2020 Ram 1500 Comparison: Ram 1500 vs. Chevrolet Silverado
Over the last few years, the Ram 1500 has been steadily building a loyal following among Canadian pickup fans, including customers and the media alike. The 2019 release was named MotorTrend Truck of the Year for its excellent combination of capability, comfort, reliability, and value, but Ram isn't satisfied to leave matters there.
The new 2020 Ram 1500 builds on those award-winning foundations with many upgrades and enhancements, but does it offer enough to maintain its place at the head of the pickup pack? To find out, read our 2020 Ram 1500 vs. 2020 Chevrolet Silverado comparison.
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Under the Hood
The engine is perhaps the single most important part of a pickup's design, and both trucks pack plenty of power even in their base level configurations.
At first glance, it looks like the Silverado should have the edge thanks to its 4.3L V6 engine, compared to the Ram's 3.5L V6, but the capacity figures don't tell the full story.
The Ram 1500 actually puts out considerably higher horsepower than the Silverado, with 305hp compared to 285hp. And if that's not enough, the Ram's top-line V8 engine can up the ante to a whopping 395hp, while the Silverado range doesn't head north of 355hp even when built to the most powerful configuration.
Towing and Payload
Nonetheless, both trucks have power to spare, and this shows up in the towing and payload capacity figures, where both trucks perform well. The Ram can carry marginally more payload, with 1,045kg compared to the Chevy's 1,036kg. However, the advantage switches around when it comes to towing, with the Chevy managing 6,090kg compared to the Ram's 5,795kg.
But one important cargo point needs making. The Ram's tailgate lift is lower at 88.7cm in contrast to the Chevrolet's figure of 91.7cm. This may not seem much of a difference, but combine this lower lift with a full 88-degree tailgate opening range, and the Ram is significantly easier to load and unload.
Interior and Tech
Ram is famed for their high levels of interior tech and comfort, which surpasses nearly any other manufacturer in their price bracket. The 2020 Ram 1500 continues in this tradition, supplying a huge 12" touchscreen for the infotainment system, coupled with high-powered audio and advanced navigation through the Uconnect 4C NAV system.
Set against this, the Chevrolet's limited choice of 7" or 8" touchscreen options seems miserly, to say the least. However, the inclusion of extra USB ports, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a Bose premium audio system are attractive options on the higher, more expensive trims.
2020 Ram 1500 vs. Silverado 1500: The Final Verdict
If raw power and capability are your ultimate measures of a truck, both these models perform extremely well. However, add the Ram's exceptionally well-equipped tech features, higher horsepower, and greater comfort to the mix, and the 2020 Ram 1500 is a clear winner.