2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs 2019 RAM 1500

The 2019 RAM 1500 represented a very smart design evolution. It took the traditional big-rig styling that had been associated with the brand for decades and modernized it in a way that made the truck feel commanding without being cumbersome. A stark contrast could be observed with rivals like the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, which appeared disproportionately large for a light-duty pickup. The RAM 1500 managed a more manageable and practical feel. This was partly due to the headlights, which elegantly dropped down on either side of the hood, allowing for better sight lines.

One noticeable change for RAM buyers was the absence of the signature crosshair grille historically linked to the brand. This change reflected RAM's intention to distance itself from Dodge, which struggled to sell models outside of the Challenger and Charger. Losing the iconic grille allowed RAM to establish a unique identity.

Each trim level of the 1500 offered a slightly different grille design. The Tradesman, Big Horn, Rebel, and Laramie trims featured larger headlights, whereas the Laramie Longhorn and the Limited trims sported thinner, more rakish headlights.

Inside, the 2019 RAM 1500 continued its legacy of outstanding design with an interior that placed different sections on different planes, leading to a dramatic and contoured look. The Tradesman, being a workhorse, came standard with basic yet robust features like heavy-duty shock absorbers, coil-spring rear suspension, and an intuitive 5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity.

The next step up, the Big Horn, added chrome accents and more luxury features like a leather-wrapped steering wheel and 18-inch cast-aluminum wheels. The Rebel trim was designed for the off-road enthusiast, with an aggressive grille, additional fender flares, an electronically locking differential, and added skid plates.

Our Laramie trim test model came with power side mirrors, upgraded LED taillights, remote keyless entry, and leather seating with heated front seats. Moving up to the Longhorn and Limited trims offered even more luxury, including wood interior inserts, a spruced-up center console, premium leather front bucket seats, and an optional 12-inch touchscreen for the Limited trim.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty featured subtler updates. Ford emphasized styling restraint by swapping its two-bar grille for a less gaudy design and sleeker headlights, without altering the overall shape. The F-250 trim levels—XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited—displayed varied appearances. The rugged XL sported a black grille and bumpers, while the XLT added a touch of chrome and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The King Ranch stood out with its two-tone paint job, chrome accents, and unique saddle leather interior. The Platinum trim featured 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, and power-retractable running boards, while the range-topping Limited combined these elements with a satin-chrome grille for added luxury. The Tremor package, which could be added to several trims, emphasized off-road capabilities with dark wheels and upgraded tires.

Inside, the F-250 prioritized functionality over comfort, with many hard plastics, deep cup holders, and an expansive center console. The higher trims, like the King Ranch with its unique leather and stitching, aimed to provide a more luxurious experience, but generally, the cabin felt more utilitarian compared to the RAM 1500’s upscale interior.

The 2019 RAM 1500 offered a diverse range of powertrains. The base engine was a 3.6-liter V6, enhanced with eTorque, a mild-hybrid system that provided an additional 90 pound-feet of torque, while maintaining its 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine, available with or without eTorque, boasted 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, with the eTorque version adding up to 130 pound-feet of extra torque.

The 8-speed automatic transmission paired with these engines ensured smooth power delivery, while the heavily boosted steering and tight turning radius made the RAM 1500 easy to maneuver. The truck excelled in everyday driving, offering a smooth ride over bumpy roads while remaining composed during cornering and braking. The eTorque V8-equipped 1500 could tow up to 12,750 pounds and provided decent fuel economy, with the 4WD V8 returning 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty, on the other hand, started with a 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine generating 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, Ford offered a 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8 with a staggering 475 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque. A new 7.3-liter gas V8 option was also available, producing 430 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque.

The gas engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which managed power efficiently, especially during rolling acceleration. The F-250’s heavy-duty suspension was necessary for its remarkable towing capacity of up to 30,000 pounds, particularly when equipped with the 6.7-liter diesel, 3.55 axle ratio, and High Capacity Tow Package. However, this strength came at the cost of ride comfort, as the truck could feel bumpy and top-heavy when unloaded.

For off-road enthusiasts, the F-250 offered the FX4 package and the new Tremor package, both enhancing the truck’s off-road capabilities with features like upgraded shocks, skid plates, and large off-road tires.

The 2019 RAM 1500 excelled in practical design. Its Laramie test vehicle featured a helpful power-release tailgate that needed to be closed manually—something rivals like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 were improving upon with fully powered tailgates. Despite lacking a step-up feature for the bed like its competitors, the RAM 1500 offered the Ram Box utility system, adding significant storage utility.

Inside, the RAM 1500 focused on small but impactful details. The rear doors opened nearly 90 degrees, making it easier to load large items into the cabin. The flip-up rear seats and multiple power outlets increased versatility, while the massive center console provided ample storage space with a sliding mid-level tray and useful outlets.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty also impressed with its practical design. Available in Regular Cab, SuperCab, and Crew Cab configurations, and offering 6-foot-9-inch or 8-foot bed sizes, the F-250 could be tailored to various needs. It featured a telescoping tailgate step for easier bed access.

The Super Duty’s interior was spacious and functional, with deep cup holders and a colossal center console capable of storing large items. The rear seats in the SuperCrew and Crew Cab models folded up to reveal a load floor, perfect for storing valuable equipment.

In terms of cargo capacity, the RAM 1500 focused on interior storage innovations, while the F-250 offered superior payload and towing capacities, making it ideal for heavy-duty tasks.

The 2019 RAM 1500 stood out with its technology offerings, particularly the massive 12-inch touchscreen arranged in a portrait layout, similar to that of a Tesla Model S. Customizable and equipped with the fourth-generation Uconnect infotainment software, this system was known for its simplicity and responsiveness.

Our Laramie test truck featured an 8.4-inch screen, which proved practical and user-friendly. The system provided crisp graphics and an intuitive interface with physical buttons for frequently used controls, striking a balance between tech and usability.

In comparison, the 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty included a functional but less cutting-edge infotainment system. The base XL came with essential features like an AM/FM/MP3 radio unit and Bluetooth connectivity, while higher trims added the SYNC 3 system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and FordPass Connect. The latter enabled remote locking, starting, and vehicle status updates via a smartphone app.

While practical and sensible, the F-250’s technology offerings lacked the wow factor of the RAM 1500’s advanced systems, like the massive 12-inch touchscreen.

Standard safety features on the 2019 RAM 1500 were comprehensive, including a full array of airbags, electronic parking brake, integrated trailer-sway control, hill-start assist, and a reversing camera with dynamic guidelines. Higher trims could be upgraded with a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, dynamic cruise control, and parking sensors.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty also offered a robust selection of safety features. Standard equipment included front- and side-impact airbags, trailer sway control, hill start assist, and AdvanceTrac traction control with roll stability control. Optional advanced safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system.

Both trucks provided impressive safety features, but it would have been ideal for the F-250 to include more of its advanced systems as standard equipment.