The 2023 Ford F-150 and the 2023 Ram 1500 are easily two of the best-selling trucks in America. Both trucks are powerful and perform well under pressure, which can make it tough to choose between them. With that said, here's everything you need to know to make an informed decision.
Price
You don’t want to pay too much for your new truck, so the price is the first thing you check. The Ram is the cheaper of the two makes, but not by much. The Ram 1500 Tradesman has a starting MSRP of $30,695, according to the Ram website. The Ford F-150 XL is technically higher with a starting MSRP of $34,585. Comparatively, the price isn’t that much of a difference to make a huge impact on monthly payments, leaving both trucks still great candidates.
Gas Mileage
Trucks are notorious for getting poor fuel economy. Even though gas is on the cheaper side right now, you still want to get the most bang for your buck. Ford understands that you’re worried about gas mileage, so it’s worked to improve the fuel economy of its trucks, making it a better decision if miles per gallon is a priority for you. You can expect the F-150 to get an estimated 25 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with the hybrid powertrain option or 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway with the V6 Ecoboost.
Dodge Ram 1500 isn’t far behind, but it does offer a lower fuel economy in the city compared to the F-150. It gets 20 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway. With one mile per gallon lower on the highway, the gas mileage practically evens out and both still receive a high estimated mileage per gallon. (You can find combined estimates for specific models here for the F-150, and here for the Dodge Ram)
Capabilities
You want to know how much your truck can tow and the maximum payload. That’s why you’re getting a truck, right? In this battle, the Ford F-150 definitely wins. For years, Ford has been one of the top towing trucks in America, and this year isn’t any different. It can tow as much as 14,000 lbs as long as it’s properly equipped. (Towing maximums usually assume you’re paying extra for the towing package.) The maximum payload is estimated at 2,238 lbs.
The Ram 1500 falls slightly behind with a lower towing capacity. When properly equipped, you can tow a maximum 12,750 lbs with the V8 engine. The payload for the Tradesman is estimated higher than the Ford at 2,325 lbs.
Features
Many of the best features come with more expensive Ford packages. The Ram 1500 offers minimal features. You'll get a 5-inch display infotainment system, six-speaker audio and Bluetooth. Driver assistance features are all optional, and with those included, you can expect to pay around the starting cost of the Ford F-150.
The F-150, nonetheless, does come with a superior 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, along with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. Additionally, there are multiple USB ports and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Driver assistance features come standard with the Ford model, giving you forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection and rear parking sensors.
