2018 Ram 1500 vs 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Posted on January 14, 2021
No part of the North American vehicle market is as fiercely competitive or as lucrative as full-size pickup trucks, especially when we're talking about light-duty models such as the Ram 1500 and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. So, let's see which of these two legendary trucks is better by putting the 2018 Ram 1500 Pickup Truck head-to-head with the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
Styling
Unless we look at some of the Japanese contenders, full-size light-duty pickup trucks tend to look like, well, full-size pickup trucks really. To be fair to Ram trucks though, they do have a very distinct and aggressive front-fascia design that does set trucks like the 1500 apart from the competition to some degree by making them immediately identifiable as a Ram. The Chevy does bold and brash slightly differently to the Ram, but with its unapologetic rectangles and squares everywhere you look it's just as aggressive and no-nonsense as the Chevy. The Chevy can look a little more blingy at higher trim levels, but the Ram 1500 looks just as good throughout its lineup.
Capability
Although you can have even more capability by going for a heavy-duty truck, what a light-duty like the Ram 1500 can tow and haul is still vitally important to buyers. The maximum tow rating for a Ram 1500 when properly specified can be as much as 4,826 kg, while the maximum payload rating is 853 kg. The Silverado can actually tow a little more with a maximum rating of 5,443 kg, and it can also haul a little more with a rating as high as 1,030 kg.
Engines
The maximum capabilities of the Silverado may be a little higher than those of the Ram 1500, but the Ram has a much more varied and versatile lineup of engines. There really is something for everyone with the Ram as it can be specified with a 3.6-litre Pentastar V-6, a 5.7-litre Hemi V-8, or a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard in most cases, although a six-speed unit is available for the Hemi V-8. There are three engines for the Silverado 1500 too, but they're not really as varied. The base engine is a 4.3-litre V-6 that's not as powerful as the Ram's base V-6, and the other two options are both gas V-8s, so there's no diesel option whatsoever.
Configurations
There are no less than 14 different trim levels of Ram 1500, so it's going to be tough for anyone to say there isn't a model to suit their needs and tastes. The entry model is the ST, and from there we go onwards and upwards through Tradesman, SLT, HFE, Harvest Edition, Outdoorsman, Big Horn, Sport, Night Edition, Rebel, Laramie, Laramie Longhorn, Laramie Limited and finally to the new Laramie Tungsten at the top of the range. And that's without the three cabs, two beds, two drivetrains and three engines to select from. The Silverado isn't exactly lacking when it comes to configuration options, and the High Country trim level is very impressive, but there really is a lot more choice if you go with the Ram.
Conclusion
With the Ram 1500 and the Silverado 1500 we really are batting close to the top of the full-size light-duty pickup truck innings. You'll see limitless numbers of these two when you're out there on the road, but there's just a little more to like and love about the Ram as it's a little more individual, there's a greater choice of models, and you can buy a Ram 1500 for a whole lot less money than an equivalent Silverado.
For more details about pricing and availability of the 2018 Ram 1500 and to arrange a test drive, don't hesitate to get in touch with us here at CarHub today.