2016-ram-1500-vs-chevy-silverado-antioch-il

Features & Specs

Horsepower

305 hp @ 6400 rpm

285 hp @ 5300 rpm

Transmission

8-speed shiftable automatic

6-speed shiftable automatic

Seating Capacity

6

6

Maximum Towing Capacity

10370 lbs.

9400 lbs.

2016 RAM 1500 vs 2016 Chevy Silverado near Burlington, WI

The 2016 RAM 1500 competes in the full-size pickup class.  One of its closest competitors is the Chevy Silverado. The RAM 1500 is one of the top competitors in work/family trucks, thanks to a winning combination of strong powertrains, a smooth ride and a well-trimmed cabin. The Chevy Silverado is powerful, with fuel-efficient engines; many available configurations; well-built, comfortable interior; quiet highway ride. However, standard six-speed automatic transmission's ratios are too widely spaced for optimal towing performance; eight-speed auto only available on upper trims; doesn't have much to offer against competitors' unique strengths.

2016 RAM 1500 Power & Handling

The 2016 Ram 1500's base engine is a 3.6-liter gasoline V6 generating 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is an eight-speed automatic. Rather than a traditional shift lever, the eight-speed is controlled by a rotary knob on the instrument panel. A rear-wheel-drive (2WD) layout is standard, but there are two available 4WD systems. Both have a two-speed transfer case with low-range gearing. However, one is a traditional part-time system with manual mode selection, while the other additionally offers an Auto 4WD mode that automatically switches between rear- and four-wheel drive as conditions dictate.

2016 Chevy Silverado Power & Handling

Standard on all but the LTZ and High Country trims is a 4.3-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque. It comes matched to a six-speed automatic transmission and either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The 5.3-liter V8, which is standard on the LTZ and High Country and optional on other Silverados, makes 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. On WT, LS and LT trims, it is matched to a six-speed automatic, but can be paired to an eight-speed auto in LTZ and High Country models depending on the configuration.

2016 RAM 1500 Features & Design

The Ram 1500's cabin is as good as it gets in the pickup segment. Even the lower trim levels boast an attractive design, with satisfactory materials and intuitive controls that are reasonably easy to reach, while the available wood trim and premium leather upholstery are predictably posh. Seasoned truck owners might be thrown off at first by the rotary shift knob on the dashboard, but it quickly becomes second nature, and it frees up useful storage space compared to trucks with console-mounted shifters. The front seats themselves are soft, yet strike an adequate balance between support and comfort. The crew cab's rear seat is very comfortable, offering loads of legroom and an agreeable seatback angle. That smooth ride remains one of the Ram's most distinctive traits, and it comes courtesy of the class-exclusive coil-spring rear suspension, which is better at smoothing out and reducing the harshness of rough road surfaces than the typical leaf-spring setup.

2016 Chevy Silverado Features & Design

Inside, all versions of the Chevy Silverado have high-quality materials, and we've been impressed by the build quality in all the trucks we've tested. There are numerous bins and cubbies, a deluge of cupholders and enough USB ports to keep all your devices charged and happy. Both touchscreen infotainment interfaces feature straightforward menus and effective voice commands. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are even easier to use because they effectively ape the respective smartphone interfaces that users are already familiar with.In addition, the current Silverado is better insulated from noise than ever before, and city potholes and grooved highway pavement seldom intrude on the cabin's calm. Finally, clambering into the cargo bed is made easier by clever steps and handholds built into each rear corner.

Conclusions

From the driver seat, the Ram feels more refined than its competitors, as its ride quality is smoother and steering more precise than you'd expect in a full-size truck. Running at speed on the freeway, the Ram 1500 is impressively quiet and composed. It gets even better when fitted with the available air suspension. Overall ride and handling dynamics are some of the best available in any full-size truck. The 2016 Chevy Silverado 1500 feels robust structurally, yet most versions are compliant and comfortable over broken pavement. Take note, though, that the ride is noticeably stiffer on trucks with the Max Trailering package. The Silverado earns an Edmunds.com "B" rating, and one of the areas it scores highest in is quietness. Road and wind noise are minimal, even at highway speeds. In our long-term test of a Silverado 1500, we found this truck extremely livable for daily commuting and long road trips alike. Given its size and focus on utility, the Chevy isn't exactly agile around turns, and there's plenty of body lean if you push it harder. But in normal driving it feels confident, and the steering is well-weighted. Off-road, the Silverado exhibits excellent composure when bouncing around on rocky trails.

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