2020 RAM 2500 vs 2021 Toyota Tundra

The 2020 RAM 2500 stood out with its elegant design, contrasting sharply with the chunkier looks of its competitors like the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and Ford F-250 Super Duty. Each of the six trim levels featured a unique grille, adding to its upscale appearance. The truck's chrome bumper and optional painted body-color version, along with sleek LED headlights on upper trims, contributed to its sophisticated look. The RAM 2500's design was reminiscent of the smaller RAM 1500 but with a more stretched and widened stance. The Limited trim, with its 20-inch chrome wheels and LED taillights, further enhanced its premium feel. Inside, the RAM 2500 impressed with high-quality materials and excellent fit and finish, especially in the upper trims like the Laramie Longhorn and Limited. The interior featured soft-grained, perforated leather, light wood trim, aluminum speaker covers, and a stunning beige-and-navy-blue color combo. The attention to detail extended to the grab handles and shifter knob, making the RAM 2500's cabin feel like a class of its own.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Tundra had a somewhat awkward appearance, with a massive grille and disproportionately small headlights. The "Cement" paint color with blacked-out wheels and badging gave it a more modern look, but the overall design felt dated. The cabin, dominated by hard plastics and big monotone panels, reflected a mid-2010s truck styling. However, the Tundra's interior was functional, with all buttons and dials within easy reach. The infotainment system, updated in 2020, included a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Tundra's interior was not luxurious but kept fresh with essential updates. The SR5 CrewMax trim added power-adjustable front seats, an 8-inch touchscreen, and the Trail Special Edition package, which included off-road tires, a spray-on bed-liner, and in-bed storage boxes. The higher trims like Limited, TRD Pro, Platinum, and 1794 Edition offered more features and unique styling touches.

The 2020 RAM 2500 offered two engine options: a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and a 6.7-liter Cummins inline-six diesel engine with 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque. The V8 trims had the highest payloads, up to 4,380 pounds, and a towing capacity of up to 17,350 pounds. The diesel engine, tested in the review, could tow up to 19,780 pounds and haul up to 3,060 pounds of payload. The RAM 2500's acceleration was lazy but quick enough for highway merging. The diesel engine's exhaust brake was highly effective, and the truck averaged close to 19 mpg over 515 highway miles.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra came standard with a 5.7-liter V8 engine producing 391 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Tundra's towing capacity was 10,200 pounds, and its payload capacity was 1,730 pounds. The V8 engine provided strong acceleration at both low and high speeds, and the six-speed automatic was responsive. The Tundra was comfortable over various surfaces, with a stable ride on the highway. However, its steering was vague at low speeds.

The 2020 RAM 2500 offered three cab options and two bed lengths. The Single Cab provided the most payload and seating for three, while the Crew Cab and Mega Cab offered more space and luxury. The Mega Cab allowed rear passengers to recline and hide behind a thick C-pillar. The RAM 2500's interior was spacious, with power running boards and a retractable tailgate step for easier access. The truck featured a 220-amp alternator, with options for dual alternators, and a countdown timer for the diesel engine's glow plugs.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra had two cab sizes and three bed lengths. The Double Cab had conventionally-opening rear doors and was available with a 6.5-foot or 8.1-foot bed. The CrewMax, with a 5.5-foot bed, offered massive rear legroom and fold-up rear seats for additional cargo space. The Tundra's front seats had plenty of room, and the center console provided ample storage. The optional power rear window was a standout feature, offering clean lines of sight and fresh air.

The 2020 RAM 2500 came standard with a 5-inch touchscreen, with an 8.4-inch Uconnect upgrade available. The 12-inch display was a highlight, offering a user-friendly interface with large maps, dual tiles of information, and 360-degree cameras. The system included features like heated seats and steering wheel controls, trailer settings, and rear-view cameras. The instrument cluster also had a large display duplicating many features from the main screen.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra's infotainment system, updated in 2020, included a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation was available. The system had a sensible layout with redundant hard buttons, multiple USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot trial. The Tundra came standard with a six-speaker stereo, with upgrades available in higher trims, including a JBL premium audio system with 12 speakers.

The 2020 RAM 2500 was not rated by NHTSA or IIHS, but the 2020 RAM 1500 received a Top Safety Pick+ and a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA. Optional driver assists included blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and forward emergency braking.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra came standard with Toyota Safety Sense P, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Optional safety features included front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Tundra also had eight airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, trailer sway control, and an integrated trailer brake controller.