Cheaper Alternatives To Popular Ford-F Series Cars

The Ford F-Series has been America's top-selling truck for 48 years straight, with 732,139 units sold in 2024, per Ford Authority – or, one every 43 seconds. That total combines five trucks: the F-150 and the Super Duty line F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550. But prices are climbing fast. The 2025 F-150 XL starts at $38,810, while the commercial-grade F-550 Lariat chassis-cab starts at $72,040 before any add-ons. Moving just one trim level up on a Ford truck can quickly push the cost out of reach for contractors and consumers trying to stay within a budget.

Price can ultimately make you think twice about getting a new car or even force you to consider buying a used car instead. But you don't need to choose between a workhorse truck and a healthy bank balance. In fact, in 2025, the best option might be to avoid the latest, most expensive option altogether (this goes for other kinds of cars as well, like cheaper alternatives for a BMW). With alternative truck choices from Chevrolet, Ram, and GMC, you can size up the competitive before deciding if a Ford-F series is right for you.

The 2025 F-150 XL starts at $38,810 and comes standard with a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6. This twin-turbo engine delivers 325 horsepower and 400 LB-FT of torque, enough to tow up to 8,400 pounds when properly equipped. With two-wheel drive, fuel economy hits 20 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city, 26 on the highway, and 22 combined, according to Tuscaloosa Ford. Four-wheel-drive versions stay close, returning 18 mpg city, 24 highway, and 20 combined. The F-150 is a truck that pulls like a V8 and consumes fuel like an SUV.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Ram 1500 Tradesman starts at $37,920 and comes equipped with a 305 horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 paired with an eTorque mild-hybrid assist. It carries up to 7,710 pounds and, as of June 2025, EPA data lists the Ram 1500 Tradesman delivering 22 mpg combined in two-wheel drive, 20 mpg in the city, and 25 on the highway. Four-wheel-drive models hit 21 mpg combined; 19 in the city, and 24 on the highway. What gives the Ram an edge is its coil-spring rear suspension, the only one in its class, which cushions rough roads better than the F-150's leaf springs. The Ram 1500 puts nearly $900 back in your pocket up front and holds its own in everyday use.

The 2025 Ford F-250 XL starts at $45,300 and runs on a 6.8-liter V8 with 405 horsepower and 445 LB-FT of torque, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. In a typical crew-cab 4×4 setup, it handles a payload of about 3,923 pounds. If you go with a lighter regular-cab, the payload can rise past 4,200 pounds, with towing capacity reaching 17,300 pounds on a standard hitch.

Chevrolet's 2024 Silverado 2500 HD WT comes in at $44,400, which is $900 less than the Ford. It runs a 6.6-liter gas V8 with 401 horsepower and 464 LB-FT of torque, matched to an Allison-branded ten-speed transmission. In a typical crew-cab, it tows up to 18,700 pounds and can carry 3,759 pounds of payload. The Durabed stands out for utility, and can offer fixed tie-downs rated at 500 pounds each, with space for more clip-in rings to reach 21 total.

Chevy Safety Assist also comes standard, bundling features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist into every base model. Side by side, the Chevy barely trails the Ford in horsepower, but is ahead in towing, and offers more payload capacity than most buyers will ever need. The Silverado 2500 WT is a solid choice for those looking to enter the three-quarter-ton class without overspending.

The 2025 Ford F-350 XL costs $46,595 and comes with a 6.8-liter V8 engine boasting 405 horsepower and 445 LB-FT of torque. It uses a ten-speed automatic transmission. Meanwhile, GMC offers the 2024 Sierra 3500 HD Pro for $45,400, or about $1,200 less. The GMC truck has a 6.6-liter V8 engine with 401 horsepower and 464 LB-FT of torque. It also uses a ten-speed automatic.

Capability is a close match. The Ford F-350 XL, when set up with a regular cab, long bed, and two-wheel drive, can carry up to 8,000 pounds in its bed and tow up to 18,900 pounds. GMC's Sierra 3500 is similar, carrying 7,290 pounds and towing up to 19,150 pounds. GMC also includes driver-assist features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping support, and pedestrian alerts standard on the Sierra 3500 Pro, helping it match Ford's optional Co-Pilot360 system.

Where the GMC stands out is in convenience. It comes with a special tailgate that has six built-in functions to make loading and unloading easier. Its bed includes twelve fixed tie-down points, with space to add nine more clip-in points for securing cargo. Ford sticks with a more traditional tailgate design but does include a Class V hitch and trailer brake wiring right from the factory, tools that can be particularly helpful if you're regularly towing heavy loads.

The 2025 Ford F-450 XL starts at $55,995 and comes with a 7.3-liter V8 engine. You get 335 horsepower and 468 LB-FT of torque, alongside Ford's heavy-duty 10-speed TorqShift transmission. Ram, as an alternative, is about $2,300 less, with the 2025 4500 Tradesman starting at $53,665. It includes an eight-speed automatic as well as a 6.4-liter HEMI engine producing 375 horsepower and 429 LB-FT of torque.

The Ford F-450 can carry up to 9,890 pounds in the bed and tow up to 18,200 pounds using a standard hitch, helped by strong 4.88 axle gears. The Ram 4500 has a payload limit of 9,390 pounds, and a higher towing capacity of 20,920 pounds and a gross vehicle weight rating of 16,500 pounds — the limit for how much a vehicle can weigh when fully loaded. That means the Ram pulls more trailer weight, while the Ford leads in how much it can carry.

Ford includes a heavy-duty trailer hitch, built-in wiring for work upgrades, and its SYNC 4 system that provides GPS and vehicle-health data for fleet customers, though a subscription is required. The TorqShift transmission also supports power take-off (PTO). Ram, however, takes a different approach — offering an optional rear air suspension that helps keep the ride level when carrying heavy loads. It also moves the gear shifter to the steering column, clearing up extra space in the center of the cab for tools, paperwork, or whatever the job demands.

The 2025 Ford F-550 XL chassis cab starts at $56,345, and runs on a 7.3-liter gas V-8 that delivers 335 horsepower and 468 LB-FT of torque. It includes Ford's TorqShift 10-speed automatic, which includes a built-in power-take-off so you can run plows, pumps, or welders right from the engine. The F-550 has a 18,500 maximum gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), and has a 30,000 pound gross combined weight rating (GCVR), or the total weight limit of the truck and cargo. Diesels can run higher, up to 43,000 pounds with the High-Capacity Tow Package. Plus, Ford's Pro Vehicle Integration System 2.0 lets you plug cranes or lift gates straight into the truck via the SYNC 4 screen.

On the other hand, the 2025 Ram 5500 Tradesman chassis cab starts at $54,775, and runs on a 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 that delivers 375 horsepower and 429 LB-FT of torque. Owners can also enjoy an eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission, and the fact that the truck is Power Take-Off (PTO) capable — however, activating this requires a factory option or an upgrade. The 5500 Tradesman carries a 19,500 pounds maximum GVWR and a 28,500 pound GCWR. Diesel versions can be configured for higher GCWR, up to 43,000 lb. The Tradesman also has a Vehicle System Interface Module with five programmable aux switches. With the extra package, you can get the 2.4-kW onboard power system for welders or compressors, and Auto-Level Rear Air Suspension.