Ram does its best to one-up the competition whenever it can, and where it matters most. Its pickups are sturdy, and well-built, and can be comfortable and safe commuters or capable workhorses. Whatever pickup brand suits customers best or has the best customer loyalty, looking at models like the 1500 full-size half-ton truck, 2500 3/4 ton, and 3500 one-ton trucks objectively, we see how Ram trucks outperform the competition in several instances, and here's why they can be suitable pickups to perfectly fit any needs that a Ford or Chevy pickup can as well.
We have gathered information from Kelley Blue Book and carsurvey.org to help us give you some insights into customer satisfaction and how Ram trucks stack up against its main competitors from Ford and Chevy. We've also looked at caredge.com and factory OEM specs and MSRP to grasp available trims and prices on these trucks.
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10 The Ram Classic Is Cheaper Than Any Other Entry-Level Trim From The Competition
With The Ram Classic, you get an affordable brand-new pickup with decent hauling and cargo capacity
Entry-level single-cab pickups represent a small portion of the purchases of these trucks, but the simple fact is Ram's entry-level truck is the cheapest among its competitors. Ford pickup trucks come close in starting price but lose to the Ram Tradesman which has a starting MSRP of $30,695, and it comes standard with an 8-speed automatic transmission and the 3.6 liter V-6 Pentastar engine. With $2,995 extra you can equip it with a 5.7 liter Hemi V-8 as well as an upgraded transmission to handle the extra torque.
Ram 1500 Prices vs The Competition
Ram | MSRP | Ford F-150 | MSRP | Chevy Silverado 1500 | MSRP |
1500 CLASSIC | $30,235 | XL | $33,695 | Reg Cab, Std Bed | $38,195 |
1500 | $37,410 | XLT | $41,800 | Reg Cab, Long Bed | $38,395 |
1500 TRX | $84,555 | LARIAT | $57,480 | Double Cab, Std Bed | $41,495 |
TREMOR | $60,970 | Crew Cab, Short Bed | $43,895 | ||
KING RANCH | $63,005 | Crew Cab, Standard Bed | $44,195 | ||
PLATINUM | $64,695 | ||||
RAPTOR | $76,775 | ||||
LIMITED | $84,910 |
As seen in the table above, Ram prices start lower, and only the very special Ram 1500 TRX model goes up to the F-150 LIMITED price range. Chevy Silverado 1500 trucks start at a way higher price point than Ram and Ford without delivering anything that could be considered noticeably better.
The 2500 class
In the 2500 class, the competition starts to get heated and the effort Chevy and Ford make to one-up Ram is clear. The MSRP and engine specs and towing capabilities for the base models of the 3/4 ton pickups from each brand are:
- $45,475 for the Ram 2500 Tradesman Regular Cab 4x2. This one comes standard with the 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 with 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque. While the standard Ram 2500 with the Hemi has a max towing capacity of 17,730, the max towing for Ram's 2500 class is 19,980 pounds when equipped with the 6.7-liter inline-six turbo diesel Cummins engine. Here it is worth pointing out that the standard 410 horsepower of the Hemi V-8 is another best-in-class for the Ram 2500. The Ram comes standard with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
- $43,970 for the Ford F-250 XL Regular Cab 4x2. The Ford comes with a bigger, 6.8-liter gasoline V-8 engine as standard, which makes 405 horsepower and 444.75 pound-feet of torque paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Its towing capacity is 14,800 pounds while the max towing capacity of a Ford F-250 when equipped with a gooseneck and the 6.7-liter V-8 turbo diesel is 23,000 pounds.
- $45,295 for the Chevy WT Regular Cab 4x2. The standard gas engine on the Chevy 2500 HD is a 6.6-liter V-8 paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This gasoline V-8 makes 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque. Max towing capacity when properly equipped and with the 6.6-liter Duramax turbo diesel V-8 is 22,430 pounds, while the standard towing capacity with the gasoline V-8 goes as high as 18,700 pounds according to gmauthority.com.
The 3500 class
Now let's have a quick overview of how the fight goes in the 3500 class:
Ram 3500 | Ford F-350 | Chevy Silverado 3500 HD | |
Base MSRP | $47,580 | $45,015 | $49,995 |
Standard Engine | 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 | 6.8-liter gasoline V-8 | 6.6-liter gasoline V-8 L8T |
Standard Engine Output | 410 ho and 429 lb-ft of torque | 405 hp and 445 lb-ft of torque | 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque |
Standard Engine Max Towing Capacity | 18,210 pounds | 18,700 pounds | 19,080 pounds |
Max Towing Capacity When Properly Equipped | 37,090 pounds | 26,700 pounds | 36,000 pounds |
So, among the heavier weights, the Ram 3500 wins in the max towing capacity, but loses out on the standard model max towing capacity. It also has a competitive price, sitting between the cheaper Ford F-350 and the more expensive Silverado 3500 HD. Ford does offer the F-450 that can tow up to 40,000 pounds, however. The F-450 XL has a starting MSRP of $58,455 and comes standard with the 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel engine which outputs 475 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque. This engine also has a high-output version that puts out 500 horsepower and 1,200 pound-feet of torque.
9 Ram Pickups Are Known To Have The Most Comfortable Suspension
The Active-Level Four Corner Air Suspension Is Available On Crew Cab Models
When going for the Crew Cab, the Ram has an air suspension system available which is known to be best-in-class in terms of ride comfort. This self-leveling suspension system lowers the truck automatically for reduced drag and better efficiency.
Chevy also has an adaptive air suspension and comes in close to the RAM's comfort level. However, the qualities mentioned in this article should favor the Ram over Chevy for most trims, at least, if not all. Ford doesn't have air suspension available, but it does offer an off-road lift kit.
8 Ram Has The Best Interior
The Most Luxurious And Spacious Interior Is Found In The Ram
When pitted against the Chevy Silverado and The Ford F-150, the Ram interior outclasses them both. It has better quality materials, better rear seats, and an overall spacious and accommodating cabin that leaves its occupants feeling like they're riding in a luxury sedan. In fact, the higher trims' interiors feel like luxury vehicles. The Ram features best-in-class 45.2 inches of rear legroom on the crew cab, as well as exclusive in-class reclining rear seats.
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7 It Has The Most Speakers In Its Class
Harman Kardon Premium Audio System Outclasses The Competition
It's been a long time now since marketing professionals realized that people enjoy trucks and SUVs for their ruggedness, sturdy build, and capabilities. It has also been a long while since the realization that trucks and SUVs can and should offer comfort, luxury, and amenities to see a noticeable increase in sales.
This is clearly the case with these three trucks from Ram, Ford, and Chevy with starting prices varying from the low $30,000 up to the $100,000 range. In the sound department, the Ram beat its competitors again with an available 900-watt, 19-Speaker audio system from none other than renowned Harman Kardon. Talk about filling the cabin up with crisp, clear, quality music.
6 Ram Has The Best Storage Solutions
It Has The Convenient Ram box, But It Also Features Multiple Useful Storage Compartments In The Interior
The beds of these trucks are usually so big that Ram figured out a way to conveniently place a safe, insulated storage room for items that the owner may not want to leave inside the cab. These boxes are a unique solution that can be accessed from either side of the bed, have plenty of capacity, and still leave a lot of the bed for the usual big loads these trucks will carry every so often.
5 It Has Several Good And Reliable Engines Available, Including The Iconic Hemi
An Inheritance From The Dodge Days, The Hemi Is A Great Engine Option For The Ram
Far from being a marketing gimmick, the HEMI engine has interesting characteristics that make it not only a good engine but also a unique one. A few examples of such characteristics are:
- Higher power output.
- Variable Camshaft Timing System.
- It's tested and proven, and its reliability ensures long-term carefree use.
- It's a concept that allows for constant improvement over time.
Ram Pickup Trucks Full Engine Lineup Specs
Engine | 3.6-liter eTorque Pentastar V-6 | 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 | 6.2-liter Supercharged Hemi V-8 | 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 | 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 | 6.7-liter inline-six Cummings Diesel | 6.7-liter high-output inline-six Cummings Diesel |
Engine Output | 305 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque | 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque | 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque | 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque | 260 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque | 370 hp and 850 lb-ft of torque | 420 hp and 1,075 lb-ft of torque |
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4 The Ram 1500 Has The eTorque Mild Hybrid System
Standard On The Pentastar V-6 And Optional For The 5.7-liter V-8 The eTorque Optimizes Performance And Efficiency
The eTorque is a 48-Volt system that is used to start and stop the engine in a seamless, efficient way, as well as help the engine with cylinder activation. It can also help give a little power boost when running in the four-cylinder mode in the V-8 without needing to activate the remaining cylinders. The eTorque also helps with acceleration as RAM uses the 430 pound-feet of torque provided by the system during launch to help fill the gap until the internal combustion engine torque comes up, and it recharges itself by regenerative braking.
3 Ram Pickups Have The Best Warranty
Ram Warranty Is Best-In-Class
A new Ram pickup truck will provide its owner with a 5-year or 60,000-mile warranty for gasoline engines and 100,000 miles for diesel engines. Ford and Chevy match that. What makes Ram's warranty stand out, however, is that it will also come with a 5-year or 100,000-mile roadside assistance and a 5-year or 100,000-mile warranty against rust. A Factory warranty is one of the best benefits of buying a vehicle brand new, especially if it's going to see some severe use which is the case for a lot of half-ton, 3/4, and one-ton pickups offered by Ram, Ford, and Chevy.
2 Ram Won Top Safety Pick 4 Years In A Row By IIHS
IIHS Selected The Ram 1500 Crew Cab For Top Safety Pick
With the optional front crash prevention and LED projector headlights, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety provided the Ram 1500 with a top safety pick in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. That's another layer of security to keep its occupants safe and something that has become ever more important and valued by a lot of customers over the last few years. The Ram Pickup with crash prevention is a safe vehicle weather by avoiding a crash altogether or even if it is involved in a crash. Ram seems to be concerned with offering its customers an ownership experience that provides peace of mind in all aspects.
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1 The Ram 1500 Earned #1 Driver Appeal 3 Years In A Row By J.D. Power
It Has Also Been Named the Best Truck Brand Two Times by U.S. News & World Report, And Others.
As one owner from carsurvey.org puts it:
"Extremely comfortable inside. Has everything!! Like my previous Ram, yes it's got the Hemi V8 which I love. Just loves the interstates."
Ram pickups have a way of just being good at everything. The awards it's won speak for themselves. They show the Ram is a do-it-all pickup excelling in many areas and staying one step ahead of its competitors. Its performance, off-road capabilities, luxury features, ride quality, and safety ratings make for a very compelling package for anyone looking to buy a truck in this class. Ram indeed offers a truckload of advantages and deserves its place as an all-American pickup made from the best and built to last.
