2018 Ford F-150 vs. 2018 RAM 1500 Review | Community Ford Mooresville Blog

Picking a favorite is challenging at times; sometimes our bias gets in the way of our better judgment. This is far less of a case when comparing the 2018 Ford F-150 and the 2018 RAM 1500. The RAM does offer a handful of mild benefits, in some areas, but the F-150 is by far the superior truck when it comes to performance and comfort.

Here’s why we think you should take an F-150 or RAM 1500 for a ride today at your closest Ford dealership in Indianapolis.

Comfort and Convenience

The F-150 and the RAM 1500 are relatively equal in this category, but the F-150 wins out in the end. Passengers will feel more relaxed in the F-150’s additional passenger space featuring much more legroom and headroom.

The RAM has a slight edge over the F-150 in gas mileage—around 2 mpg to 3 mpg on the highway—meaning fewer stops for gas. However, the RAM charges extra for some comfort features that come standard in the F-150, such as leather seats, CD players, and passenger power seats.

Performance

In the grand scheme of things, the F-150’s engine is more power and fuel efficient at the same time. The F-150’s engine provides more horsepower and torque at RPM levels about 20 percent lower than the RAM 1500, so it’s more efficient than the RAM’s engine when you're comparing results.

The F-150’s 375 HP and 470 ft-lb torque, compared to the RAM’s 305 HP and 269 ft-lb torque, demonstrate a significant difference in power. The increased efficiency of power transfer from the engine to the wheels in the F-150 yields nearly 40 percent more towing capability than the RAM and the F-150 also has a 10-speed automatic transmission. In contrast, the RAM 1500 only has an eight-speed transmission. The 10-speed offers fuel efficiency and makes for a smoother ride.

Price

The price point of the F-150 is considerably higher than the RAM, but you’re paying extra for a very noticeable difference in quality and quantity. F-150s offer more options for aesthetics, function, and performance customization. You're getting much more bang for your buck when it comes to the F-150's engine power over the RAM 1500’s.

Another factor to keep in mind is the RAM’s higher destination charge, which is the fee the dealer pays to have the vehicle transported to their lot—meaning this adds to the price of the vehicle, without giving you any additional benefits. If your budget is tight, the RAM 1500 could be the way to go, but you’re missing out on a lot of performance and paying for superfluous charges tacked onto the RAM.

Utility

The RAM 1500 and Ford F-150 are a little closer in this category, too, but the F-150 has a definite edge when it comes to utility. Both vehicles seat the same number of passengers, yet the F-150 has more passenger room, making it more comfortable and accommodating for taller drivers and passengers. Conversely, the RAM 1500 has slightly more room for hauling cargo (mostly by sacrificing passenger space) and new RAM Boxes on the sides of the bed. Unfortunately, it just can’t keep up with the F-150 in hauling capacity.

If you’re looking for something a little cheaper, then you may enjoy the RAM 1500. The tradeoff is losing out on a significant amount of power and value. Paying that little bit extra is completely worth the investment when you factor in everything you get. Sometimes, value really does justify the price! Still can’t decide? Come on down to your Community Ford dealer in Indianapolis.