Compare the2023 Ram HDVS 2023 GMC Sierra HD

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

Both the Ram HD and the Sierra HD 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 four-wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Ram HD’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Sierra HD’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 HD’s warranty.

The Ram HD 3500 has a solid front axle with a floating power axle for durability that the Sierra HD 4x4’s independent front suspension and exposed front driveshafts don’t offer.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Ram HD has a standard 180-amp alternator. The Sierra HD’s standard 170-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Ram HD has a standard 730-amp battery. The Sierra HD only offers a standard 720-amp battery.

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.

The Ram HD’s 6.4 V8 produces 9 more horsepower (410 vs. 401) than the Sierra HD’s 6.6 V8.

The Ram HD 3500’s optional 6.7 turbo diesel produces 165 lbs.-ft. more torque (1075 vs. 910) than the Sierra HD’s 6.6 turbo V8 diesel.

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

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Ram HD Gas’ 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. The Sierra HD doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Ram HD Standard Bed Crew Cab’s standard fuel tank has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sierra HD Diesel Regular Cab’s standard fuel tank (31 vs. 28 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Ram HD Regular Cab’s standard fuel tank has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sierra HD Diesel Regular Cab’s standard fuel tank (32 vs. 28 gallons). The Ram HD Long Bed Crew Cab’s optional fuel tank has 14 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sierra HD’s standard fuel tank (50 vs. 36 gallons).

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

For better traction, the Ram HD’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sierra HD (285/60R20 vs. 275/70R18).

The Ram HD’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sierra HD’s optional 65 series tires.

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

The Ram HD Power Wagon has an active front sway bar, which helps keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnects at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Sierra HD doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

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

The Ram HD 3500 has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Sierra HD doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Ram HD is 1.1 inches wider in the front and .3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Sierra HD.

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

The Ram HD is shorter than the Sierra HD, making the Ram HD easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces:

The front grille of the Ram HD 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 HD doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

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

The Ram HD Crew Cab has 1.7 inches more front hip room, 2.5 inches more rear hip room and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Sierra HD Crew Cab.

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

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

Maximum trailer towing in the GMC Sierra HD is limited to 36,000 pounds. The Ram HD 3500 Long Box Regular Cab offers up to a 37090 lbs. towing capacity.

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

The Ram HD has higher optional payload capacities than the Sierra HD:

The Ram HD’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 HD’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The Ram HD’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Ram HD offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Sierra HD doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Ram HD also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Ram HD offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Sierra HD doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

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

Motor Trend selected the Ram HD as their 2020 Truck of the Year. The Sierra HD has never been chosen.

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