The pickup truck you drive should be more than just a powerhouse with a decent engine and solid towing capacity. Your ideal pickup truck ought to be the full package, offering stellar interior features, safety tech, and overall performance. While there are many pickup truck models on the road, we thought it would be interesting to look at the heavy hitters today in a comparison: the 2020 Ram 1500 vs 2020 Toyota Tundra.
On both sides of this competition are well-equipped pickup trucks; however, if you are buying a truck, you want the very best. So, we are going to unpack all of the details and specs of these two pickup trucks and see which would make the most optimal purchase; and there is quite a lot to consider. Those who drive pickup trucks tend to demand so much more from their vehicles than your typical driver. Intended for hauling cargo and putting in some serious muscle work, your ideal pickup truck is a tool designed to handle everything you throw at it. So, continue reading and discover which of these trucks will not just fit your needs but live up to the challenges you put it through.
What’s Available for Either Pickup Truck
When shopping for a pickup truck, there are a few things to consider before you even get to the engine, performance, or towing capacity. First, it is important to look at the trims available, and the entry-level pricing that both of these trucks offer. The cost of a truck and the trims available can make a big difference in whether or not one takes the plunge and makes a purchase.
With that being said, the Ram 1500 starts with a clear advantage, sporting a much lower cost of $32,145 MSRP. In the Ram 1500, you also get a healthy spread of trim options, including the Tradesman, Big Horn, Lone Star, LaRamie, Rebel, LaRamie Longhorn, and the Limited. On the other hand, the 2020 Toyota Tundra has a higher entry-level price of $33,575 MSRP and gives drivers the option between the SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, and TRD Pro.
So, not only does the Ram 1500 start at a lower price, but it also has more trims to offer. These two aspects are important, but let’s see the other ways the Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra compare.
Muscle Beneath the Hood
While there are many ways to understand the value of a pickup truck, one of the main avenues is through the powertrains available. As mentioned, prior, plenty of drivers expect serious performance from their trucks and use them as tools for their hauling power.
The 2020 Ram 1500 gets a solid spread of powertrains. Entry-level models start with a rather substantial 3.6-liter V6 engine that uses mild-hybrid technology to put out 305 hp and 269 lb-ft worth of torque. If you want to take things up a notch, check out the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, which is a torque heavy beast offering up 280 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. This turbodiesel also boasts an impressive tow capacity of 12,560 pounds. Although, if you want to take advantage of the peak of towing capacity, step up to the 5.7-liter V8 engine, which offers up 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque and a max tow rating of 12,750 pounds. The standard transmission on all Ram 1500 models is a nimble 8-speed automatic, and with an optional four-wheel drivetrain, the Ram 1500 can be tailored to be very off-road capable.
In terms of the power behind the Toyota Tundra, your options are rather limited. The only engine that you have available to you is a 381 hp 5.7-liter V8 that channels its power through a somewhat sluggish 6-speed automatic transmission to dish out 401 lb-ft worth of torque. While these specs look better than those of the base engine in the Ram 1500, there are no upgrades available for the Tundra. What you see is what you get. And the Ram 1500 just offers more options that lead to more power. A four-wheel drivetrain is optional in some Toyota Tundra trims, but the fact that you have so many trims to choose from but only a singular engine option is somewhat disappointing. That said, the hauling power of the Toyota Tundra is not to be understated, as when equipped for it, the Toyota Tundra can pull up to 10,200 pounds of tailgate hitched cargo. The TRD PRO trim also advances the capability of the Toyota Tundra, adding in gear like upgraded shocks, off-road tires, and a more robust suspension to make for some pretty solid off-road versatility. And with the single-engine option offering some serious torque-heavy specs, the TRD Pro trim may be a great option for anyone who wants a nature trekking pickup truck.
So, as you can tell, the Ram 1500 offers far more diverse and capable performance. The Toyota Tundra’s base engine has better capabilities than the base of the Ram 1500, but it does not offer an upgrade. So the performance category is quickly taken over by the Ram’s upgraded engines. But, still, there is more to compare before we decide which is the best of the best.
Size, Tech, and Features that Pack a Punch
Price and performance are always going to be the two most important factors in buying a truck. However, the technology and features are arguably almost as essential. Whether the technology is keeping you entertained or safe, it plays a huge role in vehicle purchases today. So, what does each of these trucks have to offer?
Well, moving behind the driver’s seat of the Toyota Tundra, you will find a rather advanced 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen that is equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as power features, and a USB charging port. The Ram 1500, on the other hand, sports a rather rudimentary 5.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which doesn’t come with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. However, this infotainment very quickly gets upgraded with all of the features offered in the Tundra, plus a 12-inch display.
It is good to have the option of paying more or less for this infotainment because, for some people, it just is not as necessary, and they do not want to pay for things they will not use. Toyota makes that decision for drivers, while Ram allows the decision to be made by the purchaser – plus, the upgraded infotainment screen is much larger than Toyota’s one option.
Finding the Superior Truck
While the Toyota Tundra may provide better performance and a larger infotainment screen as standard, it simply cannot compare to the upgraded performance and power of the 2020 Ram 1500. With so many powertrain options to choose from, a lower entry price, and the upgrade options for technology, we believe the 2020 Ram 1500 to be the better truck. And if you don’t believe it, go take some test drives! Taking a test drive can tell you most of what you need to know about a truck, plus it is fun. But for the sake of today’s argument, the Ram 1500 is easily the better truck.
