Comparison Toyota Tundra vs. Ram 1500: Which Should You Choose?

The 2023 Ram 1500 is a full-size pickup truck that stands out for its refined interior, smooth ride, and versatile engine range. With V6 and V8 engines, as well as a diesel option, RAM offers a diverse fuel economy, peaking at an estimated 14-15 miles per gallon (MPG). You can also get the Ram 1500 TRX with a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine delivering a hefty 702 horsepower (hp). When properly equipped, the Ram 1500 has a towing capacity of 12,750 pounds and 2,300 pounds of payload. In addition to its performance prowess, the Ram 1500 sports a classy cabin with plenty of interior space. Its active safety systems include adaptive cruise control, Forward Collision Warning, Blind-spot Monitoring, and Ready Alert Braking, making it not just a powerful, but also a safe choice for a pickup truck.

How much is a Toyota Tundra? 

The 2023 Toyota Tundra SR starts at $38,960, $44,470 for the high-value SR5, $50,565 for the luxurious Limited, and $60,775 for the Platinum. For added exclusivity, the 1794 Edition starts at $61,460.

The off-road enhanced TRD Pro model features additional capabilities and starts at $60,920. The range-topping Capstone edition is available at $77,645.

How much is a RAM 1500?

In the realm of 2023 pickups, the Ram 1500 proudly boasts a price range starting from $37,905 to $85,050. 

RAMs offer more trims, as you choose a separate trim to access most packages (with some exceptions). This straightforward approach means you have an even greater selection of trims to choose from with the RAM lineup. Their lineup includes the Tradesman, Tradesman HFE (High Fuel Efficiency), Big Horn (known as Lone Star in Texas), Laramie, Rebel, Limited Longhorn, Limited, and TRX. 

How reliable is the Toyota Tundra?

The Toyota Tundra is considered quite reliable, earning a J.D. Power reliability score of 70 out of 100. Its overall score of 79 indicates a strong performance in various aspects. However, what truly stands out is its impressive resale score of 95, which suggests that the vehicle is likely to retain its value well over the next three years. This lower depreciation rate contributes to the Tundra's higher rating and makes it an appealing choice for those looking for a dependable and valuable long-term investment.

How reliable is the Ram 1500? 

According to U.S. News, the Ram 1500 gets an impressive 9.0 out of 10, based on their thorough evaluation of 33 research and data elements. And when it comes to reliability, RepairPal rates the Ram 1500 with a solid 3.5 out of 5.0, positioning it at the top spot among all full-size trucks. The Ram 1500 is proving itself to be a trustworthy and dependable option.

How does the Toyota Tundra perform?

The 2023 Toyota Tundra offers two engines:

• i-FORCE Twin-Turbo V6 engine producing  389 hp and 479 lb.-ft. of torque;

• i-FORCE MAX Twin-Turbo V6 Hybrid with 437 hp and 583 lb.-ft. of torque.

The Toyota Tundra offers both engines with a 10-speed Electronically Controlled automatic Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i), sequential shift mode, and uphill/downhill shift logic, resulting in impressive towing capabilities, which will be compared in more detail soon.

When it comes to fuel economy ratings from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Toyota Tundra offers some solid options. For the 4x2 models with the lower-output engine in SR trim grades, you can expect 18 MPG in the city, 24 MPG on the highway, and 20 MPG combined. For all the other trim grades with the more powerful engine tune, the Tundra 4x2 achieves 18 MPG in the city, 23 MPG on the highway, and 20 MPG combined.

Now, for the 4x4 models, you'll get 17 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway (except for SR and SR5 grades, which get 23 MPG on the highway), resulting in a combined 19 MPG.

How does the Ram 1500 perform?

RAM offers three different engines, depending on the trim you're going to select:

• 3.6L PentastarTM V6 eTorque Engine with 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of Torque with up to 90 lb-ft of Additional Launch Torque
• 5.7L HEMI® V8 Engine with 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of Torque
• 6.2L Supercharged HEMI® V8 with Engine with 702 hp and 650 lb‑ft Torque

RAM’s 1500 EPA fuel efficiency offers different options. With the V6 powertrain, you can expect 20 MPG in the city, 25 MPG on the highway, and a combined 22 MPG. The HEMI V8 offers 17 MPG in the city, 23 MPG on the highway, and 19 MPG combined.

But here's the real highlight – for the best fuel economy on the page, look no further than the available diesel engine. With this option, the Ram 1500 achieves an impressive 23 MPG in the city, 33 MPG on the highway, and an outstanding combined 26 MPG. It's an excellent choice for those seeking optimal fuel efficiency without compromising on performance.

How comfortable is the Toyota Tundra? 

The 2023 Toyota Tundra is a testament to comfort and quality, designed to offer a smooth and enjoyable ride for both drivers and passengers. The seating in the Tundra has been significantly improved from previous models. In terms of interior space, the Tundra is available in two body styles: Double Cab and Crew Cab. Both styles can comfortably accommodate five passengers, offering plenty of headroom and legroom for taller occupants. This makes the Tundra an excellent choice for those who value spaciousness and comfort.

For 2023, Toyota Tundra introduced the SX package exclusively for the SR5 trim. This package gives the Tundra a stealthy look with dark gray wheels, body-colored door handles, and a rear bumper.

How comfortable is the Ram 1500?

The Ram 1500 is renowned for its top-tier comfort and quality. It offers an upscale interior that exudes a touch of class rarely found in pickup trucks.

The cabin is spacious, providing more than enough room for both front and rear passengers. The truck can comfortably seat up to five people, and the rear seats are particularly lauded for their extra comfort. The base version of the Ram 1500 comes with a 5-inch touchscreen display. The interior design uses quality materials throughout, giving it an upscale feel. It's clear that RAM has made the effort to create an environment that's both luxurious and durable. Overall, the Ram 1500 is loaded with features designed to enhance your driving experience. It includes a range of driver-assistance technologies, such as blind-spot and cross-path detection and trailer brake controller. 

What is the cargo and towing capacity of the Toyota Tundra?

The Tundra comes in three different bed lengths:

• The 5.5-foot bed measures 65.6 inches in interior length.
• The 6.5-foot bed with an interior length of 77.6 inches.
• The 8.1-foot bed which has an impressive interior length of 96.1 inches.

These dimensions make the Tundra quite a versatile option for transporting goods of different sizes. All load beds have a depth of 20.9 inches and a width of 58.7 inches (48.7 inches between the wheel wells), providing you with lots of space for your cargo. In terms of payload capacity, the 2023 Toyota Tundra can confidently accommodate payloads of up to 1,680 pounds, which is pretty impressive for a pickup truck. 

And the Toyota Tundra can haul an impressive 12,000 pounds. This makes it a highly capable truck for towing heavy loads like travel trailers or boats.

What is the cargo and towing capacity of the Ram 1500?

The 2023 Ram 1500 offers substantial cargo space, suitable for both personal and commercial use. The cargo capacities for different configurations are as follows:

• For the 67-inch bed, the cargo volume is 53.9 cubic feet.
• For the 76-inch bed, the cargo volume increases to 61.5 cubic feet.

When outfitted with the available 5.7L HEMI® V8 engine with eTorque, the Ram 1500 boasts a towing capacity of up to 12,750 pounds. This high towing capacity makes it a powerful and versatile vehicle for various heavy-duty tasks and adventures.

How safe is the Toyota Tundra? 

The 2023 Toyota Tundra is a beacon of safety, boasting a lot of advanced features you want in a truck. The standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 system offers high-end items like a Pre-Collision System with advanced pedestrian and cyclist detection, radar cruise control, Lane Tracing Assist, Automatic High Beams, and Road Sign Assist.

The Tundra also includes Toyota's Star Safety System™, featuring Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Anti-lock Brake System with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, and Smart Stop Technology. These robust safety measures make the Tundra a secure choice for all types of driving scenarios.

How safe is the Ram 1500?

The 2023 Ram 1500 is an absolute safety champ, showing off a bunch of high-tech features. Some standard safety features include: blind spot monitoring, forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, and a parking sensor system. The truck has six airbags throughout the cabin, providing comprehensive protection for all occupants.

RAM goes the extra mile with its safety offerings in higher-end models. These include an Adaptive Forward Lighting System, ParkSense® Front and Rear Park Assist, and an Adaptive Steering System. The 360° Surround View Camera enhances parking, towing, and driving experiences. With these safety measures, the Ram 1500 ensures a secure and confident drive.

The Ram 1500 is a fantastic choice if you're in the market for a full-size pickup truck. It's got it all - good pricing, excellent features, strong performance, and it can haul a lot. So, whether you're looking at cost, bells and whistles, power, or just how much stuff it can pull, the Ram truck ticks all the boxes. It's definitely worth a look.

The Toyota Tundra is a great and capable full-size truck that's a great option for many buyers. It's powerful, tows well, and has a reputation for lasting a long time. It also comes with lots of standard safety features. Just remember to think about your own needs and compare it with other trucks in the same category before making your decision.