Fans of classic Americana certainly enjoy pining for the days of poodle skirts, Wolfman Jack, and hot rods such as the Ford Thunderbird and Chevy Bel Air. The times have changed. Poodle skirts have given way to man buns, Wolfman Jack’s last notable appearance in popular culture was as a guest star on “Married…With Children,” and as for hot rods…they’ve been replaced with dapper and debonair pickups that some have described as the “new Cadillacs” of the road. That is to say; they offer decadence and prestige. Some drivers still rely on the pickup for its intended purpose of being a reliable workhorse, while others crave power and domination of the road.
Two brands that adhere to these schools of thought are Ram and Ford. The superiority of both respective brands is usually a matter of subjection, with brand loyalty being the deciding factor for many consumers at the time of purchase. Rather than take a subjective line of examination, we’ve decided to offer an objective one by looking at the 2022 Ram 1500 vs 2022 Ford F-150. It would be easy to refer to this article in such terms; however, we’re going to explore why Ram has literally “rammed” down the competition and outmaneuvered Ford to deliver a better product. Let’s take a closer look at how these two workhorses pair up against one another.
The Battle of Power and Performance
One notable feature that the Ram 1500 and Ford F-150 share is their wide variety of engine options that adhere to the varying needs of their drivers. Unlike manufacturers such as Nissan and Toyota, with limited offerings that sometimes don’t exceed two, the 1500 and F-150 believe in giving their customers more variety. Each model offers distinct engines that provide their own unique advantages. Rather than break down every option, we’ve chosen the ones that we think are most effective based on performance and popularity.
For both models, the standard offering is more than adequate for daily use and a light weekly workload. The F-150’s 3.3L V6 is certainly no slouch, especially with its horsepower rating of 290 and ability to generate 265 lb-ft of torque. Ram, always one to answer the competition with vigor and determination, ups the ante on their standard engine. Ram’s 3.6L Pentastar V6, which has been part of the 1500 since 2019, boasts 305 hp and generates 269 lb-ft of torque. The eTorque system equipped with the Pentastar is described as a “mild hybrid” form of technology that helps conserve energy and is one of the brand’s most notable innovations in recent years.
At the high end of the performance spectrum is a name synonymous with power; the HEMI. Two distinctive high-powered HEMI V8 engines are available for the Ram 1500, each one catering to different types of drivers. First, there’s a 5.7L HEMI V8 with 395 hp and the ability to tow 11,610 lbs. The other HEMI is equipped with eTorque, can pull up to 12,750 lbs, and possesses conservative fuel consumption in the form of achieving 18 MPG when driving in the city and 23 MPG on the highway.
On the other hand, Ford has stuck to their guns with their venerable “Coyote.” A naturally aspirated V8 that’s been a staple of the F-150 for quite some time, the engine, while boasting 400 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque, lacks the technological innovation of Ram’s eTorque-equipped modernized engines.
Interior Motives that Subvert Expectations
Earlier in this article, we mentioned that quite a few critics and consumers have referred to pickups as the “new Cadillacs.” That analogy seems more than accurate as we explore what’s behind the wheel in terms of comfort and infotainment. The interiors of both vehicles are refined, spacious, and offer all of the sophisticated amenities one might associate with a luxury sedan. As with so many interiors found across the entire industry, the ones in the Ram 1500 and Ford F-150 are anchored by the infotainment screen.
The F-150 comes equipped with a standard 8-inch screen that can be upgraded to an available 12-inch version. If Ford’s decision to keep utilizing the older 5.0L V8 is any indication, then it’s all too easy to see how this mode of thinking translates to the interior of the F-150. Despite the impressive screen we previously mentioned, the interior lacks the style and flair synonymous with many other trucks in its class. Bland, colorless, yet spacious, the interior’s greatest attribute appears to be a folding shift lever that turns the center console into a mobile workplace.
If the interior of the F-150 is bland and lacking in the aesthetic department, then the Ram 1500 quite literally turns the practical interior of the pickup truck upon its axis. Stylish, suave, and sophisticated, the available 12-inch touchscreen sits vertically in the dash and anchors the interior almost perfectly. The Ram 1500 has a symmetrical design that mimics the interior of a European luxury sedan while still possessing the attributes that many truck drivers keep a keen eye on. With accessible controls, a two-toned color scheme, and an emphasis on being user-friendly, there’s no doubt which brand is more appealing and convenient.
Both Trucks Thoroughly Protect You and Your Passengers
Comparing and contrasting the most important aspects of any two vehicles presents a challenge to those who examine the different offerings of the industry as a whole. Many of the various manufacturers are similar to one another, so when it comes to evaluating the safety of these two pickups, we’ll have to look at government-mandated testing that occurs every year and is made available to consumers.
Every year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducts thorough crash testing on an array of vehicles. These tests are completely objective and allow anyone purchasing a vehicle to gauge how safe they’ll be in the event of a collision. Both the Ram 1500 and Ford F-150 received a five-star safety rating, which is the highest to be awarded. When examining the test results of both vehicles, the results are virtually identical, with top scores across much of the board except in rollover tests, which scored a 4/5.
With such a close contest, how does one decide on a definitive winner? Well, safety isn’t a competitive sport and is more of an obligation that every manufacturer must adhere to for the benefit of their customers. In this case, the winner is neither Ford nor Ram; it’s you.
Our Final Verdict on the Supremacy of the 2022 Ram 1500
While the real winner of the competition in terms of safety is you, the driver who deserves safety and peace of mind, the Ram 1500 is clearly the superior vehicle to emerge from this competition. With performance and comfort being two categories that many look for in a pickup truck, the F-150 can’t hold a candle (or headlight) to the 1500’s penchant for technological innovation with performance and refined tastes in terms of comfort. While there will always be brand loyalists who insist their version is superior, research based on fact doesn’t lie. Neither does the sophisticated interior and awe-inspiring engines of Ram trucks. If pickups are the new Cadillacs of the road, consider the Ram 1500 the ideal symbol of status and power.
