The Ford F-150 and the Ram 1500 are two of America’s most beloved pickup trucks. For years, the two trucks have battled in the marketplace. Offering great power, capability, comfort and safety, they are both top choices in their own right. The F-150 was first released in 1948, serving as one of the first pickup trucks for Americans returning from World War II. The Ram 1500 was first released in 1980, but has grown quickly in popularity to rival other popular truck models. We know the two trucks are immensely popular, but which one is better when they show off head-to-head? That is the question for today’s Truck Wars.
Power.
When it comes to power, the 2020 Ford F-150 has a wide range of options to suit the driver’s needs. It’s base engine is a 3.3L V6 which produces 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. The most powerful engine on the F-150, however, is the 3.5-liter V6, which produces an immense 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque.
The 2020 Ram 1500 has a stronger base engine, but fewer options and higher-end power. The 2020 Ram 1500’s base engine is a 3.6-liter V6 which puts out 305 horsepower and 269 lb.-ft. of torque. Ram's high-end engine is a 5.7-liter V8 which produces 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque.
In terms of towing, the 2020 Ford F-150 edges out the 2020 Ram 1500 with a maximum towing capacity of 13,200 pounds to the Ram’s 12,750.
While the 2020 Ram 1500 offers more power on its base engine, the 2020 Ford F-150 offers a greater range of options, better high-end power and a greater towing capacity.
Winner: 2020 Ford F-150
Safety.
Safety is one of the more important features on trucks nowadays. Both the 2020 Ford F-150 and the 2020 Ram 1500 perform well in safety tests and offer just about the same features. However, the 2020 Ford F-150 will edge out the 2020 Ram 1500 as it offers more standard safety features than the 2020 Ram 1500. We’d prefer not to spend more for safety, so the standard forward collision warning, pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking are all big additions for the 2020 F-150.
Winner: 2020 Ford F-150
Comfort.
While trucks are meant to be tough and hard-working, it’s always nice to have a comfortable interior in your vehicle. In terms of interior features, both the 2020 Ford F-150 and the 2020 Ram 1500 have a lot to offer. Comfortable leather seating, leather trims and wood finishing are all nice upgrades to have. However, when it comes to technology, the 2020 Ram 1500 just beats the 2020 Ford F-150. The standard version of the 2020 Ford F-150 just does not offer the same technological features that does the Ram 1500. Standard on the 2020 Ram 1500 is a 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity and push-start engine. The 2020 Ford F-150 base model's options are rather simple: an AM/FM radio and manual climate control.
While both trucks offer good high-end upgrades, the base features of the 2020 Ram 1500 cause it to edge out the 2020 Ford F-150 in this category.
Winner: 2020 Ram 1500
Value.
You can go one of two routes with value. For each truck, there’s a standard model with a base price. Then, there are more luxurious models with higher prices. The highest price for each truck is relatively similar, however the base models see a big difference. If you are buying a base-model 2020 Ford F-150 XL, you’ll save just under $4,000 compared to the base-model 2020 Ram 1500 Tradesman.
In my book, $4,000 is a lot of money, so the 2020 Ford F-150 wins the battle for value.
Winner: 2020 Ford F-150
Overall
The 2020 Ford F-150 won three of our four categories, so we’ll have to go with the F-150 as the clear winner over the 2020 Ram 1500. The 2020 F-150 is a well-rounded truck, excelling in many categories. We think it’d be a great buy for anyone looking to buy a new pickup truck.
Winner: 2020 Ford F-150
If you’re in the Central Arkansas area, Heartland Ford in Heber Springs is a great place to buy a 2020 Ford F-150. With a large selection, great prices, a friendly, small-town sales staff, we are ready to serve you. Come on down and test drive a new 2020 Ford F-150 today!