2022 RAM 1500 vs 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, especially in its Limited trim, exuded a luxurious yet robust presence. Gleaming in Iconic Silver with a chrome grille and polished wheels, it was a sight to behold. The interior was equally impressive, featuring plush leather seats, a high-end audio system, and a spacious, well-organized cabin. The power-deploying running boards made entry easy, and the truck's cavernous space and sensible layout added to its appeal. The F-350 came in various trims, from the basic XL to the luxurious Limited, with our test truck being a crew cab with a single-rear-wheel axle and a standard cargo bed. The Limited trim included a turbodiesel V8 engine and 4WD, with an MSRP of $87,655.

The 2022 RAM 1500, available in Quad Cab and Crew Cab styles, offered a range of seven trim levels, from the basic Tradesman to the high-performance TRX. New for 2022, all Ram 1500s featured a Clean Air System and the next-generation Uconnect 5 infotainment system starting with the Big Horn trim. Our test truck, a Crew Cab in Limited trim, came equipped with a turbodiesel engine, 4WD, and several option packages, including the Limited 10th Anniversary Edition. This package added luxurious touches like quilted leather upholstery, a suede headliner, and a 19-speaker premium sound system. The total cost was $77,260, including the destination charge. The Ram 1500's design was clean and contemporary, with a luxurious interior that exuded quality and comfort.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, powered by a 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8, delivered an impressive 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. Despite its power, the truck averaged 15.4 mpg on a testing loop and 16.5 mpg during a week of heavy highway use. The Powerstroke diesel engine provided remarkable performance, effortlessly motivating the F-350 and handling loaded trailers with ease. The Tremor off-road package added to its capability, offering 10.4 inches of ground clearance and a water fording capability of 33 inches. However, the truck's size made parking and navigating tight spaces challenging, and the ride quality could be unyielding when unloaded. Adaptive steering and stout brakes required acclimation, but overall, the F-350's performance was impressive for a heavy-duty truck.

The 2022 RAM 1500 offered several engine options, including a 3.6-liter V6, a 5.7-liter V8, and the exclusive supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the TRX. Our test truck featured the EcoDiesel V6, generating 260 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The EcoDiesel's towing capacity reached up to 12,560 pounds, with our Crew Cab Limited 4WD managing 9,600 pounds. The truck averaged 24.8 mpg on the testing loop, thanks in part to the tonneau cover. The Ram 1500's coil-spring rear suspension and optional air suspension provided a smooth ride, and the quiet cabin added to the driving comfort. However, the brake pedal could be challenging to modulate, especially in heavy traffic. Overall, the Ram 1500 offered a more SUV-like driving experience, with impressive ride quality and handling.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty's high ground clearance made accessing the cargo bed challenging without the integrated tailgate step or retractable bed step. Inside, the crew cab provided ample space for five people, with power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats in the Limited trim. The commanding driving position and extensive storage options, including a large center console and dual glove compartments, added to the truck's practicality. Rear-seat comfort was impressive, with heated outboard seats and plenty of legroom, though the seat cushion was slightly lower than expected. Storage space under the flip-up seat cushion was a handy feature.

The 2022 RAM 1500's power-deploying running boards required navigating the Uconnect 5 infotainment system to activate. Once inside, the Limited trim offered supreme comfort with heated and ventilated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a reclining back seat. Practical storage space was abundant, with a well-organized center console, door panel bins, and concealed storage under the rear floor. The multi-function tailgate and optional RamBox storage bins added to the truck's versatility, though our test vehicle did not have the RamBox feature. Overall, the Ram 1500's interior was spacious and well-equipped for both comfort and practicality.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty featured an 8-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which, while functional, was starting to show its age compared to competitors. The system included smartphone integration, wireless charging, navigation, and a B&O premium sound system. However, the small screen size was a drawback, especially when using the reversing camera and trailer assistance features. The voice-recognition technology was easy to use but sometimes unresponsive to natural commands. The truck also offered a Live Drive Power Take-off system and upfitter switches for additional equipment.

The 2022 RAM 1500 introduced the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, standard on Big Horn and above trims. The system featured an 8.4-inch or 12-inch touchscreen, with our test vehicle having the larger display. Highlights included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alexa Built-in, satellite radio, and connected services. The 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and Ramcharger wireless charging dock were notable features, though the latter could be finicky. The system's complexity and occasional glitches were minor drawbacks, but overall, Uconnect 5 was a significant improvement. Additional tech options included a head-up display, digital rearview camera mirror, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty, weighing around 7,300 pounds, likely offered good protection in collisions with smaller vehicles. Available driver-assistance systems included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, and rear cross-traffic alert. The adaptive cruise control could be uneven in heavy traffic, and the lane-keep assist was subtle. Blind-spot monitoring was helpful but required proper mirror positioning. The Sync 3 system's 911 Assist feature could automatically contact emergency responders after a collision.

The 2022 RAM 1500 offered a range of driver-assist features, with higher trims available with the Advanced Safety Group and Rebel Safety Group packages. These included automatic high-beam headlights, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. Our test truck also had rear parking sensors and a rear automatic braking system, though the latter could be overly sensitive. The LaneSense lane-keep assist system was sometimes too insistent, but adaptive cruise control performed smoothly. The Ram 1500 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though frontal-impact ratings suggested room for improvement.