2027 Ram 1500 vs Ford F-150: Towing, Engines, MPG and Safety Compared

The Ram 1500 and Ford F-150 are the two full-size pickups most shoppers cross-check first. Both have published 2027 details: Ram in its 2027 Ram 1500 press kit and Ford in its 2027 F-150 specs and features article of September 15, 2026. This comparison sticks to those official numbers plus EPA, NHTSA and IIHS data. Where only a 2026 figure exists, we label it. For each truck on its own, see our 2027 Ram 1500 guide and 2027 Ford F-150 guide.

What Is Confirmed for the 2027 Ram 1500 and F-150?

Ram says the 2027 Ram 1500 is in dealerships now. Ford says 2027 F-150 Carhartt orders are open and the Carhartt model arrives in early 2027; Ford’s article does not give a general on-sale date for the rest of the lineup.

How Do the 2027 Ram 1500 and F-150 Engines Compare?

Ram lists seven 2027 powertrains, all with an eight-speed automatic. Ford’s 2027 F-150 technical specifications list six, all with a 10-speed automatic, including the full-hybrid PowerBoost.

Figures are each engine’s maximum in its best configuration; towing and payload cannot be achieved at the same time. Ram leads on peak horsepower (777 vs 720 hp) and peak torque (680 vs 640 lb-ft). F-150 leads on base-engine output: the 3.0-liter EcoBoost makes 20 hp and 131 lb-ft more than Ram’s 3.6-liter V6. In the V8 match-up, Ford’s 5.0-liter leads the Ram 5.7-liter by 5 hp with equal torque. Only Ford offers a full hybrid; Ram’s eTorque engines are mild hybrids.

Which Tows and Hauls More?

F-150 leads on maximum towing at 13,500 pounds versus 11,530 pounds, a 1,970-pound gap. Ford’s rating requires a SuperCrew 4×4 with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost, the Max Tow/Haul Package and the optional Max Tow axle. F-150 also leads on maximum payload: 2,440 pounds versus 2,340 pounds, a 100-pound difference. Ram’s best payload comes with its base V6, while its best towing comes with the Hurricane standard-output six.

Look at the specific engine you plan to buy, not the headline number. The Ram 5.7-liter eTorque tows 11,370 pounds, close to Ford’s 5.0-liter V8 at 12,800 pounds, while the non-hybrid Ram 5.7-liter is rated at only 8,890 pounds and 1,150 pounds of payload. Ford lists a cargo box volume of 52.8 cubic feet for the 5.5-foot box and 62.3 cubic feet for the 6.5-foot box. Ram offers 5-foot-7-inch and 6-foot-4-inch beds plus its RamBox storage system.

Which Gets Better Gas Mileage: Ram 1500 or F-150?

The EPA has posted 2027 Ram 1500 ratings, but not 2027 F-150 ratings, so the Ford rows below are 2026 figures. The 2027 F-150’s new 3.0-liter base engine has no EPA rating yet.

F-150 leads on fuel economy thanks to its full hybrid: 24 mpg combined versus 22 mpg for the best Ram, with a $250 lower EPA annual fuel cost (compare them in the EPA’s side-by-side view). Without the hybrid, the trucks are close: the Ram V6 eTorque 4×2 (22 mpg) beats the 2026 F-150 2.7-liter 4×2 (21 mpg), which the 2027 F-150 replaces with the 3.0-liter. The Ram 3.0-liter Hurricane and Ford 3.5-liter EcoBoost both rate 20 mpg combined in 4×2 form.

Which Costs Less?

Neither company has published a full 2027 price list in the sources we used, so only a few prices can be compared directly. Ram confirms 2027 prices for the Warlock ($52,865), the Rumble Bee 5.7-liter ($59,995) and the TRX SRT ($99,995), each plus a $2,795 destination charge (press kit, Rumble Bee release, TRX release). RamTrucks.com lists the 2026 Ram 1500 from $42,025. Ford’s 2027 announcement prices only the new F-150 Carhartt, at $62,660 plus destination, with the Carhartt Package itself at $4,195.

Because Ford has not posted a 2027 base price, we cannot say which truck leads on starting price. Check both brands’ configurators for the exact cab, bed and engine you want, and compare prices including destination.

Which Is Safer: Ram 1500 or F-150?

F-150 leads on NHTSA ratings. The 2026 F-150 SuperCrew (gas and hybrid) carries a 5-star overall rating, with 5-star frontal and side scores and 4 stars for rollover (NHTSA data). The 2026 Ram 1500 Crew Cab has a 4-star overall rating with 4-star frontal, 5-star side and 4-star rollover scores (NHTSA data). NHTSA had not posted 2027 results for either truck.

IIHS results for 2026 show the same weakness for both: Good in the small overlap and updated side tests, but Poor in the updated moderate overlap test, which checks rear-seat protection. Neither the Ram 1500 crew cab nor the F-150 crew cab earns a 2026 Top Safety Pick.

Which Has the Better Warranty?

Ram leads on powertrain coverage. Ram advertises a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty for 2026 Ram trucks (Ram warranty page). Ford lists 3 years/36,000 miles bumper-to-bumper and 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain for the 2027 F-150 (Ford specifications). Ram’s page does not state its basic coverage term, and 2027 Ram warranty terms were not published in the sources we used, so confirm both with a dealer.

Ram 1500 vs F-150 Scorecard: Who Leads on What?

Which Should You Buy: 2027 Ram 1500 or F-150?

On the official numbers, the F-150 leads for buyers who tow or haul near the limit, want a full hybrid, or put weight on NHTSA’s crew cab rating. The Ram 1500 leads for buyers who want the most power in a half-ton pickup or the longer powertrain warranty. For everyday trucks with base or mid-level engines, the gaps shrink: compare the exact engine, cab and axle ratio, because towing and payload change a lot between configurations.

If a full-size truck is more than you need, our 2027 Toyota Tacoma guide covers the midsize option, and the 2027 GMC Sierra 1500 guide covers another full-size rival.

Morgan Reyes

Morgan Reyes is the founder and editor-in-chief of NextCarReview, which Morgan launched in August 2024. A 2022 graduate of Columbia University, Morgan is based in New York and writes and edits the site’s reviews, comparisons and buying guides. Morgan does not road-test vehicles. Every article is built from published primary data: EPA FuelEconomy.gov ratings, NHTSA crash ratings, recalls and owner complaints, IIHS results, and manufacturer specifications and pricing, with each figure cited and checked before publication. Contact: admin@nextcarreview.com

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