2020 Toyota Tundra vs 2019 RAM 1500

The 2019 RAM 1500 presented a refined evolution of its iconic design. The truck carried forward its big-rig styling in a manner that made it look commanding without the cumbersome bulk. This was particularly evident when compared to rivals like the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, which appeared unnecessarily large. The RAM's headlights dropped down on either side of the hood, facilitating better sight lines and making the vehicle feel more manageable.

One notable change was the absence of the signature crosshair grille that had long been associated with the RAM brand. This intentional shift helped distinguish RAM from the Dodge brand, allowing for independent growth. Each trim level of the RAM 1500—Tradesman, Big Horn, Rebel, Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited—featured distinct grille designs, enhancing the premium feel of higher trims with slimmer, more refined headlights.

Inside, the 2019 RAM 1500 upheld its reputation for outstanding interior design. The new cabin layout featured separate planes for the touchscreen, radio/climate controls, and rotary shifter, creating a dramatic and contoured dashboard. The Tradesman was a practical work truck with heavy-duty shock absorbers, a five-link coil-spring rear suspension, and essential amenities like a 5-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth connectivity. The Big Horn added chrome details and interior comforts like a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The Rebel trim sported aggressive styling with added fender flares and off-road protection. The Laramie brought in luxury touches such as leather seating and a 7-inch TFT instrument panel. Moving up, the Longhorn and Limited trims offered even more luxurious perks, including premium leather seats, wood interior accents, and an optional 12-inch touchscreen.

In contrast, the 2020 Toyota Tundra came with six trim levels: SR, SR5, Limited, TRD Pro, Platinum, and 1794 Edition. The Tundra's exterior was bold and rugged, especially in the TRD Pro trim, which had a tough military-grade appearance accentuated by its exclusive Army Green color and black 18-inch forged aluminum wheels. The interior was spacious but somewhat dated, with industrial-grade plastic materials that seemed out of place for higher price points. However, the TRD Pro's black leather seats with red stitching and embroidery did add a touch of sophistication.

The 2019 RAM 1500 offered robust performance options. The base engine was a 3.6-liter V6 with eTorque, a mild-hybrid integration that delivered an extra 90 pound-feet of torque, bringing the total to 269 pound-feet while maintaining 305 horsepower. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 was another option, available with or without eTorque. Both versions of the V8 produced 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, with the eTorque system adding up to 130 pound-feet of additional torque. Power was transmitted through an 8-speed automatic transmission to either the rear wheels or available 4WD.

Driving the RAM 1500 was described as effortless, with heavily boosted steering and a tight turning radius. The truck excelled in power delivery, especially with the V8 engine, making it feel lighter than its actual weight. It also impressed in everyday driving scenarios with smooth rides, responsive steering, and handling. The RAM 1500 could tow up to 12,750 pounds with the proper equipment and the eTorque V8 engine.

EPA fuel-economy estimates for the conventional V8 with 4WD were 15 mpg in the city, 21 on the highway, and 17 combined. In our real-world testing, we observed a combined 15.2 mpg.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra came equipped with a single powertrain option across all trims: a 5.7-liter V8 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. This engine produced 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. The Tundra had a maximum towing capacity of 10,200 pounds and a payload capacity of up to 1,730 pounds, depending on the cab and drivetrain configuration.

The TRD Pro trim was optimized for off-roading, featuring BBS forged aluminum wheels, Fox off-road shocks, a stainless-steel TRD-tuned dual exhaust system, and an aluminum skid plate. The exhaust system provided an aggressive sound but could be loud for some. Despite the Tundra's larger size, the truck offered a remarkably tight turning radius making U-turns easier than expected.

EPA ratings for the Tundra 4WD were 13 mpg in the city, 17 on the highway, and 14 combined. During our testing, the Tundra averaged 14.3 mpg.

The 2019 RAM 1500 excelled in practical features. Its split-folding rear seats allowed for easy storage of large items inside the cabin. Rear doors opened nearly 90 degrees for better access, and rear seats could recline for added comfort. The RAM 1500 also featured dual rear USB ports, power outlets, and numerous storage compartments, including deep cargo wells known as Ram Bins. The center console was massive, offering a sliding mid-level tray for added storage flexibility.

The RAM Box utility system provided additional functionality with secure, lockable storage built into the bed walls. However, the RAM 1500 lacked a bed step-up, something its competitors like the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado included.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra, built in Texas, featured a spacious interior, particularly in the CrewMax configuration, which offered generous rear legroom. Storage options were adequate, though the glove compartment was smaller than expected for such a large vehicle. The rear seat cushions flipped up to create additional floor space, but there were limited storage options under the seats.

The Tundra’s bed was straightforward, equipped with an optional spray-in bedliner, tie-down hooks, and bed rails for additional accessories. However, it lacked innovative features like RAM's locking storage wells or Ford's tailgate step ladder.

The 2019 RAM 1500 made a significant leap with its technology offerings. The standout feature was the optional 12-inch touchscreen, arranged in a vertical orientation similar to a Tesla Model S. This screen was highly customizable, allowing users to split it between different functionalities like climate control and navigation.

Our Laramie test model featured an optional 8.4-inch screen that was user-friendly and capable. All touchscreens came with the latest Uconnect infotainment system, which offered a tablet-like layout with “dock” icons for easy navigation. Physical buttons complemented the touchscreen for frequently used controls, making it straightforward to operate while driving.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra's infotainment system felt outdated due to its recessed design and hard plastic surroundings, but the software was modern. Lower trims came with a 7-inch display, while higher trims offered an 8-inch screen. All models included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, USB ports, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

The TRD Pro trim featured a more advanced system with dynamic navigation, voice recognition, and a 12-speaker JBL sound system with strong bass. However, the touchscreen's virtual buttons for radio presets could be difficult to use in a moving truck.

The 2019 RAM 1500 came with a comprehensive suite of safety features. Standard equipment included airbags, an electronic parking brake, integrated trailer-sway control, hill-start assist, and a rearview camera with dynamic guidelines. Higher trims offered additional options like a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-path detection, forward-collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, dynamic cruise control, and front/rear parking sensors.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra included Toyota Safety Sense as standard, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, auto high beams, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. A blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert was also available. However, the Tundra's crash-test ratings were concerning. The IIHS rated it poorly in small-overlap frontal-impact tests, giving it a Marginal rating for the driver and Poor for the front passenger. Conversely, NHTSA ratings were more favorable: 5 stars for side-impact, 4 stars for front impact, and 4 stars for rollover resistance (3 stars for RWD models).