2025 Ford F-150 Beats Ram 1500 In New Comparison Test

The Ford F-150 is coming off its latest mid-cycle refresh that took place in the 2024 model year, giving the popular pickup some updated styling and various other tweaks designed to keep it fresh and competitive for a few more years. As has long been the case, the F-150’s light-duty full-size pickup competition continues to try and dethrone its status atop the sales charts, and that includes the Ram 1500, which itself received a refresh for 2025. However, in a new comparison test, the 2025 Ford F-150 still managed to come out on top.

This comparison was conducted by Car and Driver recently, pitting the 2025 Ford F-150 XLT against the 2025 Ram 1500 Big Horn, which are more affordable versions of both. While that means C&D didn’t get to test out the new Pro Access Tailgate available on higher trims of the F-150, it did call that model’s interior “more user-friendly,” and it prefers its horizontal infotainment screen layout as well – not to mention the F-150’s column shifter and digital instrument cluster, but it gave the Ram the nod in terms of overall fit and finish.

In terms of powertrains, the Ram in this test was equipped with the optional twin turbocharged 3.0L I-6 Hurricane engine making 420 horsepower and 469 pound-feet of torque, while the 2025 Ford F-150 tester was fitted with twin turbocharged 3.5L V6 PowerBoost hybrid generating 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque. The Ram did manage to beat the F-150 from 0-60 (4.8 seconds versus 5.0), but the Ford was quicker in the quarter-mile and to 100 mph – all while also winning the handling, braking, and fuel economy tests, to boot.

The Ram’s optional air suspension provided a cushier ride, but otherwise, C&D found that the “steering is too light for our tastes, and the pedals feel mushier than the Ford’s. We felt more body roll in the Ram too.” Throw in the F-150’s cheaper as-tested price – $65,940 versus $68,320 – and it was relatively easy to pick a winner here. “These are both good trucks, and your money isn’t going into a firepit no matter which way you go,” C&D concluded. “In the end, our winner walked away from a knock-down, drag-out fight with a one-point margin of victory. In these specific testing conditions with these specific trims, we determined that the F-150 provided better daily-driving dynamics and a more cohesive package at its price point.”

This is just the latest comparison test win for The Blue Oval, after the 2024 F-150 Tremor beat out the Ram 1500 Rebel and Chevy Silverado Trail Boss, while the Ford Bronco also defeated the latest versions of the Jeep Wrangler and all-new Toyota 4Runner, too.