Comparing the 07 Tundra to an 07 Ram
by Jason Lancaster
I've compared the Dodge Ram and the Toyota Tundra to see which truck is best. While I didn't evaluate EVERYTHING, I did compare the key components and highlight any distinct differences between the two trucks. As always, I encourage everyone to drive all vehicles they're considering to find out for themselves which is best. Also, make sure to investigate what reputable reviewers like Edmunds and Consumer Reports have to say too.
This comparison pitted a 2007 Toyota Tundra DoubleCab SR5 4x4 with a iForce 5.7L V8 to a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 QuadCab SLT 4x4 with a 5.7L HEMI. Both of these trucks are behemouths, but both of them are also quite fast. In fact, I can't imagine anyone being dissapointed with either truck. But, there are some important differences between the two.
Starting with the engines, it was clear that both trucks had a lot under the hood. The HEMI has lots of low-end, but it's not as strong at the top of the RPM range as the iForce is. This is explained by the Tundra's DOHC engine design versus the Dodge's pushrod setup. Pushrod engines are less efficient because they lack the sophistication of a DOHC, as well as the Tundra's electronic engine management features. I noticed the Tundra's fuel economy was better than the Ram in my test.
Both of the trucks have automatic transmissions as standard equipment with their respective engines, but the Tundra has a six-speed and the Ram only a five-speed. This difference helped the Tundra accelerate faster and shift better than the Ram, and may be another reason the Tundra go better fuel economy. The Tundra is also rated to pull about 2000 pounds more than the Ram, and I take that to mean the Tundra's transmission is probably stronger and more durable than the Ram.
Stopping the trucks, it was hard to tell a difference between their braking systems. However, my tests were done while the vehicles were empty. The Dodge's brake systems are inferior to the Toyota's -- the front rotors are smaller, the rear rotors aren't ventilated, and the Ram comes with only rear wheel ABS standard as opposed to Toyota's four-wheel ABS. Even though the brakes felt (and measured) the same, I think the Tundra's brakes would be better towing or hauling because of their better quality parts.
I like the Dodge's fully boxed frame better than partially boxed frame of the Toyota. While I must admit that the partially boxed frame of the TUndra is built by the best car company in the world, it seems to me it would be better if the frame was fully boxed. The Tundra's frame is currently a combination of boxed and open c-channel.
The interiors of the Ram and the Tundra are completely different. The Tundra is nicer and more comfortable than the Ram, with more features and better quality materials. The Ram is an older truck (design-wise) than the Toyota, so the Toyota's superior interior is to be expected.
The Ram handles as well as the Tundra, and the Ram's safety rating is actually higher than the Tundra. The Ram also is a better looking truck than the Tundra. However, in most other aspets the Toyota Tundra is superior to the Dodge Ram. Frankly, that really shouldn't come as a surprise. Toyota's truck is a newer design and has the benefit of a lot more technology. I can't wait to see how the new Ram (due out in 2009) will compare to the Tundra.
Author Jason Lancaster has worked in the auto industry for almost 10 years. He runs a Toyota Tundra website, www.tundraheadquarters.com, as well as the Waterbury Toyota website. You can get a unique content version of this article.
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