Starting at
Starting at
290-450 | Horsepower (hp) | 305-395 |
14,000 | Towing (lbs) | 12,750 |
3,325 | Payload (lbs) | 2,300 |
Trucks these days have evolved into not only the hardest-working vehicles on the road but also some of the most sophisticated and technologically advanced. Powerful full-size trucks can handle more weight and deliver more power than ever before, with features and options that turn them into mobile offices where you can handle everything you need. With so many fantastic trucks available out there, choosing the right one can be tricky, which is why it helps to narrow down your options and focus on two at a time. Looking at the 2022 Ford F-150 vs 2022 Ram 1500, we can see that while the Ram is an impressive pickup, it cannot keep up with what Ford has to offer.
For starters, simply in terms of engines available, the Ram 1500 falls behind on what the Ford F-150 has for you to choose from. There are just a few engine options with Ram, including two versions of the HEMI V8 engine, while Ford has seven different engines, including EcoBoost and Power Boost options. Most impressive, however, is just how much more power you can get from Ford: the most powerful engine from Ram delivers 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque, while Ford's most impressive engine dominates with 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque. Combine that with Ford's 10-speed automatic transmission, while Ram models come with an 8-speed, and you get a superior driving experience with the F-150.
All of that power is not just for show either, as the Ford F-150 delivers superior towing and payload capacities. At its best, the Ram 1500 can handle just 2,300 lbs of payload and up to 12,750 lbs of maximum towing; with the F-150, however, you can get up to 3,250 lbs of maximum payload and up to 14,000 lbs of towing capacity. The F-150 also has amazing available features like the Ford Pro Power Onboard system, a stowable shifter that gives you a flat work surface inside, and a Tailgate Work Surface. With all of this to offer, it is easy to see why the F-150 has been the best selling truck in America for more than 40 years.
When you are comparing a couple of full-size trucks, the engines are among the most important factors to consider and keep in mind. So much of your driving experience depends on the engine, and with a hard-working pickup, it becomes even more important to find something with enough power for what you need. While the Ram 1500 has several impressive engines on offer, they simply fail to compete with the kind of power and performance that Ford delivers with its legendary F-150.
For starters, the 2022 Ram 1500 comes with a standard 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine with eTorque, which delivers 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. That is a decent place to start, and there is an available 5.7L HEMI V8 engine that offers 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque, which is also available with eTorque for drivers who want a small electric boost. Finally, there is a 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 engine available that provides 260 hp and an impressive 480 lb-ft of torque––though not everyone is looking for a diesel option. All of these engines come paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, which is decent but not exactly groundbreaking.
By comparison, the 2022 Ford F-150 starts with a 3.3L V6 engine that delivers 290 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque––this is pretty comparable to the Ram's starting engine. From there, you have numerous options, including a 2.7L EcoBoost Turbo V6 with 325 hp and a 5.0L V8 engine with an impressive 400 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. Where the F-150 really leaves the Ram 1500 behind, however, starts with its available 3.5L EcoBoost Turbo V6 engine that delivers 400 hp and a massive 500 lb-ft of torque.
This is only the start, as there is also an available full hybrid version of the 3.5L engine that pushes those numbers up to 430 hp and a monstrous 570 lb-ft of torque. You can see that at this point, the Ram's engines cannot even come close to the kind of power that the F-150 delivers, particularly in terms of torque. Best of all, every engine in the Ford truck comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission that is smooth and responsive for a fantastic time on the road.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when looking at different full-size trucks is the kind of work they can do for you. For most of us, that comes down to towing and payload, plus the amount of room in the bed. In this regard, the 2022 Ford F-150 comes out on top––not just by a little bit, but by a significant amount in all ways.
The towing and payload of a truck depend on a number of factors, of course, but we will look at the maximum ratings just to keep things simple. Be sure to look at the specific capabilities of any particular truck you are interested in. The 2022 Ram 1500 can handle up to 2,300 lbs of payload capacity, with just over 61 cu.ft. of total cargo space available when looking at a model with the six-foot bed. The standard engine for the Ram 1500 can tow up to 7,730 lbs when properly equipped; at its best, the Ram pickup tops out at up to 12,750 lbs of maximum towing capacity.
By comparison, the 2022 Ford F-150 can handle up to 3,325 lbs of maximum payload capacity; plus, with its larger eight-foot bed available, it gives you more than 77 cu.ft. of total cargo space to take advantage of. When you start looking at towing, however, things become just unfair for the Ram truck––the starting engine for the F-150 can handle up to 8,200 lbs of towing, which means the Ford already starts on top. Looking at the impressive 3.5L EcoBoost engine available for the F-150, you can handle up to 14,000 lbs of maximum towing. This is over half a ton more than what the Ram 1500 can handle, and it really shows the engineering and power of the Ford F-150.
With modern pickups being so much more than barebones work trucks, it is important that you get a vehicle that can do a lot for you. There is no denying that the Ram 1500 is a sophisticated truck that has pushed other manufacturers in recent years to go further, but Ford has answered the call and surpassed what Ram has to offer. The 2022 Ram 1500 has a 12-inch infotainment display available, for example, but the standard display is just 5 inches in size. By comparison, the Ford F-150 also has a 12-inch infotainment display on offer and starts with a larger 8-inch screen if you do not need the big display.
The luxurious interior of the Ram 1500 is great, but the overall functionality and advanced technology of the Ford F-150 just cannot be beat. For example, the F-150 features an available interior work surface that has a gear shifter you can actually fold down to stow it away. This lets you fold open a work surface that gives you plenty of flat space for filling out paperwork, jotting something down on a notepad, or using a laptop while parked. If you need a truck that can become your mobile worksite or office, then the F-150 is an amazing choice.
In addition, you get additional innovations like Ford's Pro Power Onboard system with numerous power outlets available in the bed, including a 240v NEMA plug. This gives you the power you need for power tools, generators, or even a television––what you do with all of this technology is up to you. And with the F-150's available tailgate work surface, you get a flat surface that includes integrated rulers, a mobile device holder, and more to help you get your job done no matter where you are.