Which Is the Better Used Truck? The Ram 1500 vs Silverado 1500

Pickup trucks are designed to be tough and durable, so even the oldest models you’ll find here at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet, your Atlanta used truck dealer, still have plenty of life left in them. Getting a used truck can still be tricky, though. Car companies are dying to tell you about all the newest features on their latest models, but that doesn’t necessarily help you when you’re trying to figure out which pre-owned model to buy. Well, don’t panic; we can help you make an informed choice on which truck you should be next by telling you about two of the most beloved pickups on the market: the Ram 1500 and Chevy’s Silverado 1500. They share more in common than just a number, but they also have unique strengths and features, so if you’re trying to decide which one is right for you, you’ve come to the right place.

Comfort

Both trucks offer spacious cabins that give you room to breathe. However, the Ram has the leg up over the Silverado when it comes to seat comfort. The seats are plush and offer good back support, which is essential for longer drives, especially if you’re on your way to a physically demanding job. Higher trims for some model years even offer luxurious features like heated seats and a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat that allows you to get the position just right.

Towing & Payload

This is an especially tricky category to measure since the capability of these trucks varies significantly not only from year to year but also from trim to trim. Both brands offer a variety of powertrains, and each one has its own stats when it comes to horsepower and torque. But taking a step back and looking at this generally, the Silverado tends to have a higher towing capacity than the Ram. Newer models can tow over 13,000 pounds, which is pretty impressive. Even the latest model of the Ram 1500 tops out at 12,750 pounds. That’s nothing to sneeze at either, but it doesn’t beat the Silverado.

When it comes to hauling cargo in the bed, though, the Ram pulls ahead. It seems to consistently have a maximum payload that’s heavier than what the Silverado can handle. For example, the 2021 Silverado 1500 can haul up to 2,280 pounds, while the 2021 Ram 1500 can handle up to 2,300 pounds. The difference here isn’t as significant as the towing capacity, but if you’re often loading up the bed with heavy cargo, it’s worth keeping in mind.

Cargo Space

Weight isn’t the only limitation on cargo, though. Some items aren’t terribly heavy but do take up a lot of space, so the measurements of the cargo bed are worth keeping in mind. Both of these trucks offer multiple sizes of beds. There have been some slight variations over the years, and when it comes to cargo space, getting into the numbers can be helpful. So for this section, we’re going to use the 2020 Ram 1500 and the 2020 Silverado 1500 for specific stats. Similar sizes are available on other model years, so it should still give you a good general picture of what these trucks have to offer.

The smaller size for the Ram is the 5’7” box. The 5’7” refers to the length of the bed; when you factor in the other dimensions, you end up with a bed volume of 53.9 cubic feet. Size up to Ram’s 6’4” bed, and you get 61.5 cubic feet. Ram used to have an 8’ bed option on some trims of the 1500, but for the model years 2019-2022, it’s no longer available.

If you don’t need much space, the Silverado has a short bed that’s 5’8” long with an area of 62.9 cubic feet. At a length only an inch longer than Ram’s short bed, it still manages to have a larger volume than Ram’s 6’4” option. Chevy’s standard bed is 6’7” long and has an area of 71.7 cubic feet. But if that’s not enough, you can opt for the long box, which is 8’ long and has a bed volume of a whopping 89.1 cubic feet. So when it comes to having room for cargo, be it moving boxes, camping gear, or construction equipment, the Silverado easily comes out on top.

Infotainment

Built-in touchscreens may still seem like a high-tech luxury to some, but they’ve been around for a few years now, so there are plenty of used trucks that offer modern dashboards with smartphone connectivity. As far back as the 2019 model year, the Silverado has had an infotainment touchscreen that’s compatible with Apple CarPlay as a standard feature across all trims. The same cannot be said for the 2019 Ram 1500, though it does have USB ports, Bluetooth Streaming, and voice commands, even on the most basic trim. While higher trims and newer model years of the Ram 1500 have some great built-in tech, from massive touch screens to wireless device charging, when it comes to the pre-owned market, we have to give this category to the Silverado. Since it has come standard with some of the most in-demand infotainment features for several years now, you’re more likely to find one that suits your needs.

Fuel Economy

Both the Ram 1500 and the Silverado 1500 are available with a variety of different powertrains, and each one has its own MPG rating. On top of that, there’s the difference between model years. Generally speaking, newer models are more fuel-efficient than their predecessors, though there are exceptions. Looking at used models across different trim levels and years, it’s hard to see a clear winner in this category. The two often have nearly identical fuel economies, and when they are different, it’s usually only by a few MPG. So on this front, it’s a tie: if fuel economy is an important factor for you, you’re better off looking at the trim and model year rather than the brand and going with a diesel over a gas engine.

Safety

Both Ram and Chevy have plenty of safety features to offer. If you’re looking at a pre-owned truck from more recent model years, like 2020, there are plenty of high-tech driver-assistance features that you can find on some trims. Both brands have blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, and lane-keep assist, among others. So in terms of driver assistance, the two trucks have a pretty similar suite of options.

Of course, alerts and automatic features aren’t all there is to safety. While no one wants to think about being in a car accident, it’s important to know how your vehicle would perform if you were ever involved in a collision. Both the Ram 1500 and the Silverado 1500 consistently earn 4 or 5-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which assesses the safety of various vehicles in order to help consumers shop smart. If you look at the 2018 model year and earlier, the Silverado has higher marks, almost always getting 5-star ratings across trim levels. However, when you look at 2019, 2020, and 2021, the Ram 1500 pulls ahead. So for older models, this one goes to Chevy, but when it comes to more recent years, the winner is Ram.

So Who Wins?

At the end of the day, it’s impossible to name a one-size-fits-all “winner” between these two trucks. A worker who needs to maximize cargo space and towing capacity will probably be better off with the Chevy, while someone looking for a versatile truck for everyday driving may choose the more comfortable and compact Ram. For some drivers, it simply comes down to brand loyalty, and since these are both very capable trucks, that’s a fine way to decide too. Whichever one you prefer, you’re sure to find the perfect fit on our lot. Since these durable trucks are built to last, there are plenty of pre-owned models that should serve you well for years to come.