Compare the2023 Ram 1500 ClassicVS 2023 Ford F-150

Both the Ram 1500 Classic 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, rearview cameras, available four-wheel drive and front and rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ram 1500 Classic 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, results indicate that the Ram 1500 Classic 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 Classic 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 Classic’s reliability 15 points higher than the Ford F-150 and 39 points higher than the Ford F-150 Hybrid.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Ram vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ram 2 places higher in reliability than Ford.

On the EPA test cycle the Ram 1500 Classic 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 Classic V8’s fuel efficiency. The F-150 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ram 1500 Classic uses regular unleaded gasoline (mid-grade octane recommended with the 5.7 V8 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.

The Ram 1500 Classic’s standard fuel tank has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the F-150 Regular/SuperCab’s standard fuel tank (26 vs. 23 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

For better traction, the Ram 1500 Classic has larger standard tires than the F-150 (265/70R17 vs. 245/70R17).

The Ram 1500 Classic has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Ram 1500 Classic 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 Classic 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 Classic has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The F-150 doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Ram 1500 Classic’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 Classic short bed Crew Cab 4x4 handles at .76 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 Classic’s turning circle is tighter than the F-150’s:

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

The front grille of the Ram 1500 Classic 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.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Ram 1500 Classic short bed Crew Cab 4x4 is quieter than the F-150 5.5-foot Lariat SuperCrew 4x4 (37 vs. 40 dB).

The Ram 1500 Classic Quad Cab has .2 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front hip room, 1.2 inches more rear legroom and .3 inches more rear hip room than the F-150 SuperCab.

The Ram 1500 Classic Crew Cab has .2 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front hip room and .6 inches more rear hip room than the F-150 SuperCrew.

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

The Ram 1500 Classic 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 Classic offers an optional under hood light to help in making nighttime maintenance checks, adding fluids, etc. The F-150 doesn’t offer an under hood light.

The Ram 1500 Classic’s basic available front power windows lower 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 F-150’s basic optional power windows’ switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ram 1500 Classic will be $4398 to $17067 less than for the Ford F-150.

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

The Ram 1500 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 3 of the last 4 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 1500 as their 2019 Truck of the Year. The F-150 was Truck of the Year in 2018.

The 1500 was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 4 of the last 14 years. The F-150 hasn’t been picked since 1998.