2023 Ram 1500 vs 2023 Ford Ranger: A Comprehensive Comparison

In the world of pickup trucks, the 2023 Ram 1500 and the 2023 Ford Ranger are two noteworthy contenders. Each has its own unique strengths, offering potential buyers a variety of options to suit their specific needs. The Ram 1500, a full-size pickup, is known for its luxurious interior and robust performance. On the other hand, the Ford Ranger, a midsize pickup, offers impressive fuel efficiency and off-road capabilities. Let's dive into the specifics of each truck to help you decide which one might be the right fit for you.

Three Reasons the 2023 Ram 1500 is a Better Choice:

• Powerful Performance: With its standard 3.6L V6 engine that delivers 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque, the Ram 1500 offers robust performance. It also has an impressive towing capacity of up to 7,730 lbs, making it a strong contender for heavy-duty tasks.
• Luxurious Interior: The Ram 1500 is renowned for its upscale interior, featuring high-quality materials and a well-designed cabin. It offers a comfortable ride with ample space for passengers and cargo.
• Advanced Technology: The Ram 1500 comes with a standard Uconnect® 5 system with a 8.4-inch touchscreen, offering a host of features like Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration for a connected and entertaining ride.

Three Reasons the 2023 Ford Ranger is a Better Choice:

• Fuel Efficiency: The Ford Ranger, equipped with a 2.3L EcoBoost engine, offers an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 21/26 MPG city/highway, making it a more fuel-efficient choice for those conscious about fuel costs.
• Off-Road Capabilities: With the available Tremor® Off-Road Package, the Ranger becomes an even more capable off-road vehicle. This package includes features like Ford Trail Control™ and the Terrain Management System™, enhancing the truck's performance on rugged terrains.
• Affordability: With a starting price of $27,400, the Ford Ranger is a more affordable option compared to the Ram 1500, making it a great choice for those on a budget.

How Do the Powertrains Compare?

The 2023 Ram 1500 and the 2023 Ford Ranger are both equipped with powertrains that are designed to deliver performance, efficiency, and capability.

The Ram 1500 comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. For those who need more power, there's an available 5.7-liter V8 that cranks out 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are available with 4x4 capabilities, enhancing the truck's off-road and towing capabilities. The Ram 1500 boasts a maximum towing capacity of 12,750 pounds and a payload capacity of 2,300 pounds, making it a strong contender in the full-size pickup truck segment.

On the other hand, the Ford Ranger is powered by a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine that is mated to a 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. While the exact horsepower and torque figures for the 2023 model are not specified, the previous year's model produced 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, and we can expect similar performance from the 2023 model. The Ranger also offers 4x4 capabilities, enhancing its off-road prowess. With a towing capacity of 7,500 pounds, the Ranger is a capable mid-size pickup that can handle various hauling tasks.

How Does Their Fuel Economy Compare?

Fuel economy is a crucial factor for many truck buyers, and both the Ram 1500 and the Ford Ranger deliver impressive numbers.

The Ram 1500, with its standard V6 engine, offers an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. Opting for the more powerful V8 engine slightly reduces these figures.

The Ford Ranger, on the other hand, boasts an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. This makes the Ranger a more fuel-efficient option, especially for those who do a lot of highway driving.

How Do the Exterior Dimensions Compare?

The Ram 1500 and the Ford Ranger are different classes of trucks, with the Ram 1500 being a full-size pickup and the Ranger being a mid-size pickup. This difference is reflected in their exterior dimensions.

The Ram 1500 measures 232.9 inches in length, 82.1 inches in width, and 77.6 inches in height, with a wheelbase of 144.5 inches. It's a large and imposing truck, offering a commanding presence on the road.

The Ford Ranger, being a mid-size truck, is smaller. While the exact dimensions for the 2023 model are not specified, the previous year's model measured 210.8 inches in length, 73.3 inches in width, and 71.1 inches in height, with a wheelbase of 126.8 inches. We can expect the 2023 model to have similar dimensions.

How Do the Interior Dimensions Compare?

The interior dimensions of the Ram 1500 and the Ford Ranger reflect their exterior dimensions, with the Ram 1500 offering more space due to its larger size.

The Ram 1500 can comfortably seat up to five passengers, with ample headroom and legroom in both the front and rear seats. The truck also offers a generous amount of cargo space, with a large and versatile bed that can accommodate various types of cargo.

The Ford Ranger also seats up to five passengers, but being a smaller truck, it might offer slightly less space compared to the Ram 1500. However, the Ranger is known for its

How Do the Powertrains Compare?

The 2023 Ram 1500 and the 2023 Ford Ranger are both equipped with powertrains that are designed to deliver a blend of performance and efficiency.

The Ram 1500 is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine that churns out 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of

How Do Their Interior Dimensions Compare?

When it comes to interior space, both the 2023 Ram 1500 and the 2023 Ford Ranger offer a comfortable and spacious environment for their passengers. However, there are some differences that might tip the scale in favor of one over the other, depending on your specific needs.

The Ram 1500, with its full-size truck dimensions, offers a more spacious cabin. It can comfortably seat up to six people in its Crew Cab configuration, with ample headroom and legroom in both the front and rear seats. The front seats are particularly spacious, with 40.9 inches of headroom and 40.9 inches of legroom. The rear seats are not far behind, offering 39.2 inches of headroom and 45.2 inches of legroom. This makes the Ram 1500 a great choice for those who frequently travel with a full load of passengers.

On the other hand, the Ford Ranger, being a midsize truck, is slightly smaller in terms of interior space. It can seat up to five people, with decent headroom and legroom in both the front and rear seats. The Ranger offers around 39.8 inches of headroom and 43.1 inches of legroom in the front seats. The rear seats, while not as spacious as the Ram 1500, still offer a comfortable ride for passengers.

In terms of cargo space, the Ram 1500 offers a generous amount of room. The exact cargo space dimensions for the 2023 model year are not available at the moment, but the previous model years offer a cargo bed length of 76.3 inches in the Crew Cab configuration. The Ford Ranger, on the other hand, offers a slightly smaller cargo bed, with a length of around 61 inches based on previous model years.

What Are These Vehicles’ Top Competitors?

The 2023 Ram 1500 and the 2023 Ford Ranger face stiff competition in the truck market, with several standout models vying for the top spot.

For the Ram 1500, key competitors include the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the 2023 Ford F-150. The Silverado 1500 is known for its robust powertrain options and towing capacity, while the F-150 offers a well-rounded package with strong performance, a high-quality interior, and advanced technology features.

The Ford Ranger, on the other hand, competes with the likes of the 2023 Toyota Tacoma and the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado. The Tacoma is renowned for its off-road prowess and reliability, while the Colorado balances comfortable daily driving with capable off-road performance.

Each of these competitors brings a unique set of strengths to the table, making the truck market a highly competitive and diverse segment.

How Do Their Safety Features Compare?

Safety is a paramount concern for any vehicle, and both the 2023 Ram 1500 and the 2023 Ford Ranger come equipped with a host of safety features designed to protect you and your passengers.

The 2023 Ram 1500 comes standard with a suite of safety features under the Ram Safety Group. This includes features such as Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking, Lane Departure Warning-Plus, and Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path and Trailer Detection. These features work together to help prevent accidents before they happen. The Ram 1500 also offers an available 360-degree Surround View Camera, providing a bird's-eye view of the vehicle to help with parking and navigating tight spaces.

The 2023 Ford Ranger also offers a robust suite of safety features under the Ford Co-Pilot 360™ technology. This includes Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Cross-Traffic Alert, and more. These features are designed to assist drivers in maintaining control of the vehicle and preventing collisions.

Both the Ram 1500 and the Ford Ranger have performed well in past safety tests.

What Are the Trims Levels for These Vehicles?

Both the 2023 Ram 1500 and the 2023 Ford Ranger offer a variety of trim levels to cater to different needs and preferences.

The Ram 1500 comes in several trims: Tradesman, Big Horn, Rebel, Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited. The base Tradesman trim comes with basic features such as air conditioning and a 5-inch touchscreen, while the Big Horn adds more comfort features. The Rebel trim is geared towards off-road enthusiasts, with features like an electronic locking rear axle and all-terrain tires. The Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited trims add more luxury features, with the Limited trim being the most luxurious with features like premium leather upholstery and a 12-inch touchscreen.

The Ford Ranger, on the other hand, is available in three trims: XL, XLT, and Lariat. The base XL trim comes with basic features such as a 4.2-inch infotainment display and automatic headlights. The XLT trim adds more convenience features like a larger 8-inch touchscreen and dual-zone automatic climate control. The top-of-the-line Lariat trim adds luxury features like leather upholstery and heated front seats.

What Technology Comes in These Vehicles?

The 2023 Ram 1500 and the 2023 Ford Ranger are both equipped with a host of technology features designed to enhance the driving experience.

The Ram 1500 comes with a standard 5-inch touchscreen, but higher trims come with a larger 8.4-inch or 12-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing you to easily connect your smartphone for hands-free calling, music streaming, and more. The Ram 1500 also offers an available 7-inch driver information display that provides important information right in front of the driver.

The Ford Ranger comes with a standard 4.2-inch infotainment display, but higher trims come with a larger 8-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ranger also offers an available 4.2-inch driver information display.

How Do the Prices of These Vehicles Compare?

The 2023 Ram 1500 and the 2023 Ford Ranger are both competitively priced in their respective segments. The exact prices for the 2023 model year are not available at the moment, but based on previous model years, the Ram 1500 starts at around $32,000 for the base Tradesman trim and goes up to around $57,000 for the top-of-the-line Limited trim.

The Ford Ranger, on the other hand, starts at a lower price point, with the base XL trim starting at around $25,000 and the top-of-the-line Lariat trim going up to around $38,000.

In terms of value, both vehicles offer a good balance of performance, features, and comfort for their respective prices. However, the Ram 1500 offers more luxury and advanced features in its higher trims, while the Ford Ranger offers a more affordable entry point into the midsize truck segment.

Autolist's Take:

Choosing between the 2023 Ram 1500 and the 2023 Ford Ranger ultimately comes down to your specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for a full-size truck with a spacious interior, advanced features, and strong performance, the Ram 1500 is a great choice. It offers a comfortable ride, a variety of trim levels to choose from, and a robust powertrain that can handle both daily driving and heavy-duty tasks.

On the other hand, if you prefer a more compact truck that's easier to maneuver and park, the Ford Ranger is a solid choice. It offers a comfortable interior, good performance, and a lower starting price, making it a great value in the midsize truck segment.

Both trucks offer a good balance of comfort, performance, and utility, making them strong contenders in their respective segments. However, the Ram 1500's larger size, more luxurious interior, and advanced features make it the better choice for those who want a full-size truck with all the bells and whistles. Meanwhile, the Ford Ranger's more compact size, lower starting price, and good performance make it a great choice for those who want a capable and affordable midsize truck.

In the end, both the 2023 Ram 1500 and the 2023 Ford Ranger are excellent trucks that offer a lot of value. Your choice will ultimately depend on your specific needs, preferences, and budget.