2018 Ram 1500 vs 2018 Toyota Tundra in Olathe, KS

Comparing the 2018 Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra Light-Duty Pickup Trucks

Light-duty (or half-ton) pickup trucks like the 2018 Ram 1500 and the 2018 Toyota Tundra represent the majority of trucks sold in the Greater Kansas City Area—and across the nation. They’re durable, versatile, and affordable enough for people to use them as personal vehicles or as light work trucks, which makes them one of the most common pickup trucks in the driveway and on the jobsite. Of the various light-duty pickup trucks on the market, the Ram 1500 is one of the most popular and most capable.

Trim Levels and Pricing

There are a lot of trim levels available on the 2018 Ram 1500, which starts out with an MSRP of $27,095. That means you can customize your ride to fit your job or lifestyle, and you don’t run the risk of paying for more truck than you need. By comparison, the 2018 Toyota Tundra starts out at $31,120 MSRP, a more expensive entry point than that of most other light-duty pickup trucks around. And that’s for one of only 5 trim levels available on the 2018 Toyota Tundra.

2018 Ram 1500 Trim Levels

With a whopping nine trim levels to choose from, there’s a 2018 Ram 1500 for any lifestyle, job or family! Starting with the Ram 1500 Tradesman, which comes standard with a 305-horsepower V6 engine and can be upgraded to a 5.7L HEMI V8 for a little extra, you can move on up to the Ram 1500 Express, the Ram 1500 Big Horn, the Ram 1500 Sport, or the Ram 1500 Laramie or Laramie Longhorn. The Ram 1500 Rebel offers superior off-road potential with a limited-slip differential, while the Ram 1500 Night gives you an unmistakable appearance package featuring a black grille and a body-color liftgate. To go top-of-the-line, you want the Ram 1500 Limited, which comes with just about everything you can get in a Ram truck.

2018 Toyota Tundra Trim Levels

With only five trim levels available, the 2018 Toyota Tundra doesn’t offer the same degree of customization as the 2018 Ram 1500, but it does have a couple of body styles and three bed sizes to choose from. Available trim packages include the SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, and the 1794 Edition, which features a Western-themed interior.

Conclusion: When you come right down to it, the 2018 Ram 1500 starts off at a much more budget-friendly price, and the wide array of trim options available gives you more opportunity for upgrading and personalizing to fit your needs and budget.

Engine Options & Performance Factors

While the 2018 Ram 1500 and the 2018 Toyota Tundra are both considered “light-duty,” that’s not to say that engine and performance factors aren’t two of the top truck features shoppers consider when looking at either one.

2018 Ram 1500 Engines & Performance Factors

The standard engine in most trim levels of the 2018 Ram 1500 is a 305-horsepower Pentastar V6, which is stronger than the Chevy Silverado‘s V6. Power can be easily upgraded with a 5.7L HEMI V8 that generates 395 horsepower. Again, the Ram 1500 outdoes the competition: the V8-powered Ram 1500 produces 20 more horsepower than the Ford F-150 with its V8 engine. The 2018 Ram 1500 also adds a 240-horsepower turbodiesel engine capable of cranking out 420 pound-feet of torque while also giving you the best gas mileage available, with 21 miles per gallon in the city and 29 on the highway.

2018 Toyota Tundra Engines & Performance Factors

The 2018 Toyota Tundra is limited to only V8 engines, though its base engine only cranks 310 horsepower—only five more than the 2018 Ram 1500’s base V6. Those V8 engines cost you at the pump, however, and the Tundra only gets 15 miles per gallon in the city and 19 on the highway.

Conclusion: Both the 2018 Ram 1500 and the 2018 Toyota Tundra can haul around 2,000 pounds and tow more than 10,000 when properly equipped, but when you take into account the superior gas mileage and unique engine options offered by the 2018 Ram 1500, you’ll see that it quickly pulls out ahead of the competition.

Interior & Noteworthy Features

For many pickup truck owners, it’s what’s under the hood and what will fit in the bed that matter—and the 2018 Ram 1500 has both of those covered nicely—but there’s no reason to be uncomfortable, or to go without the latest technology, just because you need a truck that can work as hard as you do.

2018 Ram 1500 Interior & Features

The 2018 Ram 1500 offers plenty of interior space, seating up to six in Quad and Crew Cab models with lots of legroom, even in the rear seats. Pickup trucks tend to get treated a little more roughly than other vehicles, especially when they’re on the jobsite, so the Ram 1500 uses durable, high-quality materials throughout the interior at every trim level. Plus, you can get the latest technology, including satellite radio, a voice-activated Uconnect infotainment system, Bluetooth, and lots more.

2018 Toyota Tundra Interior & Features

The 2018 Toyota Tundra seats up to six people but may not boast the same rear seat comfort as the Ram 1500. Perhaps a bigger problem, however, is that while the available Uconnect system in the 2018 Ram 1500 features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, the 2018 Toyota Tundra “lacks smartphone integration features” according to industry reviews, while also letting in a lot of noise from the outside.

Conclusion: With upscale interiors and plenty of trim packages to choose from, the 2018 Ram 1500 pulls out ahead of the 2018 Toyota Tundra, especially when it comes to the latest
technology.

Safety Features

Whether you’re driving your truck to the jobsite or the playground, you’ll want to be sure that you get there safely. That’s where crash test safety ratings and the latest in active safety equipment come into play.

2018 Ram 1500 Safety Features

Fortunately, the 2018 Ram 1500 performs well in both areas, with four out of five stars in overall crash test safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and a rearview camera standard at every trim level. You can also add on front and rear parking sensors to help improve safety when parking your Ram 1500.

2018 Toyota Tundra Safety Features

The 2018 Toyota Tundra scored the same as the 2018 Ram 1500 in crash test safety, earning four out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, the Toyota Tundra doesn’t offer a lot of available active safety features when compared to the competition.

2018 Ram 1500 vs. Toyota Tundra Comparison Conclusions

With a lower base price and more options to choose from, the 2018 Ram 1500 just seems like a clear winner in comparison to the 2018 Toyota Tundra. Its range of trim packages lets you customize your vehicle to your needs, while its unique engines offer better fuel economy and more choices to help ensure that your 2018 Ram 1500 in Olathe does exactly what you need it to do. Come see for yourself at Olathe Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram today!