The 2023 Ford F-150 and 2023 Ram 1500 are serious haulers offering a variety of ways to achieve your work goals. With numerous trim levels, configurations and engine choices, shopping for a light duty truck can be a challenge.

This comparison lays out the pros and cons as it reviews the capability, performance, trim levels, and standard features of these two competitors.

1. 2023 Model Year Excitement

   The best word to describe the 2023 Ford F150 lineup is exciting. That’s because the long-awaited F-150 Raptor R has arrived. Plus the F-150 Rattler has joined the lineup.

   The Ram lineup has introduced a new high end cabin, the Limited Elite edition. There are new high tech choices, including a digital instrument cluster. That’s all good stuff, but definitely not as exciting as the Raptor R and Rattler.

2. 2023 Rankings and Recognition

   Ford owns the 2023 Truck of the Year title at Motor Trend. The award recognized the exciting all-electric F-150 Lightning. Car Connection named the Lightning its “Best Car to Buy in 2023”. This is just more evidence of the excitement that Ford is bringing into the pickup truck marketplace.

   Kelley Blue Book named the Ford F-150 as its top pick among full size, light duty trucks. Meanwhile, Ford and Ram hold the top spot at US News and World Report. Likewise, both trucks are an Editors’ Choice at Car and Driver.

3. Price and Value

   The F150 holds the 2023 Best Buy Award in its class from Kelley Blue Book. Indeed it starts out with a lower price than the Ram 1500. Further up the trim ladder, price points for Ford and Ram trims may look similar.

   Initially, a business or individual might save about $6,000 choosing the entry level Ford F150. This is a big incentive for buyers to start with Ford choices before looking at Ram. Plus, since Ford can offer higher tow ratings, it’s possible to pay less for an F150 that is equipped to do more than a comparably priced Ram. Your Earnhardt Ford dealer can tell you more about pricing with a quick quote.

4. Performance and Engine Choices

   Ford tends to offer the most engine choices of any full size truck, and this year it continues that tradition. Extremely innovative, it has Ecoboost turbos, high output turbos, electric Lightning, and hybrid powertrains as well as more traditional V6 and V8 choices.

   Ram offers a V6, a mild-hybrid V8, and a supercharged V8. Production is ending for a Ram ecodiesel that produces 260 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque.

   

   Comparing the basic V6 engines, Ram seems to take the lead. However, the Ecoboost V6 Ford F150 is priced below the entry level Ram price. So, the Ford shopper can actually get much more horsepower and torque for the truck price. Plus this provides better fuel efficiency.

5. Towing Comparison

   There are so many engines, configurations, and axle choices that you need to know exactly what your truck choice is rated to tow. With that said, you can take a look at the numbers and see that the F150 can tow more than the Ram V6 or V8 with its many different engines.

   

   Ram towing numbers top out at 7,740 or 12,750 pounds. Ford towing numbers top out at 8,200 lbs with the regular V6 and go to the top of the class with 14,000 and the twin-turbo 3.5L V6 SuperCab.

6. Bed Comparison

   Ram has made its beds extremely competitive. If you look at the numbers, it has slightly taller sides and a larger overall short bed than Ford. On the other hand, Ford has a slightly bigger 6-foot bed and allows you to choose an 8-foot bed.

   

   Ford is the only truck company offering Onboard Scales. This allows you to load your bed with the confidence that you’ll know if the load is getting too heavy. It takes the guesswork out of the process.

7. Cabin Space

   A spaciousness contest has the Ford and Ram trucks in something of a tie. There is very little difference between the two cabins when it comes to total cubic feet for passengers.

   

   The Ford SuperCrew ensures more than 40 inches of legroom for its second row passengers. The largest cabins of both brands have fold-flat seats to allow for maximum cargo space.

8. Standard Features

   Many reviewers complain that the Ram 1500 has a very short features list. This is due, in part, to the lack of important tech features on the Tradesman and Big Horn. So, despite the higher cost of Ram’s most basic trucks, they have fewer features than the Ford XL. Unless you pay for upgrades, you’ll have to go all the way to the Ram 1500 Laramie to match the Ford’s list.

   

   When you look at that list, the Ford is clearly the better deal for those buying work trucks. This will be important to anyone who wants the maximum modern conveniences in their new truck purchase.

Conclusion

If you are intent on getting the most truck for your money, the Ford F150 is the benchmark. On the other hand, if you are looking for the best style, the most luxuries or the most adventurous package, the F150 is also the choice.

Find out more when you schedule a test drive . Earnhardt is your Phoenix Ford dealer.

REVIEWS

”The full-size pickup truck segment is one of the most competitive in the automotive world, and the perennial sales king of the class is the Ford F-150.”

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"Whether it’s a basic work truck, an opulent people mover, or something in between, Ford offers an F-150 to do the job"

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”The 2023 Ford F-150 has widespread appeal, whether you're looking for a workhorse, an upscale everyday family vehicle or an off-road adventurer. ”

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