Is the Sierra right for you?

Which full-size pickup to buy? Every future pickup owner has to struggle with that, and the GMC Sierra 1500 and Dodge Ram 1500 don't make that question any easier. If you're between the two, here's where they vary, where they're the same, and where that might make a difference.

Where They're Similar
The truth is that in some respects, it can be a little difficult to tell the difference between the Sierra and the Ram on paper and a lot comes down to personal preference. Both, for example, have three engine options to fit each budget, ranging from the smaller engine for smaller jobs to bigger engines for hard work. The Dodge Ram does have a V8 Hemi, while the Sierra has a slightly beefier EcoTech3 V8, but they're so close to each other in horsepower and torque it's not going to make a real difference unless raw numbers are all you care about.

Both are also quite comfortable for pickups, with crew cabs. They have roughly the same fuel efficiency, although if you're careful you can find more gains for your gas with the manual transmission of the Dodge Ram. And both have loads and loads of options dripping from every facet of the truck, from in-dash entertainment to styling options to upholstery. These are essentially the top of the line trucks from both manufacturers, and they've got the goodies to reflect that.

The big difference, in the cosmetic stuff, is aesthetics. The Dodge Ram 1500 looks a bit more like a workhorse, while the GMC Sierra is a bit fancier, leaving the gruffer look to its little brother the Chevrolet Silverado. So when you get into the nitty-gritty, where are the big differences?

The Ram is a good truck, but behind on safety.

Where They're Different
There's really only two key differences, but unfortunately, one is a fairly big one and a potential dealbreaker: Safety. To be clear, the Dodge Ram 1500 is very much up to the standard when it comes to safety. It's got all the standard safety features, like airbags, traction and stability control, and trailer sway control to prevent whatever you're towing from becoming a menace.

The issue many critics had, though, is two-fold. The first is that the GMC Sierra simply performed better, overall, on IIHS and federal crash tests than the Dodge Ram, and the second is that the Sierra has better safety options that the Ram doesn't currently offer, although the Sierra drew a "Poor" rating for its child seat anchors. For example, you can get automatic emergency braking on the Sierra; you can't on the Ram. As that option saves more lives and becomes more of a safety standard, that's going to be a big drawback for the Ram.

That said, the other item in play is the price. The Ram is roughly between $1000 and $2000 cheaper than a comparable Sierra, depending on options and other choices, and that might make a difference to budget-conscious buyers.

Which To Choose?
The short answer is that if you need the cutting edge of safety, the Sierra is a better choice, but if you need a full-size at a slightly lower price, the Ram is your truck. Otherwise, though, you should test drive each to see which is truly right for you. So start today:subscribe to get alerts on vehicles in your area.