23,436

    • 5.3L: $56,645 - 40% = $33,987; Dep: $22,658

    • 6.2L: $58,895 - 40% = $35,337; Dep: $23,558

  • F-150 XLT:  

    • 2.7L: $54,500 - 40% = $32,700; Dep: $21,800

    • 3.5L: $56,800 - 40% = $34,080; Dep: $22,720

    • 5.0L: $55,900 - 40% = $33,540; Dep: $22,360

    • 3.5L: $59,200 - 40% = $35,520; Dep: $23,680

  • Ram 1500 Big Horn:  

    • 3.6L: $52,300 - 40% = $31,380; Dep: $20,920

    • 3.0L: $55,600 - 40% = $33,360; Dep: $22,240

    • 3.0L HO: $58,900 - 40% = $35,340; Dep: $23,560

Ford and Chevy hold value slightly better than Ram, per historical trends, though diesels and high-output models may fetch a premium.

Total 5-Year Ownership Cost

Purchase price + fuel + maintenance + insurance - residual value:

  • Silverado RST:  

    • 2.7L: $55,100 + $13,807 + $3,250 + $12,250 - $33,060 = $51,347  

    • 3.0L: $58,590 + $13,281 + $4,500 + $12,250 - $35,154 = $53,467  

    • 5.3L: $56,645 + $15,435 + $3,500 + $12,250 - $33,987 = $53,843  

    • 6.2L: $58,895 + $17,640 + $3,750 + $12,250 - $35,337 = $57,198

  • F-150 XLT:  

    • 2.7L: $54,500 + $13,125 + $3,200 + $12,250 - $32,700 = $50,375  

    • 3.5L: $56,800 + $13,807 + $3,400 + $12,250 - $34,080 = $52,177  

    • 5.0L: $55,900 + $15,435 + $3,600 + $12,250 - $33,540 = $53,645  

    • 3.5L PowerBoost: $59,200 + $11,410 + $4,200 + $12,250 - $35,520 = $51,540

  • Ram 1500 Big Horn:  

    • 3.6L: $52,300 + $13,125 + $3,300 + $12,250 - $31,380 = $49,595  

    • 3.0L: $55,600 + $14,578 + $3,500 + $12,250 - $33,360 = $52,568  

    • 3.0L HO: $58,900 + $15,435 + $3,700 + $12,250 - $35,340 = $54,945

The Verdict

  • Best Value: Ram 1500 Big Horn 3.6L eTorque ($49,595) – Lowest entry price and solid costs make it the budget champ.

  • Efficiency King: F-150 XLT 3.5L PowerBoost ($51,540) – Hybrid efficiency cuts fuel costs, balancing its higher MSRP.

  • Middle Ground: Silverado RST 2.7L ($51,347) – Affordable power with decent economy for everyday use.

  • Performance Pick: Silverado RST 6.2L ($57,198) – Highest cost reflects V8 grunt, rivaling the Ram Hurricane HO and F-150 5.0L.

Final Thoughts

The Silverado RST offers a strong mix of efficiency (Duramax) and power (6.2L), but the F-150 XLT’s hybrid edges out on fuel savings, and the Ram 1500 Big Horn undercuts both on price. After five years, expect residual values around $31,000-$35,000 across the board, with Ford and Chevy slightly ahead. Which truck suits you? Share your thoughts below!

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