The competition between pickup trucks in 2023 is fierce. Among the top contenders for performance, peak handling, and towing ability are the Ram 1500 TRX, the Ford® F150 Raptor® R, and the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. Take a look at this comprehensive comparison guide to decide which truck is ideal for you.
The Ram 1500 TRX is the highest-tier trim of the original Ram 1500. The Ram TRX is bigger and more rugged, with a ground clearance that is eight inches higher than the base 1500 trim with a curb weight of 6,400 lbs. This big, bold, and beautiful truck is all about power and rugged performance with a pleasing throttle.
The powertrain for the Ram TRX is a supercharged 6.2L HEMI® V8-powered engine. This powerful engine can produce 702 horsepower with 650 lb-ft of torque and has an acceleration time of 4.5 seconds. The instant torque from the supercharger on the engine means the responsiveness of this truck is unmatched.
The Ram TRX also has Selec-Speed® control, which helps the TRX maintain speed by automatically adjusting the torque and brake pressure. This vehicle also has eight unique drive modes to fine-tune the performance of Ram TRX to your current driving terrain. The TRX has a four-wheel drivetrain and an eight-speed automatic transmission with electric power-assist steering.
Considering its size, the Ram TRX has good fuel economy. The vehicle gets 10 MPG in the city and 14 MPG on the highway. The recommended fuel is premium unleaded gas, and the fuel tank capacity is 33 gallons.
One reason this truck has good fuel efficiency is the unique grille design, which can deliver 32.9 liters of air per minute to the engine. Compared to the grille on the Ford® Raptor, the Ram TRX can filter four times as much road debris and dirt.
The Ram TRX has massive 35-inch tires to elevate handling control on any terrain. Drivers can choose to upgrade to beadlock-capable wheels. The TRX can seat up to five people and has a maximum interior cargo volume of 68.5 cubic feet. The max towing capacity for the Ram TRX is 8,100 lbs. The air springs on this truck make it a breeze for trailer hitching.
Other key specs include LED front fog lights, LED daytime running lights, a pickup cargo box light, and power remote and heated mirrors. For interior features, the TRX has dual-zone front air conditioning, steering wheel controls for cruise control, and a split-bench 60/40 rear folding seat.
The standard infotainment screen for the 2023 Ram 1500 TRX is a 12-inch touchscreen fully equipped with Uconnect® 5 NAV software. This software allows drivers to create custom profiles. The sound system for this truck is also excellent, with a 19-speaker Harmon Kardon® system to elevate audio quality. The TRX also has voice-activated audio control.
There's plenty of safety technology on board this Ram vehicle, too. Driver assistance technology like blind spot monitoring and rear cross path with trailer detection upgrades optimize your ability to safely navigate this beast, even if you have a trailer hitched. Drivers can opt for the available digital rearview upgrade or opt for the 360-degree Surround View camera.
The 2023 Ford® F-150 Raptor® R has always been one of the tougher trucks in the Ford® lineup, although the curb weight for this Ford® is only 4,702 lbs. This third-generation Ford® F-150 is specifically designed for durability and performance for off-road driving. The overall appearance of this Raptor truck is a bit sporty, but still bold and rugged.
The powertrain for the 2023 Ford® F-150 Raptor® R is a 5.2L supercharged V8 engine, which can generate 700 horsepower with 640 lb-ft of torque. The acceleration time for this Raptor trim is 3.7 seconds. This engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
A 2WD mode is optional for the Raptor drivetrain, although four-wheel-drive is standard. The engine is controlled by the Ford® powertrain control module. Drivers can expect a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 lbs when the Ford® F-150 Raptor® R is fully equipped. Drivers can also improve performance for the Raptor with the Terrain Management System.
The Raptor five-seat pickup truck has a fuel efficiency of 15 MPG in the city and 16 MPG on the highway. The recommended fuel for the Ford® F-150 Raptor® R is powered by premium unleaded gas, which is delivered through port fuel injection with twin high-flow fuel pumps. The transfer case for the Ford® F-150 Raptor® R is a two-speed automatic four-wheel drive system with a 1:1 four-high drive ratio.
The all-terrain tires for the 2023 Ford® F-150 are paired with 37-inch wheels. This Ford® F-150 has a long-travel suspension with special valve shock, rear coils, and sport-tuned shock absorbers to make the most of the supercharged engine's power. This Ford® F-150 has additional storage cubbies, such as a rear under seat storage bin and other cargo room to keep the truck organized.
The 2023 Ford® F-150 has plenty of technology features that are standard, including FordPass® Connect, a 12-inch productivity screen, a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC® 4, SiriusXM® radio, an 4G LTE hotspot, and more. Other key tech features for this Ford® Raptor include the Intelligent Access push-start system, a SecuriCode keyless entry pad, and remote start.
The safety specs for the Ford® F-150 include anti-lock brakes, AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control, forward collision warning, dynamic brake support, hill start assist, reverse brake assist, and a rearview camera with dynamic hitch support. Adaptive cruise control is also a standard feature on this Ford® F-150. Available upgrades for this Ford® Co-Pilot 360 system include distance alert and trailer reverse guidance.
The 2023 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro is a sporty, eye-catching tuck. Many of the appearance choices for the Toyota Tundra are inspired by heritage designs, including the grille with LED light bar. The curb weight of the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro is 5,800 lbs.
Unlike the previous two trucks in this competition, the 2023 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro has an electric motor. This Toyota Tundra is powered by an i-FORCE MAX V6 hybrid system, which is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive drivetrain. This electric motor can generate 437 horsepower with 583 lb-ft of torque.
The first gear of the Toyota Tundra has a 4.92:1 gear shift ratio. The Tundra TRD Pro features special off-road suspension with FOX shocks and a Multi-Terrain Select system with Crawl Control features. The Tundra TRD Pro trim also has an electronically controlled locking rear differential.
The estimated fuel efficiency for this plucky Toyota Tundra hybrid truck is 18 MPG in the city, 20 MPG on the highway, and 19 MPG combined. The hybrid Tundra engine means this vehicle is much more efficient than the 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD and many other large trucks in its class. The Tundra's Drive Mode Select optimizes the efficiency of this truck even more, such as with Rock Crawl, Normal, and Baja terrain road modes.
This is a five-seat Toyota truck that can meet your full-size needs with 18-inch aluminum wheels with all-terrain tires. The Tundra TRD Pro has tuned coil springs that give this Toyota Tundra an extra 1.1-inch lift in height. Other key specs for the Toyota Tundra include LED headlights and fog lights, heated power-dimming outside mirrors, and a 120-volt bed-mounted AC power outlet.
The interior features of this Tundra are a bit fancy, such as the standard power tilt panoramic sunroof with power sunshade, illuminated center console, and Tundra TRD Pro detailing on the steering wheel and seats. This hybrid Toyota also has 60/40 folding rear seats.
The Toyota Tundra TRD Pro has a standard JBL 12-speaker audio system, a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, and connectivity to Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto. Tundra drivers can choose to subscribe to connective services like Safety Connect®, Service Connect®, Remote Connect®, Drive Connect®, and Wi-Fi Connect® for additional technology and connectivity features, such as cloud navigation or a Wi-Fi hotspot.
The Toyota Tundra TRD Pro has the Toyota Safety Sense suite as part of the standard features, which includes pre-collision warning with pedestrian protection, full-speed dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert, lane tracing assist, and road sign assist. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and trailer merge warning are also standard features for this hybrid Tundra trim.
In this competition, the best truck is the Ram TRX. While the other trucks have decent specs, the Ram TRX is clearly a pickup that has better control and more power. The reason this Ram stands at the front of the line are the key features of the Ram TRX prove that it's possible to maximize torque performance while also designing a truck packed with creature comforts and thoughtful technology.
Although it can be argued that the Ford® F-150 Raptor® is lighter and the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro is more fuel efficient, the Ram TRX is still the winner of this head-to-head competition because of the winning performance configuration. This is an important distinction if you plan to use this truck for your work needs or for off-roading adventures. For trailer towing and lb-ft of torque, the TRX simply can't be beaten.
When it comes to pickup trucks, drivers always want to add accessories to make each ride on the road as convenient, comfortable, and practical as possible. For Ram vehicles, accessory upgrades aren't limited to aftermarket parts. From unique trailer equipment to accessories for the rear truck bed, MOPAR® parts make it easy to select genuine accessories to fully customize the Ram 1500.
To optimize trailer and towing abilities, trucks can always benefit from cargo accessories like a trailer tow adapter kit, trailer hitch ball, towing hitch receiver, towing mirrors, and much more. Cargo accessories like the RamBox® cargo dividers or bed liners can make it easier to keep the truck bed clean and organized.
For the cabin, most trucks can benefit from all-weather floor mats to make cleaning mud and muck simpler. Accessories such as lockable storage or a locking center console can elevate the safety of the vehicle. You can also purchase a genuine Ram roadside safety kit for peace of mind.
The warranty period for the Ram 1500 TRX is three years or up to 36,000 miles. For the powertrain, the warranty is extended to 60 months or 60,000 miles. Drivers also have the benefit of roadside assistance for the first 60,000 miles.
You can also sign up for an extended warranty when you purchase your new truck. The extended warranty period for a Ram vehicle is either five years with unlimited miles or eight years and up to 150,000 miles. This warranty is part of the MOPAR® Vehicle Protection Plan and will cover most vehicle components. Extended warranty plans include MVP Maximum Care Plus, Added Care Plus, MOPAR® Maximum Care, and MOPAR® Added Care Plus.
Financing your new truck is easy when you work with your dealership's financing department. Getting a loan through your dealership has many perks, such as a lower interest rate, more flexible loan terms, and the ability to adjust your monthly vehicle payment to suit your budget. All you need to do is prepare your personal and financial information when you are ready to buy your new truck, and the dealership will handle the rest.
If you're committed to getting the best deal for your truck, you can also work with the dealership to leverage your trade-in value as part of your down payment. This strategy is particularly effective if you are trading in a truck model that is still in good condition and has retained most of its value.
For off-roaders and workers alike, a full-size truck like the Ram 1500 TRX is the best pickup truck on the market when it comes to torque, trailer towing, and overall performance on the road. The sublime body control, powerful engine, and excellent suspension make this Ram model a joy to drive. To schedule a test drive for the Ram 1500 TRX, contact Landmark Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM at 816-836-0100 today.
