Compare the2023 Ram 1500 ClassicVS 2023 Toyota Tundra

Full-time four-wheel drive is optional on the Ram 1500 Classic. 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.

Both the Ram 1500 Classic 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras and available front and rear parking sensors.

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 Classic’s warranty.

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

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 Tundra 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 Tundra requires premium, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

The Ram 1500 Classic’s standard fuel tank has 3.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tundra’s standard fuel tank (26 vs. 22.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Ram 1500 Classic stops much shorter than the Tundra:

For better traction, the Ram 1500 Classic has larger standard tires than the Tundra (265/70R17 vs. 245/75R18).

The Ram 1500 Classic’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 70 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tundra SR’s standard 75 series tires.

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

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 Tundra doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Ram 1500 Classic short bed Crew Cab 4x4 handles at .76 G’s, while the Tundra 5.5-foot bed TRD Pro Crew Cab Pickup pulls only .70 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 Tundra’s:

The Ram 1500 Classic may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 800 pounds less than the Toyota Tundra.

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

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Ram 1500 Classic short bed Crew Cab 4x4 is quieter than the Tundra 5.5-foot bed TRD Pro Crew Cab Pickup:

The Ram 1500 Classic Quad Cab has standard seating for 6 passengers; the Tundra can only carry 5.

The Ram 1500 Classic Quad Cab has .6 inches more front hip room, 1 inch more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 1.4 inches more rear legroom, 2.4 inches more rear hip room and 2.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Tundra Extended Cab Pickup.

The Ram 1500 Classic Crew Cab has .6 inches more front hip room, 1 inch more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom, 2.7 inches more rear hip room and 3.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Tundra Crew Cab Pickup.

The Ram 1500 Classic Quad Cab has a much larger cargo box than the Tundra Extended Cab Pickup shortbed (57.5 vs. 54.3 cubic feet).

The Ram 1500 Classic Crew Cab shortbed has a much larger cargo box than the Tundra Crew Cab Pickup shortbed (50.3 vs. 45.8 cubic feet). The Ram 1500 Classic Crew Cab longbed has a much larger cargo box than the Tundra Crew Cab Pickup longbed (57.5 vs. 54.3 cubic feet).

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

The Ram 1500 Classic has stake post holes, to allow the containment of tall, light loads. The Tundra doesn’t offer stake post holes.

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 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.

The Ram 1500 Classic 4WD can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Ram 1500 Classic can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Tundra can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Ram 1500 Classic short bed Crew Cab has a higher optional payload capacity than the Tundra Crew Cab Pickup (1870 vs. 1830 lbs.).

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

The Ram 1500 Classic comes in regular cab, extended cab and crew cab bodystyles; the Toyota Tundra isn’t available as a regular cab.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Ram 1500 Classic, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Toyota Tundra 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 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 1500 as their 2019 Truck of the Year. The Tundra has never been chosen.

The 1500 was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” for 4 of the last 14 years. The Tundra has never been an “All Star.”

The Ram Pickup outsold the Toyota Tundra by over four to one during 2022.