Which hard-working pickup truck would YOU rather own, the stylish Ram 1500 or Chevrolet’s ready-for-anything Silverado 1500? Vote in our latest poll!
There’s more than one way to skin a cat, though why you’d want to abuse felines is beyond us. In any event, both FCA and GM think they have the right solution for customers that need a truck, though there are some important differences between their offerings.
Starting with the Ram, this “half-ton” model offers a range of powertrains and some intriguing features. Underhood, several excellent engines are offered including a base 3.6-liter V6 that delivers 305 horses and 269 lb-ft of torque. Stepping up from there you can also get a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that’s good for 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of twist.
These gasoline options are rock solid, but the most intriguing option is a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine. It delivers a rather meager 240 horses but it packs a wallop in the form of 420 units of twist. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard with some engines and trims but an economical eight-speed self-shifting gearbox is paired with other models.
Aside from its available diesel engine, one of the Ram’s other signature features is optional air suspension.
Focusing on the Silverado 1500 now, it offers three engines, all of which consume gasoline. The base unit is a 4.3-liter V6. It puts out 285 horsepower and 297 lb-ft of torque. Stepping up from there, you can get a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horses and 383 units of twist. The top offering is a 6.2-liter V8 that’s good for 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft.
All of these engines feature aluminum construction and direct fuel injection for weight savings and greater efficiency. As for transmissions, two automatics are offered in the Silverado, one with six speeds and another with eight ratios.
Signature features in the Chevy include available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Duralife brake rotors for extended performance and trailer sway control for towing confidence.
For more information on these trucks, please compare them here. And don’t forget to vote for a favorite!
