Compare the2023 Ram 1500VS 2022 GMC Sierra Limited

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Ram 1500 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The GMC Sierra Limited doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 Sierra Limited doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Ram 1500 and the Sierra Limited have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available four-wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors 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 GMC Sierra Limited:

	Ram 1500	Sierra Limited
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	36%	62%
Leg Forces (l/r)	395/44 lbs.	321/499 lbs.

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

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 GMC Sierra Limited:

	Ram 1500	Sierra Limited
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	25	73
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	107 lbs.	110 lbs.
Hip Force	196 lbs.	237 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	165	255
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	47 G’s

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 Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 158 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Sierra Limited last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2017.

Warranty

The Ram 1500’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Sierra Limited’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 43 percent more Ram dealers than there are GMC dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 1500’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Ram 1500’s reliability 41 points higher than the Sierra Limited.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Ram vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ram 9 places higher in reliability than GMC.

Engine

The Ram 1500’s 3.0 turbo V6 diesel produces 20 lbs.-ft. more torque (480 vs. 460) than the Sierra Limited’s 3.0 turbo diesel.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ram 1500 V8 hybrid gas is faster than the GMC Sierra Limited V8:

	1500	Sierra Limited
Zero to 60 MPH	5.9 sec	6 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	2.9 sec	3 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			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	17 city/23 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
		3.0 turbo V6 Diesel	21 city/29 hwy
Sierra Limited
	RWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	23 city/30 hwy
		2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/22 hwy
		5.3 OHV V8	16 city/21 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	22 city/26 hwy
		AT4 3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	20 city/23 hwy
		2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	17 city/20 hwy
		5.3 OHV V8	15 city/20 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	15 city/20 hwy
		AT4 2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	16 city/18 hwy
		5.3 OHV V8	15 city/19 hwy
		AT4 5.3 OHV V8	14 city/18 hwy

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

Both the Ram 1500 eTORQUE/Diesel and the Sierra Limited 8-speed Auto/Diesel have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Ram 1500 eTORQUE/Diesels have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. A disable switch costs extra on the Sierra Limited.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ram 1500 uses regular unleaded gasoline (mid-grade octane recommended with the 5.7 V8 hybrid engine for maximum performance). The Sierra Limited with the 6.2 V8 engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

The Ram 1500’s optional fuel tank has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sierra Limited Double/Crew Cab’s standard fuel tank (26 vs. 24 gallons). The Ram 1500’s optional fuel tank has 5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sierra Limited Regular Cab’s standard fuel tank (33 vs. 28 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

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

	1500	Sierra Limited
Front Rotors	14.9 inches	13.5 inches
Rear Rotors	14.8 inches	14.1 inches

The Ram 1500 stops shorter than the Sierra Limited:

	Ram 1500	Sierra Limited
60 to 0 MPH	122 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Ram 1500 has larger standard tires than the Sierra Limited (275/65R18 vs. 255/70R17). The Ram 1500’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sierra Limited (285/45R22 vs. 275/60R20).

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 Sierra Limited’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Ram 1500 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Sierra Limited.

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 Sierra Limited’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 Sierra Limited, 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 Sierra Limited doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

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

For better maneuverability, the Ram 1500’s turning circle is tighter than the Sierra Limited’s:

	Ram 1500	Sierra Limited
Extended Cab Standard Bed	45.1 feet	46.3 feet
Crew Cab Short Bed	46.2 feet	46.3 feet
Extended Cab Standard Bed 4x4	45.1 feet	46.3 feet
Crew Cab Short Bed 4x4	46.2 feet	46.3 feet
Crew Cab Standard Bed 4x4	48.7 feet	49.5 feet

For greater off-road capability the Ram 1500 standard bed Crew Cab Pickup has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Sierra 1500 Limited Standard Bed Crew Cab (8.6 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Ram 1500 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

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 Sierra Limited 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 Sierra Limited doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Ram 1500 Quad Cab has 2.2 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more rear legroom, 3.2 inches more rear hip room and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the Sierra Limited Double Cab.

The Ram 1500 Crew Cab Pickup has 2.2 inches more front hip room, 1.8 inches more rear legroom, 3.2 inches more rear hip room and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Sierra Limited Crew Cab.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Ram 1500 Crew Cab’s available rear seats recline. The Sierra Limited’s optional rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

Both the Ram 1500 and Sierra Limited have bed indentations that accommodate 2x4’s for two-tiered loading, but the Ram 1500 also has indentations to separate the cargo box into three different sections length-wise.

Payload and Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the GMC Sierra Limited is limited to 12100 pounds. The Ram 1500 standard bed Quad Cab offers up to a 12750 lbs. towing capacity.

The Ram 1500 has a higher standard payload capacity than the Sierra Limited:

	Ram 1500	Sierra Limited
Extended Cab 1500	2300 lbs.	2030 lbs.
Crew Cab 1500	2030 lbs.	2030 lbs.

The Ram 1500 standard bed Quad Cab has a higher optional payload capacity than the Sierra 1500 Limited Standard Bed Double Cab (2300 vs. 2160 lbs.).

Ergonomics

The Ram 1500’s standard power windows allow the driver or passenger to lower and raise the windows without leaning over or being distracted. Power windows cost extra on the Sierra Limited.

The Ram 1500’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Sierra Limited’s basic optional power windows’ front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

The Ram 1500’s standard power locks allow the driver or passenger to lock or unlock all the doors at a touch without leaning over. Power locks cost extra on the Sierra Limited.

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 Sierra Limited’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. 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 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 Sierra Limited’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

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 Sierra Limited doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Ram 1500 has standard power remote mirrors. The Sierra Limited only comes with remote mirrors at extra cost. Without them the driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

The Ram 1500’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. GMC charges extra for heated mirrors on the Sierra Limited.

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 Sierra Limited doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

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 Sierra Limited 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 Sierra Limited because it costs $618 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Ram 1500 than the Sierra Limited, including $372 less for a muffler, $110 less for front brake pads, $149 less for a starter, $256 less for fuel injection, $210 less for a fuel pump, $735 less for a timing belt/chain and $317 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Ram 1500, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Four Wheeler performed a comparison test in its June 2019 issue and the Ram 1500 standard bed Rebel Quad Cab 4x4 won out over the GMC Sierra 1500 Limited Short Bed AT4 Crew Cab.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Ram 1500 first among large light duty pickups in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Sierra Limited isn’t in the top three.

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

The Ram 1500 was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 4 of the last 13 years. The Sierra Limited has never been an “All Star.”

The Ram Pickup outsold the GMC Sierra Limited by over two to one during the 2021 model year.