Configuration-aware comparison
The F-150 leads on published numbers: up to 13,500 pounds of towing and 2,440 of payload against the Ram 1500's 11,610 and 2,370, and a starting price of $39,330 against $42,400. The Ram counters with the Hurricane inline-six, up to 540 horsepower, and a smoother-riding, more upscale cabin by one enthusiast site's account.
The F-150 leads on published numbers: up to 13,500 pounds of towing and 2,440 of payload against the Ram 1500's 11,610 and 2,370, and a starting price of $39,330 against $42,400. The Ram counters with the Hurricane inline-six, up to 540 horsepower, and a smoother-riding, more upscale cabin by one enthusiast site's account.
Off-Road.com (opens in a new tab) lists the Ram 1500 at up to 11,610 pounds of towing and 2,370 pounds of payload, and the F-150 at up to 13,500 pounds of towing and 2,440 pounds of payload, and adds a caution that matters more than the maximums: those headline figures rarely apply to a well-optioned crew cab, so confirm the rating for the exact cab, bed, axle and engine you intend to buy. The figures are the 2026 model-year ratings; both trucks carry their lineups into 2027 with no new published maximums.
Drive Hyundai Hill Country's comparison (opens in a new tab) lists four Ram powertrains: a 305-horsepower 3.6-liter V6, the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with eTorque mild-hybrid assist at 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet, the 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six at 420 horsepower and 469 pound-feet, and the High-Output Hurricane at 540 horsepower and 521 pound-feet on the upper trims. The F-150 has six: the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 at 325 horsepower and 400 pound-feet, a 5.0-liter V8, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 at 400 horsepower and 500 pound-feet, the 3.5-liter PowerBoost hybrid V6 at 430 horsepower and 578 pound-feet, and the Raptor's high-output engines up to a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 at 720 horsepower. Ram has the highest-output factory number short of the Raptor; Ford has the widest choice and the only hybrid.
Off-Road.com puts the 2026 F-150 starting price at $39,330 for the base XL and the 2026 Ram 1500 at $42,400. F-150 Truck Adrenaline (opens in a new tab), an F-150 enthusiast site, credits the Ram with a smoother ride, available air suspension and a more upscale interior, and the F-150 with the higher towing ceiling and more powertrain choice. It also reports that the EcoBoost engines hold 12 to 14 mpg while towing heavy trailers against 10 to 12 for the V8s, which is one reason to weigh the smaller turbo engines even for work use. Read that site's preference as coming from an F-150 fan and use the published ratings above for the hard numbers.
The F-150, at up to 13,500 pounds against 11,610 for the Ram 1500 on 2026 ratings, according to Off-Road.com (opens in a new tab).
The F-150 has one, the 3.5-liter PowerBoost hybrid V6 at 430 horsepower and 578 pound-feet; the Ram 1500's engine list has the Hemi V8 with eTorque mild-hybrid assist but no full hybrid, per Drive Hyundai Hill Country (opens in a new tab).
Ranges and maximums describe family-level possibilities. Open each vehicle record before treating a number or feature as applicable to a particular trim.
What separates them
This comparison does not force a universal winner. It identifies the configuration question that matters for each use case.
1500: Powertrain 3.6L V6, standard/high-output 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo, or supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8; Output 305–777 hp. F-150: Powertrain 2.7L EcoBoost V6, 5.0L V8, 3.5L EcoBoost V6, 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid V6, 3.5L High Output EcoBoost V6, or 5.2L supercharged V8 (Raptor R); Output 325–720 hp.
The 1500 is represented with RWD / 4WD; the F-150 with RWD / 4WD. Standard status must be checked by trim.
The 1500 comes in 11 trims and the F-150 in 9. Package combinations can create additional builds.
The most the 2027 Ram 1500 is published to tow is up to 11,550 lb. The most the 2026 Ford F-150 is published to tow is up to 13,500 lb (properly equipped, 3.5L EcoBoost V6, best-in-class).
The 2027 Ram 1500 seats 5 or 6 (full-size pickup). The 2026 Ford F-150 seats 3, 5 or 6 (full-size pickup).
Side-by-side matrix
| Decision field | Ram 1500 | Ford F150 |
|---|---|---|
| Exact EPA records | 12 | 12 |
| Model / option labels | 5 | 7 |
| Drive layouts | 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Engines / propulsion | 3.6L 6-cyl Mild Hybrid, 3L 6-cyl SIDI, 5.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl Mild Hybrid, 5.7L 8-cyl SIDI; Hybrid, +1 more | 2.7L 6-cyl SIDI & PFI, 3.5L 6-cyl SIDI & PFI, 3.5L 6-cyl SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, 5.2L 8-cyl, 5L 8-cyl SIDI & PFI |
| Transmissions | Automatic 8-spd | Automatic (S10) |
| Fuel types | Midgrade, Premium, Regular | Premium, Regular |
| EPA classes | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD |
| Combined efficiency | 12–22 MPG/MPGe | 12–24 MPG/MPGe |
| Electric range | Not listed | Not listed |
| Annual fuel / energy estimate | $2950–6650 per year | $2700–6650 per year |
Head to head
| Measure | Ram 1500 | Ford F150 |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 305-777 hp | 325-720 hp |
| Torque | 271-680 lb-ft | 400-640 lb-ft |
| Curb weight | 5,031 lb | 4,655-4,895 lb |
| Length | 228.4-241.3 in | 209.4-243.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 140.6-153.5 in | 122.8-157 in |
| Towing capacity | n/a | 7,500-13,500 lb |
| Seating | 5-6 seats | 3-6 seats |
| Basic warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2027 and 2026 model years); prices are KBB base prices.
Background on each vehicle
The Ram pickup (marketed as the Dodge Ram until 2010 when Ram Trucks was spun-off from Dodge) is a full-size pickup truck manufactured by Stellantis North America (formerly Chrysler Group LLC and FCA US LLC) and marketed from 2010 onwards under the Ram Trucks brand. The current fifth-generation Ram debuted at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, in January of that year. Previously, Ram was part of the Dodge line of light trucks.
Source: Ram pickup (Wikipedia)
Special editions. Prospector – Prospector was a package available throughout the 1980s that usually included a different fuel tank, cloth seat, and carpeting. In the late 1980s, a light package and the large 6×9 mirrors were added to the list of options. This trim package was carried on until the end of production in 1993.
Drivetrain. Ram automatic transmissions are labeled such that the first number indicates the number of gears (including overdrive), the second number is the capacity rating, and the last letter is either E for electronic or H for hydraulic.
The Ford F-Series is a series of light-duty trucks marketed and manufactured by the Ford Motor Company since model year 1948 as a range of full-size pickup trucks—positioned between Ford's Ranger and Super Duty pickup trucks. Alongside the F-150 (introduced in 1975), the F-Series also includes the Super Duty series (introduced in 1999), which includes the heavier-duty F-250 through F-450 pickups, F-450/F-550 chassis cabs, and F-600/F-650/F-750 Class 6–8 commercial trucks.
Source: Ford F-Series (Wikipedia)
Comparison answer desk
The 2026 Ford F150 lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (18 vs. the 2027 Ram 1500's 17 MPG/MPGe).
1 combined MPG/MPGe separates the 2027 Ram 1500 from the 2026 Ford F150 at the midpoint, a relative difference of 5.9%.
Yes. The 2027 Ram 1500 and the 2026 Ford F150 both list Rear-Wheel Drive among their current drive designations.
No. Their current engine or propulsion descriptions do not overlap. The 2027 Ram 1500 lists 3.6L 6-cyl Mild Hybrid, 3L 6-cyl SIDI, 5.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl Mild Hybrid, and 2 more. The 2026 Ford F150 lists 2.7L 6-cyl SIDI & PFI, 3.5L 6-cyl SIDI & PFI, 3.5L 6-cyl SIDI & PFI; Hybrid, 5.2L 8-cyl, and 1 more.
No shared transmission description between the 2027 Ram 1500 and the 2026 Ford F150 in this snapshot. 2027 Ram 1500: Automatic 8-spd. 2026 Ford F150: Automatic (S10).
Partially. The 2027 Ram 1500 and the 2026 Ford F150 share Premium, Regular, but the 2027 Ram 1500 also lists Midgrade while the 2026 Ford F150 also lists no other fuel type.
Yes, at least partly: the 2027 Ram 1500 and the 2026 Ford F150 are both categorized under Conventional, Hybrid in this snapshot.
The 2026 Ford F150 lists the lower annual-cost estimate midpoint than the 2027 Ram 1500 ($4,675 vs. $4,800).
$125 per year separates the 2027 Ram 1500 from the 2026 Ford F150 at the midpoint under EPA's standardized assumptions.
The 2026 Ford F150 spans a wider combined-MPG range across its own current configurations than the 2027 Ram 1500 does (12 points vs. 10).
Yes: both the 2027 Ram 1500 and the 2026 Ford F150 are certified only as Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD, so their efficiency figures are compared inside the same class boundary EPA uses.
Neither: the 2027 Ram 1500 and the 2026 Ford F150 both carry 12 certification records in this snapshot, across 5 and 7 distinct labels respectively.
Open the evidence
Each record includes its trim map, direct answers, applicability statements and manufacturer source trail.
Nearby comparisons
Each comparison keeps configuration differences intact, not declaring one universal winner.