2021 Ram 1500 vs GMC Sierra
There’s nothing like that exhilarating feeling of getting behind the wheel of a powerful pickup truck and taking on the streets of Hamilton, Madison, and Smyrna, NY. When you’re looking for something with advanced powertrain, safety, and technology features, two vehicles you may be considering are the Ram 1500 and the GMC Sierra.
Here at Friendly Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Hamilton, we wanted to help you every step of the way through the car-buying journey, and we know that starts right here with the research process. That’s why we created this 2021 Ram 1500 vs. 2021 GMC Sierra comparison review, so you can figure out which is the right choice for your lifestyle! Now, let’s dive right in and see how these two stack up against each other.
Ram 1500 Research
Ram Vehicle Comparisons
Towing Power of the 2021 Ram 1500 and GMC Sierra
If you’re shopping for a pickup, then you need a vehicle that can tow. With at least one V8 engine available in either the Ram 1500 or GMC Sierra, you know that you can expect plenty of strength from either truck. Take a look at their maximum towing capacities below:
- Ram 1500 towing capacity: 12,750 pounds
- GMC Sierra towing capacity: 11,800 pounds
With an extra 950 pounds of towing capability, the Ram 1500 may be able to bring a little more with it, while you’ll be leaving a few things behind in the GMC Sierra. However, when you’re hitching up, an available rearview camera in either truck makes this simple to do. They even include multiple views so that you can get a good look at how your hitch is aligned with your trailer.
As you’re cruising down the roadways of upstate New York, you may find that changing lanes is a bit easier to do in the Ram. That’s because the Ram 1500 comes with an available Blind Spot Monitoring system with Trailer Detection. This system alerts you to vehicles in your side blind spot and extends that coverage along the length of your trailer.
The GMC pickup also has an available blind spot monitoring system, but it doesn’t account for the space next to your trailer.
Driver-Assistive Systems
Speaking of blind spot monitoring, both the Ram 1500 and GMC Sierra offer a whole host of driver-assistive systems that are designed to help you stay safe and aware when you’re out and about. Features you’ll find in both trucks include:
- Smart cruise control
- Forward collision warnings
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane keeping
They also both include a highly useful feature that turns your rearview mirror into a video feed of the area outside your rear window when activated. This gives you a clear view of what’s behind you as you drive, even if you’re loaded up to the max and have cargo blocking your rear window.
Once you reach your destination, both the Ram and GMC can help you park your truck with available front and rear parking sensors. The Ram 1500, however, is the only truck in this comparison to also include available Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist.
Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist takes the wheel for you to help you maneuver into a difficult parking space. Simply follow the prompts to shift, accelerate, and brake, and let your Ram do the rest! Unfortunately, the GMC truck doesn’t have a comparable feature.
Cargo and Payload in the Ram 1500 and GMC Sierra
You know that it’s important to make sure that your truck has the ability to carry any cargo you may need it to. With several bed options in either the Ram or GMC, your truck shouldn’t have a problem fitting everything into its box. We get a different story when we consider how much weight either truck can carry, though:
- 2021 Ram 1500 payload capacity: 2,300 pounds
- 2021 GMC Sierra payload capacity: 2,000 pounds
As you can see, the Ram 1500 has a payload capacity that’s 300 pounds higher than the GMC Sierra. It’s still important to note that loading cargo into the bed is equally as easy no matter which truck you’re driving, since both feature a versatile tailgate with multiple functions.
For example, the available Multifunction Tailgate in the Ram has a 60/40 split design that allows it to open side to side like a door, or vertically like a traditional tailgate. The GMC tailgate also includes multiple functions, but it doesn’t open side to side like the tailgate in the Ram.
The Ram 1500 also includes the RamBox® Cargo Management System as an optional feature. This places two waterproof cargo boxes into the walls of the bed so that you can bring along smaller items without taking away from the cargo space inside your box. This is a Ram-exclusive feature that you won’t find in the GMC Sierra.
Technology Features: Ram vs GMC
Next, we’ll head right inside the interior cabin and check out the innovative technology features offered. This category is important because these features will help you stay entertained no matter how long the drive ahead.
In the 2021 Ram 1500, you’ll find the available Uconnect® 12.0 with Navigation, which includes a 12-inch touchscreen with a customizable home screen with split-screen capability, pinch and zoom technology, and physical controls.
The Ram 1500 also comes with available Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration, which allows you to easily connect your smartphone to the audio system, so you can stream music and podcasts, make phone calls, send texts, and access your apps, all through your available 12-inch touchscreen.
With the 2021 GMC Sierra, drivers also get the available Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ systems, so they’re sure to stay well connected. However, the largest touchscreen infotainment system available maxes out at just eight inches, which means your available GPS directions may be more difficult to see while you drive the GMC pickup.
Ram 1500 vs GMC Sierra Trim Levels
Before we close out this Ram 1500 vs. GMC Sierra comparison, let’s check out the different trim levels available for both models. The 2021 Ram 1500 comes in eight different trim levels:
- Tradesman
- Big Horn
- Lone Star
- Laramie
- Rebel®
- Laramie Longhorn
- Limited
- TRX
With this many trims available to you, it’ll be easy to find a truck that perfectly meets your needs. The 2021 GMC Sierra falls a bit short, providing only six trim levels: the Sierra, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, and Denali. So, if you’re shopping for the GMC, you may be less likely to find the exact configuration that meets your needs.
The Verdict: 2021 Ram 1500 vs 2021 GMC Sierra
While both of these highly capable trucks are a great choice for taking on the Hamilton, Madison, and Smyrna, NY, areas, there’s a clear winner. The 2021 Ram 1500 outperforms the 2021 GMC Sierra in crucial categories like towing, payload, and connectivity.
Here at Friendly Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Hamilton, we’re dedicated to providing our drivers with a fun and informative car-buying experience. To learn more about our winning pickup or to schedule a test drive for the Ram 1500, call or stop by today!