The Ram and Chevy full-size pickup trucks are two of the best on the market. And they’ve deserved their sales and reputation. But that leaves us in a quandary. Which of these titans in the industry should you buy? They’re both exceptional trucks, but you can’t exactly buy both. If you can, go for it! The rest of us have a difficult decision to make. In this comparison guide, we break it down for you so you can get the right truck for you.
Pricing: 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500
Kudos to the folks at Chevrolet for making the more affordable full-size truck. But the difference in price isn’t that big. The 2020 Ram 1500 starts at $32,145 compared to the $28,300 sticker price for the Chevy Silverado 1500. The base Silverado comes with vinyl upholstery, four-way manually adjustable front seats, rearview camera, Teen Driver system, 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system with two-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and USB port. Meanwhile, the Ram comes with the same, plus a little more: push-button start, three USB ports, and the Uconnect infotainment system. The base engine on the Ram also delivers more horsepower than the one on the Silverado.
The real reason for the difference in trim levels is how nice the interior on the Ram is. That’s not just a subjective opinion. In a Ram truck, the interior is comprised of premium materials, finished and fitted tightly. You won’t want for cabin space. And the insulation is good enough to protect you from most engine, wind, and road noise. We also liked all the compartments within the Ram’s cabin that keeps everything nice and organized. There’s storage space in seat cushions and under the rear seats, not to mention the RamBox in the sides of the actual bed in back.
Engine Output: 2020 Ram 1500
We’ve already mentioned that the 2020 Ram 1500’s base engine offers more horsepower than that of the Chevy Silverado. That’s a trend that continues throughout the lineup. To Chevy’s credit, the Silverado offers more engine options to choose from. There are five, from the base 4.3-liter V6 to the 6.2-liter V8, available on the Custom Trail Boss, LT Trail Boss, RST, LTZ, and High Country trim levels. This engine’s maximum output is 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque.
Meanwhile, the 2020 Ram 1500 offers just three engine options--the 3.6-liter V6 base engine and two variations of the 5.7-liter V8--but they all are offered on every trim level. So, if you want the best engine without spending top dollar, the Ram does it all. That better Ram engine delivers 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, which is close enough to the Silverado’s that most drivers won’t detect a difference. And that’s for thousands and thousands of dollars less.