When it comes to full-sized pickups, three truck brands stand above all others. There’s the Ford F-150, the Chevy Silverado 1500, and the Ram 1500. Now, Ford recently made the switch over from a steel frame to aluminum. Aluminum, when damaged, almost always requires a replacement panel (steel has “material memory” where it can be pushed back into its original state, whereas aluminum does not, so much like a crunched soda can, it will never return to its original state). This not only can cause additional damage, especially to the bed of your truck, but it also increases insurance costs as it requires mechanics trained in working with aluminum. Due to this, when you want a full-sized pickup that’s truly durable, you’ll want to consider between the Chevy Silverado and the Ram 1500. But which model reigns supreme? Here’s a full comparison of the 2019 Chevy Silverado vs 2019 Ram 1500 to find out.
Engine Performance
Whenever looking at trucks, you typically look at three specifics and then move on from there: torque, towing, and hauling capacity. Horsepower is important, but when considering how much a truck can pull, it’s the torque number you want to pay attention to. Now, if you’re shopping around for a new truck for its safety and comfort features, modern pickups have come a long way in those regards as well (if you ever drove an early 2000 pickup, you already know comfort features were sparse).
For the entry-level 2019 Chevy Silverado, the truck comes standard with a V6 that puts out 285 horsepower. However, the base model does give you the option to upgrade to a 4.3L V8 with 305 lb-ft of torque.
Much like the 2019 Chevy Silverado, the entry-level 2019 Ram 1500 comes standard with a V6 engine that produces 305 horsepower. You can also upgrade the model to include a 3.6L V8. This particular V8 on the Ram 1500 is smaller than the Chevy at 3.6L and offers 269 lb-ft of torque. This makes the Chevy V8 superior in that it’s not only larger and more powerful, but it offers better torque numbers, which will help if you’re interested in towing anything from a U-Haul to a trailer.
Interior Comfort and Entertainment
Whether you’re using your truck as a workhorse or as your desired mode of transportation, you’ll want to feel comfortable while in the cabin. The 2019 Ram 1500 does pack some nice features, including a back-up camera, heated mirrors, auto-off headlights, an AM/FM stereo, AUX input for connecting your favorite external audio device (if it has a headphone jack), and A/C. You have the option of upgrading to include a CD player, HD radio, smart device integration, premium sound system, Wi-Fi hotspot, climate control, and onboard hands-free communications system.
The 2019 Chevy Silverado does come standard with a back-up camera (if you’ve ever tried to line up your truck hitch with a trailer without using a back-up camera, you know how much of a benefit this feature is) and AUX power outlet. Heated mirrors, rear parking aid, cruise control, and heated mirrors are optional. As for the entertainment features AM/FM stereo, AUX input, and smart device integration come standard while adding a Wi-Fi hotspot and onboard hands-free communications systems are optional.
So which of the two is best when it comes to interior comfort and entertainment? If you want a CD player, the Ram might edge out, simply because it is an option (you’ll find fewer and fewer vehicles come with a CD player now). However, the Chevy Silverado comes standard with smart device integration, which is something you need to pay for on a Ram. And as phones are doing away with the headphone jack, the AUX input now isn’t as helpful, which means if you want to pair your mobile device with the stereo system, the Chevy will be the better option.
Safety Features
One of the major benefits of going with a pickup, even if you have no desire to ever tow gear (although as a truck owner, you will be the first person your friends think of when they need help moving) is safety. A truck elevates you off the ground, so you are higher up. Trucks are designed to be durable (another reason why it’s beneficial to go with steel instead of an aluminum body), rarely roll over and modern trucks are now packed with internal safety features their predecessors never featured.
These safety features are great for the entry-level pickups on both the 2019 Chevy Silverado and the 2019 Ram 1500. There are crew cab options for both trucks, and each will provide additional safety options for the rear seat.
As for the 2019 Chevy Silverado, it comes with driver, front head, front side, passenger, and rear head airbags, all standard. It also features 4-wheel anti-lock brakes and 4-wheel disc brakes. As snowfall has come a bit more often in recent years to metro Atlanta, having ABS is incredibly important. You don’t want your brakes locking up on you when driving over black ice or through snow cover.
The 2019 Ram 1500 also comes with the same airbags and brakes. You will find most full-sized pickups made in the States feature the same brakes. Disc brakes are especially important with larger trucks in the south. Disc brakes are exposed to airflow, which helps keep the brakes cool and prevent overheating. Drum brakes, on the other hand, are more likely to overheat, which can cause problems with stopping. Why point this out if both Chevy and Ram use disc brakes? Because the Toyota Tacoma and other Japanese manufactured trucks use drum brakes, which are cheaper to manufacture. So if you’re looking at different makes and model trucks for your next purchase, keep that in mind. The brakes on a Tacoma are more likely to overheat, and in the summer (or if you’re towing), that’s not something you ever want.
The additional safety features on an entry-level 2019 Ram 1500 include brake assist, child safety locks, traction control, and electronic stability control. The 2019 Chevy Silverado comes standard not only with electronic stability control, daytime running lights and traction control, but you have the option to include blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, and front tow hooks. This gives you the ability to make your 2019 Chevy Silverado significantly safer than what the Ram 1500 can provide.
Which Truck To Choose?
Both the 2019 Chevy Silverado and the 2019 Ram 1500 are excellent trucks. When push comes to shove, these are some of the best full-size pickups on the market. However, when considering the 2019 Chevy Silverado vs 2019 Ram 1500, it is the Silverado that comes out on top. It’s V8 offers more torque, and it has additional safety options not found on the Ram. So in this comparison, when you want the best of the best, opt for the Chevy.
