Ram 1500 vs Silverado
The half-ton pickup truck is a staple for car buyers in the United States. If you refer to any best seller lists of the vehicles Americans find themselves flocking to, you are sure to see that this trend isn’t going to change any time soon.
Known for its hardworking persona that cleans up well, the Ram 1500 has long been a favorite of truck buyers and for good reason. With the choice of six different trim levels, the Ram is diverse enough to excel at everything from showing up the competition at a construction site to turning heads at the country club.
The Chevrolet Silverado is one that truck shoppers are sure to compare against. Offering up eight complicated trims of its own, the Silverado has an identity that seeks to meet the needs and expectations of truck shoppers on a broader basis than the approach Ram has taken.
Putting them to work
The Ram 1500 offers a towing capacity of nearly 12,750 pounds, the equivalent of about 7 Smart cars; while astonishingly still offering an immensely competitive fuel economy rating of up to 27 MPG on the highway. The Ram is a workhorse like no other however, and broke new ground by being the first half ton pickup truck in the United States to offer a diesel powertrain in its class and size.
Adjustable air springs offer drivers the choice of five different ride height settings. Smart sensors automatically lower the truck to reduce drag and increase fuel efficiency at highway speeds which translates to reduced drag and increased miles per gallon.
You can ultimately get the same job done in a Silverado, but you’ll end up paying for it. Even in the most fuel efficient powertrain option in the Silverado, you’ll still be making more stops for fuel while simultaneously getting a fraction of the towing capacity.
Flexing the muscles
The Ram comes in arguably the most diverse line of engine options that the market has ever known. A 3.6L Pentastar V6 offers 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. The 5.7L HEMI V8 packs in 395 horsepower with 410 lb-ft of torque, respecting the legendary HEMI nameplate with power fit for any task ahead.
Providing innovation in every inch, the 3.0L Ecodiesel V6 provides a diesel powertrain option in a half ton pickup truck, a feature previously exclusive to its much larger siblings. The efficient diesel provides 240 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, packing a punch while being able to tow 9,210 pounds and achieving fuel economy of 29 MPG.
Like the Ram, the Silverado offers three engine options. A 4.3L V6 offers 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque, the Silverado’s most fuel efficient choice, it offers up to 24 MPG on the highway. The 5.3L V8 provides 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque and the monster 6.2L V8 offers 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.
Making it your own
The utilitarian will appreciate the Ram Tradesman with everything you need and nothing you don’t. It’s a straightforward pickup truck with the capabilities that truck buyers appreciate without frills and options that drive up prices. Truck buyers that prefer style, function and features will find themselves enamored with the luxurious Ram Limited.
For the adventurer and the thrill seeker, Ram has you covered. The Ram Warlock makes the statement of “off road chops, and style for miles,” and features options like the Rambox cargo management system designed for hunting and fishing essentials like firearms, tackle boxes and gear.
While the Silverado provides a range of choices to make it personal, its trims vary mostly through diversified color options and interior features and offer nowhere near the level of personality and overall individualism that is possible in a Ram. The Silverado is a great definition of a pickup truck. The Ram is a pickup truck for those who refuse to be defined.
What the experts say
“The Ram 1500 is so refined that it can feel like you’re driving a large crossover rather than pickup.” – Autoblog
“The Ram 1500’s cabin is as good as it gets in the pickup segment. Even the lower trim levels boast an attractive design, with quality materials and intuitive controls that are reasonably easy to reach, while the luxurious Laramie’s wood-grain trim and leather upholstery is predictably posh.” – Edmunds
“The Ram, on the other hand, is a gooey puddle of luxury sedan with a tow hitch poking out from the rear bumper. It’s a toy hauler that is itself a toy. It’s our new favorite full-size pickup. And it’s worth the money.” – Car and Driver
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“When driving over the same dips where the Ram excelled, the Silverado—despite being the only truck under capacity—showed the worst handling of the three trucks. At the 25-mph speed limit and driving over a dip, the Chevy bounced nine times compared to the Ford’s four and Ram’s two.” – Motor Trend
Your driveway’s next companion
In as fiercely as competitive of a market as this one, there is rarely a bad choice, but if you can have the best, why not drive it home? In our opinion, the Ram offers the greatest combination of interior comfort, usable power, fuel efficiency, individualization opportunity and style, earning the crown of approval from Riedman Motors.
