Starting at
Starting at
383-495 | Torque (lb-ft) | 273-480 |
13,000 | Towing (lbs) | 12,750 |
89.1 | Cargo Space (cu.ft.) | 61.5 |
Chevy and Ram are two of the top truck manufacturers in America, but which one should you choose for your next half-ton pickup? Comparing the 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 vs 2023 Ram 1500 reveals that the Bowtie brand has upped its game recently, and the newest Silverado 1500 is the clear winner in this comparison. With more powerful engine options, more towing capacity, a larger bed, and cutting-edge features that include true hands-free driving, there is simply no contest between these two trucks.
Chevy has seemingly thought of everything in its latest round of refreshes and updates to the popular Silverado 1500. While the 2023 Ram 1500 remains a solid option, Chevy has upped its game dramatically, and now every other truck manufacturer is playing catch up. If you are looking for a full-size pickup that can handle any job while providing a comfortable and stylish ride, it is time to check out the 2023 Chevy Silverado.
Chevy has recently reworked the 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 engine lineup, and it shows when you compare it to competing trucks like the 2023 Ram 1500. Starting off Chevy's engine lineup is the 2.7L TurboMax engine. This may only be the base power plant, but that doesn't mean it isn't capable. In fact, it's 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque easily surpasses the 305 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque you will get from the 3.6L V6 in the base Ram 1500. This difference is even clearer when you compare the max towing capacities of the two engines: 9,500 lbs for the Chevy 2.7L TurboMax against just 7,730 lbs for the Ram 3.6L. With that much power on tap, you'll think you have a V8 under the hood of your Silverado 1500.
Of course, Chevy has V8 engine options as well, if that is what you want. The 5.3L V8 is a good intermediate engine, supplying 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, and if you want even more power, there is a 6.2L V8 boasting an impressive 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. In contrast, Ram only offers a single V8 option for its truck––a 5.7L that splits the difference between the two Chevy engines, offering 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. Of course, that means the 2023 Ram 1500 tops out at a max towing capacity of 12,750 lbs against 13,300 lbs for the 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500. If you want raw performance from a V8, the Silverado 1500 is the way to go.
Finally, both manufacturers offer a diesel engine option for their trucks. Ram starts strong with its 3.0L EcoDiesel V6, which provides 260 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to tow up to 12,560 lbs. For a long time, this was one of the top half-ton diesel options; however, Chevy upgraded its 3.0L Duramax I-6 for the new model year, and the engine now produces 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque, boosting its towing capacity to 13,300 lbs. Even more impressively, this new engine is also smoother and more efficient than the EcoDiesel, making it the clear choice if you need a diesel under the hood of your full-size truck. Whether you desire a diesel, prefer a V8, or simply stick with the base engine, the 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 offers more than the 2023 Ram 1500.
When you own a truck, you need a vehicle to do it all and make any task easier. Fortunately, Chevy has thought of everything in the Silverado 1500. When you compare it to the Ram 1500, you will see countless ways Chevy has anticipated your needs and built a better truck. Right off the bat, Chevy offers the 2023 Silverado 1500 in five different configurations, including two Regular Cab configurations and a Long Bed option with a class-leading 89.1 cu.ft. of cargo space. Even if you opt for a spacious Crew Cab, Chevy will let you pair it with a 6.6-foot bed providing 71.7 cu.ft. of cargo space. In contrast, Ram only offers three configurations for its truck, and its largest bed option is a 6.4-foot bed with just 61.5 cu.ft. of cargo space. In short, Chevy lets you drive a real work truck while Ram falls short.
But Chevy doesn't just provide far more cargo space; it also makes the Silverado 1500 more usable. The standard DuraBed includes 12 fixed tie-downs rated for 500 lbs each, a CornerStep rear bumper for easy access, and the exclusive Multi-Flex tailgate. Although the Ram 1500 offers an optional multifunction tailgate that can swing open horizontally and fold down vertically, that is no match for the six different functions of the Multi-Flex tailgate. Chevy's unique design provides two fold-out load stops at different heights, a full-width step that can support 375 lbs, a fold-down section to reach deeper into the bed, and a convenient work surface. You quite simply can't match that level of convenience in any other truck.
Chevy has also put some serious effort into making trailering simpler and safer. The Silverado 1500 offers an Advanced Trailering System and a Trailering App that lets you handle everything from pre-departure checklists to monitoring your trailer's tire pressures. Once you are on the road, Chevy's driver-assist features like Side Blind Zone Alert and Super Cruise are designed to keep working even when you have a trailer in tow. Finally, the 2023 Silverado 1500 offers a best-in-class camera system with eight available cameras providing up to 14 unique camera views, including the incredible Transparent Trailer View that lets you "see through" your trailer. Although the 2023 Ram 1500 does have an innovative Trailer Reverse Steering Control system designed to simplify backing up with a trailer, it doesn't come close to providing the comprehensive towing support of the Silverado 1500.
With the recent redesign of the Silverado 1500, Chevy's full-size truck has lept to the top of the segment regarding advanced tech features designed to make your time on the road more comfortable. Chevy has always been known for loading its trucks with plenty of standard features, but now its top-trim models have undergone a significant refresh that lets them easily exceed competing models like the Ram 1500. This is immediately apparent when you look at the interiors of the two trucks. While the 2023 Ram 1500 offers an available 12-inch infotainment touchscreen and matching 12-inch driver display, the 2023 Silverado 1500 goes above and beyond with its massive 13.4-inch infotainment touchscreen and 12.3-inch driver display.
Comparing the features of these two infotainment systems, you will discover that Chevy again comes out on top, thanks to being the only truck in its segment to offer Google built-in. This revolutionary new software lets you access all your favorite Google features directly from the infotainment system without needing to connect your phone. That includes Google Maps and everything else available on the Google Play store. Even better, Google Assistant voice commands are integrated directly into your truck, allowing you to set the cabin temperature by simply telling your truck what you want. Of course, Chevy also includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features for your convenience.
However, the most impressive feature of the 2023 Silverado 1500 is undoubtedly Super Cruise. Although the 2023 Ram 1500 offers your typical driver-assist systems, including Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, that is nothing compared to Super Cruise. Chevy's new feature is the first true hands-free driving technology available in any pickup truck and will allow you to sit back and let your Silverado do all the work as you cruise down the highway. When you are on over 400,000 miles of compatible roads, which includes all the major highways around Indianapolis, a light will appear on the driver display, signaling that your truck is ready to go hands-free. At this point, just engage the system and enjoy the ride. You can't do that in a Ram.