Full-size pick-up trucks are all about powerful towing and loading performance, along with a dash of style and comfort thrown in to make weekends fun.
Read on as we take a look at what separates these two popular pickups, the Ram 1500 and the Toyota Tundra, and help you decide which is your ultimate pickup.
American or Japanese Heritage?
First off, we all know that the RAM lineup of pickups is as American as one can get, and well, the Toyota Tundra is a prime example of excellent Japanese engineering, reliability, build quality, and design that has muscled its way onto the list of the US’s top-selling pickups.
The RAM nameplate has been around since 1980, and the RAM 1500 model is now in its fifth generation, as of 2019, and offered in two body styles, a four-door Quad Cab and four-door crew cab, with six trim levels available to buyers.
The Toyota Tundra full-size pickup in Toyota marketing speak happens to be “More than a hardworking pickup, it's a weekend warrior built for taking you on far-out adventures that leave you with unforgettable memories.”
Well, with plenty of these Toyotas to be seen on our roads, we have to believe them.
The Tundra pickup was introduced in 1999, and the current third generation debuted in 2021 in extended- or crew cab body styles.
The Toyota is available in seven trim levels: SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794 Edition, TRD Pro, and top-tier Capstone trim.
Which pickup is more powerful: RAM 1500 or Toyota Tundra?
We cut straight to the chase here and look at those all-important performance figures, as that's what full-size pickups are all about.
The RAM 1500 offers various powertrains across trims, with most trim levels powered by a 3.6-liter Chrysler Pentastar V6 making 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque.
For those not paying attention, the RAM 1500 is actually a type of mild hybrid with its "eTorque" belted alternator starter system. The process works by attaching a motor–generator to the engine's serpentine belt, which adds torque, cranks the engine in a start-stop system, and generates electricity via regenerative braking, acting as a type of engine brake.
Energy produced is stored in a 0.43 kWh, 48 V lithium-ion battery found inside the passenger cabin.
Power-hungry owners can opt for the 5.7-liter Chrysler Hemi V8, making a substantial 395 horsepower and beefy 410 pounds of torque.
Drive goes to the rear or to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The locally built Toyota Tundra has its motivation provided by a 3.4-liter V6 engine with twin-turbochargers pushing either 348 or 379 horsepower, depending on trim level.
Buyers can opt for the more powerful hybridized powertrain that makes 437 horsepower and torque of 583 pound-feet for enhanced towing and hauling.
A 10-speed automatic transmission is standard fitment with drive going to the rear wheels or to all four corners.
Does the RAM 1500 have a greater towing capacity than the Toyota Tundra?
Buyers looking for the maximum towing capabilities out of a RAM 1500 should consider the Tradesman Quad cab trim with its maximum towing capacity of 12,750 pounds.
The maximum towing capacity of the Toyota is 12,000 pounds.
Can the RAM 1500 haul a bigger payload than the Toyota Tundra?
The latest Ram 1500 can haul a payload of up to 2,300 lbs.
Buyers of the current Toyota Tundra will be able to load up to a maximum of 1,940 lbs, depending on body configuration and engine.
How does the exterior design of the RAM 1500 differ from the Toyota Tundra?
The Ram 1500 comes in two cab configurations: a four-door Quad Cab with an extended cab, front-hinged doors in the rear, and fitted with a standard-length bed, or a four-door crew cab with the option of a short or standard-length bed.
Exterior highlights include optional full LED headlamps, standard LED daytime running lamps on most trims, and aluminum alloy wheels ranging from 18-inch to 22-inch, aside from the base Tradesman trim that rolls on steel wheels.
The macho-looking Tundra is available in extended- or crew-cab configuration with load beds of 5.5, 6.5, or 8.1 feet, depending on cab size and trim.
The big Toyota offers stylish headlamps along with LED running lights on various trim levels. The rugged looks are enhanced by bold wheel arch trim, and owners get to pick from a lineup of 11 exterior colors.
Does size really matter?
The latest RAM 1500 measures from 228.9 inches to 241.8 inches long, depending on the cab and bed configuration. All trims are 82.1 inches wide and between 77.5 and 79.2 inches tall, and ride on a wheelbase of 140.5 inches.
The Toyota, like the RAM, differs in dimensions according to configuration and is approximately 233.6 inches long, 80.2 inches wide, and 78.0 inches tall, riding on a 145.7-inch wheelbase.
How is the interior of the RAM 1500 different from that of the Toyota Tundra?
The current Ram 1500 will accommodate six passengers in two rows in a cabin that features ergonomically positioned air vents and easy-to-use climate controls.
Base Tradesman trim has vinyl or cloth seats and a standard 8.4-inch touchscreen. An optional 12-inch infotainment system is available, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and multiple USB ports.
Top-tier trims have niceties like remote start and passive entry, wireless phone charging, heated and ventilated seats, plus premium sound in the form of a 19-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system.
The Tundra has an interior finished in high-quality materials with an impressive, bold dashboard to match its exterior.
All trim levels offer a versatile center console, plenty of cubby storage, and a usefully sized center storage bin.
Analog gauges plus a small driver-information display are fitted as standard, with upper trims receiving a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.
Infotainment sees the fitment of an 8.0-inch touchscreen with an option of a 14.0-inch touchscreen.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus steering wheel controls for the infotainment system, are fitted.
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