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| 12,560 | Diesel Towing Capacity (lbs) | 11,500 |
| 8-Speed Automatic | Base Transmission | 6-Speed Automatic |
| 12" | Infotainment Screen Size | 8" |
If you are in the market for a pickup truck, then you have likely considered the offerings from today's biggest truck brands, Ram and Ford. Both of these brands are well known for building incredibly strong trucks that can take on even the toughest of jobs. However, there is only room for one at the top. And a full comparison of the 2020 Ram 1500 vs 2020 Ford F-150 will make it clear that the slot on top is reserved for Ram.
As full-size, light-duty trucks, the new Ram 1500 and Ford F-150 models are big enough to turn heads and strong enough to get the jobs done right. The Ram 1500 is available in two body styles and two bed lengths. Both cabins feature a four-door design and can seat five to six people. The quad cab is fitted with the shorter 5-foot-7-inch bed, and the crew cab gets the longer 6-foot-4-inch bed. Meanwhile, the 2020 Ford F-150 is available in three body styles, including regular, SuperCab, and SuperCrew. The regular cabin style seats two people and only has two doors. The SuperCab and SuperCrew cabins seat five to six people. Bed lengths vary from 5-feet-5-inches to 6-feet-5-inches to 8-feet. However, there is much more to these two trucks than the body and bed styles, which is exactly what we will get into with the full comparison.
First in the powertrain lineup for the Ram 1500 is the 3.6-liter V6 motor paired with the eTorque Mild Hybrid System. This hybrid add-on has a 48-volt battery in place of the conventional alternator. And this results in enhanced torque. You can clearly see that in the performance stats, which are 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. It also leads to a best-in-class fuel economy set at 22 MPG combined (20 city/25 highway) and the ability to tow up to 7,730 pounds. Keep in mind that all of these powertrains are equipped with the same 8-speed automatic transmission and 2WD, and you may add 4WD for enhanced traction.
The second powertrain option is a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 that makes 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. The gas mileage drops down to 19 MPG combined (17 city/23 highway), but that is to be expected for a V8-focused powertrain. Also, to be expected, the towing limit was increased to 11,610 pounds. The Ram 1500 wouldn’t be a work truck if there wasn’t a diesel option in the powertrain lineup. That’s why Ram engineers added the turbo diesel 3.0-liter V6 motor. Generating 260 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque, it can haul up to 12,560 pounds without breaking a sweat.
Finally, the last powertrain option for the 2020 Ram 1500 is the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 motor mated with the eTorque Mild Hybrid System, which increases the towing capacity to 12,750 pounds. With all of these options, the Ram 1500 offers something for every driver. Power or efficiency or both, the Ram 1500 has a choice for any need.
Moving on to the Ford F-150, there are six powertrains to choose from with towing capacities ranging between 7,400 and 13,200 pounds. The standard 3.3-liter V6 engine uses a 6-speed automatic transmission to produce 290 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. The estimated fuel economy is set at 22 mpg combined (19 city/25 highway). Next, the 2.7-liter Ecoboost V6 motor is equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It pushes out 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, and it gets 22 MPG combined (20 city/26 highway). Then, we have the 5.0-liter V8 pumping out 395 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. The same 10-speed automatic transmission carries over to this powertrain.
The fourth option is a 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 motor that generates 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. As for gas mileage, this powertrain gets 19 MPG combined (17 city/23 highway). Meanwhile, the diesel 3.0-liter PowerStroke V6 makes 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. Because it’s a diesel, the fuel economy goes up to 24 MPG combined (21 city/29 highway). Finally, the H.O. 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 engine pumps out 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. It is clear from the get-go that the Ford F-150 has more engine options. However, Ram comes out on top as the base engine has better fuel economy, and the diesel engine offers a greater towing capacity.
Whether practical or cosmetic, both the Ram 1500 and Ford F-150 have very different outward appearances. One thing you may notice right off the bat is that the Ram is more aggressive with its signature chrome-encrusted grille shining in the sunlight. Meanwhile, Ford F-150 tends to have a boxier, conventional shape that some people might find a little bit too old school.
One amazing feature that the 2020 Ram 1500 has that is exclusive is the Multifunction Tailgate. This innovative backend can function as a traditional tailgate or as two swing-out doors. This gives you much more versatility and freedom with loading and unloading cargo. For example, you can open it as a swing-out if you need to position your body closer to the truck during unloading. You can also use the swing-out configuration to load heavy items into the truck bed via a forklift. The thought of breaking off the tailgate is no longer an issue. And this Ram exclusive feature brings the Ram ahead.
Finally, the paint options for both trucks are vastly different. The Ram 1500 is available in six to eight colors depending on which trim level you choose. Your options include Diamond Black Crystal Pearl, Bright White, Granite Crystal Metallic, Maximum Steel Metallic, Billet Silver Metallic, Flame Red, Patriot Blue Pearl, and Delmonico Red Pearl. On the other hand, the Ford F-150 is available in 14 shades. You choose between gate Black, Star White, Oxford White, Blue Jeans, Lead Foot, Magma Red, Silver Spruce, Abyss Gray, Iconic Silver, Stone Gray, Magnetic, Rapid Red, Velocity Blue, and Race Red. With all of these color options, each truck can be customized to suit any personality.
Slipping behind the wheel of any of these trucks is a thrilling experience. The sheer size alone is enough to warrant some respect for these beasts. As for interiors, the results will vary depending on the trim level you want. The Ram 1500 is available in six trims, and the Ford F-150 is offered in seven. Before we dive deeper, you should know that both vehicles offer Bluetooth connectivity and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, beyond this, the two are very different.
Starting with the base trims, the Ram 1500 Tradesman and the Ford F-150 XL are the workhorses of the lineups. The Tradesman features easy-to-clean vinyl upholstery, and overhead storage compartment, door bins, and a lockable glove box. It also comes with a trio of 12-volt power outlets and a 5-inch touchscreen interface for the infotainment system. As for the F-150 XL, it features cloth upholstery. This is a bit disappointing since the cloth upholstery is more difficult to clean. It also only has two 12-volt power outlets, which limits the number of accessories you can hook up.
Next on the list are the Ram 1500 Bighorn and the Ford F-150 XLT. Both trims get an upgraded infotainment system that has the aforementioned Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivities. The Ram 1500 Bighorn also gets a 60/40 split-folding back seat for easy cabin configuration. The two most popular trims are the 1500 Laramie and the F-150 Lariat. Both models get leather-trimmed, heated/ventilated seats and a larger touchscreen. The Laramie gets an 8.4-inch touchscreen, and the Lariat gets a slightly smaller 8-inch touchscreen. The 1500 Laramie also receives a 9-speaker sound system, and the F-150 Lariat gets push-button start technology, cruise control, and satellite radio.
If you are looking for an off-roading model, then you might be interested in the 1500 Rebel or the F-150 Raptor. The Ram 1500 Rebel comes with rear parking sensors and heated seats, while the F-150 Raptor gets upgraded shocks and advanced trailer control technology. For folks who like a little Southwestern style, the Longhorn and the King Ranch might pique your interest. The 1500 Longhorn includes a heated/leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated buckets seats that are draped in premium leather. Meanwhile, the F-150 King Ranch gets a voice-activated navigation system and a Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker stereo. Next, the F-150 has an extra trim that does not have a Ram competitor, the Platinum, which is only different due to stylistic choices.
Wrapping things up, the two top-tier models are the Limited trims. Both the Ram 1500 and the Ford F-150 have premium trims that share the same name. The 1500 Limited includes a 19-speaker Harman Kardon stereo and voice-activated navigation. The F-150 Limited comes with a 360° parking camera system. Overall, both of these trucks have tons of interior features that make them special. However, the Ram's standard vinyl seats are truly useful, which could be the deal-breaker. In the end, it comes down to personal preference.