2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs 2020 RAM 1500

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty received some subtle updates that were noticeable to keen Blue Oval fans. The front bumper had more black painted areas and less bling, while the massive grille swapped its large two-bar design for a sleeker look. The headlights also became somewhat sleeker, contributing to a truck that showed some styling restraint without a complete redesign. The F-250 was available in various trims, from the basic XL with its black grille and bumpers to the luxurious Limited with a satin-chrome grille and twin-panel moonroof. Inside, the F-250 featured a function-first cabin with a logical layout, though it felt cold and mechanical due to the abundance of hard plastics.

In contrast, the 2020 RAM 1500 was one of the most iconic trucks on the road, with a design that had been evolving since the Clinton administration. The RAM 1500 offered a range of trims, starting with the Tradesman, which included basic features like 18-inch steel wheels and vinyl upholstery. The Big Horn trim added fog lights and carpet, while the Rebel trim was designed for off-road enthusiasts with its lifted suspension and skid plates. The Laramie trim introduced more luxury with leather upholstery and heated seats, and the Laramie Longhorn and Limited trims added even more high-end features like upgraded leather and a 12-inch touchscreen. The RAM 1500's interior was spacious and comfortable, with plenty of storage options and a more refined feel compared to the F-250.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty came standard with a 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine, producing 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Ford also offered a 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8, which delivered 475 hp and an astonishing 1,050 lb-ft of torque. A new 7.3-liter gas V8 was introduced for 2020, offering 430 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The gas engines were paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel V8 used a six-speed automatic. The F-250 could tow up to 30,000 pounds when properly equipped. However, the truck's suspension made for a bumpy ride when not loaded down, and it felt top-heavy on ramps. The available FX4 and Tremor off-road packages added features like upgraded shocks and big off-road tires.

The 2020 RAM 1500 offered a range of engine options, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 that produced 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. This engine featured a mild-hybrid system called "eTorque," which provided an extra 90 lb-ft of torque during towing and takeoff. The optional 5.7-liter V8 delivered 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque, with a maximum towing capacity of 12,750 pounds. The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 offered 260 hp and a class-leading 480 lb-ft of torque, though it sometimes suffered from turbo lag. The RAM 1500's ZF 8-speed transmission was reworked to pair perfectly with the EcoDiesel. Despite its impressive torque, the diesel engine's 260 hp felt underwhelming during highway merges. The RAM 1500 averaged 15.4 mpg over 150 miles of mixed driving.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available in Regular Cab, extended SuperCab, and full four-door Crew Cab configurations, with either a 6-foot-9-inch or 8-foot bed. The cabin was spacious and functional, with deep cup holders and cubbies designed to hold large items. The center console was massive, capable of storing files, tools, or even a laptop. The rear seats in the SuperCrew and Crew Cab models folded up to reveal a load floor for large items, making it easy to store equipment like a generator overnight.

The 2020 RAM 1500 boasted class-leading torque, over 12,000 pounds of towing capacity, and perhaps the most comfortable interior in its class. The interior was spacious, with plenty of room for big adults in both the front and back seats. Rear coil springs provided a more comfortable ride compared to traditional leaf springs. The RAM 1500 offered over 151 liters (5 cubic feet) of interior storage, nearly doubling its nearest competitor. The rear seats in higher trims could recline, and there was ample legroom even for tall passengers. However, achieving the maximum towing capacity required precise configuration, limiting some of the truck's functionality.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty's base XL trim came with four speakers, an AM/FM/MP3 radio unit, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB-C port. The XLT trim added more speakers, SiriusXM satellite radio, an additional USB-C port, and the SYNC 3 infotainment system, which included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. FordPass Connect was standard across the lineup, offering a WiFi hotspot and the ability to remotely lock and unlock the vehicle, receive status updates, and locate the truck using a smartphone app. Remote start and scheduling were also available through the app, though many of these services required a subscription.

The 2020 RAM 1500 shone with its 12-inch, tablet-style touchscreen and the Uconnect system, which was bright, beautiful, and easy to use. The system paired easily with smartphones, though there was one instance of an improper connection causing both satellite radio and Spotify to play simultaneously. The 8.4-inch touchscreen was also impressive and more than adequate. The RAM 1500 featured push-button start across all trims, making it easier to start the truck when carrying items or wearing gloves. A wealth of USB and USB-C inputs in both the front and back ensured that passengers would never lack charging ports.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty came with standard safety features like front- and side-impact airbags, trailer sway control, hill start assist, and AdvanceTrac traction control with roll stability control. Optional safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Other options included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system. However, the F-250 had not been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, and it would have been nice to see more of these safety features made standard.

The 2020 RAM 1500 received a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was the first full-size, body-on-frame pickup to be named a Top Safety Pick Plus by the IIHS, though this applied only to the Crew Cab model with all the active safety equipment and optional LED lights. Most safety features were available across the board, with only parking sensors and forward-collision and lane-departure mitigation reserved for Laramie and above trims. The RAM 1500's hood design provided better visibility compared to competitors, and the braking feel was consistent, though stopping from 60 mph took 130 feet or more due to the truck's mass.