2023 Ford F-150 vs. 2022 Ram 1500 Is a Close Race
When buying a full-size pickup truck, the choice often falls between half-ton models from Ford and Ram. As the long-standing leader at the top of the proverbial hill, the Ford F-150 provides excellent value with iterations offering luxury-level interiors, class-leading fuel economy, and superb consumer ratings. In recent years, Ram’s continual improvement efforts paid off, with the Ram 1500 matching or surpassing the top-ranked Ford in areas like driving dynamics, comfort, and utility.
Edmunds presented a side-by-side comparison of features and ratings for popular full-size pickups, including the 2023 Ford F-150 XL regular cab with a 78-inch truck bed and the 2022 Ram 1500 Tradesman quad cab with a 76-inch bed. While both brands offer several models in various cab and bed configurations, which we’ll cover in other sections, these two represent a solid baseline for comparison.
2023 Ford F-150 XL overview
According to Ford’s online build and price tool, the two-door, regular cab, standard 78-inch box 2023 Ford F-150 XL mentioned in the Edmunds comparison has an estimated net price of $35,590 before any incentives. This model features a 3.3-liter V6 that delivers up to 290 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque with automatic start/stop technology to improve fuel efficiency and Flex-Fuel capability. Additionally, an electronic 10-speed automatic transmission provides smooth shifting to deliver optimum power to the rear two-wheel drive system in any situation.
Other standard F-150 XL features of the “XL Standard Equipment Group” include:
- Cruise control
- Automatic headlamps – On/Off and high-beam
- Power locks – doors and tailgate
- Power windows
- Air conditioning
- Pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking (PCA-AEB)
- Gauges and meters – oil pressure, transmission temperature, engine coolant temperature, and tachometer in addition to the typical set
- Intermittent windshield wipers
- Tilt/telescoping steering wheel column
- Cloth upholstery
- Six user-selectable drive modes
While the regular cab 2023 Ford F-150 XL is well-equipped for the price, it’s also available in Super Cab and Crew Cab models and short and long bed configurations. Other F-150 trims include XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Limited, Tremor, and Raptor, each with varying degrees of luxury, performance, and rugged off-road utility.
2022 Ram 1500 Tradesman specifications
According to Ram’s online build and price tool, the 2022 Ram 1500 Tradesman mentioned in the Edmunds comparison has a $38,985 estimated net price. The 1500 Tradesman features a 305-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 with automatic start/stop and 269 lb-ft of torque. In addition, an eight-speed automatic transmission requires fewer shift points to deliver power to the Tradesman’s standard two-wheel drive rear differential.
The list of standard equipment on the 2022 Ram 1500 Tradesman includes:
- Automatic headlamps – On/Off
- Power-adjustable and heated side mirrors
- Air conditioning
- Power locks – doors
- Power windows
- Variable intermittent windshield wipers
- Cruise control
- Gauges and meters – oil pressure, engine coolant temperature, engine hour meter, volt meter, and tachometer in addition to the typical set
- Tilt/telescoping steering wheel column
- Vinyl upholstery
In addition to two-wheel or four-wheel drive options, the Ram 1500 Tradesman comes in a crew cab configuration with a choice between the 67-inch short bed and the 76-inch standard bed. Other 2022 Ram 1500 trims include the Tradesman HFE, Big Horn, Laramie, Rebel, Limited Longhorn, Limited, and TRX, each with various cab/bed configurations and drivetrain options.
2023 Ford F-150 vs. 2022 Ram 1500
Despite its $3,395 higher estimated net price, the 2022 Ram 1500 provides fewer standard features, making the Ford a better value. The F-150 enjoys other advantages as well, winning categories such as:
- Higher Edmunds and Consumer ratings
- Pre-collision assistance with AEB
- Standard Parking Assistance
- Flex-fuel compatible
- Longer truck bed
- Less depreciation
- Lower ownership costs
Advantages of the Ram 1500 include:
- Keyless ignition
- Horsepower
- Fuel economy
- Seating capacity
- Lower predicted maintenance costs
While the Ram 1500, in comparison, is more expensive, it also features a larger four-door cab configuration with seating for six. Ford’s standard driver assistance features, and lower ownership costs make it the more valuable base model. However, if you’re shopping for either of these models as a daily-driver family vehicle, consider comparing the Ford F-150 XLT and the Ram 1500 Big Horn for a little more comfort and style.
