The full-sized pickup truck market is booming, making it difficult for Indianapolis area drivers to determine which light-duty truck is both tough enough to tackle their workload, but comfortable enough to drive every day. Both the new Ram 1500 and new Chevy Silverado 1500 are popular models that shoppers often consider. We’ve put together this head-to-head comparison to determine which is the most capable truck in the Indianapolis area.
There are numerous combinations of cab size, bed length, and drivetrain for both pickups, so for the sake of this comparison we will judge a single configuration from the lineup of each truck.
- Crew cab
- Standard box
- 4WD
- V8 engine
2017 Ram 1500 vs. 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500: Performance Comparison
As you can clearly see in the table below, when it comes to robust power and seamless shifting, the 2017 Ram 1500 has the Chevy Silverado 1500 beat. Not satisfied with simply being a towing vehicle either, the 2017 Ram 1500 is equipped with heavy duty shock absorbers and a multilink rear suspension to keep driving on the daily comfortable as any car.
| Model |
2017 Ram 1500 Big Horn |
2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 LT |
| Engine |
5.7L HEMI® V8 |
5.3L EcoTec3® V8 |
| Horsepower |
395 HP |
355 HP |
| Upholstery |
Cloth |
Leather |
| Torque |
410 lb.-ft. |
383 lb.-ft. |
| Transmission |
Eight-speed automatic |
Six-speed automatic |
| Maximum Towing* |
9,830 lbs. |
9,100 lbs. |
*When properly equipped
2017 Ram 1500 vs. 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500: Convenience Features
There are lots of small ways in which your pickup can make both your job and your daily life easier and more enjoyable, and the Ram 1500 goes further than the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in that regard. For a full explanation of the many convenience features found in the 2017 Ram 1500 you can take a test drive with one of the product specialists at Champion Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, but we’ve highlighted a few of our favorites below.
- Both trucks offer under seat storage, but the Ram includes an available watertight storage compartment under the rear floor and the RamBox® in-bed storage compartments.
- Both feature folding rear seats, but the Ram 1500 can be configured with a flat-folding load floor.
- The 2017 Ram 1500 is available with a 115-V auxiliary power outlet to charge your laptop, power tools, and more.
- Indianapolis area drivers can equip their Ram 1500 with a full-size spare tire to save them when they are far from a tire shop.
- Silverado 1500 owners will enjoy three months of free SiriusXM® radio, while the Ram 1500 is available with a one-year subscription, as well as five years of SiriusXM® Traffic and SiriusXM® Travel Link which provide real-time traffic and weather updates, directions, gas prices, sports scores, and more.
2017 Ram 1500 vs. 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500: Safety and Security Comparison
Both the 2017 Ram 1500 and the 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500 make use of extensive airbags and other safety equipment including four-wheel antilock disc brakes. However, once again the 2017 Ram 1500 is more innovative in providing drivers in the Indianapolis area with much better safety features.
- 2017 Ram 1500 models equipped with the Uconnect® Access telematics system can connect to 911 operators with the touch of a button.
- Sentry Key®, found only on the Ram 1500, prevents would-be thieves from starting up your truck with an unauthorized key.
- The Ram truck’s front and rear parking sensors and rearview camera are available more affordably than similar systems on the Chevrolet Silverado.
And the Winner Is…The 2017 Ram 1500
If you are interested in test driving the new 2017 Ram 1500 in any trim level or size configuration, we invite you to visit our Ram dealership in Indianapolis, IN. Starting at just $26,295 MSRP, the 2017 Ram 1500 is endlessly configurable but always capable. Contact a product specialist by phone at (317) 982-5944 or with our online contact form if you have any additional questions.
