The full-size pickup segment has been inundated with new trucks for sale in recent years as EVs continue to grow their presence in the segment, but there’s something to be said for going with a time-tested option like the Ram 1500 or Toyota Tundra. With decades of experience under their timing belts, these two full-size trucks offer the sort of reliability and performance that few models can match.
That’s not to say Ram and Toyota are afraid of a little innovation. In fact, both the Ram 1500 and Tundra now feature optional hybrid powertrains that make them some of the most efficient models in their class. Combine that fuel economy with some impressive towing capacity and a full lineup of dedicated off-road trims, and it’s easy to see why the Ram and Toyota trucks are at the top of so many driver’s shopping lists.
Join us as we explore some of the alluring attributes that set the Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra apart from the rest of the pickup pack and learn how Hendrick Automotive Group can assist in getting your pickup dreams off the ground.
Both Offer a Wide Range of Performance Options
The full-size pickup segment is one of the industry’s most competitive, with brands constantly trying to outdo each other with the release of new models, improved comfort and convenience features, and advanced safety tech. Of course, the biggest battle still takes place under the hood.
A potent powertrain that embraces all the latest automotive innovations is key when it comes to staying ahead of the competition, and Ram and Toyota certainly seem to have received the memo. The Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra both offer a range of brawny engines that leverage emerging technology to create some of the most powerful and efficient engines the industry has ever seen.
We’ll start with the Ram 1500, which kicks things off with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that uses mild hybrid technology to deliver 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. The mild hybrid approach has a few distinct advantages over full plug-in hybrid designs as it doesn’t require drivers to take time out of their busy day to plug in and juice up the optional battery.
Instead, the V6’s eTorque mild hybrid system uses a battery pack that will steadily recharge every time you step on the brakes. This power is then used to improve efficiency and provide up to 90 lb-ft of extra torque when you need it most.
The 2025 Ram 1500 also offers an entirely new engine option in the 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six. The turbocharged engine replaces the traditional HEMI V8 found on pre-2025 models and blows its predecessor away with between 420 and 540 hp, depending on whether you choose the standard or High Output version.
Those who believe that every full-size pickup deserves a V8 can find plenty of Ram 1500 models on the preowned market, but the Hurricane engine is quickly proving that a good turbocharger can be just as effective as an eight-cylinder design.
Toyota was one of the first automakers to integrate mild hybrid technology into a pickup, which comes as little surprise when you consider that this is the same brand that brought hybrids into the mainstream with the release of the original Prius more than 20 years ago.
A twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter i-FORCE MAX Hybrid V6 offers 437 hp and up to 585 lb-ft of torque, which should be more than enough power for whatever heavy-duty towing tasks you might have in mind. Like the Ram 1500, the Tundra’s mild-hybrid powertrain doesn’t require any charging and allows the pickup to boast the sort of efficiency few would expect.
The hybrid engine is limited to the Tundra’s upper trims, but those aiming for the affordable SR model can access the same twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter i-FORCE V6 minus the electrical assistance. The base engine is tuned to churn out 358 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, while it provides 389 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque on every model model. Tundra’s simplified approach to the engine allows Toyota to cut costs without sacrificing the power and performance that’s long defined by the truck.
Impressive Towing and Efficiency
The Ram 1500 and Tundra’s hybrid engines don’t just enable the trucks to access some extra power; they also go a long way towards improving efficiency, with both trucks averaging well above 20 MPG. The Ram 1500’s Pentastar V6 is easily the most economical engine of the bunch with the pickup’s mild hybrid engine allowing it to achieve up to 26 MPG on the highway on rear-wheel drive models.
Calling all four wheels into action only sees that number decrease by a single mile, which makes the Ram 1500’s hybrid engine the obvious choice for those looking to keep a little extra cash in their pocket. The Pentastar engine also allows the Ram 1500 to accomplish those feats of pickup strength that are so important in the hardworking segment with a towing capacity that exceeds 8,000 lbs.
While it might not be able to pull quite as much as some of the larger options, the Pentastar is a standout in terms of payload, surpassing all of the other Ram’s engines at 2,370 lbs. It’s a strong showing for a base engine and really helps to improve the Ram’s versatility and value in the hotly contested full-size segment.
The 3.0-liter Hurricane turbocharged I-6 doesn’t lag too far behind the Pentastar hybrid, offering a fuel economy rating of 21 MPG combined for the RWD model and 19 MPG if you opt for 4WD. The Hurricane is also the most capable hauler in the current lineup with a maximum towing capacity of 11,550 lbs. Whether you need to haul your boat to the lake for a weekend of fun in the sun, bring along a pair of RVs, or deliver heavy construction materials to the job site, the Hurricane engine has you covered.
The High Output version of the Hurricane engine sacrifices a little fuel economy and towing capacity in the name of power, but it’s hard to fault any pickup that can offer as much as 540 hp. The High Output Hurricane is only offered with a 4WD powertrain, which not only increases the truck’s traction but also leads to 15 MPG in the city and 21 MPG on the highway, and the towing capacity is reduced to 9,920 lbs.
Toyota’s full-size pickup also benefits from its mild hybrid powertrain when it comes time to pull up to the pump. The Tundra offers an EPA-estimated 20 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway when choosing the turbocharged i-FORCE MAX V6 Hybrid with RWD. The 4WD version boasts 19 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway, which are still some solid numbers in a segment where efficiency has often been treated as an afterthought.
The i-FORCE MAX engine nearly surpasses the Ram 1500’s max towing capacity at 11,450 lbs, but the non-hybrid i-FORCE is the real star of the show. Supplying the Tundra with up to 12,000 lbs of max towing capacity and 1,940 lbs of payload, the i-FORCE engine is always up to the task, no matter what the road might throw at you.
If you want to upgrade Tundra’s towing resume, consider investing in the available Tow Tech Package. This optional add-ons brings some important modern conveniences into the mix, outfitting the Tundra with a wireless trailer camera that’s sure to come in handy when you want to keep an eye on your precious cargo. The Advanced Technology Package goes one step further, adding a host of driver-assistance features like Front and Rear Parking Assist, a Blind Spot Monitor, and a Trailer Backup Guide with Straight Path Assist that’s sure to simplify that tricky trailer connection.
Search for Adventure in an Off-Road Trim
With 17 available trims between the two models, there’s a Toyota Tundra or Ram 1500 that’s sure to fit the needs of every driver. Do you value utility but are also looking to maximize affordability? The Tundra’s base SR and SR5 trims and the Ram 1500’s Tradesman and Tradesman HFE offerings give drivers the opportunity to enjoy a full-size truck without taxing their wallet.
On the other end of the spectrum, you have bonafide luxury models like Toyota’s Platinum, Capstone, and Western-themed 1794 Edition with massaging seats, while the Ram keeps pace with the Limited and Tungsten trims. While all these models have their appeal, it’s the wealth of off-road options that really make the Tundra and Ram 1500 some of the market’s most enticing options.
The Ram 1500 earns the nod in terms of sheer selection, with three off-road trims to choose from. The Ram’s Warlock trim marks one of the newest additions to the lineup and is designed to pay homage to a special edition of the original Dodge D100 pickup from the late 1970s.
The Warlock works its magic on the Tradesman trim, upgrading the base model with a host of off-road enhancements that’ll give drivers the chance to hit tough terrain with confidence. A raised suspension and all-terrain tires allow the Warlock to clear obstacles and improve traction, but it’s the electronically locking rear differential that really marks the trim as a true off-road model.
The Ram Rebel combines the Warlock’s off-road equipment with the Laramie’s comfort and convenience features to create a well-rounded pickup that’s just as much at home tearing through the trail as it is navigating the wilds of your local highway. Available leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system dramatically up the comfort factor, while a set of underbody skid plates give the Rebel the off-road armor it needs to handle rugged use.
The Ram 1500 RHO occupies the tops of the truck’s off-road pyramid, packing a list of off-road goodies that’ll have you looking forward to every mud pit and sheer rock face. The trim is built around the 540-hp version of the Hurricane engine, but it’s not the RHO’s sheer power that really sets it apart.
The model also offers a unique long-travel suspension complete with Bilstein adaptive shock absorbers that allow the Ram to pick its way between obstacles and ensure consistent traction while enhancing comfort and protecting drivers from some common worst-case scenarios. Fender flares shield the paint job from flying rocks and debris, while 35-inch all-terrain tires chew through mud, sand, and dirt with ease.
The Tundra’s own off-road lineup is limited to a single model in the TRD Pro, but what a model it is. The TRD Pro already gets off to a good start with a lush interior that’s based on the luxurious Limited trim, but it provides a satisfying mix of refinement and pure brawn with Toyota gracing the pickup with a full arsenal of off-road gear.
A 4WD powertrain comes standard, as do locking rear differentials and the i-FORCE MAX hybrid engine. An advanced Multi-Terrain Select system makes a successful day of off-roading as easy as turning a dial with custom settings for a wide range of road conditions. From Mud and Sand to Rock and Auto settings that seamlessly adapt to current conditions when in 4 Hi or Lo mode, the Multi-Terrain Select system takes all the guesswork out of your next off-road excursion.
The TRD Pro also benefits from a 1.1-inch suspension lift, skid plates, and a set of Fox suspension dampers that enhance both comfort and off-road ability. A Crawl Control system acts like a sort of low-speed cruise control, handing all braking and acceleration duties over to the truck so that drivers can focus on picking their way through tougher stretches of trail.
Downhill Assist Control fulfills a similar role when encountering steep declines, managing the brakes and freeing up drivers to keep their attention on the road. The TRD Pro might trade on its off-road credentials, but it’s also packed with plenty of unique styling details like an exclusive front light bar and over fender marker lights, black dual exhaust outlets, aluminum sport pedals, and a camo upholstery pattern that speaks to the truck’s outdoorsy nature.
If you want to really set your TRD Pro apart from the crowd, Toyota has you covered with optional upgrades like a panoramic sunroof, 120-volt outlets in the cabin and cargo bed, and a wireless smartphone charger.
Let Us Help You Get Behind the Wheel of One of These Great Models
It’s hard to pick a winner when pitting the Ram 1500 against the Toyota Tundra. Both pickups offer some of the best, most efficient engines in their class thanks to their turbochargers and hybrid technology. Both offer the sort of towing capacity that draws drivers to the full-size segment, and both offer a generous range of off-road trims that transform the trucks into readymade adventure rigs.
Ultimately the decision comes down to a matter of design and brand loyalty. Toyota is known for producing some of the most reliable models on the market, which could mean a lot fewer headaches down the road in terms of lifetime repair and maintenance costs.
Ram’s reputation for power and heavy-duty design precedes it, and it’s hard to argue with a full-size truck that can offer up to 12,000 lbs of maximum towing capacity. If you want a little more help deciding between the two pickups, visit one of our many locations. We offer a full selection of both Ram and Toyota models and are committed to working with every driver to ensure they’re able to find a truck that fits their unique demands.
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