When it comes to buying a new truck, you want it all. You want to make sure that your truck has the perfect balance of capability, dependability, fuel efficiency, affordability, safety, style, and technology. It can be overwhelming to sift through all of the options on the market today, especially considering that many models have multiple trim levels with different benefits and specialization. If you’re in the market for a new truck, fear not. This article will pit the 2018 Chevy Silverado against the 2018 Dodge Ram 1500 and see which truck comes out on top in terms of performance, fuel economy, and safety.
2018 Chevy Silverado: Performance
The 2018 Chevy Silverado has a lineup of powerful, fuel-efficient engines to choose from ensuring that you can save fuel without sacrificing power. The available engines include a 4.3L V6, a 5.3L V8, and a 6.2L V8. These engines contain various fuel-saving technologies like Active Fuel Management™, Direct Injection, and Continuously Variable Valve Timing, to save you money at the pump. To get even more fuel economy, some models are equipped with eAssist Powertrain, a hybrid technology that pairs with the 5.3L V8 engine. This technology can see up to a 12 percent improvement in fuel economy. With the 6.2L V8 engine, the Silverado has a maximum horsepower of 420 at 5,600 RPM and 460 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,100 RPM. The vehicle gets an EPA-estimated 15/21 MPG in the city and on the highway. The engine also gives the truck a maximum towing capacity of 12,500 pounds and a maximum payload of 2,250 pounds. Other features that make the Silverado a powerhouse of performance include a tow/haul mode that reduces shift cycling, StabiliTrak™ with trailer sway control to prevent and manage swaying trailers and hill start assist to help prevent rollback. These features ensure that you get the job done, no matter what that might be.
2018 Dodge Ram 1500: Performance
There are three potential engines to choose from for a Ram 1500: a 5.7L Hemi® V8, a 3.0L EcoDiesel V6, and a 3.6L Pentastar® V6. The 2018 Ram 1500, unlike its competition, only gets a maximum 395 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. Likewise, the Ram’s maximum towing capacity is 10,620 pounds, and its maximum payload is 1,880 pounds. This puts the Dodge Ram 1500’s performance capabilities a bit behind the abilities of the 2018 Chevy Silverado. However, the Ram 1500’s most fuel-efficient engine, the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6, does beat out the Silverado’s fuel efficiency by getting an impressive 20/27 MPG in the city and on the highway.
The 2018 Dodge Ram 1500 does have some performance-enhancing features that do increase the capabilities of the trucks, however. For example, the Ram 1500 has Active-Level™ Four-Corner Air Suspension that automatically levels the loads and includes five ride height settings that the driver can adjust via the air springs.
The Ram 1500, like the Chevy Silverado, also includes a variety of towing features to assist with whatever you’re hauling. These features include hill start assist, an integrated trailer hitch, and trailer sway controls.
2018 Chevy Silverado: Safety
As a company, Chevrolet has a threefold approach to safety: prevent, protect, and respond. With these three goals in mind, the 2018 Chevy Silverado has numerous safety features that work together to prevent accidents from occurring, protect the driver and the passengers in the event of an accident, and respond to the accident should one occur. To prevent accidents, the Silverado includes low-speed forward automatic braking, Lane Keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert, safety alert driver’s seat, front and rear park assist, and rear vision camera. The low-speed forward automatic braking will automatically apply the brakes when the vehicle senses that an accident is imminent at low speeds. Lane Keep assist alerts the driver when drifting and will even gently maneuver the vehicle back into the lane, and the forward collision alert will alert the driver of impending accidents. The front and rear park assist alert the driver of cross traffic. These features all work together to ensure that the driver and passengers stay safe. In the event of an accident, the Silverado is designed to protect the occupants of the vehicle with six standard airbags and a high-strength steel safety cage that prevents the cab from crushing. To protect the vehicle’s occupants after an accident, many Chevy models are equipped with a free trial of OnStar, which will contact you immediately in the event of a crash and dispatch emergency assistance even if you are unable to respond. The Silverado also has Teen Driver, an available system that helps protect your teens when you’re not in the car with them. This technology promotes safe driving habits by giving audiovisual warnings when the teen is going over a certain speed, muting the radio if any occupant isn’t wearing a seatbelt, and providing the industry’s first in-car report card to parents.
2018 Dodge Ram 1500: Safety
While the 2018 Ram 1500 doesn’t have a whole lot in the way of available safety features, the structure and frame are specifically designed to protect its occupants. The truck comes equipped with four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes to keep the vehicle especially safe in icy conditions. The truck also comes with side-curtain airbags and side-impact door beams. Finally, it is built to have dynamic front crumple zones to divert the energy of a crash in the safest way possible. One special safety feature the 2018 Ram 1500 does have is electronic stability control to help the driver stay in control in treacherous driving conditions. But, when it comes to safety, the 2018 Chevy Silverado clearly comes out on top considering all of the additional features available.
When it comes to performance and safety, nothing beats a 2018 Chevy Silverado. This truck has the power you need to get the job done while giving you peace of mind. When it comes to fuel economy, the 2018 Dodge Ram 1500 beats out the Silverado with its most fuel-efficient engine, saving you money at the pump. When making your decision, be sure to take into account the vehicle’s dependability, technology, and starting price. All of these factors will help you make the decision that is right for you and your family or business.
