2009 Ford F150 vs 2009 Dodge Ram – Part Two – Features and Pricing

Make sure to read Part One – Mechanicals – of our 2009 Ram vs. 2009 F150 comparison. Next up in our comparison…

INTERIOR FEATURES:

The F150 cockpit is solid; gauges, buttons, switches are all within easy reach and field of vision. All the nifty electronic gadgets are available as options, so thankfully you don’t have to deal with any of them if you don’t want to (good news for the technically challenged). Ford made a valiant effort to improve its interior finishes, and the result is a functional cab that’s nice, but not as space age and lounge-like as the new Ram. In terms of storage, the flat floor design of the F150 is a plus.

2009 F150 interior.

The F-150 is available in seven trim levels…the choices can be overwhelming. The basic work truck XL package has a few options to choose from, but it gets harder every time you step up one trim level. Ford would be wise to find a way to reduce the complexity of their options. Still, true to “built Ford tough” work truck ethic, the F-150’s Took Link option tells you what tools (both work- and play-related) you’ve got stashed in the truck, using Radio Frequency Identification. Very cool.

2009 Ram interior.

The Ram 1500 Laramie may have the best interior appointments in the industry. With five trim lines (ST, SLT, TRX, Sport and Laramie) and other feature configurations available in related packages, any potential Ram buyer can order an accurately customized ride.  In terms of organized storage, Ram provides more hiding places for stuff including a double-decker glove compartment and cavernous center console. The Ram, like every other truck on the road, has the full compliment of gadgetry.

Still, this comes down to luxury for both trucks. Don’t get us wrong – the F150 is more than a luxury truck with an excellent array of non-luxury options. However, if you’re comparing these two trucks in the first place, you’re probably more interested in luxury (that’s the Ram’s biggest advantage as we see it). The F150 tries mightily, but…

WINNER: Dodge concentrated on a posh interior, and when combined with the Ram’s superior cab feel and excellent array of storage options, the Ram is the winner.

EXTERIOR FEATURES:

Ford redesigned the look of the 2009 F-150, from stem to stern. The ½-ton now comes closer to both heavy-duty truck capability and aggressive looks. Depending on the trim line, you can trick out the F-150 for off-road, serious labor or suburbia. The bed rails come just below shoulder height for the average-sized guy, but Ford incorporated a fold-down step into the tailgate and optional box side steps for easier access. There’s also a cargo management system with dual-channel side rails and adjustable cleats that lock in place every 3.5-inches, plus a stowable bed extender.

Dodge revamped the looks on its Ram 1500 as well, retaining the unique Dodge-ness of the front grille, but giving it more of an attack stance. From the exterior, nobody’s going to accuse the 1500 of wimpiness. The only downside in the looks vs function category is the climb into the seats. Without the addition of step bars, only the LA Lakers will find the height of the 4×4 insignificant.

Dodge also included bed extenders and dividers for cargo hauling convenience. The double RamBox option with its ability to store and lock-up everything from tools to golf bags to a tailgate party worth of beer rates high on the cool scale.

Winner: Until proven otherwise, the RamBox puts Ram on top in this category. It’s a brilliant (but expensive) option. If you don’t want to pay for the RamBox, the F150 is remarkably similar.

SAFETY:

Remember when we said there wouldn’t be any more ties? These two trucks offer the same set of safety features – stability control, side airbags, 4-wheel ABS, etc. However, the similarities don’t extend to the crash tests. The IIHS (who we believe does a better job of accurately testing real-world crashes) rates the Ram as “good” in a head-on (same rating for the 09′ F150), but only “marginal” in a side-impact. The F150 is a Top Pick as far as the IIHS is concerned when it comes to safety, and we see no reason to disagree.

Winner: Ford. While the electronics and safety systems on both vehicles are strikingly similar, that does not translate to similar crash test results. IIHS ratings should be trusted ahead of NHTSA ratings, so Ford wins.

PRICE

Comparing two similar trucks – a 2009 F150 SuperCrew Platinum and a 2009 Ram Laramie Crew Cab – both 4×4’s with the big motor and the small bed, plus all the goodies (20″ rims, sunroofs, bucket seats, two tone paint, max towing, etc.) the two trucks came in close. The Ram had an MSRP of $47,120, the F150 $46,660. Right now both manufacturers are offering ridiculous discounts – the Ram is available with employee pricing, and Ford is advertising invoice pricing on their website. Both can be had for a steep discount, but that’s only half the picture.

Resale value is important as well. Edmunds.com rated the F150 as having the worst resale value of all half-ton pickups, but the Ram 1500 was close behind. All things considered, the F150 edges out the Ram because of the lower up-front pricing. However, depending upon the programs available, the higher MSRP of the Ram might be compensated by a larger rebate and/or discount.

Winner: F150. Assuming roughly equivalent incentives, the F150 is the slightly less expensive choice.

Next up, the final part of our comparison – Ride, Handling, and Comfort comparison of the F150 and Ram – as well as the overall winner.