Compare the2024 Ram 1500VS 2024 Ford F-150

Safety
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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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:

	Ram 1500	F-150
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	226	337

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:

	Ram 1500	F-150
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	25	31
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	107 lbs.	152 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	165	257

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 F-150 SuperCrew:

	1500	F-150
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	27	40
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	156 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	58	249
Head Peak Forces	no contact	69 G’s
Neck Tension	45 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Torso Max Deflection	.83 in	.98 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE

Reliability

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 14 points higher than the Ford F-150 and 30 points higher than the Ford F-150 Hybrid.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Ram 1500 first among large light duty pickups in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The F-150 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 Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ram second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 60 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 23rd, below the industry average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Ram vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ram 7 places higher in reliability than Ford.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Ram 1500
	RWD	HFE 3.6 V6 Hybrid	20 city/26 hwy
		3.6 V6 Hybrid	20 city/25 hwy
	AWD	3.6 V6 Hybrid	19 city/24 hwy
		5.7 V8 Hybrid	18 city/22 hwy
F-150
	RWD	3.5 turbo V6	18 city/24 hwy
		5.0 V8	17 city/25 hwy
	AWD	3.5 turbo V6	18 city/23 hwy
		5.0 V8	17 city/23 hwy
		Tremor 3.5 turbo V6	16 city/20 hwy
		Tremor 5.0 V8	15 city/20 hwy

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 on average about 31.4 cents more per gallon.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	1500	F-150
Front Rotors	14.9 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	14.8 inches	13.2 inches
Opt Rear Rotors		13.8 inches

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

	Ram 1500	F-150
70 to 0 MPH	179 feet	203 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	122 feet	136 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	146 feet	148 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

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).

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 F-150’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 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.

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 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 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.

The Ram 1500 standard bed Quad Cab 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the F-150 5.5-foot Tremor SuperCrew 4x4 (27.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 29 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

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

	Ram 1500	F-150
Extended Cab Standard Bed	45.1 feet	47.8 feet
Crew Cab Short Bed	46.2 feet	47.8 feet
Extended Cab Standard Bed 4x4	45.1 feet	47.8 feet
Crew Cab Short Bed 4x4	46.2 feet	47.8 feet
Crew Cab Standard Bed 4x4	48.7 feet	51.1 feet

For greater off-road capability the Ram 1500 short bed Crew Cab 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.

Chassis

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

	Ram 1500	F-150
Extended Cab Standard Bed	228.9 inches	231.7 inches
Crew Cab Standard Bed	241.8 inches	243.5 inches

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 4x4 is quieter than the F-150 5.5-foot Lariat SuperCrew 4x4 (38 vs. 40 dB).

Passenger Space

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 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.

Cargo Capacity

The Ram 1500 Crew Cab 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:

	Ram 1500 Quad Cab	Ram 1500 Crew Cab	F-150 SuperCab	F-150 Regular Cab
Length (short/long)	76.3”	67.4”/76.3”	78.9”	78.9”/97.6”
Max Width	66.4”	66.4”	65.2”	65.2”
Min Width	51”	51”	50.6”	50.6”
Height	21.5”	21.5”	21.4”	21.4”

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.

Payload and Towing

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:

	Ram 1500	F-150
Extended Cab 1500	2300 lbs.	1905 lbs.
Crew Cab 1500	2030 lbs.	1785 lbs.
Crew Cab 1500 4x4	1840 lbs.	1765 lbs.

Ergonomics

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.

Recommendations

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 4x4 won out over the Ford F-150 5.5-foot Lariat SuperCrew 4x4.

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 F-150 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 F-Series hasn’t been picked since 2018, and the F-Series has only been chosen 5 times.

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

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