2023 Toyota Tundra vs 2023 Ram 1500

Light duty trucks are expected to handle towing and hauling without flinching. Beyond that, today’s shopper wants to feel like they are getting value for their money.

Drivers are hoping for high horsepower and thrilling torque levels. Luxury shoppers want a truly stylish cabin with top amenities. Tech geeks want the latest gadgets.

Here’s how the 2023 Toyota Tundra and 2023 Ram 1500 compete for your attention. Welcome to the wonderful world of full size pickup trucks.

1. More Power for the Money

   Your truck buying power simply goes farther with the Tundra iForce. Output is 348 horsepower vs 305 horsepower with the Ram V6. Even better, the iForce torque rate is 405 lb-ft vs the Ram V6 with just 271 lb-ft. Yet the list price is within $1,000 for the Tundra SR and the Ram Tradesman.

   While the Ram V8 has a 6-point lead in horsepower, the Tundra iForce has an extra 69 lb-ft of torque to challenge it. Then there’s the iForce Max which generates 583 lb-ft of torque. That’s 103 lb-ft more than the Ram diesel. From these numbers, you can see the all new Toyota Tundra is challenging the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ford F-150, GMC Sierra 1500, Nissan Titan, and all light duty pickup trucks.

   

   Both come with standard rear-wheel drive and available four-wheel drive. As for ground clearance, the Tundra RWD has more than an inch of extra clearance than the Ram 1500 RWD model. This is one way it prepares drivers for off-road adventures, even before you add four-wheel drive and TRD equipment.

2. Ride Quality

   With its all new build, the Toyota Tundra has caught up to the Ram in another important area: passenger comfort. The Ram has been known for its 5-link rear suspension and the resulting ride quality, which has been seen as the best available.

   However, Toyota traded the old leaf-spring suspension for a coil-spring set-up. This greatly improves how the truck treats passengers. As Car and Driver writes, the new suspension improves “ride and handling characteristics.” U.S. News and World Report writes that it has tidy handling and a gentle ride.

   This year the Ram auto-leveling suspension has a new rival. Tundras are now offering Toyota’s own version of a load-leveling air suspension. Plus it has a special aero splitter option to improve heavy hauling or towing.

3. Beds and Cabins

   Shoppers can get a 6.5-foot or 8.1-foot bed with the Tundra Double Cab. They can get the Tundra Crew Cab with a 5.5-foot or 6.5-foot bed. Toyota can claim a top payload of 1,940 pounds.

   To get an 8-foot bed, shoppers must step up to the Ram 2500. Meanwhile Ram shoppers can get the Quad Cab with a 6.4-foot bed. The Crew Cab comes with that bed or a 5.7-foot bed. Ram 1500s can claim top payload capacities of 2,000 or 2,300 lbs, depending on size and engine.

   At your Earnhardt Toyota dealer, you can check out the Tundra’s exclusive new bed features. We really like the tailgate Release Bump Switch. With a little hip action, the tailgate slowly lowers in response to the bump switch. We’ve also got competitive loans and leases.

4. Maximum Tow Ratings

   To get the top Ram tow rating, you go for the rear-wheel drive Quad Cab with the 6-foot bed. It needs the V8 engine and Ram’s Maximum Tow package. With leading towing capacity, it can pull up to 12,750 pounds. Some models may handle 12,000 or 11,500 pounds.

   The top Tundra tow rating of 12,000 pounds is achieved with the Tundra SR5 Double Cab with the 6.5-foot bed. Equipped with the 389-horsepower engine and rear-wheel drive, this truck comes with an integrated brake controller and a Class IV hitch. With four-wheel drive and the same turbo V6, the Tundra Capstone can tow 10,890 pounds.

   When equipped with the iForce Max engine, the 4x2 Limited crew cab/short bed can tow up to 11,450 pounds. Capstone iForce Max editions can tow up to 10,340 pounds.

5. Best Dash Entertainment

   Ram dash entertainment starts with a 5-inch touchscreen on the Tradesman. It then offers an 8.4-inch or 12-inch touchscreen on higher models.

   However, Toyota starts off with an 8-inch touchscreen that includes a helpful virtual assistant. Just say “Hey Toyota” and the system will help you with numerous tasks. Push button start comes with the smart access key. Automatic climate controls are built into the Toyota system.

   Plus Toyota offers an exclusive 14-inch touchscreen. Apple Music is built into the system, working with the available WiFi. An available 12.3-inch driver’s screen is another highlight, much larger than the Ram’s available 7-inch driver’s screen.

   Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standards on both light duty trucks. Likewise, these pickups have USB ports and an available wireless charger.

6. Style and Amenities

   Until the new Toyota Tundra appeared, Ram 1500s could claim an edge on style. That all turned around in 2022 with the redesign. The Tundra now comes in more top trims, including the exciting Capstone.

   Well-known for its luxury, the Tundra 1794 now claims front and rear ventilated seats. Now that’s extremely exciting for Phoenix shoppers who dread our hot summers.

7. Basic Safety and Driver Aids

   One way the Toyota Tundra excels over the Ram 1500 is with its standard safety features and driver aids. Tundras have 8 airbags rather than the usual six. They also have more driver assistance to keep people out of harm’s way.

   

   Toyota Safety Sense includes a low-speed forward collision system with automatic braking, a lane departure system, and low-speed reverse system with automatic braking. Adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams are additional standards, but only on the Tundra.

   These items are optional on the Ram 1500. This is true even if the Ram price is higher. For instance, the Tundra SR price is around $38,965. The Ram 1500 Tradesman price is around $41,210.

Conclusion

When you add it up, the Toyota Tundra is giving you more value at every level. For the money, all along the trim level ladder, you get more power, more dash tech, more driver assistance, and more comforts.

The best way to know any truck is to get behind the wheel. Schedule a test drive at your Earnhardt Toyota dealership.