2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Vs. 2009 Ford F-150

Introduction

At January's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, automakers were falling all over themselves to promote their innovations to improve fuel economy and reduce exhaust emissions. That included Ford, which unveiled its stylish Verve compact car, and Chrysler, which had concept electric vehicles. However, for both of these automotive companies the most important new vehicle showings were not fuel sippers but their full-size pickup trucks - the 2009 Dodge Ram and 2009 Ford F-150. With a shaky housing market and gasoline over $4 a gallon, pickup sales have sagged. Nevertheless, Americans have a love affair with trucks, and pickup buyers are the most loyal of any vehicle segment. It's apparent today's pickup buyers are no longer keen on just horsepower, torque and towing prowess. Interiors and features have become the new battlefield in winning sales.

With its " Kenworth-type" grille, the 1994 Ram vaulted Dodge from an also-ran to a major contender in the pickup market. The signature crossbar grille is canted forward, similar to the Dodge Charger, and is topped off with a larger power bulge in the aluminum hood.Chrysler has made interiors a priority and the results are evident in the new Ram. A masculine appearance appropriate for a truck is combined with vastly improved materials quality.

Dodge Ram Interior

There are up to 38 interior storage locations, including two glove boxes, map pockets and a pair of rear in-the-floor bins.The options for pampering and entertaining occupants are extensive. Fronts seats can be heated or cooled, a cold steering wheel can be heated, and rear seats can get toasty as well. Check the right boxes and you can have surround-sound, watch DVD movies or broadcast TV, and load photos and music onto a 30-gigabyte hard drive.For improved ride and handling, Dodge has discarded the traditional rear leaf spring suspension. A new fully boxed frame incorporating high-strength steel supports the first-in-segment rear multi-link coil spring suspension. Dodge claims this setup won't sacrifice payload (up to an estimated 1,850 pounds) or towing capability (up to an estimated 9,100 pounds).

The new suspension can be put to work via three engines: a 210-horsepower six cylinder, a 310-horsepower 4.7-liter V8, and a new 5.7-liter HEMI V8 that not only has increased horsepower (380) and torque (404 lb-ft), but claims 4 percent better fuel efficiency. A six-speed manual and four- or five- speed automatic transmissions are available, depending on the engine option, and there's a choice of two- or four-wheel drive.

The Ram will offer two wheelbases plus three box lengths, and buyers can choose a standard cab, Quad Cab or a new-for-Dodge crew cab. Five trim levels will be offered: ST, SLT, TRX, Sport and Laramie. All versions come standard with front and side-curtain airbags, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, and electronic stability control with hill start assist and trailer sway control.

As a final note, Dodge didn't neglect one of the most important functions of a pickup, the cargo bed. "RamBox" storage bins run the length of the cargo bed providing 8.6 cubic feet of storage, yet a full sheet of plywood can lay flat in the bed. With features like this, Dodge will surely keep loyal Ram fans happy, and might just woo buyers away from competitors.

More about the 2009 Dodge Ram...

When the Dodge Ram was last completely redesigned, in 1994, with its aggressive big-rig grille and very upright appearance, Dodge's market share among full-size pickups about tripled. The Toyota Tundra was redesigned and up-sized last year to take on the likes of the Ram head-to-head; GM and Ford have both also recently redesigned their full-size trucks. Now, Chrysler has pulled the wraps off an all-new generation of its Ram pickup. Most notably, the new Ram will feature a crew cab design for the first time, called Ram Crew, with full-access rear doors that open 90 degrees. Crew cab body styles are the fastest-growing among pickups and account for about 50 percent of the market. Besides Ram Crew, the new Ram will be offered in standard and Quad Cab styles, and in five different trim levels.

The fundamental proportions haven't changed much for the Ram, but the look in front has. It gives the Ram a more aggressive, imposing look - and a nod to Dodge's muscle cars, the Challenger and Charger - while at the same time allowing the hood, made of aluminum, to be more sculpted and aerodynamic. The aerodynamic improvements should significantly cut cabin noise; and a more sophisticated ride is in store. The Ram is the first full-size pickup in its segment to offer a multi-link, coil-spring rear suspension that's also fitted to a solid rear axle, to give some very significant benefits in handling and comfort. And it cuts about 40 pounds versus leaf springs.

The new rear suspension design also has another important benefit: a wider, deeper cargo box. And with an improved frame design, it makes no payload or towing sacrifice. Max payload remains an estimated 1850 pounds, while max towing capability is about 9100 pounds.

Also of interest to those who actually use their trucks to work - whether as home do-it-yourselfers or serious contractors - are the several cargo-management systems that kick the Ram into a much more user-friendly league. A new cargo-management system called RamBox (on the Ram Crew) brings special lockable storage bins built into the fender sides. The bins, which are waterproof and illuminated, have a total of 8.6 cubic feet of cargo space.

Inside the cabin, there are also a number of convenience storage options. New floor storage bins have removable liners and are larger enough to hold ten 12-ounce beverage cans plus ice. Altogether, Dodge claims that there are nearly twice as many storage locations in the new Ram than there were in the outgoing model.After the Ram is introduced, it will no longer be taking second stage in terms of luxury features either. Heated and ventilated front seats are available (a first in this segment), heated rear seats are offered for the first time, and a heated steering wheel is even offered.

Other standout features available include a navigation system, UConnect hands-free interface, surround-sound audio system with MyGig, and Sirius Backseat TV. The Ram also gets available dual-zone automatic climate control for the first time. Overall inside, there's been much attention paid to the look and feel of materials; all models get upgraded with 'soft-touch' materials. Sport and Laramie models go a step further to offer full-width contrast stitching.

The 5.7-liter HEMI V-8, which about 40 percent of customers upgrade to, gets more horsepower, while fuel economy increases an estimated four percent - thanks to new variable valve timing, a variable intake, and an expanded range for the fuel-saving Multi-Displacement System (MDS). The base engine will remain a 215-hp, 3.7-liter V-6. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard with the Hemi and optional with the 4.7-liter; otherwise a four-speed automatic is offered. Part-time and on-demand four-wheel drive systems are available, plus four different axle ratios to meet various needs from towing to off-roading. Electronic stability control will be standard across the line. For more details, read Motortrend's review of the Ram.

A new-generation, light-duty Cummins diesel is set to arrive after 2009, and a two-mode hybrid powertrain will be offered on the Ram beginning for the 2010 model year.

The 2009 Ford F-150

If the Ford F-Series were a sports team it would be called a dynasty. It has been the No. 1 selling truck for 31 consecutive years and the nation's favorite vehicle - car or truck - for 26 years running. Unlike the new Ram, the 2009 F-150 is not an all-new truck, but it's an intensive roof-to-wheels update of the outgoing model.

The interior of the current F-150 was already class leading, and the 2009 model is more akin to Armani and wing tips than Levi's and work boots. It starts with an updated Sync voice-activated communication and entertainment system, SIRIUS Travel Link navigation and a 700-watt Sony audio system. A really cool feature is called Work Solutions, a suite of products that features an in-dash computer allowing customers to access the Internet, check inventory, print invoices, dispatch workers to job sites and maintain tool inventory - all while sitting in the cab. For 2009 the F-150 offers 35 configurations in a lineup that includes seven trim levels (XL, STX, XLT, FX4, Lariat, King Ranch and a new über-luxury Platinum), three cab styles, and four box choices.A 2-valve 4.6-liter V8 replaces the outgoing six, while 3-valve 4.6- and 5.4-liter mills up the power and towing capabilities. So far, Ford has been mum about horsepower and torque output.Notable options include a side step that allows easy access to the rear of the cargo box, a tailgate step borrowed from the Super Duty, and a bed extender that cleverly stows flat against the cargo bed.

More about the 2009 Ford F-150...

The 2009 Ford F-150 will be redesigned, gaining more features and more available power. This large pickup truck will be powered by a choice of several engines. Two versions of a 4.6-liter V8 will be available along with V8s of 5.4 and 6.2 liters. The base 4.6 will supplant the outgoing 4.2-liter V6. The uplevel 4.6 V8 has three valves per cylinder instead of two, which Ford claims will increase horsepower during towing and reduce emissions. The 5.4-liter V8 will be capable of running on E85 ethanol-blended fuel. Power numbers are not yet available.

Also due for the 2009 model year is the Raptor, an off-road oriented model that will be powered by a 380-hp 6.2-liter V8. A 4-speed automatic transmission is available with the base 4.6, and a 6-speed automatic transmission mates to the uplevel 4.6, as well as the 5.4 and 6.2. Rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive versions will be available.

All 4WD versions will offer a choice of manual or electronic control. Safety FeaturesAvailable safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. The 2009 F-150 will come in eight different trim levels, including base XL, sporty STX, off-road oriented FX4 and Raptor, midlevel XLT, uplevel King Ranch and Lariat, and top-line Platinum.

Cab Styles

Three cab styles--Regular, SuperCab, and SuperCrew--will be available, along with four pickup box sizes and styles. XL is available with 17-inch wheels; other models are available with either 18- or 20-inch wheels, and Platinum comes standard with the 20-inch wheels.

Other Features

Available features will include a hideaway side step for access to the pickup bed, a tailgate step, a bed extender, a cargo management system to secure items in the bed, and lockable storage. Other available features should include a capless fuel filler, Ford's Sync voice-activated cell phone and MP3 player control system, a voice-activated navigation system that includes real-time traffic information, a rearview camera, and uplevel audio system. Read about the unveiling of the 2009 F-150 at the 2008 Auto Show.