2020 Ford F-150 vs 2020 Ram 1500: is this even a reasonable comparison? While both trucks are top in their class in terms of towing and payload capacity, upon closer inspection, these are very different trucks. First of all, they are both clearly after the conventional consumer with how much power they offer, but Ram seems to also be targeting a different niche in the truck market. Ram is going full-luxury, you could say, all in on people wanting their trucks to replace the minivan or looking for an alternative to the crossover SUV market. This is a truck designed for the utilitarian duties of a work truck but with a top-of-its-class interior and a 12-in optional infotainment system.
While the Ram is wowing you with a refined interior, Ford is giving you more powertrain options than anyone else in the class. The Ram, for example, offers three engine options, while the Ford F-150 is giving you six different engines to choose from. Both trucks start at a similar price, but the Ram does not have a regular cab model now, so it starts a little higher.
Let’s take a quick look at these engines, so we can get an idea of what we’re dealing with:
Ford F-150 Engines
· 3.3-liter V6; 290 hp, 265 lb-ft of torque; 19/25 mpg; max towing capacity of 7,700 lb.
· 2.7-liter turbocharged V6; 325 hp, 400 lb-ft of torque; 20/26 mpg; max towing capacity of 9,100 lb.
· 5.0-liter V8; 395 hp, 400 lb-ft of torque; 17/23 mpg; max towing capacity of 11,600 lb.
· 3.5-liter turbocharged V6; 375 hp, 470 lb-ft of torque; 18/25 mpg; max towing capacity of 13,200 lb.
· 3.0-liter diesel V6; 250 hp, 440 lb-ft of torque; 22/30 mpg; max towing capacity of 11,400 lb.
· 3.5-liter turbocharged V6; 450 hp, 510 lb-ft of torque; 15/18 mpg; max towing capacity of 8,000 lb.
Ram 1500 Engines
· 3.6-liter V6; 305 hp, 269 lb-ft of torque; 20/25 mpg; max towing capacity of 7,730 lb.
· 5.7-liter V8; 395 hp, 410 lb-ft of torque; 17/23 mpg; max towing capacity of 12,750 lb.
· 3.0-liter Diesel V6; 260 hp, 480 lb-ft of torque; 22/32 mpg; max towing capacity of 12,560 lb.
You’ll notice the 1500 has the edge in the base model powertrain, with a little more horsepower and better gas mileage. After that, though, the sky’s the limit with Ford. Of note, for the V8 engines, is the Ram’s eTorque, a mild-hybrid system that offers an additional 130 lb-ft of torque and helps a little with fuel economy too. This is optional on the V8, but the eTorque system comes standard on the V6 while adding 90 lb-ft more torque.
Yet you’ll have more options on the Ford with plenty of room for customization, but the Ram engines clearly hold their own. What about the Ram interior? Let’s take a look and see just how refined a truck interior can be.
Interior of the Ram 150
Here you’ll find one of the most sophisticated interiors ever put in a pick-up truck. Ram really knocked it out of the park with this one. Aside from the truly luxurious appointments, the truck is also outfitted with an air suspension system that gives it a comfortable ride—for any car or truck. Even the base model (the Tradesman) has the style and feel of a luxury car, with innovative storage and many technological features.
With the crew cab trim, the cab is 4 inches longer, so now there’s even space for the rear seats to recline and much-appreciated added foot room for those long trips. These seats can be heated and ventilated as well for even more comfort.
Ram’s Uconnect interface for its infotainment system earns high praise. While other infotainment systems can be hard to learn and navigate, the Uconnect has sharp graphics and is known to be an easy system to learn how to customize quickly.
What’s standard for the Ram? Good question. Standard features include the aforementioned Uconnect infotainment system on a 5-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, three USB ports, six speakers, a Wi-Fi hot spot, push-button start, and a rearview camera.
Optional features include an 8.4-inch or 12-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, additional USB ports, wireless device charging, satellite radio, HD Radio, a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, two 115-volt household-style power outlets, dual-zone automatic climate control, remote start, and a single or dual-pane sunroof
Features of the Ford F-15
How does Ford compete with all of this luxury and refinement? Their focus is more on the functionality of the truck, and they do exceptionally well here. Ford has always been known to have solid interiors, and now with the added boost of modern technology, Ford is keeping up. For example, Ford’s Sync system is, along with Ram’s Uconnect, one of the best in its class. Both trucks offer Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a 4G LTE connection to turn your truck into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot.
Off-Roading Prowess
When we talk about trucks, we have to talk about off-road capability, right? Let’s take a look at how these two trucks compare in terms of off-roading options. At first glance, you’d be tempted to give Ford the edge here, since they have the Raptor trim, an off-road-beast of a truck. There really is no equivalent to the Raptor in the market anywhere right now, and its price reflects its versatility. This is a truck as comfortable on the highway as it is just about anywhere.
But hold on. Ram makes an off-road truck too, and if you’re not comfortable paying the price of the Raptor, which starts at $54,800, Ram has a cheaper alternative. Again, nothing compares to the Raptor, but let’s take a look at what Ram has to offer. If you consider your truck an extension of your personality, then you can’t go wrong with either truck—both stand out from the crowd.
The Rebel is an inch higher off the ground than the other Ram 1500s, with the option of going an inch higher with air suspension, so it already has the look and clearance of a serious off-roader. Also standard are Bilstein shocks and steel plates on its underbelly. And, of course, a locking rear differential, so you can split power to the two back wheels when you get stuck, or, so you don’t get stuck.
Starting at $44,490, it’s a little close to the Raptor’s starting price, so if you’re in the ballpark, you might want to go with the transcendent Raptor over the competent Rebel, but, again, there is no wrong choice here
Check Out the F-150 and the Ram 150
This is all to say, get down to your local dealership and check these trucks out. You will not be disappointed with the many options available to you. From refined interiors to off-road beasts, there is something for everyone now. The truck market has certainly evolved to the needs of the consumer and in a big way. Now we have the option of a luxury truck or a work truck or a commuter truck or a luxury-commuter-off-roader—what’s next? We’ll have to wait for the next model year, I guess, to go back to the future.
