Starting at
Starting at
305-420 | Horsepower (hp) | 260-395 |
13,300 | Towing (lbs) | 13,300 |
13.4 | Screen Size (in) | 12 |
Chevrolet and Ram are two of the best-known names when it comes to powerful pickups. With years of producing some of the toughest and most reliable trucks on the market, each manufacturer knows a thing or two about what people who drive a truck need out of their vehicles. Pull up to any location where massive loads are being hauled, or huge items are being towed, and you're bound to spot a Chevy or a Ram. Each brand offers a heavy-duty lineup of super-tough pickups ready for serious towing and trailering. However, drivers looking for a solid light-duty truck might consider the 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 vs 2023 Ram 1500.
Each of these half-ton trucks can tackle modest to aggressive towing and hauling jobs while remaining easy to maneuver. They can even work as comfortable commuter trucks, thanks to their lighter curb weights and narrower dimensions compared to their heavy-duty counterparts. If you're still struggling to figure out which of these two trucks is best for your needs, here's a look at how the two hold up in a toe-to-toe comparison. While the Ram 1500 has been a top pick for years, the recent redesign of the Silverado 1500 has catapulted it into the lead.
Each of these trucks is up to the challenge of modest towing and hauling jobs. However, when it comes to which one is more powerful, the Silverado 1500 wins by a landslide. The 2023 Silverado 1500 can tow up to a whopping 13,300 lbs, while the Ram 1500 lags behind with a maximum towing capacity of 12,750 lbs. If towing is going to be a priority for you, then you will likely need the added power of the Silverado 1500. With the ability to tow 550 lbs more than the Ram 1500, it's simply capable of more.
Both the 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 and the 2023 Ram 1500 have an excellent lineup of engine options. However, the Silverado 1500 is going to give you the choice of two V8 engines––the largest of which is a hefty 6.2 liters. The Ram 1500 only offers one V8 engine, and it displaces 5.7 liters, putting it at a 35 hp deficit compared to the bigger Chevy engine. It's also important to know that the Silverado 1500 has a 10-speed automatic transmission, while the Ram has an eight-speed transmission. The difference of two gears might not seem like a big deal, but when you're towing and trailering often––not to mention going up hills––you're going to want those extra steps out of the 10-speed so that you can make more precise, smooth transitions without losing power.
Here's one major selling point about the 2023 Silverado 1500: it enjoys hands-free driving technology with its available Super Cruise feature. When activated, this feature will detect accidental lane drifting and gently steer you back into your lane. It will also work with Adaptive Cruise Control to maintain your desired speed, as well as your pre-set distance from other vehicles. It will always prioritize the safe distance over the speed, slowing down when necessary and returning to your desired speed when it's safe to do so. This feature works on over 200,000 miles of compatible roads across North America. To date, Ram does not offer any such feature on its vehicles. Super Cruise is a major bonus for long-haul drivers who get tired on the road and could benefit from a little hands-off break.
If you're going to be spending lots of time in your pickup, then it's important that the inside is as comfortable and enjoyable as the exterior features are tough and capable. The Silverado 1500 stands out right away for having more trims than the Ram 1500. There is just more versatility in the Chevy lineup and more options for drivers to select the trim that has the exact collection of features that they want. The Silverado 1500 is also more affordable overall. Its base trim has a starting MSRP that's nearly $2,000 less than that of the Ram.[a]
As for the luxury trims in each of these trucks, both the Silverado 1500 and the Ram 1500 have a nice luxury offering. For the Chevy, that's going to be the High Country, and for the Ram, that's going to be the Limited. Each of these trims features leather seating surfaces and real wood accents. However, a quick glance at the interior of each of these trims reveals that the leather and wood somehow look more high-end on the High Country. Despite its more upscale appearance, the 2023 Silverado 1500 High Country has a starting MSRP that is nearly $3,000 less than the 2023 Ram 1500 Limited, making it hard to justify springing for Ram's top trim.[a]
As for infotainment, both the 2023 Silverado 1500 and the 2023 Ram 1500 have the basics that you'd expect, like smartphone integration, wireless charging capabilities, and built-in navigation systems. However, the 2023 Silverado 1500 has set the standard when it comes to interior screens, boasting a massive 13.4-inch touchscreen display that makes it easy to access and see your favorite apps, current route, and more. In contrast, the Ram 1500's touchscreen maxes out at 12 inches. The difference might seem small on paper. However, when you're in the cab of these trucks, you can notice the difference––the Silverado's screen is just so easy to view from any angle.
Cab and Bed Configurations
When it comes to features that will just make your life easier, the 2023 Silverado 1500 stands out once again. For starters––and this is a big thing to take note of––the Ram 1500 does not come in a regular cab. It is only available with an extended cab or a crew cab. Meanwhile, the Silverado 1500 comes with a regular cab, extended cab, or crew cab. With the Ram, you're forced to get a passenger-centric vehicle. But if you really just need seating for two or three passengers and want a massive truck bed, you can only find that in the Silverado 1500.
Speaking of that truck bed, the Silverado 1500 offers far more cargo room than the Ram 1500. With its available long bed, it has an extra 27.6 cu.ft. compared to what you can get with the Ram. Even with its regular bed, the Silverado 1500 offers 10.2 cu.ft. more cargo space than the Ram 1500. It's important to take some casual measurements of the largest items you know you'll need to haul on a regular basis. They might not fit into the smaller Ram's bed.
Tailgate Technology
The rear of the Silverado 1500 continues to impress with its Multi-Flex tailgate. Admittedly, Ram also has a special tailgate that can be oriented in a couple of convenient ways. However, no truck's tailgate can do as much as Chevy's Multi-Flex design can. It can be set to six positions, including a massive work surface for writing documents and reviewing blueprints, a wide step for easily getting in and out of the truck bed, and two load stops to prevent longer items from flying out of the truck bed.