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Pitting the new Toyota Tundra against the Dodge Ram has been fun. Both of these trucks are great. While I didn't compare every little detail, I did compare the key components and listed below you'll find the key differences between these two trucks. If you're thinking about either the Ram or the Tundra, take a look at Edmunds and Consumer Reports in addition reviews like these. You should also drive both trucks, if for no other reason than the seats are so different. This comparison pitted a 2007 Toyota Tundra DoubleCab SR5 4x4 with a iForce 5.7L V8 to a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 QuadCab SLT 4x4 with a 5.7L HEMI. Both of these trucks are behemouths, but both of them are also quite fast. In fact, I can't imagine anyone being dissapointed with either truck. But, there are some important differences between the two. The engines of these trucks are both powerful -- 381hp for the Toyota, 345hp for the Dodge, and both of these engines have excellent acceleration. However the HEMI uses a less sophisticated pushrod engine design compared to the iForce's DOHC design. Toyota's engine uses more technology to control combustion, and the result is quite a bit more power than the HEMI as well as better efficiency. I noticed the Tundra's fuel economy was about 2mpg better than the Ram during my test, and I'm sure this is due to Tundra's superior engine technology. Considering the Toyota is much more powerful, this is a major advantage to buying the Tundra. Comparing transmissions wasn't too surprising -- the Ram has a five speed auto, the Tundra a six-speed, and as expected the Tundra accelerated better and shifted more smoothly than the Ram. Combine the Tundra's higher tow rating of 10,300 lbs to Ram's 8,500 lbs and it's clear the Tundra's transmission is also stronger. Stopping the trucks, it was hard to tell a difference between their braking systems. However, my tests were done while the vehicles were empty. The Dodge's brake systems are inferior to the Toyota's -- the front rotors are smaller, the rear rotors aren't ventilated, and the Ram comes with only rear wheel ABS standard as opposed to Toyota's four-wheel ABS. Even though the brakes felt (and measured) the same, I think the Tundra's brakes would be better towing or hauling because of their better quality parts. I like the Dodge's fully boxed frame better than partially boxed frame of the Toyota. While I must admit that the partially boxed frame of the TUndra is built by the best car company in the world, it seems to me it would be better if the frame was fully boxed. The Tundra's frame is currently a combination of boxed and open c-channel. The interiors of the Ram and the Tundra are completely different. The Tundra is nicer and more comfortable than the Ram, with more features and better quality materials. The Ram is an older truck (design-wise) than the Toyota, so the Toyota's superior interior is to be expected. The Ram handles as well as the Tundra, and the Ram's safety rating is actually higher than the Tundra. The Ram also is a better looking truck than the Tundra. However, in most other aspets the Toyota Tundra is superior to the Dodge Ram. Frankly, that really shouldn’t come as a surprise. Toyota’s truck is a newer design and has the benefit of a lot more technology. I can’t wait to see how the new Ram (due out in 2009) will compare to the Tundra.
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About the Article Author
About the author: Jason Lancaster has worked in the auto industry for almost 10 years. He runs a Toyota Tundra website, www.tundraheadquarters.com, as well as the Lowell Toyota website. Feel free to grab a unique version of this article from the Uber tundra review article directory
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