Ram 1500 vs Toyota Tundra Comparison Review

Full time four-wheel drive is available on the Ram 1500. Full-time four-wheel drive gives added traction for safety in all conditions, not just off-road, like the only system available on the Tundra.

The Ram 1500's optional blind spot mirrors use wide-angle convex mirrors mounted in the corner of each side view mirror to reveal objects that may be in the driver's blind spots. The Tundra doesn't offer a system to reveal objects in the driver's blind spots.

Both the Ram 1500 and the Tundra have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ram 1500 Regular Cab is safer than the Tundra Regular Cab:

More stars indicate a better overall result. Lower numbers indicate better individual test results.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Ram 1500 is safer than the Toyota Tundra:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

There are over 2 times as many Ram dealers as there are Toyota dealers, which makes it much easier to get service under the 1500's warranty.

Reliability

The Ram 1500's engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Tundra's 4.0 DOHC V6 and 5.7 DOHC V8 engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Engine

The Ram 1500's optional 5.7 V8 produces 9 more horsepower (390 vs. 381) and 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (407 vs. 401) than the Tundra's optional 5.7 DOHC V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ram 1500 V8 is faster than the Toyota Tundra V8:

 

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Ram 1500 has larger standard tires than the Tundra (265/70R17 vs. 255/70R18). The Ram 1500 R/T's tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Tundra (285/45R22 vs. 275/65R18).

The Ram 1500 R/T's tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tundra DoubleCab/CrewMax's optional 55 series tires.

For better load carrying, ride, handling and brake cooling the Ram 1500 R/T has standard 22-inch wheels. The Tundra's largest wheels are only 20 inches.

Suspension and Handling

The Ram 1500 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Ram 1500 flat and controlled during cornering. The Tundra's suspension doesn't offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The front and rear suspension of the Ram 1500 uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the Tundra, which uses leaf springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The Ram 1500's front to rear weight distribution is more even (56.2% to 43.8%) than the Tundra's (57.8% to 42.2%). This gives the Ram 1500 more stable handling and braking.

The Ram 1500 standard bed R/T Regular Cab handles at .75 G's, while the Tundra Standard Bed Work Truck Regular Cab pulls only .72 G's of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Ram 1500 short bed Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 handles at .73 G's, while the Tundra Standard Bed Limited Double Cab 4x4 pulls only .67 G's of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Ram 1500 standard bed R/T Regular Cab executes Motor Trend's "Figure Eight" maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Tundra Standard Bed Work Truck Regular Cab (28.2 seconds @ .61 average G's vs. 29.9 seconds @ .55 average G's).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Ram 1500 short bed Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 is quieter than the Tundra Standard Bed Limited Double Cab 4x4 (43 vs. 45 dB).

Passenger Space

The Ram 1500 Crew Cab has 8.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Tundra (125.3 vs. 117).

The Ram 1500 Quad Cab has .8 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front hip room, 1 inch more rear headroom and .3 inches more rear hip room than the Tundra Double Cab.

The Ram 1500 Crew Cab has .8 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front hip room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, .6 inches more rear hip room and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Tundra CrewMax.

Cargo Capacity

The Ram 1500 has stake post holes, to allow the containment of tall, light loads. The Tundra doesn't offer stake post holes.

The Ram 1500 has an all welded cargo box to eliminate possible corrosion spots and to provide better chassis stiffness. The cargo box in the Tundra is bolted through the bed to the frame with large bolts. These bolts are a prime area for corrosion to start as the normal flexing of the truck's chassis causes them to eat through the finish; they can also snag cargo as it slides in and out.

Payload

The Ram 1500 has a higher standard payload capacity than the Tundra:

Servicing Ease

The Ram 1500 offers an optional under hood light to help in making nighttime maintenance checks, adding fluids, etc. The Tundra doesn't offer an under hood light.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Ram 1500 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Toyota doesn't offer a maintenance reminder on the Tundra.

Ergonomics

The Ram 1500 Laramie's standard easy entry system glides the driver's seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Tundra doesn't offer an easy entry system.

The power windows available on both the Ram 1500 and the Tundra have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Ram 1500 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Tundra prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Ram 1500's optional front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Tundra's standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver's window opens automatically.

On a hot day the Ram 1500's driver can lower the front windows using the key in the outside lock cylinder or the keyless remote. The driver of the Tundra can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Ram 1500's variable intermittent wipers have an adjustable delay to allow the driver to choose a setting that best clears the windshield during light rain or mist. The Tundra Work Truck's standard wipers have no intermittent settings at all, so the driver will have to constantly turn them on and off.

The Ram 1500 has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The Tundra only offers an automatic headlight on/off feature as an extra cost option.

The Ram 1500's optional power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Tundra's standard power mirror controls are on the dash, hidden behind the steering wheel, where they are awkward to manipulate.

When the Ram 1500 with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Tundra's mirrors don't automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Ram 1500 and the Tundra offer available heated front seats. The Ram 1500 Crew Cab Laramie also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren't available in the Tundra.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Ram 1500 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Ram 1500 will cost $355 less than the Tundra over a five-year period.

To find out more about the RAM 1500 visit Napleton Clermont Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM at 15859 State Road 50 Clermont, FL or call (877) 356-6859