RAM 1500 or Ford F-150
The 2014 Ram 1500 and Ford F-150 are two of the best trucks in the market and fierce competitors. Today, if you are shopping for half-ton trucks or are just crazy for diesel technology, there are many trims to go for. The Ram 1500 features 11 models while the Ford F-150 has 10 different models. Both pickups provide similar fuel economy (between 11 and 12L/100km) on the highway.
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But how do the vehicles compare when it comes to engine performance? Below is an overview of the capability of the engines of these two top pickups.
2014 Ram 1500 Engine Review
The Ram 1500 is powered by a 3.6-liter gasoline V6 engine that outputs 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. The engine comes with a standard 8-speed automatic transmission that is controlled by a rotating knob on the instrument panel.
The V6 boasts of an estimated EPA fuel economy of 20 mpg combined for the 2WD vehicle and 19 mpg for the 4WD. In drive tests, the Ram accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in just 8 seconds.
The higher trim Rams come with a 5.7-liter V8 engine that produces 395 hp and 410 lb-ft and is matched with either a 6-speed or 8-speed automatic transmission. The 6-speed transmission is only available on the Tradesman.
With the 6-speed transmission, the 2WD model achieves an EPA of 16 mpg while the 4WD achieves 15 mpg. On the other hand, fuel economy improves with 8-speed transmission, with both the 2WD and 4WD achieving EPA of 17 mpg combined.
The Ram trims come with an optional 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine with 8-speed transmission, producing 240 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. A properly equipped Ram 1500 V6 can tow up to 7,450 pounds while the diesel Ram can max out at 9,200 pounds.
2014 Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 comes in 10 trims: XL, STX, XLT, FX2, FX4, Lariat, King Ranch, Raptor, Platinum and Limited. The trims come with four optional engines, all matted with 6-speed transmission. All trims are rear-wheel drives with the 4WD available as optional. The Raptor is the only trim that comes as a 4WD only.
The standard models come with a 3.7-liter engine that produces 302 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque. In drive tests, the engine powered the vehicles from 0 to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds. The estimated EPA for the rear-wheel model is 19 mpg combined while the 4WD achieves 18 mpg.
Upgrading the engine to the 5.0-liter V8 engine increases the horsepower to 360, and pounds per feet of torque to 380. With the V8 engine, the 4WD model accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. Fuel economy with the 2WD is pegged at 17 mpg while the 4WD reaches 16 mpg combined.
The Ford F-150 comes with an optional twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 365 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque and impresses in acceleration, hitting 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds. The engine’s EPA fuel economy tops that of the 5.8-liter V8 engine, achieving 18 mpg combined with the 2WD and 17 mpg combined with the 4WD.
The Ram 1500 and the F-150 are two of the top trucks in the market in terms of performance and fuel efficiency. However, the Ram 1500 clearly emerges the top vehicle thanks to its more powerful V8 engine. That is probably why Ram was named as Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year two years in a row!
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