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2021 Ford F-150 vs 2021 Ram 1500
2021 Ford F-150
Starting at
$28,940*
2021 Ram 1500
Starting at
$32,795*
14,000
Towing (lbs)
12,750
3,325
Payload (lbs)
2,300
25
Fuel Economy (mpg combined)
22
All half-ton trucks are not the same, and when you look closer at the numbers, there are some important differences to consider. For example, just because both models have V6 engines doesn’t mean that they can tow the same amount. Trucks usually include multiple engine options as well, which means that their specs can vary. When we look at the 2021 Ford F-150 vs 2021 Ram 1500, it’s easy to see that two trucks from the same class aren’t always the same.
Both the 2021 Ford F-150 and the 2021 Ram 1500 are designed to be work trucks, no doubt. However, what they bring to the table greatly differs. The fully-redesigned Ford F-150 offers best-in-class towing capacity, as well as innovative new features like the first-in-class PowerBoost hybrid drivetrain. At the end of the day, the driver who needs power, as most truck drivers do, will prefer the F-150.
Further, even though both models share some similar engine options, that doesn’t make them the same. For instance, when you look closer at the specs, the Ford 5.0-liter V8 engine produces the same torque and more horsepower than Ram’s larger 5.7-liter V8 engine. Check out the all-new 2021 Ford F-150 for yourself to see why it’s the most popular pickup in America.
Performance
Ford Engine Choices and Power
The 2021 Ford F-150 is well-known for offering the best towing capacity and the best payload capacity out of its competitors. That said, let’s go over the specific specs of each F-150 engine. We’ll start with payload capacity.
- 3.0-liter Power Stroke diesel - 1,840 pounds
- 3.3-liter V6 - 1,985 pounds
- 3.5-liter PowerBoost hybrid - 2,120 pounds
- 2.7-liter EcoBoost - 2,380 pounds
- 3.5-liter EcoBoost - 3,250 pounds
- 5.0-liter V8 - 3,325 pounds
Now, let’s look at towing capacity from lowest to highest.
- 3.3-liter V6 - 8,200 pounds
- 2.7-liter EcoBoost - 10,100 pounds
- 3.0-liter Power Stroke diesel - 12,100 pounds
- 3.5-liter PowerBoost hybrid - 12,700 pounds
- 5.0-liter V8 - 13,000 pounds
- 3.5-liter EcoBoost - 14,000 pounds
As you can see, the 2021 Ford F-150 offers an engine option for everyone. From the affordable and reliable 3.3-liter V6 all the way up to the incredibly efficient PowerBoost hybrid and the monstrous 3.5-liter EcoBoost. While the PowerBoost does lag behind the EcoBoost options when it comes to payload and towing, it more than makes up for it with its 25 MPG combined fuel economy.
Ram Engine Choices and Power
Not only does the 2021 Ram 1500 have fewer engine options than the 2021 Ford F-150, but the engines it has are less capable as well. And because Ram does not offer turbocharged engine options like Ford’s EcoBoost series, it even falls behind when it comes to fuel efficiency. Now let’s look at the Ram 1500’s payload capacities.
- 5.7-liter V8 eTorque - 1,850 pounds
- 5.7-liter V8 - 1,940 pounds
- V6 EcoDiesel - 2,060 pounds
- 3.6-liter V6 - 2,300 pounds
Towing capacities are also noticeably less than the F-150.
- 3.6-liter V6 - 7,750 pounds
- 5.7-liter V8 - 11,650 pounds
- 3.0-liter EcoDiesel - 12,560 pounds
- 5.7-liter V8 eTorque - 12,750 pounds.
Which Model Wins?
In both payload capacity and towing capacity, the 2021 Ford F-150 comes out on top - and not by a small margin either. The top payload rating for the F-150 is a full half-ton heavier than the best the Ram 1500 can manage. Meanwhile, max towing capacities are 14,000 pounds for the F-150 and only 12,750 for the Ram 1500. It’s easy to see here that the 2021 Ford F-150 is the more powerful model.
Safety Features
Trucks are intrinsically safer than most vehicles due to their heavy-duty design and larger size, but driver-assist features are still important - especially when you’re towing and hauling. Part of deciding which truck you want is comparing safety feature availability.
The 2021 Ford F-150’s Safety Features
Ford offers Ford’s Co-Pilot Assist feature as a standard item on all 2021 Ford F-150 trims. No matter what truck you choose, you’re guaranteed to get five different driver-assist features. These include a Lane-Keeping System to make sure you don’t drift into the wrong lane, a backup camera, and Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking to stop your F-150 automatically before an accident occurs. It even offers a Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross-Traffic Alert, which comes in handy when driving such a large truck and helps you back out of parking lots with ease.
Additional safety features that come along with higher trims include a front camera, a speed and volume limiter, and parking assistance - a feature that automatically parks your vehicle for you. Towing-specific safety features include the dynamic hitch assist backup camera designed to make connecting a trailer easy and Pro Trailer Backup Assist. That last item will automatically steer for you when reversing with a trailer.
The 2021 Ram 1500’s Safety Features
The only standard safety features included on the base-level Ram 1500 are a backup camera and low-pressure tire warning. Higher trims offer front and rear parking sensors, a forward collision warning with rear cross path detection, and a blind spot detection feature. Overall, the 2012 Ram 1500’s safety features pale in comparison to the 2021 Ford F-150’s options. Ford includes standard features that even the Ram 1500’s optional features cannot match.
Interior
Interior isn’t only about design; it’s about convenience. You want a truck that offers handy comfort and tech features, along with a top-notch aesthetic appeal. We’re going to look at the 2021 Ford F-150 vs the 2021 Ram 1500’s top-tier interior options. This is a comparison of each model’s highest trims: Limited vs Limited.
The 2021 Ford F-150 Limited
Let’s start off with comfort. You’ll get a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, and adjustable power gas and brake pedals on this trim. Further, the F-150 Limited includes remote start, smart device connectivity, voice-activated air conditioning and heat, and cruise control with distance pacing, which means you don’t have to reset your cruise control manually based on traffic flow. This model also includes a standard SYNC 4 system with a massive 12-inch screen. This links you to your FordPass rewards, service scheduling, and roadside assistance, among other handy features.
You’ll also get an interior work desk on this model, transforming your truck into a mobile office. You can connect to the Ford F-150’s 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and get your computer or written work done on the spot. Finally, FordPass connect is Ford’s standard feature that is present across trims, and it allows you to control your truck from any location. If you need to start your vehicle, control the lights, or shut off the alarm, you can do it through the FordPass Connect app for free.
The 2021 Ram 1500 Limited
One thing that the 2021 Ram 1500 has that makes it stand out is its best-in-class luxury label. So, you’re probably wondering how it stacks up when compared to the 2021 Ford F-150 in this category. First off, the Ram 1500 includes a 12-inch touchscreen just like the F-150. Further, it offers heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and adaptive cruise control. So far, it offers the same features as the redesigned F-150.
Further, while the Ram 1500 includes a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, it does not come with a fold-out desk or flat reclining front seats. It does offer smartphone connectivity, navigation services, and SiriusXM connectivity. However, Ram does not include a standard system like FordPass connect. If you want connected services like FordPass Connect on your 2021 Ram 1500, you’ll have to pay for a Uconnect subscription. Overall, it looks like the Ram 1500’s luxurious features are not all that different from Ford’s. In fact, the new 2021 Ford F-150 comes out on top here despite the Ram 1500’s best-in-class luxury label.
🛈 About Newton Ford
Newton Ford South serves the Tennessee area with the best, most affordable vehicles on the market. Our dealership is centered on making the buying or leasing experience as convenient as possible. That includes our unique Newton Fastpass service, which lets you complete the entire car-buying process online from the comfort of your home or work. Through Newton Fastpass, we’ll save you time on paperwork, and we can even bring you the vehicle to test drive before you sign on the bottom line. Further, when you buy online using Newton Fastpass, you’ll still get to work with our finance team to find the best loan rates, down payment amount, and monthly payment plans for your budget.
Our main goal here is to let you experience the online car buying experience while also having a local dealership you can trust. This way, you can service your vehicle safely and reliably, taking advantage of your warranties and trusting in our OEM parts and services. Just because you can complete our buying process online doesn’t mean you can’t stop by when needed. Once you own your new Ford F-150, we’ll work with you to schedule routine maintenance visits, and we’re even here for voluntary customization work.
Are you looking for an upcoming Ford model? If it’s available to reserve, we can help. We’ll get you on the list for a brand-new Ford model that you can pick up as soon as we get it in. This way, you don’t have to run from dealership to dealership trying to find a sold-out model. We’ve done it with the Ford Bronco, and we’ll do it again. Contact us today for more information about your next new Ford model. We look forward to serving you.