Deery Brothers of Ames, Inc.

Nov 26, 2021

Countless Americans rely on their trucks to get around, to haul all sorts of cargo, and even to serve as their mobile office. Residents of the Ames, IA area need strong and durable vehicles with modern features to make all of this go as smoothly as possible.

While there are many trucks out there, this article is going to take a look at just two of them. The first is the RAM 1500, and the second the Toyota Tundra. Both of these are well-known full-size pickup trucks that serve millions of Americans, both at the job site and at home. But which one is the best fit for you and your loved ones?

RAM 1500 TRX Overview
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Under the hood

The RAM 1500, across its 8 different trim levels, has four available powertrain configurations. The base model enjoys a 3.6L V6 engine that pairs with RAM’s eTorque Mild-Hybrid System to put out 305 horsepower and 269 lb.-ft. of torque.

The other six-cylinder option is a 3.0L diesel configuration that makes just 260 horsepower but that has a whopping 480 lb.-ft. of torque! Since it’s a diesel, this is also the most fuel-efficient option of the bunch.

The RAM 1500 also features a pair of V8 offerings. The first is a 5.7L HEMI V8 that gets 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque; this is also available with the eTorque Mild-Hybrid System, which raises both the towing capacity and the fuel economy. On that point, it’s worth pointing out that a properly configured RAM 1500 can tow a jaw-dropping 12,750 pounds!

The Toyota Tundra, for its part, is only offered with a V6 engine. This can be had in three configurations. The base non-hybrid engine makes 348 ponies and 405 lb.-ft. of torque, but another, pricier version of the same enjoys 389 horsepower and 479 lb.-ft.

The Tundra’s new hybrid powertrain gets 437 horsepower and 583 lb.-ft. of torque. Despite these impressive numbers, the Tundra caps out at towing 12,000 pounds.

Features, safety, and style

The RAM 1500 has an absolutely huge cab, with plenty of room for the driver and their passengers. Integrated storage functions mean that keeping the truck’s spacious interior organized will be a breeze.

The RAM 1500 is also known for being replete with creature comforts, especially at higher trims; the truck can be outfitted with heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, leather, and real wood accents. It has an available 12-inch touchscreen for controlling music and navigation.

The split-folding tailgate is a unique offering that allows more flexibility when filling the bed and transporting cargo. Furthermore, this truck scored five out of five stars overall on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety testing battery.

The Tundra, as a full-size pickup, has a large cabin, but it’s not quite as spacious as the RAM 1500. It also has fewer luxury features as one climbs the tree of available trims, and its standard touchscreen is just 8.0 inches. The point of most divergence, however, is safety. The Tundra, overall, scored just four out of five stars on the NHTSA safety test.

It’s clear that Toyota focused most on the Tundra’s work performance, which is a notable improvement from the previous model. However, for buyers who want a daily family vehicle, RAM offers a greater level of interior refinement.

Drive the RAM 1500 for yourself

Both the RAM 1500 and the Toyota Tundra are powerful vehicles that can fill a variety of roles. The RAM 1500, however, is a cut above. Between its higher towing capacity, more refined ride, and excellent array of features, it’s the way to go. There’s a reason, after all, that the RAM 1500 won some of the car world’s most prestigious awards over the last few years.

At Deery of Ames we are creating a tradition of service in Central Iowa, and are proud to offer the RAM 1500 to our customers. We invite you to visit us and check it out in person.

RAM 1500 TRX Overview
Shop RAM 1500s