2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs 2020 RAM 2500

Back in 2020, Ford gave its F-250 Super Duty a facelift and added some sharp styling changes. The most noticeable difference was the less flashy front bumper which incorporated more black-painted areas, cutting down on the excessive chrome seen in previous models. The massive two-bar grille was replaced by a slightly more understated design. Thanks to this new grille shape, the headlights appeared sleeker, giving the truck a more refined look without a complete redesign.

The F-250 was offered in multiple trims: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited. The appearances varied considerably between trims. The base XL featured a black grille, black bumpers, and 17-inch steel wheels; the XLT brought some bling with chrome accents and 18-inch alloy wheels. Meanwhile, the Lariat introduced fog lights, upgraded wheels, and power-telescoping side mirrors. The King Ranch was unique with two-tone paint, chrome-accented running boards, and chrome on the side mirrors and door handles. The Platinum added 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, and chrome window treatments. The top-tier Limited took a luxurious approach, featuring a satin-chrome grille.

Ford also catered to off-road enthusiasts with the Tremor package. Available on XLT-and-up trims, it included a dark grille, dark wheels, and off-road tires along with additional off-road gear.

Inside, the F-250's cabin was practical and designed with a no-nonsense approach, featuring logical control layouts and plenty of storage space. Yet, it was criticized for its surplus of hard plastics and an overall cold, mechanical feel. The lower trims, such as the base XL, were equipped with vinyl upholstery and minimal tech features, while upper trims like the King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited brought a touch of luxury with premium leather upholstery, heated and cooled seats, and in the case of the Limited, a panoramic moonroof.

The 2020 RAM 2500, however, was an entirely different story when it came to aesthetics. This truck exemplified elegance even among its heavy-duty rivals. The grille, customized for each of the six trim levels, gave the truck a dominant yet sophisticated presence. Unlike the Ford, the RAM’s bumper came in either shiny chrome or painted body-color, adding a touch of customization. Its LED headlights on upper trims were sleek and proportionate to the domed hood, preserving its imposing yet refined look.

RAM's design excelled in giving the 2500 a car-like demeanor, thanks to its smooth, rounded body panels. It offered optional clearance lights and extended side mirrors that mimicked a semi-truck's appearance. My Limited test model came equipped with 20-inch chrome wheels and LED taillights, further adding to the truck's grandeur.

Stepping into the RAM 2500 was akin to entering a luxury vehicle. Upper trims like the Laramie Longhorn and Limited boasted soft-grained, perforated leather seats, elaborate stitch patterns, and light wood trim. The luxurious touches extended to aluminum speaker covers and a stunning beige-and-navy-blue color scheme. The fit and finish were exceptional, and the interior was crafted to be both visually appealing and functional, a rare feat for a heavy-duty truck.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered several engine choices that all aimed at delivering robust performance. The standard option was a 6.2-liter gasoline V8 with 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. For diesel aficionados, a 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8 was available, cranking out 475 horsepower and a staggering 1,050 pound-feet of torque.

New for 2020 was a 7.3-liter gas V8, producing 430 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. Both gas engines were paired with a fresh 10-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel engine mated to a six-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) was standard, with four-wheel drive (4WD) as an option. When equipped with the diesel engine and towing packages, the F-250's towing capacity peaked at an impressive 30,000 pounds.

The truck's acceleration was surprisingly swift, owing to its powerful V8 engines. However, the ride quality left something to be desired. The suspension was tuned to handle heavy loads, which meant a very bumpy ride when the truck was unladen. Despite its towing prowess, the F-250 felt top-heavy on curves and chattered over road imperfections.

For off-road adventures, the FX4 package added upgraded shocks, underbody skid plates, and Trail Control. The Tremor off-road package introduced 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler tires, a 2-inch lift, and rock crawl mode, available on several trims with either the 7.3-liter gas V8 or the 6.7-liter diesel engine.

The RAM 2500 matched up well in performance but offered a different driving experience. It was available in RWD or 4WD with an electronic low-range transfer case. The standard 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine delivered 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque, paired with a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission. This V8 trim could haul payloads up to 4,380 pounds and tow up to 17,350 pounds.

For those opting for a diesel, the 2500 came with a 6.7-liter Cummins inline-six. Despite outputting somewhat lower figures—370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque, the diesel engine provided robust towing capabilities, pulling up to 19,780 pounds and hauling a payload of 3,060 pounds.

The diesel-equipped RAM 2500 offered decent but unremarkable acceleration and a somewhat harsh ride due to its stiff suspension. However, the truck was quick for its class and exceptionally efficient in braking, thanks to the diesel’s exhaust brake. The exhaust brake substantially slowed down the truck without even touching the brakes, extending brake life and making it safer for towing heavy loads.

Despite lacking official EPA ratings for fuel economy, the RAM 2500 averaged an impressive 19 mpg over 515 miles, mostly on the highway, making it an efficient choice for long-distance towing and hauling.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty came in Regular Cab, extended SuperCab, and full four-door Crew Cab configurations. Available bed sizes were a 6-foot-9-inch or an 8-foot version. With a telescoping tailgate step, it provided easy access to the bed.

Inside, the F-250 was extremely spacious, with well-thought-out cup holders and storage cubbies designed to hold large items. The center console was immense, easily storing files, tools, or even a laptop. The rear seats in the SuperCrew and Crew Cab models could fold up, revealing a load floor suitable for storing large items securely inside the vehicle.

The RAM 2500 also provided three cab configurations and two bed lengths. The Single Cab, available with an 8-foot or 6-foot-4-inch bed, seated three across or two with a fixed center console. The Crew Cab option offered even more space and combined practicality with luxury, with the possibility of pairing the long bed with the larger cab, something RAM's smaller 1500 model did not allow.

For ultimate luxury, the Mega Cab allowed rear passengers to recline and fully shield themselves from view behind a thick C-pillar. This unique feature transformed the RAM 2500 into an ultra-comfortable ride resembling a five-star hotel room with diesel power.

Cargo and payload features were equally impressive in both models, but the RAM had a slight edge with its higher payload capacities and extensive list of optional features like the power running boards, retractable tailgate step, and spray-in bed liner. It also provided an optional RamBox storage system, although not included in all models, giving it added versatility.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty was fitted with various tech and infotainment systems, depending on the trim level. The base XL came with an AM/FM/MP3 radio, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB-C port, and a basic four-speaker setup. Moving up to the XLT brought additional USB ports, a better speaker setup, and the SYNC 3 infotainment system, which included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

SYNC 3 offered intuitive controls and sensible menus. All Ford models came with FordPass Connect as standard, providing a WiFi hotspot connecting up to 10 devices and allowing for remote control features via a smartphone app.

The RAM 2500, on the other hand, offered a 5-inch touchscreen as standard but could be upgraded to a high-resolution 8.4-inch Uconnect system, known for its user-friendly interface. Optional up-to-date features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto made this system an attractive proposition.

However, it was the optional 12-inch display that truly set the RAM 2500 apart. This large display made controlling various features, viewing large maps, and managing trailer connections a breeze. Flanked by physical switches and knobs for climate control and audio, it was both practical and futuristic. The 12-inch screen had capabilities no competitor could match, including detailed, customizable views for trailer towing and a highly functional 360-degree camera system.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty came standard with essential safety features like front and side airbags, trailer sway control, hill start assist, and traction control with roll stability control. Optional features included advanced safety aids such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and a 360-degree camera system. While comprehensive, it was noted that making such features standard would be a welcome update for trucks of this size.

The 2020 RAM 2500, although not rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, had a strong safety reputation thanks to its lighter duty sibling, the RAM 1500. The RAM 1500's excellent safety scores, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, suggested a robust build and dependable safety features. The RAM also offered advanced driver assistance features like blind-spot monitoring, forward emergency braking (functional even with a trailer attached), and adaptive cruise control as options, though it was noted that making these features standard would benefit consumers.