Compare the2023 Ram 1500VS 2023 GMC Sierra 1500

Both the Ram 1500 and the Sierra 1500 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 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 1500:

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 176 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Sierra 1500 does not qualify as a “Top Safety Pick.”

The Ram 1500’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Sierra 1500’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.

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 24 points higher than the Sierra 1500.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Ram vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ram 5 places higher in reliability than GMC.

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

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

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 1500 with the 6.2 V8 engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 31.4 cents more per gallon.

The Ram 1500’s standard fuel tank has a gallon more fuel capacity than the Sierra 1500 2WD Diesel’s standard fuel tank (23 vs. 22 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Ram 1500’s optional fuel tank has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sierra 1500’s standard fuel tank (26 vs. 24 gallons). The Ram 1500’s optional fuel tank has 5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sierra 1500 Regular Cab 4x4’s standard fuel tank (33 vs. 28 gallons).

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

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

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 1500’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 1500.

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

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

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

For excellent aerodynamics, the Ram 1500 has standard flush composite headlights. The Sierra 1500 has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

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 1500 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 1500 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

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 1500 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 1500 Crew Cab.

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

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Ram 1500 uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Sierra 1500 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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

The Ram 1500 standard bed Quad Cab has a higher optional payload capacity than the Sierra 1500 Standard Box Double Cab (2300 vs. 2150 lbs.).

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 1500’s standard power windows’ front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

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 1500’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 1500 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Ram 1500 has standard power remote mirrors. The Sierra 1500 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 1500.

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 1500 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

On extremely cold winter days, the Ram 1500’s optional (except Tradesman/HFE) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Sierra 1500 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

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 1500 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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

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 1500 was rated third.

The Ram 1500 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023 and 4 more times in the last 5 years. The Sierra 1500 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

Motor Trend selected the Ram 1500 as their 2019 Truck of the Year. The Sierra 1500 has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Ram 1500 as the 2019 North American Truck of the Year. The Sierra 1500 has never been chosen.

The Ram Pickup outsold the GMC Sierra by almost two to one during 2022.