Which light-duty truck has your best interests at heart, the 2023 Ford F-150 or the Ram 1500? Both all-American options are known for their strong performance and overall capabilities, making your choice a difficult one. But don’t worry, because our comparison guide is here to help you take a close look at each truck.
Key Takeaways
- Both trucks are available with luxury features and tech upgrades, but the Ram 1500 has the most stylish cabin.
- The F-150 offers the widest array of engine options, allowing shoppers to prioritize towing, hauling, or fuel economy.
- The F-150 also delivers best-in-class towing and hauling capabilities!
- With available hands-free driving technology and an available onboard power generator, the F-150 is the most innovative option.
Creature Comforts: 2023 Ram 1500
Both trucks are available in different trim models with increasing levels of interior luxury. However, with its superb interior fit and finish, the Ram 1500 has the edge.
That said, both trucks offer a similar range of comfort and convenience features. For example, both pickups’ base models are stripped-down work trucks, with manual air conditioning and vinyl flooring. Moving up the trim levels means more comfort, with available features that include dual-zone automatic climate control, cloth or vinyl upholstery, and panoramic sunroofs. Tech upgrades include wireless smartphone charging pads and premium sound systems.
Powertrain Options: 2023 Ford F-150
The F-150 offers seven engine options, depending on which trim model you select. Each engine option will suit different needs. For example, you can reach maximum tow ratings with the turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 or haul max payloads with the 5.0-liter V8. You can boost gas milage with either the turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 or the PowerBoost hybrid engine. The latter helps the F-150 earn up to 25 mpg combined!
The 2023 Ford F-150 engine options:
- 3.3L V6 (290 horsepower, 265 lb-ft of torque)
- Turbocharged 2.7L V6 (325 hp, 400 lb-ft)
- 5.0L V8 (400 hp, 410 lb-ft)
- Turbo 3.5L V6 (400 hp, 500 lb-ft)
- Raptor turbo 3.5L V6 (450 hp, 510 lb-ft)
- Raptor R supercharged 5.2L V8 (700 hp, 640 lb-ft)
- PowerBoost turbo 3.5L hybrid V6 (430 hp, 570 lb-ft)
The 2023 Ram 1500 is available with four engine options. Like the F-150, this Ram truck offers classic V8 power for impressive hauling capabilities. And a turbo diesel engine helps you earn up to 24 mpg combined. The Ram also offers a counterpart to the F-150 Raptor R, its desert-racing TRX trim model, which delivers incredible speed with its supercharged V8 engine.
The 2023 Ram 1500 engine options:
- 3.6L V6 (305 hp, 269 lb-ft)
- 5.7L V8 (395 hp, 410 lb-ft)
- 3.0L turbodiesel V6 (260 hp, 480 lb-ft)
- TRX supercharged 6.2L V8 (702 hp, 650 lb-ft)
Maximum Muscle: 2023 Ford F-150
If you need strong towing and hauling capabilities, you need the Ford F-150. Properly equipped, these light-duty trucks can tow 14,000 pounds. That’s more than any other pickup in the segment can manage! The F-150 also hauls best-in-class payloads of up to 3,325 pounds.
Although the Ram 1500 once struggled to match other American trucks’ towing and hauling capabilities, this fifth-generation Ram is much more capable than the trucks that came before it. However, with a maximum tow rating of 12,750 pounds, it still can’t quite match the F-150’s performance. Payloads reach up to 2,300 pounds, depending on body style and equipment.
Innovative Tech Features: 2023 Ford F-150
The F-150 has features you won’t find on the Ram 1500. These include the BlueCruise hands-free driving system, which works on pre-mapped divided highways across the U.S. and Canada. Then there’s the Pro Power Onboard station, which delivers one of three power ratings (2 kW, 2.4 kW, or 7.2 kW), depending on which engine you select. The 7.2 kW power generator is only available with the hybrid PowerBoost engine. The F-150 also offers the Pro Trailer Backup Assist system, which helps you avoid jackknifing with a cabin control that helps you steer a trailer in the right direction.
Although the Ram 1500 doesn’t offer hands-free driving or a portable power generator just yet, it offers many of the same safety and infotainment features as the F-150. For example, both trucks offer safety aids like adaptive cruise control and smartphone-friendly infotainment systems with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Best Truck for Your Drive
The 2023 Ram 1500 is certainly a stylish option, but it’s the 2023 Ford F-150 that delivers the strongest performance. Choose the F-150 for the most accommodating list of engine options, work-friendly features you won’t find anywhere else, and available luxury features.