2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty vs 2020 RAM 2500

The 2020 RAM 2500 stood out with its elegant design, contrasting sharply with the more rugged looks of its competitors. Each of its six trim levels featured a unique grille, and the truck's overall appearance was enhanced by options like chrome bumpers and LED headlights. The Limited trim, in particular, showcased 20-inch chrome wheels and LED taillights, giving it a sophisticated yet robust look. Inside, the RAM 2500 impressed with high-quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship, especially in the upper trims. The Laramie Longhorn and Limited trims featured luxurious touches like soft-grained leather, light wood trim, and a stunning beige-and-navy-blue color combo, making the interior feel more like a high-end sedan than a heavy-duty truck.

In contrast, the 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty exuded a stately yet purposeful presence, especially in its Limited trim. The truck's Iconic Silver paint and chrome accents gave it a luxurious appearance, while power-deploying running boards made it easier to access the high cab. Inside, the F-350 offered cavernous space, with plush leather seats and a high-end audio system. The Limited trim included power-adjustable front seats, a large center console, and numerous storage options. Rear-seat comfort was also impressive, with heated outboard seats and ample legroom, although the seat cushion was slightly lower than expected. Overall, the F-350's interior combined luxury with practicality, making it suitable for both work and leisure.

The 2020 RAM 2500 offered two engine options: a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque, and a 6.7-liter Cummins inline-six diesel with 370 horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque. The Hemi V8, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, provided a smooth and powerful driving experience, with a maximum towing capacity of 17,350 pounds and a payload capacity of up to 4,380 pounds. The diesel engine, on the other hand, excelled in towing, with a maximum capacity of 19,780 pounds and a payload capacity of 3,060 pounds. Despite its size, the RAM 2500 was unexpectedly quick on the highway, although its steering was loose and the ride was stiff compared to the RAM 1500. The diesel's exhaust brake was particularly effective, enhancing safety and extending brake life.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty featured a 6.7-liter Powerstroke turbodiesel V8, delivering an impressive 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. Despite its power, the F-350 managed a fuel economy of 15.4 mpg on the testing loop and 16.5 mpg during a week of heavy highway use. The Powerstroke engine provided effortless acceleration and towing capabilities, making it ideal for hauling heavy trailers. The Tremor off-road package further enhanced the F-350's performance, with features like a front suspension lift, custom dampers, and 35-inch all-terrain tires. However, the truck's size made parking and maneuvering in tight spaces challenging, and the ride quality could be unyielding when unloaded. Adaptive steering and a robust braking system added to the F-350's overall performance, but the truck required constant attention from the driver, especially in urban environments.

The 2020 RAM 2500 offered three cab options and two bed lengths, with the Crew Cab and Mega Cab providing ample space for passengers and cargo. The Mega Cab, in particular, allowed rear passengers to recline and enjoy a luxurious ride. Power running boards and a retractable tailgate step made accessing the truck easier, while features like the RamBox storage system and pre-drilled fifth-wheel hitch holes added to its functionality. The RAM 2500 also offered a 220-amp alternator, with options for dual alternators to support power-hungry equipment, and a countdown timer for cold starts on diesel models.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty's crew cab provided generous space for five passengers, with power-adjustable front seats and a commanding driving position. The truck featured a large center console, dual glove compartments, and numerous storage bins, making it practical for everyday use. Rear-seat comfort was notable, with heated outboard seats and ample legroom, although the seat cushion was slightly lower than expected. The F-350's cargo bed was easy to secure with the BoxLink system, and the optional spray-in bedliner and LED box lighting added to its utility. However, accessing the bed required the integrated tailgate step or retractable bed step due to the truck's height.

The 2020 RAM 2500 came standard with a 5-inch touchscreen, but the 8.4-inch Uconnect upgrade was highly recommended for its quick, logical, and high-resolution interface. The 12-inch display, available on higher trims, was particularly impressive, offering a split-screen view, large maps, and easy access to settings for trailers and other features. The 360-degree cameras and dual rear-view cameras made maneuvering the large truck easier, and the system's overall execution was top-notch.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty featured an 8-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which, while functional, was starting to show its age compared to competitors. The system included smartphone integration, wireless charging, navigation, and a B&O premium sound system. However, the small screen size was a drawback, especially when using the reversing camera and trailer assistance features. The F-350 also offered a Live Drive Power Take-off system and upfitter switches for additional equipment, but the infotainment system's occasional lag and limited voice-recognition capabilities were notable downsides.

The 2020 RAM 2500 was not rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but the 2020 RAM 1500, which shares many safety features, earned a Top Safety Pick+ and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The RAM 2500 offered optional driver-assistance features like blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and forward emergency braking, which worked even with a trailer attached.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, weighing around 7,300 pounds, was likely to protect occupants well in collisions with smaller vehicles. It offered a range of driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, and rear cross-traffic alert. The adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist systems had some limitations, but the overall safety features provided added peace of mind.