Commute, Toy or Destroy – Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Vs Ford F-150 Vs Ram 1500
We are back with this week’s installment of AutoGuide’s newest, interactive weekly feature ‘Commute, Toy or Destroy’.
Once again, we present to you, our faithful readers, a choice of three vehicles. We are asking you to decide which one you would make your daily work truck, which one would become your weekend off-road warrior, and which one is best left to the urban cowboy wannabes.
Remember, that commuter car you must live with every day, all year round. The toy would be only available to you for occasional use pulling your weekend toys, and the final truck is something best left alone as it may struggle to pull its own weight.
This week we select the big three in the full-size pickup truck market. First there is the bestselling vehicle of, well, forever; the Ford F-150. Next there is the truck that is all-new this year, the Chevrolet Silverado. Finally, there is the truck that recently underwent a name change, dropping ‘Dodge’ from its title to be known only as the Ram 1500.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
All-new for 2014, the Silverado may look the same at first glance, but a closer inspection reveals this truck is indeed wearing all new sheet-metal and is powered by a new generation of engines. Displacement numbers remain the same for the trio of new motors, but each one receives cylinder deactivation, direct injection and variable valve timing.
SEE ALSO: 2014 Chevy Silverado Review
The new 4.3 L V6 makes 285 hp and a class leading 305 lb-ft of torque. The big 6.2 L V8 churns out 420 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, while the volume engine, a 5.3-liter V8 makes 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque.
Ford F-150
The F-150 is now the ‘old man’ of the full-size American pickup truck market. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t competitive. Still the number one selling vehicle in America, the F-150 has revolutionized this market segment with the introduction of the Ecoboost turbocharged V6, by convincing truck buyers that a V6 engine can in fact replace a V8. How can you argue with 365 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque?
SEE ALSO: 2013 Ford F-150 Review
Ram 1500
The Ram was all-new last year and brought an eight-speed automatic and airbag suspension to this market segment. Still wearing a similar baby-big-rig look that it has since 1994, the Ram 1500 may be the most intimidating pickup on the road. Of course, there is still the option of a 395-hp HEMI V8 for this truck, and there is also a new 3.0-liter diesel engine that is sure to keep customers happy with around 420 lb-ft of torque.
A 20+ year industry veteran, Mike rejoins the AutoGuide team as the Managing Editor. He started his career at a young age working at dealerships, car rentals, and used car advertisers. He then found his true passion, automotive writing. After contributing to multiple websites for several years, he spent the next six years working at the head office of an automotive OEM, before returning back to the field he loves. He is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA). He's the recipient of a feature writing of the year award and multiple video of the year awards.
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I would take an early 2000's F-150 King Ranch for my commuter (disagree with steve about best interior here!) For the toy, I would probably go with the big V8 Silverado too, and I guess that means I destroy the Ram, although only on a technicality.
The Ford F-Series has proven to be the TOUGHEST,BEST SELLING, and MOST POPULAR Truck for over 36 straight years proving beyond a shadow of any logical doubt why they are the BEST! Kudos to America's Ford Motor Company--DRIVE ONE!