2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty vs 2019 RAM 1500

The 2019 RAM 1500 underwent a smart design evolution that retained its commanding presence without feeling cumbersome. Unlike the oversized 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the RAM 1500 felt more manageable due to its strategically placed headlights, which enhanced visibility. One noticeable change was the absence of the signature crosshair grille, a move aimed at distinguishing RAM from its Dodge lineage. Each trim level of the 1500 showcased a unique grille design, with Tradesman, Big Horn, Rebel, and Laramie featuring larger headlights compared to the thinner, rakish ones on the luxurious Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited trims.

The 2019 RAM 1500's interior continued its tradition of outstanding design. The previous setup segmented the touchscreen, radio/climate controls, and rotary shifter, but the new design placed these on different planes, creating a dramatic, contoured cabin.

Trim-specific features varied widely:

• The Tradesman, a workhorse, included essentials like heavy-duty shock absorbers, a five-link, coil-spring rear suspension, and a 5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth.
• The Big Horn added chrome accents, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and 18-inch cast-aluminum wheels.
• The Rebel was geared for off-road with its aggressive grille, upgraded shocks, and skid plates.
• The Laramie brought in luxury touches like leather seating and LED ambient lighting.
• The Longhorn added chrome details, wood interior inserts, and an 8-inch center console touch screen.
• The Limited was the epitome of luxury, featuring two-tone wheels, premium leather, and a massive 12-inch touchscreen available as an option on higher trims.

Conversely, the 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty received modest styling tweaks. The newly detailed grille and headlights imparted a more mature look compared to the 2019 model's gaudy chrome bars. However, the design was still a continuation from the 2017 model year, appearing dated next to the redesigned 2021 Ford F-150.

Inside, the F-350's cabin retained its blocky, work-oriented styling, offering plenty of usable space but lacking the welcoming feel seen in rivals like the RAM 1500. Standard features on the XL trim included 17-inch steel wheels and vinyl seats, while higher trims introduced more comfortable and luxurious amenities. The XLT added chrome accents and an 8-inch touchscreen with SYNC 3 infotainment. The Lariat provided a bridge between work and luxury with leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control. The King Ranch and Platinum trims offered special leather and massaging seats, while the Limited brought in power-retractable running boards and a premium audio system.

The 2019 RAM 1500's engine options maintained familiar displacements but offered significant updates. The base 3.6-liter V6 now featured eTorque, a mild-hybrid system, still producing 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, but with an additional 90 pound-feet of torque from the eTorque system. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, available with or without eTorque, generated 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, with the eTorque adding up to 130 pound-feet of torque. All engines paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive.

Driving the RAM 1500 was characterized as effortless, with heavily boosted steering and a tight turning radius. The V8 power delivery was strong and linear, making the truck feel lightweight during acceleration. The RAM 1500 excelled in everyday driving with a smooth ride, responsive steering, and composed handling. It could tow up to 12,750 pounds with the proper equipment and eTorque V8. Fuel economy for the conventional V8 with 4WD was rated at 15 mpg city, 21 highway, and 17 combined; RWD models achieved slightly better highway mileage.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty offered a choice among three powerful engines. The standard 6.2-liter gas V8 delivered 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. The 6.7-liter turbodiesel Power Stroke V8 churned out a whopping 475 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque. New for 2020 was the 7.3-liter gas V8, producing 430 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. The 6.2-liter engine was paired with a six-speed automatic or an optional 10-speed automatic, which came standard with the other engines, driving either the rear wheels or available four-wheel drive with a low range.

All engines provided ample power for swift acceleration, even for a heavy-duty truck. The F-350 could tow up to 24,200 pounds conventionally, 32,500 pounds with a fifth-wheel, and an impressive 37,000 pounds with a gooseneck trailer. It also offered a maximum payload capacity of 7,850 pounds when properly equipped. However, the F-350's size and height were noticeable while cornering, and models with high towing capacities had a rougher ride when not loaded, unlike the smoother ride of the RAM 3500. Ford's Tremor off-road package added features like a lifted suspension and rock-crawl drive mode, enhancing its capability off the beaten path.

The 2019 RAM 1500 focused on versatility and convenience with features like the optional Ram Box utility system and flip-up rear seats that reclined for passenger comfort. The Laramie trim included a power-release tailgate, although it required manual closing, unlike the power-opening and closing tailgate of the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. With doors that opened nearly 90 degrees and multiple interior compartments, including the deep Ram Bins in the rear floor, the RAM 1500 provided ample storage and easy access. The front cabin featured a large center console with a sliding mid-level tray and a dual glovebox, enhancing everyday usability.

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty was available in Regular Cab, Super Cab, and Super Crew configurations. The Super Cab had rear-hinged half-doors that required the front doors to open first, which could be inconvenient for frequent access. The Super Crew, with its full four-door design, provided extensive headroom and legroom, and the rear seats folded up for a flat loading floor. In-door pockets and a massive center console with multiple deep storage compartments were highlights for front-seat occupants. The F-350 offered two bed lengths—6-foot-9 and 8-foot— with dually configurations available with all three cab sizes. A handy step extended from the tailgate for easier loading, although the bed lacked some of the innovative features seen in the RAM 1500.

The 2019 RAM 1500 introduced a massive 12-inch touchscreen arranged in a portrait layout, providing a customizable user interface. Although our Laramie test truck had the optional 8.4-inch screen, it was highly praised for its simplicity and responsiveness. The fourth-generation Uconnect software was considered the standard for touchscreen usability, with dock icons for quick access to media, climate, apps, navigation, and phone functions. The system's crisp graphics and physical buttons for frequently used controls enhanced the overall experience.

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty continued with the SYNC 3 infotainment system, which, while not as advanced as the newer SYNC 4, remained a strong performer. It included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an intuitive menu layout and large icon buttons. The system occasionally exhibited some bugs, especially when switching between SYNC 3 and smartphone interfaces. Ford's Pro Trailer Backup Assist was a standout feature, making trailer maneuvers easier by allowing the driver to steer the trailer using a dash-mounted dial, aided by a 360 camera and trailer guidance system.

The 2019 RAM 1500 came with standard safety features like airbags, an electronic parking brake, integrated trailer-sway control, traction control, hill-start assist, and a reversing camera with dynamic guidelines. Higher trims offered a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-path detection, forward-collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, dynamic cruise control, and front and rear parking sensors.

The 2020 Ford F-350 Super Duty's safety features included standard airbags, automatic high beams, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The XLT trim added automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims brought additional features like adaptive cruise control, adaptive steering, upgraded quad-beam LED headlights, and Ford's Pro Trailer Backup Assist, with all top-tier features available as standard on the Limited trim.