Compare the2023 Ram 1500VS 2023 Ford F-150

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Ram 1500 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The F-150 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the Ram 1500 and the F-150 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 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 Ford F-150:

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 Ford F-150:

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

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Ram 1500 has a standard 730-amp battery. The F-150’s 610-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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 23 points higher than the F-150.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Ram vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ram 15 places higher in reliability than Ford.

The Ram 1500’s 3.0 turbo V6 diesel produces 215 lbs.-ft. more torque (480 vs. 265) than the F-150’s standard 3.3 DOHC V6. The Ram 1500’s 3.0 turbo V6 diesel produces 80 lbs.-ft. more torque (480 vs. 400) than the F-150’s optional 2.7 turbo V6. The Ram 1500’s 3.0 turbo V6 diesel produces 70 lbs.-ft. more torque (480 vs. 410) than the F-150’s optional 5.0 DOHC V8.

On the EPA test cycle the Ram 1500 gets better mileage than the F-150:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Ram 1500 V8’s fuel efficiency. The F-150 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Both the Ram 1500 eTORQUE/Diesel and the F-150 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. The F-150 PowerBoost doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

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 F-150 with the 3.5 turbo V6 engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

For better stopping power the Ram 1500’s brake rotors are larger than those on the F-150:

The Ram 1500 stops much shorter than the F-150:

For better traction, the Ram 1500 has larger standard tires than the F-150 (275/65R18 vs. 245/70R17). The Ram 1500’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the F-150 (285/45R22 vs. 275/60R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Ram 1500 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the F-150.

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 F-150 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Ram 1500 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Ram 1500 flat and controlled during cornering. The F-150’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 F-150, 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 F-150 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 F-150 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Ram 1500 short bed Limited Crew Cab Pickup 4x4 handles at .78 G’s, while the F-150 5.5-foot Lariat SuperCrew 4x4 pulls only .72 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Ram 1500’s turning circle is tighter than the F-150’s:

For greater off-road capability the Ram 1500 short bed Crew Cab Pickup w/Air Suspension has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the F-150 6.5-foot Regular Cab (10.8 vs. 9.4 inches), allowing the Ram 1500 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Ram 1500 is shorter than the F-150, making the Ram 1500 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces:

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 F-150 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 F-150 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Ram 1500 short bed Limited Crew Cab Pickup 4x4 is quieter than the F-150 5.5-foot Lariat SuperCrew 4x4 (38 vs. 40 dB).

The Ram 1500 Quad Cab has .1 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front hip room, 2.1 inches more rear legroom and .8 inches more rear hip room than the F-150 SuperCab.

The Ram 1500 Crew Cab Pickup has .1 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front hip room, 1.6 inches more rear legroom and .8 inches more rear hip room than the F-150 SuperCrew.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Ram 1500 Crew Cab’s available rear seats recline. The F-150’s optional rear seats don’t recline.

The Ram 1500 Crew Cab Pickup shortbed has a much larger cargo box than the F-150 SuperCrew shortbed (53.9 vs. 52.8 cubic feet).

The Ram 1500’s cargo box is larger than the F-150’s in almost every dimension:

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 F-150 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.

The Ram 1500’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the F-150’s (6120 vs. 5000 pounds).

The Ram 1500 has a higher standard payload capacity than the F-150:

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 F-150 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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 F-150.

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 F-150’s basic optional power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them. The F-150 XLT/Lariat/King Ranch/Platinum’s rear windows don’t close automatically.

The Ram 1500 has standard power remote mirrors. The F-150 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. Ford charges extra for heated mirrors on the F-150.

When the Ram 1500 Laramie/Longhorn/Limited is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The F-150’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

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 F-150 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Bluetooth wireless connectivity is standard on the Ram 1500, connecting the driver and passenger’s cell phones to the vehicle systems. This allows them to use the vehicle’s stereo and hand controls to place calls safely and easily. Bluetooth costs extra on the F-150.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ram 1500 will be $1240 to $3344 less than for the Ford F-150.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Ram 1500, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Ford F-150 isn't recommended.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its October 2022 issue and the Ram 1500 short bed Limited Crew Cab Pickup 4x4 won out over the Ford F-150 5.5-foot Lariat SuperCrew 4x4.

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 F-150 was rated second.

The Ram 1500 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 3 of the last 3 years. The F-150 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 F-150 hasn’t been picked since 2018.

Motor Trend selected the Ram 1500 as their 2019 Truck of the Year. The F-150 was Truck of the Year in 2018.

The Ram 1500 was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 4 of the last 13 years. The F-150 hasn’t been picked since 1998.