2018 Ford F-150 vs. 2018 RAM 1500

The RAM 1500 is one of many pickup trucks available to consumers and tries to compete with the legendary Ford F-150.

Unfortunately for the RAM, with an updated exterior, new engine and transmission options, and a host of new standard safety features, the 2018 Ford F-150 just can’t be beaten. If you’re looking for the best pickup truck available—you just found it.

Here are a few reasons the 2018 F-150 is a better truck than the RAM 1500:
 

Style

The RAM truck design hasn’t changed much over the past couple of decades. It’s a big, bulky pickup that some people like the look of. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but it’s hard to argue that the 2018 F-150 isn’t a stunning truck.

The updated exterior design gives the F-150 a modern, confident look and feel. Inspired by the updated F-250 and F-350 from last year, there is a new two-bar grille on the front of the F-150 that gives the truck a more muscular and mature look. Each trim of the F-150 has a slightly different grille, but all are based on the new two-bar design. Also new for the exterior of the F-150 are new LED outlined headlights and taillights.

The exterior of the RAM 1500, on the other hand, has pretty much the same look as a 2014 RAM. And, if the RAM looks a little bulkier than the F-150, that’s because it’s nearly 500 lbs heavier.

With a range of trim levels available, check out the entire line of 2018 F-150s and compare the trims for yourself. There’s bound to be an F-150 that suits your needs.

Engine and Transmission Options

Ford gives you plenty of choices when it comes to engine options for 2018. You can decide between a 3.3L V6 putting out 290 hp;  a 2.7L EcoBoost that gives you an impressive 325 hp; a 3.5L EcoBoost that raises the hp output to 375; a 5L V8 that gives you 395 hp; and now a newly announced 3.5L diesel engine for those in need of a real workhorse. Oh, and for the adventurous type, the 2018 Ford Raptor comes with a special 3.5L EcoBoost that puts out 450 hp.

While the RAM 1500 comes with a few engine options, it doesn’t match the awesome range of engines you can get under the hood of your next F-150.
 

Safety

When it comes to safety ratings, in 2017 F-150 received a 5-Star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and for this year Ford has improved the F-150 further by including a suite of advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control that allows the F-150 to automatically match the speed of the vehicle it’s behind; pre-collision assist that notifies the driver of a potential collision and if need be will apply the brakes to avoid an accident; and for those who tow or haul big loads, a new piece of software allows the system to compensate when you’re dealing with larger payloads or towing trailers. This provides the driver with a wider safety buffer and more confidence when towing or hauling.

“Safety is not a 2018 Ram 1500 virtue.” - The Car Connection

The 2018 RAM 1500, in comparison to the F-150, is lacking in the safety department. While the truck is heavier than the F-150, that doesn’t make it any better in crash testing. The Car Connection sums it up well by saying, “Safety is not a 2018 Ram 1500 virtue.”

You’ve read about it, and now you have to drive it. Take the 2018 Ford F-150 for a test drive and experience for yourself why, for many people, it’s the best pickup truck on the road today.

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