North Georgia Ford Compares 2020 Ford F-150 VS 2019 Ram 1500 Near Calhoun, GA

The F-150 has standard Pre-Collision Assist, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Ram 1500 Classic doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the F-150 4x4’s optional Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Ram 1500 Classic doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The Ford F-150 has Daytime Running Lights to help keep it more visible under all conditions. Canadian government studies show that driving with lights during the day reduces accidents by 11% by making vehicles more conspicuous. The Ram 1500 Classic doesn’t offer Daytime Running Lights.

The F-150 (except XL/XLT)’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The Ram 1500 Classic doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The F-150 (except XL/XLT) offers an optional 360-Degree Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Ram 1500 Classic only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing safer, the F-150 (except XL)’s optional cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Ram 1500 Classic doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the F-150 and the Ram 1500 Classic have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available four-wheel drive and blind spot warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford F-150 is safer than the Ram 1500 Classic:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Ford F-150 SuperCab is safer than the Ram 1500 Classic Crew Cab:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford F-150 is safer than the Ram 1500 Classic:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) performs roof strength tests. In that test the F-150 earned the top rating of “Good” because its roof supported over four times the F-150’s weight before being crushed five inches. The Ram 1500 Classic was rated two rankings lower at “Marginal.”

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the F-150 the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 168 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Ram 1500 Classic was not even a “Top Pick” for 2016.

There are over 26 percent more Ford dealers than there are Ram dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the F-150’s warranty.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the F-150 have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the 5.7 V8 in the Ram 1500 Classic.

The F-150 has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Ram 1500 Classic doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the F-150 second among large light duty pickups in their 2019 Initial Quality Study. The Ram 1500 Classic isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2019 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Ram vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ram is ranked 21st, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2019 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Ram vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford 16th in reliability. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ram is ranked 26th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ December 2018 Auto Issue reports that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Ram vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ford 8 places higher in reliability than Ram.

The F-150 has more powerful engines than the Ram 1500 Classic:

The F-150’s 3.0 turbo V6 diesel produces 171 lbs.-ft. more torque (440 vs. 269) than the Ram 1500 Classic’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6. The F-150’s 3.0 turbo V6 diesel produces 30 lbs.-ft. more torque (440 vs. 410) than the Ram 1500 Classic’s optional 5.7 V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford F-150 is faster than the Ram 1500 Classic V8:

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford F-150 5.0 DOHC V8 is faster than the Ram 1500 Classic 3.6:

On the EPA test cycle the F-150 V6 diesel 4x4 gets better fuel mileage than the Ram 1500 Classic with its standard engine 4x4 (21 city/28 hwy vs. 16 city/23 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the F-150 gets better fuel mileage than the Ram 1500 Classic:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the F-150’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) The Ram 1500 Classic doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The F-150’s optional fuel tank has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Ram 1500 Classic’s optional fuel tank (36 vs. 32 gallons).

The F-150 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Ram 1500 Classic doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the F-150’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Ram 1500 Classic:

The F-150 stops much shorter than the Ram 1500 Classic:

For better traction, the F-150 Raptor’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Ram 1500 Classic (315/70R17 vs. 275/60R20).

The F-150 Platinum/Limited’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Ram 1500 Classic’s optional 60 series tires.

For better load carrying, ride, handling and brake cooling the F-150 Platinum/Limited has standard 22-inch wheels. The Ram 1500 Classic’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Ford F-150’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Ram 1500 Classic only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the F-150’s wheelbase is longer than on the Ram 1500 Classic:

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the F-150 is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 3.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Ram 1500 Classic.

The F-150 5.5 ft. bed Limited SuperCrew 4x4 handles at .82 G’s, while the Ram 1500 Classic short bed Crew Cab 4x4 pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The F-150 5.5 ft. bed Platinum SuperCrew 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Ram 1500 Classic short bed Crew Cab 4x4 (27.8 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 29.1 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the F-150 6.5 ft. bed SuperCrew has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Ram 1500 Classic standard bed Regular Cab (9.3 vs. 8.6 inches), allowing the F-150 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The F-150 Raptor SuperCab’s minimum ground clearance is .7 inch higher than on the Ram 1500 Classic short bed Crew Cab w/Air Suspension (11.5 vs. 10.8 inches).

The Ford F-150 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 650 pounds less than the Ram 1500 Classic.

The F-150 8 ft. bed Regular Cab is 3.1 inches shorter than the Ram 1500 Classic long bed Regular Cab, making the F-150 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the F-150 5.5 ft. bed Limited SuperCrew 4x4 is quieter than the Ram 1500 Classic short bed Crew Cab 4x4:

The F-150 Regular Cab has .9 inches more front headroom, 2.9 inches more front legroom and .7 inches more front shoulder room than the Ram 1500 Classic Regular Cab.

The F-150 SuperCab has 2.9 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, 1.8 inches more rear hip room and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Ram 1500 Classic Quad Cab.

The F-150 SuperCrew has 2.9 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 3.3 inches more rear legroom, 1.5 inches more rear hip room and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Ram 1500 Classic Crew Cab.

The F-150 shortbed has a much larger cargo box than the Ram 1500 Classic Regular Cab shortbed (62.3 vs. 57.5 cubic feet). The F-150 Regular Cab longbed has a much larger cargo box than the Ram 1500 Classic Regular Cab longbed (77.4 vs. 74.7 cubic feet).

The F-150 SuperCrew shortbed has a much larger cargo box than the Ram 1500 Classic Crew Cab shortbed (52.8 vs. 50.3 cubic feet). The F-150 SuperCrew longbed has a much larger cargo box than the Ram 1500 Classic Crew Cab longbed (62.3 vs. 57.5 cubic feet).

A low lift-over bed design makes loading and unloading the F-150 easier. The F-150 Regular Cab’s bed lift-over height is 34.7 inches, while the Ram 1500 Classic Regular Cab’s liftover is 34.8 inches. The F-150 SuperCab’s bed lift-over height is 34.1 inches, while the Ram 1500 Classic Quad Cab’s liftover is 34.6 inches. The F-150 SuperCrew’s bed lift-over height is 34 inches, while the Ram 1500 Classic Crew Cab’s liftover is 34.6 inches.

A standard locking glovebox and optional locking center console keeps your small valuables safer in the F-150. The Ram 1500 Classic doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the F-150 offers a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The Ram 1500 Classic doesn’t offer a telescoping steering wheel.

When three different drivers share the F-150 (except XL/XLT), the optional memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position, foot pedal distance and outside mirror angle. The Ram 1500 Classic doesn’t offer a memory system.

The F-150 (except XL/XLT)’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Ram 1500 Classic doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The F-150’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Ram 1500 Classic’s parking brake has to released manually.

The F-150 XLT/Lariat/King Ranch/Platinum’s front power windows open fully with one touch of the switches, and the driver’s window also automatically closes, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Ram 1500 Classic Quad/Crew Cab’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the F-150’s standard exterior PIN entry system (not available on F-150 XL). The Ram 1500 Classic doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its extra cost 9-1-1 Call can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the F-150’s standard exterior PIN entry system (not available on F-150 XL). The Ram 1500 Classic doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its extra cost 9-1-1 Call can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

Intelligent Access optional on the F-150 (except XL/XLT) allows you to unlock the driver’s door, tailgate and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading cargo, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Ram 1500 Classic’s available Keyless Enter ‘n Go doesn’t unlock the tailgate.

The F-150’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Ram 1500 Classic’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The F-150’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Ram 1500 Classic’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The F-150’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the F-150 detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Ram 1500 Classic doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

Both the F-150 and the Ram 1500 Classic offer available heated front seats. The F-150 SuperCrew also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Ram 1500 Classic.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the F-150 (except XL/XLT) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Ram 1500 Classic doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the F-150 (except XL/XLT) offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Ram 1500 Classic doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The F-150 (except XL/XLT)’s optional Park Assist can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Ram 1500 Classic doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Ford F-150 as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its February 2015 issue and they ranked the Ford F-150 5.5 ft. bed Platinum SuperCrew 4x4 first. They ranked the Ram 1500 Classic short bed Crew Cab 4x4 third.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the F-150 first among large light duty pickups in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Ram 1500 Classic was rated second.

The F-150 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 2 of the last 3 years. The Ram 1500 Classic has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.

The Ford F-Series outsold the Ram Pickup by 43% during the 2019 model year.