Compare the2022 Ram 1500VS 2021 Toyota Tundra

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Ram 1500 (except Tradesman/HFE) offers optional Reverse Stop that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Tundra doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Full-time four-wheel drive is optional on the Ram 1500. Full-time four-wheel drive gives added traction for safety in all conditions, not just off-road, like the only system available on the Tundra.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Ram 1500’s optional Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Tundra doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The Ram 1500 Laramie/Longhorn/Limited offers an optional Surround View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Tundra only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Ram 1500 and the Tundra have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ram 1500 is safer than the Toyota Tundra:

	Ram 1500	Tundra
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	37%	41%
Leg Forces (l/r)	429/424 lbs.	474/515 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	36%	50%
Leg Forces (l/r)	395/44 lbs.	557/390 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Ram 1500 Crew Cab Pickup is safer than the Tundra Double Cab:

	1500	Tundra
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Lower Leg Evaluation	MARGINAL	POOR
Tibia index R/L	1.33/.59	1.4/.8
Tibia forces R/L	2.1/2.4 kN	5.8/6.7 kN

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ram 1500 is safer than the Toyota Tundra:

	Ram 1500	Tundra
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	13	36
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	165	396
Hip Force	657 lbs.	682 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Ram 1500 the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 130 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Tundra is not a “Top Pick.”

Warranty

There are almost 2 times as many Ram dealers as there are Toyota dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 1500’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ram vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ram first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 13th.

Engine

The Ram 1500’s optional 5.7 V8 produces 14 more horsepower (395 vs. 381) and 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (410 vs. 401) than the Tundra’s 5.7 DOHC V8.

The Ram 1500’s 3.0 turbo V6 diesel produces 79 lbs.-ft. more torque (480 vs. 401) than the Tundra’s 5.7 DOHC V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ram 1500 V8 is faster than the Toyota Tundra:

	1500	Tundra
Zero to 30 MPH	2.1 sec	2.4 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.3 sec	6.7 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	10.5 sec	11.2 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	15.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.4 MPH	92.7 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Ram 1500 gets better mileage than the Tundra:

			MPG
Ram 1500
	RWD	HFE 3.0 turbo V6 Diesel	23 city/33 hwy
		HFE 3.6 V6 Hybrid	20 city/26 hwy
		3.6 V6 Hybrid	20 city/25 hwy
		5.7 V8 Hybrid	18 city/23 hwy
		5.7 OHV V8	15 city/22 hwy
		3.0 turbo V6 Diesel	22 city/32 hwy
	AWD	3.6 V6 Hybrid	19 city/24 hwy
		5.7 V8 Hybrid	18 city/22 hwy
		5.7 OHV V8	15 city/21 hwy
		3.0 turbo V6 Diesel	21 city/29 hwy

Tundra
	RWD	5.7 DOHC V8	13 city/17 hwy
	AWD	5.7 DOHC V8	13 city/17 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Ram 1500 V8’s fuel efficiency. The Tundra doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Ram 1500 eTORQUE’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Tundra doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Ram 1500 eTORQUE/Diesel’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Tundra doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Ram 1500 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Tundra doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Ram 1500, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Tundra.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Ram 1500’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Tundra:

	1500	Tundra
Front Rotors	14.9 inches	13.9 inches
Rear Rotors	14.8 inches	13.6 inches

The Ram 1500 stops much shorter than the Tundra:

	Ram 1500	Tundra
70 to 0 MPH	179 feet	198 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	122 feet	145 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	146 feet	178 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Ram 1500 has larger standard tires than the Tundra (275/65R18 vs. 255/70R18). The Ram 1500’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Tundra (285/45R22 vs. 275/65R18).

The Ram 1500’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tundra’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Ram 1500 offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Tundra’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Ram 1500’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Toyota Tundra only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Ram 1500 has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Tundra doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

The Ram 1500 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Ram 1500 flat and controlled during cornering. The Tundra’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The front and rear suspension of the Ram 1500 uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the Tundra, which uses leaf springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The Ram 1500 has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Tundra doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Ram 1500’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions that would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Tundra doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Ram 1500 short bed Limited Crew Cab Pickup 4x4 handles at .77 G’s, while the Tundra Standard Bed Limited Double Cab 4x4 pulls only .67 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Ram 1500 standard bed Rebel Quad Cab 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.9 seconds quicker than the Tundra Short Bed TRD Pro CrewMax 4x4 (27.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 30.6 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Ram 1500 short bed Crew Cab Pickup w/Air Suspension has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Tundra Standard Bed Double Cab (10.8 vs. 10.6 inches), allowing the Ram 1500 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Ram 1500 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 400 pounds less than the Toyota Tundra.

The design of the Ram 1500 amounts to more than styling. The Ram 1500 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .357 Cd. That is lower than the Tundra (.37). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Ram 1500 get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the Ram 1500 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Tundra doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Ram 1500 offers available computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Tundra doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Ram 1500 short bed Limited Crew Cab Pickup 4x4 is quieter than the Tundra Standard Bed Limited Double Cab 4x4:

	1500	Tundra
At idle	38 dB	45 dB
Full-Throttle	72 dB	75 dB
70 MPH Cruising	65 dB	69 dB

Passenger Space

The Ram 1500 Quad Cab has .2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Tundra (117.2 vs. 117).

The Ram 1500 Quad Cab has 1.2 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more rear legroom, .8 inches more rear hip room and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Tundra Double Cab.

The Ram 1500 Crew Cab Pickup has 1.2 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 2.9 inches more rear legroom, 3 inches more rear hip room and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Tundra CrewMax.

Cargo Capacity

The Ram 1500 offers an optional rear cargo step, which folds out and allows for much easier access to the cargo area. The Toyota Tundra doesn’t offer a rear cargo step.

The Ram 1500 has an all welded cargo box to eliminate possible corrosion spots and to provide better chassis stiffness. The cargo box in the Tundra is bolted through the bed to the frame with large bolts. These bolts are a prime area for corrosion to start as the normal flexing of the truck’s chassis causes them to eat through the finish; they can also snag cargo as it slides in and out.

Payload and Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Toyota Tundra is limited to 10200 pounds. The Ram 1500 standard bed Quad Cab offers up to a 12750 lbs. towing capacity.

The Ram 1500 has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Tundra:

	Ram 1500	Tundra
Extended Cab 1500	2300 lbs.	1730 lbs.
Crew Cab 1500	2030 lbs.	1660 lbs.
Extended Cab 1500 4x4	1830 lbs.	1630 lbs.
Crew Cab 1500 4x4	1840 lbs.	1560 lbs.

The Ram 1500 has higher optional payload capacities than the Tundra:

	Ram 1500	Tundra
Extended Cab 1500	2300 lbs.	1730 lbs.
Crew Cab 1500	2030 lbs.	1660 lbs.
Extended Cab 1500 4x4	1940 lbs.	1630 lbs.
Crew Cab 1500 4x4	1860 lbs.	1560 lbs.

Servicing Ease

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Ram 1500 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Toyota doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Tundra.

Ergonomics

The Ram 1500 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Tundra doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Ram 1500’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Tundra’s parking brake has to released manually.

The power windows standard on both the Ram 1500 and the Tundra have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Ram 1500 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Tundra prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Ram 1500’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Tundra’s power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. The Tundra’s optional windows’ rear windows don’t close automatically.

The Ram 1500’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Tundra’s power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Ram 1500’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Tundra SR’s standard wipers have no intermittent settings at all, so the driver will have to constantly turn them on and off. The Ram 1500’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Tundra SR5/Limited/Platinum/1794/TRD Pro’s manually variable intermittent wipers don’t change delay with speed.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Ram 1500’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Tundra’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn/Limited has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Tundra doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Ram 1500’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Tundra’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

Both the Ram 1500 and the Tundra offer available heated front seats. The Ram 1500 Laramie/Longhorn/Limited also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Tundra.

The Ram 1500 Laramie/Longhorn/Limited has standard front air-conditioned seats and the Ram 1500 Longhorn/Limited offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Tundra doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

On extremely cold winter days, the Ram 1500’s optional (except Tradesman/HFE) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Tundra doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Ram 1500 Laramie/Longhorn/Limited’s optional Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Tundra doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Ram 1500 is less expensive to operate than the Tundra because it costs $154 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Ram 1500 than the Tundra, including $11 less for a water pump, $233 less for a muffler, $731 less for a starter, $172 less for fuel injection, $126 less for a fuel pump and $735 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

Four Wheeler performed a comparison test in its June 2019 issue and they ranked the Ram 1500 standard bed Rebel Quad Cab 4x4 first. They ranked the Toyota Tundra Short Bed TRD Pro CrewMax 4x4 third.

The Ram 1500 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 3 of the last 3 years. The Tundra has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Ram 1500 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” in 2019. The Tundra has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.

Motor Trend selected the Ram 1500 as their 2019 Truck of the Year. The Tundra was Truck of the Year in 2008.

The Ram 1500 was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 4 of the last 12 years. The Tundra has never been an “All Star.”

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Ram 1500 as the 2013 North American Truck of the Year. The Tundra has never been chosen.

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