After having owned 15 Fords (10 F150s, a Ranger and 4 mustangs), when I went looking for a new truck last week, I came home in a Ram. I drove a 17 F150 STX 5.0 crew cab, a 17 GMC Sierra Elevation 5.3 extended cab, and a 17 Ram Lone star 5.7 Crew cab.
My last F150 was a 2014 Tremor, which is a regular cab short bed 3.5 Ecoboost with 4.10 gears and full upgraded FX2 interior. After having owned a truck in the same configuration but with a 5.0 and 3.55 gears, I hated the ecoboost. The 5.0 was faster, pulled harder, and got better gas mileage. Both were tuned, the 5.0 running an 87 octane performance/tow tune, and the 3.5 with a 93 octane performance only tune, both from the same tuner. For what I like in a truck, the ecoboost just didn't do it for me. I don't tow much of anything (I've used a trailer probably 3 times in the last 5 years), so that aspect just isn't a necessity for me.
The GMC was nice, and I tried to make it work, but the dealership wasn't willing to work with me at all. I was on my way home from work the next day to take all of my stuff out of my truck and go buy the F150 when I pulled into the dodge dealership on a whim. I drove 3 of them, one with the 5.7 with 3.21 gears, one V6 (not intentionally, didn't notice till I took off and it felt like a gutless ****, and neither did the salesman), and one with the 5.7 with 3.92 gears. I ended up buying that one. It has the captains chairs with the full console, 8.4 unconnect with nav and Alpine system. The alpine system is one of the best factory systems I've heard. The only vehicle I've had that came close was a Hyyundai Genesis coupe with an Infinity system in it. I didn't opt for leather because it would have pushed me into a different trim that I didn't care for and I can always get Clazzio covers or Katskins covers later if I want.
The Ram is just more comfortable all around. The front seats feel bigger and more comfortable. The Back seat in the F150 is definitely bigger, but I don't plan to ride back there, and there's more than enough room for who ever does, so I'm not worried about that. As far as ride quality, there is no comparison between the 3. The ram is the smoothest riding truck I've ever sat in, and it's not even close. They definitely got the suspension right, as long as the reduced payload doesn't bother you. for me, I don't use my truck for work, it is my daily driver and makes the occasional run to home depot, but typically in the bed is just my golf clubs and fishing stuff. I had honestly never driven a ram before, and after my test drive, you see where I wound up.
The 5.0 in the F150 is very much comparable to the 5.7 as far as actual performance from the drivers seat. The only things I'm concerned with regarding the ram are the transmission horror stories (one of my good friends was a service manager at a local dodge dealer for a while) and the MDS. Nothing inherently wrong with the MDS, I haven't heard any horror stories about it, I'm just not a fan of the idea of the system, and it is just another complicated electrical system that could have problems down the road. since it can be shut off with the push of one button, I'm not overly concerned about it.
As for looks, I actually think the GMC is the best looking of the lot. I also like that HID headlights are standard on them. I cant for the life of me understand why Ford and Dodge cant follow suit on that. Hell, I don't understand why EVERY car cant follow suit on that. They are just far superior in regards to visibility at night than any halogen offering, and I would think you shouldn't have to buy the most expensive truck on the lot just to be able to see at night.
Just one man's perspective. After 22 years of Fords (with the exception of one Hyundai in the mix), I wound up with a Ram for the comfort and ride quality. Engines were a wash, price was close enough to not be much of a consideration (this ram was actually $2k more than the F150 I looked at), and options were similar with the exception of nav and the upgraded sound system.
