Compare the2024 Ram 1500VS 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Payload
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the Ram 1500 and the Silverado 1500 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 Chevrolet Silverado 1500:

	Ram 1500	Silverado 1500
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Compression	35 lbs.	41 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	293	410
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	36%	38%
Neck Compression	71 lbs.	76 lbs.

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 Chevrolet Silverado 1500:

	Ram 1500	Silverado 1500
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	25	74
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	107 lbs.	109 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	13	72
Spine Acceleration	29 G’s	30 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	165	253
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	43 G’s

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Ram 1500 Crew Cab is safer than the Silverado 1500 Crew Cab:

	1500	Silverado 1500
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	27	49
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	112 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.47 in	.51 in
Torso Max Deflection	.59 in	.71 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	58	158
Neck Tension	45 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	1.57 in	1.65 in
Shoulder Force	402 lbs.	446 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.83 in	2.13 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	12 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

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

Warranty

The Ram 1500’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Silverado 1500’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

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 20 points higher than the Silverado 1500.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Ram 1500 first among large light duty pickups in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The Silverado 1500 isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ram vehicles are better in initial quality than Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ram second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chevrolet is ranked fifth.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Ram vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ram 5 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Engine

As tested in Motor Trend the Ram 1500 V8 hybrid gas is faster than the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 V8:

	1500	Silverado 1500
Zero to 60 MPH	5.9 sec	6.4 sec
Quarter Mile	14.4 sec	14.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97.6 MPH	94.1 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Ram 1500
	RWD	HFE 3.6 V6 Hybrid	20 city/26 hwy
		3.6 V6 Hybrid	20 city/25 hwy
		5.7 V8 Hybrid	18 city/23 hwy
	AWD	3.6 V6 Hybrid	19 city/24 hwy
		5.7 V8 Hybrid	18 city/22 hwy
Silverado 1500
	RWD	2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/22 hwy
		5.3 OHV V8	16 city/22 hwy
		5.3 OHV V8	16 city/21 hwy
	AWD	ZR2 3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	20 city/22 hwy
		2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	18 city/21 hwy
		5.3 OHV V8	15 city/20 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	15 city/20 hwy
		Trail Boss 2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	17 city/18 hwy
		Z71 5.3 OHV V8	15 city/19 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Ram 1500 eTORQUE’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Silverado 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 Silverado 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 Silverado 1500 Diesel Short/Standard Bed’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 Silverado 1500 Double/Crew Cab’s standard fuel tank (26 vs. 24 gallons). The Ram 1500’s optional fuel tank has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Silverado 1500 Regular Cab Long Bed’s standard fuel tank (33 vs. 28.3 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

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

	1500	Silverado 1500
Front Rotors	14.9 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	14.8 inches	13.6 inches

The Ram 1500 stops much shorter than the Silverado 1500:

	Ram 1500	Silverado 1500
60 to 0 MPH	122 feet	139 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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

Suspension and Handling

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

The Ram 1500 standard bed Quad Cab 4x4 handles at .76 G’s, while the Silverado 1500 Short Box ZR2 Crew Cab pulls only .70 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Ram 1500 standard bed Quad Cab 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the Silverado 1500 Short Box ZR2 Crew Cab (27.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 29.3 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

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

	Ram 1500	Silverado 1500
Extended Cab Standard Bed	45.1 feet	46.3 feet
Crew Cab Short Bed	46.2 feet	46.3 feet
Extended Cab Standard Bed 4x4	45.1 feet	46.3 feet
Crew Cab Short Bed 4x4	46.2 feet	46.3 feet
Crew Cab Standard Bed 4x4	48.7 feet	49.5 feet

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

Chassis

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 Silverado 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 Silverado 1500 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

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 Silverado 1500 Double Cab.

The Ram 1500 Crew Cab 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 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab.

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

Payload

The Ram 1500 standard bed Quad Cab has a higher standard payload capacity than the Silverado 1500 Standard Box W/T Double Cab (2300 vs. 2100 lbs.).

The Ram 1500 standard bed Quad Cab has a higher optional payload capacity than the Silverado 1500 Standard Box W/T Double Cab (2300 vs. 2120 lbs.).

Ergonomics

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

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Ram 1500’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Silverado 1500’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

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 Silverado 1500 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Ram 1500 has standard power remote mirrors. The Silverado 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. Chevrolet charges extra for heated mirrors on the Silverado 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 Silverado 1500 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

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 Silverado 1500 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Ram 1500 second among large light duty pickups in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Silverado 1500 isn’t in the top three.

The Ram 1500 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 5 more times in the last 6 years. The Silverado hasn’t been picked since 2008, and the Silverado has only been chosen 5 times.

Motor Trend selected the Ram 1500 as their 2019 Truck of the Year. The Silverado was Truck of the Year in 2011.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Ram 1500 as the 2019 North American Truck of the Year. The Silverado was last chosen in 2014.