2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs 2022 RAM 1500

The 2022 Ram 1500 came in both Quad Cab (extended cab) and Crew Cab styles, offering a standard 6-foot, 4-inch cargo box, while the Crew Cab had an optional 5-foot, 7-inch box. Available in seven trim levels, from the basic Tradesman to the high-performance TRX, the Ram 1500 also offered an array of appearance packages, option packages, and special editions tailored to customer preferences.

New in 2022, all Ram 1500s featured a Clean Air System that filtered out 95 percent of particulates from the truck’s cabin air. The Big Horn trim and upwards included the new Uconnect 5 infotainment system with an 8.4-inch or 12-inch touchscreen. The Trailer Tow Group introduced a Trailer Hitch Light feature for improved night-time visibility. Several new special editions also made their debut.

Our Ram 1500 Crew Cab in Limited trim came equipped with a turbodiesel engine, four-wheel drive (4WD), and an electronic locking rear axle with a 3.92 axle ratio. It had the Limited Level 1 Group, Technology Group, Trailer Tow Group, power-folding trailer mirrors, and a tri-fold tonneau cover for the bed. Additionally, a Limited 10th Anniversary Edition package included luxurious touches like Indigo and Sea Salt quilted leather upholstery, a suede headliner, ventilated rear seats, and a 19-speaker premium sound system among other high-end features.

Visually, the Ram 1500 stood out in the full-size truck segment. Its design retained some of the "big rig" styling that rejuvenated the Dodge Ram in the 1990s but leaned towards a more contemporary, understated look as opposed to the exaggerated styles seen elsewhere. The interior felt distinctly luxurious, with mixed materials and various textures lending a high-quality feel. The Indigo and Sea Salt two-tone color scheme contributed to an upscale atmosphere, setting it apart from others in the segment, including the Toyota Tundra.

Contrastingly, the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty, while completely redesigned, preserved an evolutionary visual approach. Trim options ranged from XL to Limited, each offering a suite of features. The XL trim focused on work truck essentials with 17-inch wheels, vinyl upholstery, and a basic but functional infotainment system. Advancing through the trims, luxury and creature comforts increased, culminating in the King Ranch and Platinum trims with two-tone paint, alloy wheels, dark trim accents, and a lavish interior.

The King Ranch trim featured its signature branding and two-tone brown leather interior with several advanced features. Platinum trim continued this trend with more refined styling. Our test King Ranch model also boasted a seamless front bumper with an integrated Warn winch, a soft-opening tailgate, and helpful bed steps for easy access.

The 2022 Ram 1500 offered multiple engine options, including a 3.6-liter V6 with a mild-hybrid system for better performance and fuel economy, and a 5.7-liter V8 available with or without the hybrid assist. The off-road TRX model featured a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine. Our tester was equipped with the optional EcoDiesel engine—a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 producing 260 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Depending on the configuration, the EcoDiesel could tow up to 12,560 pounds, with our Limited 4WD test truck rated at 9,600 pounds for towing and 1,780 pounds for payload.

Fuel efficiency for our test truck was notable, achieving an EPA rating of 24 mpg combined, and during our tests, it averaged 24.8 mpg, aided by the air suspension and a tonneau cover. Though the high purchase price of the diesel engine could be a deterrent, its quiet cabin, impressive ride quality, and premium features made the Ram 1500 Limited a pleasure to drive, even resembling an SUV in its road manners.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered robust engine choices starting with the base 6.8-liter gasoline V8, producing 400 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque. The 7.3-liter gasoline V8 upped this to 430 horsepower and 485 pound-feet. For diesel enthusiasts, the 6.7-liter PowerStroke turbodiesel V8 generated 475 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque with an even higher-output version delivering 500 horsepower and 1,200 pound-feet of torque.

These engines were mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, offering smooth power delivery. The diesel options, particularly the high-output version in our test truck, showcased impressive acceleration and high-speed capability. With properly configured setups, the towing capacity reached up to 22,000 pounds, and features like Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and onboard scales facilitated easier towing operations.

For the 2022 Ram 1500, comfort and utility were paramount. Despite needing to navigate through the complex Uconnect 5 system to find the power running board settings, the truck provided a premium experience with spacious heated and ventilated seats, a reclining rear bench, and an array of practical storage solutions, including Ram Bins under the rear floor and a multi-function tailgate designed for both traditional loading and easier edge access.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty presented multiple cab configurations: regular, SuperCab, and Super Crew, with long 6.75-foot and 8-foot bed options. Despite the large dimensions of the SuperCrew model, access to the bed was made easier with strategic step placements and a soft-opening tailgate. Interior amenities closely matched those of the Ram, with overabundant cupholders, expansive storage bins, and fold-up rear seats for increased cargo space.

The 2022 Ram 1500, especially in higher trims, benefited from the Uconnect 5 system, which was faster and more feature-rich than previous versions. Our test model’s 12-inch touchscreen supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa Built-in, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system. However, its complexity and occasional glitches did detract slightly from the user experience.

In contrast, the base infotainment for the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty was an 8-inch touchscreen, scaling up to a 12-inch unit in higher trims. Our test model's larger screen supported wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and provided segmented views for various vehicle metrics. The system’s straightforward layout and multiple USB ports, along with robust towing-specific tech, highlighted Ford’s focus on user convenience and capability.

The 2022 Ram 1500 offered an array of driver-assist features as part of the Advanced Safety Group and Rebel Safety Group packages. Options included lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. Our test truck’s rear automatic braking system and lane-keep assist were sometimes overly aggressive, but the adaptive cruise control worked smoothly. Safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were high, although there was room for improvement in frontal-impact protection.

Similarly, the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty, starting with XLT trims, included the Ford CoPilot 360 suite, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera system. Useful trailer assistance tools, including trailer blind-spot monitoring and a backup camera for when the tailgate is down, were also offered. Although official safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were unavailable, these features underscored a strong emphasis on safety.