RAM 1500 vs GMC Sierra 1500
Full-size pickups are the workhorses of the US construction and handyman industry, cattle ranchers, and much more.
Every handyman worth his salt needs the versatility of a vehicle that can haul heavy construction material loads, and those ranchers need a truck that can take on a fully loaded cattle trailer and then happily load up family and friends when the weekend comes around.
The full-size pickup segment is a busy space, and buyers get to choose from a wide selection of both new and preowned good old American pickup trucks and some worthy offerings from the Far East.
In this article, we take a look at the 2019 models of the Ram 1500 and the GMC Sierra 1500.
How do these two stack up against each other? Read on as we look in detail at some key areas of these American trucks and what they offer buyers.
Ram 1500
The current fifth-generation 2019 Ram 1500 kicked off sales in the first quarter of 2018 as an early 2019 model year and was offered in two body configurations: a 4-door Quad Cab
and 4-door crew cab with six trim levels available to buyers:
- Tradesman
- Big Horn
- Rebel
- Laramie
- Laramie Longhorn
- Limited
GMC Sierra 1500
Like the Ram 1500, the GMC Sierra 1500 is currently in its fifth generation, available from 2019, albeit with refreshes in 2020 through to 2022. For those who are unaware of the often confusing family relationships within automakers, the GMC Sierra 1500 is based on the parent company GM's Chevy Silverado 1500.
The GMC, however, differentiates itself by offering premium, unique features, like the two-piece tailgate, a pickup bed constructed from carbon fiber, an enhanced multi-color head-up display, and luxury trims.
The GMC Sierra 1500 was made available in six trims with a four-door quad cab or double/crew cab configurations:
- SLE
- Elevation
- Base
- SLT
- AT4
- Denali
Powertrains
The base engine for most of the Ram 1500 trims is a 3.6-liter Chrysler Pentastar V6 with outputs of 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. Of interest is the "eTorque" belted alternator starter system, making the Ram 1500 a type of mild hybrid.
A motor–generator is attached to the engine's serpentine belt, adding torque, cranking the engine in a start-stop system, or generating electricity with regenerative braking by acting as a type of engine brake. Energy from this system is stored in a 0.43 kWh, 48 V lithium-ion battery located inside the passenger cabin.
An engine upgrade is available in the form of a 5.7-liter Chrysler Hemi V8, which produces 395 horsepower and a stump-pulling 410 pounds of torque.
All trims put their power to the rear or to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Tradesman Quad cab trim offers the best maximum towing capacity of 12,750 pounds from the Ram 1500 lineup.
The GMC Sierra 1500 offers six different engine options, depending upon trim level. A 285-horsepower 4.3-liter EcoTec3 V6 gasoline engine is the base engine on lower trims, and on mid-level trims, a 310-horsepower 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-four gasoline engine.
A 355-horsepower 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 gasoline engine is optional on most trim levels, and upper-level trims are available with a 420-horsepower 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8.
All engines are mated with either a 6-speed, 8-speed, or 10-speed automatic transmission, with choices of either two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive.
The top choice for those looking for maximum towing capability is a model with a 6.2-liter V8 engine to tow a maximum of 12,500 pounds.
Exterior
The 2019 Ram 1500 is available in two different cab configurations: a four-door Quad Cab featuring an extended cab with three-quarter-sized, front-hinged doors in the rear fitted with the standard-length bed, or the four-door crew cab fitted with either a short bed or a standard length bed.
Taking pride of place on the front grill is the "RAM" lettering, and the newly redesigned "ram's head" logo is found on the tailgate.
Most trims offer an option of full LED headlamps, while most trims see fitment of LED daytime running lamps (DRLs). Trim-dependent: The exterior finishes are black or chrome, such as front and rear bumpers, side mirrors, and door and tailgate handles. Black or chrome front grilles with unique designs are available for each trim level.
Aluminum alloy wheel options are from 18-inch up to 22-inch, while the base Tradesman models see steel wheels fitted.
For 2019, the GMC Sierra 1500 offered standard features, including a black front grille and black front and rear bumpers. Lower trims rode on 17-inch steel wheels and featured manual black side mirrors.
An optional Chrome Appearance Group was available that offered 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels and chrome front and rear bumpers.
The Sierra 1500 sports a MultiPro Tailgate standard on mid-level trims (AT4 and SLT) and up, which is configurable into one of six different positions to offer owners more options when hauling cargo.
Interior Comfort
The Ram 1500s cabin features comfy vinyl or cloth seats for the base Tradesman with simple four-way controls. The dash design includes ergonomically positioned air vents, and the climate controls are easy to use.
New technology is seen, such as the standard 8.4-inch touchscreen with an optional infotainment system with an impressively large 12-inch touchscreen display, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and multiple USB ports.
Top trim Limited models spoil owners with remote start and passive entry, a wireless phone charger, all four heated and ventilated seats, and a 19-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system.
The GMC Sierra 1500 features a next-generation touchscreen infotainment system across all trims. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth for hands-free calling, and wireless audio streaming are seen, as are power windows and door locks, air conditioning, and a rearview backup camera system.
Buyers seeking the ultimate luxury ride will need to look at the top Denali trim with trim-exclusive heated and ventilated luxury leather-trimmed seats, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, driver-assist technologies, a multi-angle camera system, and heated rear seats.
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