Dodge Ram 1500 vs. Toyota Tundra - Comparative Review

Dodge Ram 1500

The Dodge Ram is one of the most well known truck out there, and this stands for a long track record of reliability and happy customers.  The Ram 1500 comes in regular cab and four-door Quad Cab body styles. Light-duty Rams can have V-6 or V-8 power, while heavy-duty models can have V-8 or diesel power. A sunroof is available on Quad Cab models, and Sirius Satellite Radio is offered.   Ram got an extensive update for 2006, including a new frame, suspension and body mounts, and new headlamps which give 22 percent greater light intensity. The fuel efficiency of the Ram was also improved as Hemi-equipped Rams have fuel-saving cylinder deactivation technology.

Ram Power

The standard engine for a 2007 Dodge Ram is a 3.7-liter V-6 that produces 215 horsepower. Other options for powertrain include a 235-hp, 4.7-liter Magnum V-8 that can run on regular unleaded fuel, E85 or a combination of the two; and a 345-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. For transmission, the standard is a six-speed manual; a four-speed automatic is optional and with the 4.7- or 5.7-liter engine, the automatic is a five-speed.

Driving the Ram

The 1500 is the lightest of all Rams, but don't let this fool you, it is still a huge truck and it drives like a trucks, bouncing around on the road especially through the city.  Highway driving is actually pretty decent.  The 2007 Ram 1500 is easy to drive and steer, and it responds predictably.  Special features include locking front and rear differentials , an electronically disconnecting front sway bar and a c ustom-built 12,000-pound winch. Polished, forged-aluminum 17-inch wheels hold 33-inch BFGoodrich tires.

Cabin Features

The inside of the Ram 1500 is basic but suitable, especially on the base trim level.  The front seat is a bench style and can hold three people.  Quad Cabs have a rear seat which folds for more cargo space. A center business console can hold a laptop computer, and the center portion offers under-cushion storage.  Leather upholstery and adjustable pedals are standard in the Laramie model.

Ram Design

Quad Cab pickups, with four conventional front-hinged doors, can be equipped with two bed sizes and are 20 inches longer in both wheelbase and overall length. The rear doors open 85 degrees to ease access. All models have a chrome grille, while the Laramie gets chrome bodyside moldings. A body-colored grille goes on Rams with the Sport Appearance Group. Hoods have a pronounced crown that falls toward the front fenders.  Regular-cab Rams can be equipped with a 6.3-foot cargo bed, ride a 120.5-inch wheelbase and stretch to 207.7 inches long overall. With an 8-foot cargo bed, the Ram has a 140.5-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 229.7 inches.

Safety

All-disc brakes with a rear-wheel antilock feature are standard. Four-wheel ABS is standard in the Laramie. Side curtain airbags and an electronic stability system are optional.

Toyota Tundra

For Toyota to make a serious statement in the pickup truck market was not easy, considering the dominance of trucks from Dodge, Ford, and GM.  But nevertheless Toyota's Tundra has presented serious competition with the others ever since it was introduced in 2000. This is a statement within itself: that the Tundra is a quality, capable, and reliable pickup truck.   Although the Tundra began as a smaller truck, it has gotten larger over the years, and is now accepted as a full size model.  The Tundra was redesigned for 2007 and got a Double Cab model in the process.  The 2007 Tundra is offered in base, SR5 and Limited trim levels, and can have one of three cab styles, one of three bed lengths and either rear- or four-wheel drive.
 

Tundra Power 

Three engines are available. The 4.0-liter V-6 produces 236 horsepower and 266 pounds-feet of torque, and the 4.7-liter V-8 generates 271 hp and 313 pounds-feet of torque. Topping the range is the 5.7-liter V-8, which makes 381 hp and 401 pounds-feet of torque.  The two smaller engines drive a five-speed automatic transmission, while the 5.7-liter V-8 works with a new six-speed automatic.

Driving the Toyota Tundra

The Tundra drives like you would expect any full size truck to, The Tundra has 4-wheel ABS and the rotors are all ventilated, this gives the Tundra an edge in driving abilities. However, Tundra's partially boxed frame is slighted when compared to the competition, and its max payload is 1,580 lbs.

Tundra Cabin

The Tundra offers a comfortable cabin with recessed gauges and large climate-control knobs that are designed to be easy to operate with gloved hands. A large center console can hold a lot and the glove box is large enough to actually be useful.  Available options include a JBL premium audio system and Bluetooth technology for interfacing with cellular phones.

'07 Design

The Tundra is stylish from the outside, with a front end dominated by a large chrome grille and rectangular wraparound headlamps. The slightly stepped front fenders recall the design of Dodge's Ram, and the Tundra's flanks are smooth and free of adornment.  In the back, the large rear taillamps wrap into the sides of the cargo bed, and the rear bumper is chrome. The tailgate can be opened with two fingers and has a damper system that prevents it from bouncing when driving with the tailgate lowered.

Safety Features

All-disc antilock brakes, an electronic stability system, side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags are standard. The Tundra can have an optional camera in the tailgate to improve visibility when backing up or hitching a trailer.

Summary

The Dodge Ram and Toyota Tundra are both full size pickups which go head to head in competition. Cars.com praised the Ram for its added power (read the article).  The Ram is well loved by many faithful pick up truck drivers and has proven its hauling abilities and reliability time and time again. The new Tundra gets praise from Cars.com for its spacious interior with convenience options (read more here).  The Tundra is new to this segment, compared to the others, but has quickly proved itself as a truck that does its job in comfort and style.  The Tundra gets better mileage than the Ram, because as we all know the Hemi isn't light on the fuel.  However, a new technology applied to the Ram's Hemi engine shuts off cylinders to improve mileage.  On the other hand, the Hemi offers superior power.