Silverado 1500 vs Ram 1500

Chances are you’ve checked out the Silverado 1500 and the Ram 1500 if you’ve been looking for a new truck. Don’t be alarmed if you feel a little overwhelmed trying to compare the two trucks. You’re not alone. It gets confusing trying to understand the differences between all modern equipment and engineering. That’s why we’ve created this head-to-head comparison to help you decide which truck will work best for you.

Engines

Image via Flickr by steffenz

Image via Flickr by steffenz

Ram offers five engine options in the Ram 1500, starting with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 that delivers 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. A 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine ups the power game with 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. An eTorque mild-hybrid version of this engine puts up the same power numbers and delivers more towing capacity. 

A 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V-8 comes standard in the TRX trim. This engine puts out a monstrous 702 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. Ram’s 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 engine offers the perfect blend of power and efficiency with its 260 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque.

Five engines are available on the Silverado 1500. Chevy’s base engine is the 4.7-liter V-6 engine that puts out 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque. A 2.7-liter turbo is available that produces 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet of torque. Next up is the 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 engine that gives you 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. 

Chevy’s most potent offering, a 6.2-liter V-8 engine, gets 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The Silverado has a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine that performs well with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.

The edge has to go to the Ram 1500. It has a more powerful base engine than the Silverado, and its HEMI V-8 engines out-perform the Silverado’s middle-tier options by a wide margin. Add in the TRX’s supercharged HEMI, and it isn’t even close.

Towing Capacity

Chevy’s 2.7-liter powertrain can tow up to 7,000 pounds. The Ram 1500 with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 has a towing capacity of 7,730 pounds, while the Silverado 1500’s towing capacity is 7,900 pounds. Chevy’s 5.3-liter V-8 can tow up to 11,600 pounds. 

Ram’s standard HEMI V-8 engine tows up to 11,610 pounds, and the mild-hybrid V-8 pulls up to 12,750 pounds. Ram’s EcoDiesel engine has a 12,560-pound towing capacity versus the Silverado’s EcoDiesel’s 9,500-pound capacity.

A slight edge goes to the Ram 1500 for its superior gas-powered engines, while a significant advantage goes to Ram’s diesel engine that out-performs Chevy’s diesel option by nearly 3,000 pounds.

Towing Technology

The Ram 1500 comes with some smart towing systems like trailer tire pressure monitoring, trailer light checks, and trailer tow mirrors that power-fold. The Ram 1500’s 360-degree surround-view camera system uses five cameras to give a complete view of the Ram 1500 and its trailer. You also get a trailer reverse steering system that works with a trailer steering knob in the center stack. You turn the knob in the direction you want the trailer to go, and the system steers for you.

Ram’s electronic stability control system works in unison with trailer sway control and electronic roll mitigation. These systems intelligently adjust braking and engine torque to keep both truck and trailer moving together in their intended direction. Hill-start assist makes starting on a hill easy by keeping the brakes engaged while your foot moves to the accelerator, eliminating roll-back.

The Chevy Silverado 1500 also offers a surround-view camera system and trailer technology that monitors lighting and tire pressure. The one thing the Silverado lacks is Ram’s trailer reverse steering system.

This category might be the closest the Silverado comes to the Ram, but the reverse steering system on the Ram 1500 gives it the win.

Trims

The Silverado comes in seven trim levels. The base model is the WT work truck, a stripped-down, no-frills vehicle designed for fleet use or basic working. From there, you have the LTZ, LT, LT, Custom, Custom, and High Country trims. The LT and Custom trucks offer a Trail Boss version with a 4×4 setup.

Ram offers seven trim levels as well. Ram’s base model is the Tradesman, which comes nicely equipped with the EcoDiesel V-6 engine, side steps, a tri-fold tonneau bed cover, and 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels. The Ram offers the Big Horn and Laramie trims with all the luxurious appointments you crave and two distinctive options in the Night Edition and Sport Appearance Package.

The Rebel trim has the unique off-road capability with an additional factory lift, all-terrain tires, and tow hooks. The Limited and Limited Long Horn trims come with upgraded interiors and custom exterior badging. Then there’s the powerful new TRX edition, a monster on and off the road.

We give the edge to the Ram 1500 for its more stylized appearance throughout the trim levels.

Safety Features

Available driver-assist systems on the Ram 1500 include forward collision alert with active braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, guided parking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-path with trailer detection, and LaneSense lane departure warning with lane-keep assist. 

The Silverado 1500 offers forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, front pedestrian braking, lane change alert with side blind zone alert, and rear cross-traffic alert systems.

The technology used by both brands features radar and advanced optical sensors to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings and alerting the driver to potential hazards. In some cases, these systems can intervene with emergency brake support and steering correction. 

The slight edge goes to the Ram 1500 for its guided parking feature that steers you into parallel and perpendicular parking spots. The Silverado doesn’t have this system.

Which Is Better?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but performance is measurable. The Ram consistently out-performs the Silverado, offering more powerful engines, a better towing capacity, more advanced systems, and a better driver-assist package. Without a doubt, the Ram 1500 wins our head-to-head comparison.

At Oxmoor Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we stock the most extensive inventory of Ram 1500 trucks in the region. We invite you to browse our inventory online or visit our showroom. One of our friendly, knowledgeable staff will happily show you the different models, answer any questions you might have, and let you take your favorite Ram 1500 for a test drive.

We understand the role your truck plays in your life. That’s why our state-of-the-art service center operates extended hours to fit your busy schedule. You can conveniently schedule service online or call for an appointment.