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 Introduction
Whether you use it for work, for play, or for both, if you drive a truck you know there's absolutely no substitute. There's just something quintessentially all-American about plying the highways, back roads, and off-roads in a dependable truck. Now is the perfect time to buy a new truck, too, since the two biggest names in the industry just released their new models: the new 2018 Ram 1500 and the 2018 Ford F-150. So, which one should you go for?
After putting them both through their paces, we can say with absolute certainty that the new Ram 1500 is the clear winner. There's a reason this line of trucks has been a perpetual bestseller year after year, decade after decade, and has earned the coveted "Best Buy" recommendation from Consumer Guide for five years running. The 2018 Ram 1500 carries on the brand's tradition of excellence, already earning top marks from a host of industry groups and critics. The Ford F-150, in contrast, doesn't bring anything new to the table and falls far short of its rival in a number of crucial ways.
You really need to see the 2018 Ram 1500 in person to appreciate just how impressive this truck truly is. Come pay your Kansas City Ram dealer a visit. We have them in stock!
Trim Levels
The 2018 Ram 1500 has five different trim levels, with the entry level at a very affordable $27,095 MSRP. The Ford F-150 starts at $27,380 for the lowest priced of seven trim models.
Ram 1500 Tradesman
The base trim carries a 3.6L Pentastar V6 Engine with 8-speed automatic transmission and powerful quad-halogen headlamps. It also includes some high-tech features such as a rearview camera, a six-speaker audio system, and a USB port. Optional packages include a V8 engine or a Uconnect infotainment system with touchscreen.
Ram 1500 Sport
The Sport is also available with either a V6 or V8 engine, and it comes with a Uconnect system with 8.4-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Other standard features include heated front seats, power windows and locks, and halogen projector headlamps. More add-ons are available.
Ram 1500 Laramie
The Laramie is all about comfort, with leather-trimmed, heated, and ventilated front seats with memory features and dual-zone automatic climate control. The 10-speaker audio system from Alpine sounds amazing. Possible upgrades include a navigation system, sunroof, and parking sensors.
Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
The Laramie Longhorn comes equipped with a HEMI V8 engine capable of hitting 395 horsepower. Heated, premium leather front bucket seats and a navigation system are standard, with plenty of other add-ons available.
Ram 1500 Limited
The Limited is as good as it gets, including all the features you could imagine and a few you probably couldn't. It's available with either a 5.7L HEMI V8 engine or a 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 engine, and it comes standard with limited leather high-back bucket seats, a 7-inch driver information digital cluster display, and keyless Enter 'n Go technology. The class-exclusive RamBox cargo management system is also available.
Performance
Depending on your personal taste and trim level, the 2018 Ram 1500 is available with three different engines: the 3.6L Pentastar V6, the 5.71 HEMI V8, and the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6. Even the basic Pentastar V6 is capable of producing 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, so no matter which you choose, you can rest easy knowing your truck is up for whatever you throw at it. Ram has further kicked up the 1500's performance with such engineering developments as the TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmission and class-exclusive air suspension system. Despite being an absolute beast in terms of power and performance, the Ram is still more fuel-efficient than a lot of trucks on the road, especially if you go with the turbodiesel option.
In terms of the competition, the basic trim on the 2018 Ford F-150 carries a 3.3L V6 engine. There are a few possible upgrades to get more power, but they aren't cheap.
Exterior
Few trucks are as instantly recognizable as a Ram truck. The 2018 models are available, and there's a lot to like in this truck when it comes to appearance, style, and add-ons. With three different cab sizes ranging from 5'7" all the way up to 8 feet, you can go as big as you want. Then of course the add-ons are as stylish as they are functional: LED lights, wheel-to-wheel side steps, tonneau cover, drop-in or spray-in bedliners, and the class-exclusive RamBox cargo management system.
The design of the 2018 Ford F-150, meanwhile, has not earned top marks from industry experts. Ford has shaved almost 700 pounds off the body from earlier generations, but it still looks rather square. Making matters worse, that reduction in weight didn't actually improve the gas mileage a whole lot.
Interior
The interior of the 2018 Ram 1500 is both highly functional and tastefully designed. Depending on what trim you go for, you can appoint your interior with bold leather and real wood accents. Between the deep dashboard storage options and the additional compartments built into the floor, you have plenty of options for stowing your tools and other gear, no matter how big or bulky. The options for a driver information digital cluster with full-color touchscreen and Uconnect infotainment system allow you to easily access satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and so much more. With the 2018 Ram 1500, you get to enjoy cutting-edge technology, stylish aesthetics, and maximum comfort all in one affordable package.
As for the competition, the Ford F-150 does have some nice interior options… but only for its pricier trim options. The standard trims are pretty bare bones. If you are willing to pay for the upgrades, though, you can make them more comfortable.
Safety Features
The 2018 Ram 1500 features top-of-the-line safety features such as a rearview camera, an advanced airbag system, dynamic crumple zones, and side impact door beams. The main safety features on the Ford F-150 are its airbags, antilock brakes, and daytime running lights. The choice is clear: the 2018 Ram 1500 is the truck of the year.
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