2015 Ram 1500 vs. Its Competition

Martin Padgett Editorial Director

Domestic pickup trucks rule the full-size class, and while the Ram 1500 is one of the best, there's much to recommend elsewhere from Detroit.

The Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra have been revamped extensively and look great; their new V-6 engines outpace the Ram's for outright performance and towing, and the 5.3-liter V-8 nearly hits Ram's V-6 economy figures.

The Ford F-150 is the closest rival to the Ram 1500; it is new for 2015 and an aluminum body should help it beat the Ram's economy numbers, although we tend to think that the Ram rides a bit better with an empty load because of its coil-spring rear setup and that's likely to remain the case.

Meanwhile, the Japanese full-sizers are a woeful pair: the Toyota Tundra struggles with an awkward, chunky style inside with weird ergonomics, as well as a less proportionally on-the-mark interpretation of the big-rig look, and its interior appointments feel a little more cost-cut.

The Nissan Titan, the oldest truck in this class, isn't offered in base work-truck form.

Instead it's geared toward recreational users who tow a boat on the weekends, but the Titan doesn't ride all that well and gets by far the worst mileage among full-size trucks, and the interior really shows its age now.