Comparison Ram 1500 vs. Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Which Is Right for You?

The question isn’t really, “Do I need a truck?” but rather, “Which truck should I buy?” If you’ve narrowed down your options to the Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, you might find yourself with a bit of a conundrum. Which one best suits your needs? 

The Ram 1500 dominates the full-size pickup segment for a smooth, practically unmatched ride. RAM equips the high-strength steel frame underpinning this pickup legend with coil springs on lower trims and Active-Level Four Corner Air Suspension. A smooth ride doesn’t stop the Ram 1500 Rebel and TRX models from tearing up dunes, dirt, and debris. The Ram 1500 REV all-electric model, said to arrive in late 2024, will enter this brand into the electric pickup segment. 

Similarly, Chevrolet has introduced an all-electric Silverado 1500 variant that will arrive en masse in 2024. The Chevrolet Colorado is the smaller of the brand’s two pickups, and the Silverado and Colorado mirror the GMC Sierra and Canyon respectively. What the Silverado 1500 lacks in styling compared to the GMC equivalent, it more than makes up for in brawn and grit. The off-road capable ZR2 and Trail Boss trim variants demonstrate Chevy’s ability to work hard and play harder. 

Getting your money’s worth factors into buying a truck when deciding how much you should pay.  

How much is a Ram 1500?

A 2023 Ram 1500 starts at $37,905. Selecting a four-wheel drive variant will add $3,500 to that sticker price. The TRX model costs the most, starting at $85,050. 

How much is a Chevrolet Silverado 1500? 

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 starts at $36,300 for 2023 models. The ZR2 off-road model is the most expensive at a $73,395 starting price. 

The best truck deals mean nothing if the pickup isn’t reliable. How will the Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 stack up?  

How reliable is the Ram 1500?

There’s no question about the Ram 1500 reliability ratings. RepairPal scored the pickup 3.5 out of 5 stars, with repair costs averaging $670 annually. Compare this to the $936 average for the segment and $652 for all cars. 

The Ram 1500 visits the shop 0.19 times yearly, much lower than the 0.3 average visits for full-size pickups. The segment has an 18% chance of severe maintenance issues, and the Ram 1500 comes in at 17%. All cars have a 12% chance of severe maintenance issues.  

How reliable is the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

According to RepairPal, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 earns 3.5 out of 5 stars for reliability. The average annual repair costs are $714, about $45 more than the Ram 1500. The Chevy Silverado 1500 visits the shop 0.23 times yearly and has a 16% chance of severe maintenance issues. 

How well do you think the Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 balance performance and fuel efficiency?  

How does the Ram 1500 perform, including fuel efficiency?

The Ram 1500 features four powerplants, many of which come with the eTorque Mild Hybrid Technology System that boosts efficiency: 

• 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6: 260 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque 
• 3.6-liter V6: 305 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque 
• 5.7-liter V8: 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque 
• 6.2-liter supercharged V8: 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque

As you might have guessed, the Ram 1500 TRX model does poorly in fuel efficiency ratings. However, the turbodiesel model strikes an affordable balance between power and efficiency, as you can see below: 

• Turbodiesel V6: 20 city and 25 highway MPG (RWD); 19 city and 24 highway (4WD)
• Gas V6: 22 city and 32 highway MPG (RWD); 21 city and 29 highway (4WD)
• Gas V8: 17 city and 23 highway MPG (RWD); 17 city and 22 highway (4WD)
• Supercharged V8: 10 city and 14 highway MPG

How does the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 perform, including fuel efficiency? 

Like the Ram 1500, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has four powerplants to choose from: 

• 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder: 310 horsepower and 430 foot-pounds (lb-ft) of torque 
• 3.0-liter turbodiesel 6-cylinder: 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque
• 5.3-liter V8: 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque
• 6.2-liter V8: 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque

The base engine comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission. A 10-speed automatic transmission is available with the 6-cylinder and V8 models. The 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8 comes standard on the ZR2 trims. 

FuelEconomy.gov reports the following fuel efficiency ratings for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500: 

• 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder: 19 city and 22 highway miles per gallon (MPG) rear-wheel drive (RWD), 18 city and 21 highway MPG (4WD)
• 3.0-liter turbodiesel 6-cylinder: 24 city and 29 highway MPG (RWD), 22 city and 27 highway MPG (4WD)
• 5.3-liter V8: 17 city and 21 highway MPG (RWD), 16 city and 20 highway MPG (4WD)
• 6.2-liter V8: 16 city and 20 highway MPG, 14 city and 17 highway MPG (ZR2)

The best full-size trucks are the ones you want to get into after a long day’s work. Keep reading to see how comfortable the Chevy Silverado 1500 and Ram 1500 really are.  

How comfortable is the Ram 1500?

The Ram 1500 features a 12-inch Digital Cluster and seating for up to six passengers. You can choose from Quad or Crew Cab and the following eight trims: 

• Limited
• Limited Longhorn
• Rebel
• LaRamie
• Big Horn
• Tradesman
• Tradesman HFE
• TRX

Select Crew Cab models feature Active-Level Four Corner Air Suspension that automatically lowers the Ram 1500 to improve fuel efficiency and reduce drag. Basic trim levels feature cloth and vinyl seating, while higher trims feature premium leather. You can also add a 10-square-foot panoRamic sunroof on select models. 

How comfortable is the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 features a similar lineup of trims, varying from the dependable-yet-sparse Work Truck to the custom and incredibly capable ZR2 model. Customers can choose from regular, crew, and double cabs. Available trims include: 

• Work Truck
• Custom
• Custom Trail Boss
• LT
• RST
• LT Trail Boss
• LTZ
• ZR2
• High Country

The Silverado 1500 seats between five and six passengers, depending on your front seat configuration. Basic trim levels have vinyl seating, mid-range have cloth, and top-tier trims feature leather. Chevy installs a seven-inch touchscreen on basic trims below the LT model, but this trim and those above it receive the 13.4-inch touchscreen with a 12.3-inch digital Driver Information Center. 

Interior cargo space can be just as important as towing capacity, especially for shielding your tools of the trade from the elements. 

How much cargo space does the Ram 1500 have? 

Cargo space measurements on the Ram 1500 are as follows:

• Front headroom: 40.9 inches
• Front legroom: 40.9 inches 
• Front hip room: 63.4 inches
• Rear headroom: 39.8 inches
• Rear legroom: 45.2 inches
• Rear hip room: 63.4 inches  

How much cargo space does the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 features 89.1 cubic feet of cargo volume. You’ll find the most cargo space on crew cab variants: 

• Front headroom: 43 inches
• Front legroom: 44.5 inches 
• Front hip room: 61.18 inches
• Rear headroom: 40.12 inches
• Rear legroom: 43.4 inches
• Rear hip room: 60.24 inches  

The Ram 1500 and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 are among the best trucks for towing, in addition to the Ford F-150.  

How much can the Ram 1500 tow? 

Equip your Ram 1500 with the HEMI V8 engine, and you can tow up to 12,750 pounds with a payload capacity of 2,300 pounds. The Ram 1500 features a Multifunction Tailgate and RamBox Cargo Management System. The Trailer Reverse Steering Control is an intuitive way to assist with reversing a trailer. Quad Cab models have the longest bed at 76 inches.   

How much can the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 tow? 

When properly equipped, Chevy’s Silverado 1500 takes the cake for towing capacity with 13,300 pounds. However, the payload capacity is only 2,260 pounds compared to the Ram 1500’s 2,300 pounds payload capacity. 

Chevrolet installs eight cameras with 14 different views when trailering. Additional trailering features include: 

• Trailer side Blind Zone Alert
• Trailer Sway Control
• Hill Start Assist
• Auto Grade Braking

You can also monitor your Silverado 1500 with the Trailering App. This mobile app features checklists and profiles that help you stay safe when you tow. The Chevrolet Multi-Flex Tailgate features a versatile approach to an otherwise overlooked section of the truck. 

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Ram 1500 prioritize occupant safety with various critical features most people don’t appreciate until an accident occurs. 

How safe is the Ram 1500? 

The National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Ram 1500 top marks. In fact, the Ram 1500 was named the 2022 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK for the fourth year in a row. It ranked “Good” in all IIHS tests. 

The NHTSA awarded the 2023 Ram 1500 a perfect score for the Crew Cab model and 4 out of 5 stars for the Quad Cab model. The two outstanding recalls cover the rearview image not displaying and the failure of the high-pressure fuel pump. Ram offers the following safety features on all 1500 models: 

• 360-degree Surround View Camera
• Electronic Stability Control 
• Electronic Roll Mitigation
• 360-degree Trailer Surround View Camera
• Blind spot awareness
• Rear cross path detection
• Forward collision warning
• Digital safety and security measures
• Parallel and perpendicular park assist
• Adaptive cruise control

Ram incorporates six airbags throughout the cabin and features 14.9-inch brake rotors, the largest rotors in its class. 

How safe is the Chevrolet Silverado 1500? 

Chevrolet equips the Silverado 1500 with several safety features, including: 

• Forward collision alert
• Automatic emergency braking
• Front pedestrian braking
• Lane keep assist
• Lane departure warning
• Following distance indicator
• High beam assist 
• Safety Alert Seat
• 
  

The NHTSA and IIHS praise the Silverado 1500 with superior ratings. The IIHS rated the Silverado “Good” in all categories except the “Small overlap front: passenger-side,” where it rated “Marginal.” The NHTSA awarded the Silverado 5 out of 5 stars, with only one recall. This recall deals with running lights that may not deactivate properly, a common issue that has plagued many Chevrolet models for a few years.   

You can also purchase the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with Super Cruise capabilities. This semi-autonomous driving feature allows for hands-free driving under certain conditions. 

The Ram 1500 stands shoulder-to-shoulder with heavy hitters such as the Ford F-150 and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. This legendary pickup shines in ride quality and offers customers hundreds of customizable features. The Ram 1500 proves to be a safe, fuel-efficient, and well-appointed pickup that performs at a job site, on the trail, or at the most prestigious social events. 

That’s not to say the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 gives it any quarter. Chevy’s full-size pickup edges out the Ram 1500 for towing capacity but still shows up to the party with refined creature comforts and style. More practical than the GMC Sierra for real-life challenges and adventures, the Silverado 1500 has had its fair share of recalls. Yet the brand continues to push the limits of what it means to be a truck with the 2024 Silverado EV all-electric pickup.