The Ford F-150 has been the reigning champion for years now. But there is the smell of new competition. The Ram 1500 has been fully designed for the 2019 model year. Now entering its fifth generation, the Ram 1500 is boasting reduced weight, more passenger space, and a timelier transmission thanks to an all-new mild hybrid system. Has Ram surpassed the Ford F-150 at last? We wouldn't bet on it. In this comparison guide, we put the Ford and Ram side by side to give you the numbers that add up to a winner.
Curb Weight: 2019 Ford F-150
Lower curb weight means better gas mileage and more oomph per unit of horsepower. While Ram 1500 may have shed a couple hundred pounds, let's not forget that Ford paved the way for that innovation. In 2015, Ford debuted their military-grade aluminum trucks. The F-150 shed 700 pounds while also increasing its strength to its most vital and load-bearing parts. The Ford F-150 continues to be a fit and trim pickup that still packs a punch. This pickup weighs in at just 4,070 pounds.
The Ram 1500 has also lost weight this model year, but Ram is still playing catch up. The lightest Ram 1500 still weighs in at 4,800 pounds. So, despite gaining some ground, the Ram 1500 is still behind in this version of Biggest Loser.
Towing: 2019 Ford F-150
A good measure of any pickup truck is towing capacity. It's where the rubber meets the road. The bigger the numbers, the more likely you've picked a real powerhouse of a pickup. The Ford F-150 has the best numbers in town. At most, the Ford pickup tows 13,200 pounds, when properly equipped. Throw in active features like Trailer Backup Assist, Dynamic Hitch Assist, and Trailer Sway Control, and the Ford F-150 is a dreamboat of towing potential.
Meanwhile, the Ram has really upped its game, but not enough to beat the F-150. The 2019 Ram's towing capacity is 12,750 pounds. Kudos to Ram; that's more than 2,000 pounds more than the previous generation. But, as you can see, the Ram is still trailing the Ford pickup in towing power.
Engine: 2019 Ford F-150
The beating heart of a pickup is the engine. And no one makes a better pickup engine than Ford. Climb into a Ford F-150 Raptor and feel the turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 with all 450 of its horses. We know that the Raptor, being the top-tier trim level might be out of reach or impractical for most truck drivers, but it's definitely a noteworthy achievement. But if we're just looking at the base engine, the Ford and Ram are too evenly matched to call it.
The Ram's best engine is a 5.7-liter V8 Hemi that generates 395 horsepower. That's a decent engine, but not show-stopping. Looking at the numbers, the Ford F-150 wins in power, the application of power, and lightweight frame. Looks like Ford is retaining its championship belt this year.