Comparing the 2020 Ram Big Horn Lonestar Edition with an F-150 XLT

Well it’s happened; my son’s lease came up on his beloved 2017 Ford F-150 XLT Sport CrewCab. So instead of purchasing it, (i.e. keeping it until the wheels fall off), he was at a crossroads with all the incentives the OEMs are offering during these turbulent times.

However, as much as he loved his F-150, upgrading to a similar 2020 wasn’t in the cards because of payments. So, his option through his leasing agent was to go for this Ram Big Horn Lonestar Edition.

Other than basic cosmetics, the two trucks are clones: both in a strikingly “cool” blue with black cloth interiors. Both say “Sport” on the sides of the cargo bed, which buys you a monochromatic paint scheme. Though Ram has a Tradesman’s edition (which competes head-to-head with the F-150 XL), the Big Horn pretty much competes with the XLT, especially when talking about the Sport package. The Ram even has a “quote” sportier version of the Big Horn, referred to as the “Night Edition”.

Ram has quite a nice selection of trim models, such as the Ram Rebel. In the more luxury segment, it has the Laramie (as well as the Laramie Longhorn) and Limited. Ram is teasing us with the TRX, which is intended to be a Raptor contender, with a supercharged Hemi. Take that, Ford.

My son’s previous Ford had the Coyote 5.0-liter V8, which his year model produced 385-hp at 387 lb.-ft. of torque. His new Ram has the 5.7-liter Hemi, which produces 395-hp at 410 lb.-ft. of torque. He seems to think his old Coyote engine outperforms the Hemi, the jury is still out for me. However, the bigger objection is the silly rotary shift selector found on the dash. He absolutely loved the F-150’s console shift selector, that for all intents and purposes had a launch control feature, although it was designed more for towing. However, the Ram’s center console has a massive amount of storage, with compartmentalized cubie holds. If one must live with this stupid rotary shifter the Ram should at least have paddle shifters, especially with a Hemi. (Note: the Chrysler 300 has the rotary switch, whereas the Dodge Charger has a real shift level, as well as paddle shifters).

Speaking of towing, with a Class IV receiver hitch his previous F-150 could handle 10,100 pounds and haul up to 3,270 pounds. The 2020 F-150, equipped the same way can tow 11,500 pounds and haul up to the same 3,270 pounds, whereas the Ram with the Hemi can handle 11,600 pounds and haul up to 1,930 pounds, which is a significant shortcoming, but not necessarily a concern of his. The optional 5.7-liter Hemi e-Torque will handle 12,750 pounds, with a 2,300-maximum payload.

Transmissions have been upgraded since his 2017 model. The new F-150 is now equipped with a 10-speed automatic (as opposed to his 6-speed), which was co-developed with GM. However, the Ram has an amazing ZF 8-speed, which performs just as well.

While feature for feature they are pretty much equal, there are a few shortcomings. First is (with the F-150’s 302A group), Ford’s My Ford Sync infotainment system, which though the screen size is 7 inches, on the Ram it’s 8.4-inches; yet his new truck wasn’t equipped with built-in navigation, which is an upgrade. In order to make this infotainment system work with Nav, one needs a smart phone using Apple Car Play. Granted, he would have loved to have gotten Ram’s new 12-inch infotainment system, however that’s only offered on the Laramie trim and above.

The other shortcomings include the fact that the Ram doesn’t offer a 120v. plug in the front, as well as an inverter in the rear, as does the F-150. Nor with the 302A package, the Ram does not have a power operated passenger seat, running boards or LED cargo lights fixed into the bed. And last, but not least, are the expected safety features. The Ram lacks the backup sensors found on the Ford. However, neither vehicle has front sensors, blind spot monitors or Passive Active Cruise Control.

As far as fuel economy and storage, the two are fairly equal in mileage, which is 15/22/25 city/combine/hwy for the Ram, and 17/19/22 for the Ford, even though the 2020 model is rated at 17/19/23. However extra fuel capacity is 36-gallons for the Ford, and 33-gallons for the Ram. My son had to give up his 36-gallon tank for the Ram’s standard 26 gallons. And another item that just incenses my son, as well as myself, is the stop-start feature of the 2018-present Ford trucks. At least this Ram doesn’t have this “inconvenient” feature; however, the option 5.7-liter e-Torque does.

However, on the plus side, the Ram does have push-start, whereas the F-150 XLT still takes a key (an obvious omission in my opinion). Yet the Ram doesn’t have the pushbutton keypad on the B-Pillar Post like the Ford, not even a touch feature on the door handle; everything is done through the key FOB. The Ram includes an electronic parking brake, whereas the F-150 keeps using the old fashioned foot suppressed unit. And not that this is a big deal, but the Ram doesn’t have an antenna sticking out from the right fender, which I applaud FCA for ditching, like passenger cars and sport ‘Utes. Remember the days when antennas could be cool?

In its defense, the Ram has a much smoother ride, thanks in part to rear coil springs instead of leaf springs. Also helping the situation is the Big Horn’s massive 20-inch chrome (or Black) alloy wheels, mounted on Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza 275/60R20 all-season radials.. The wheel package is certainly more impressive than his previous F-150’s 18-inch alloy “Sport” wheels, although they were nothing to sneeze at. In fact, at 46k miles they still had a lot of life left.

The Ram also has another feature that I like, and that is all Hemi-powered models have twin chrome exhaust tips that protrude out the rear under the bumper. I so wished my son’s F-150 had that, especially it being a Coyote V8.

Talking numbers, his previous Ford did have a higher window sticker (in the mid-50s range), though he got a fantastic deal back then. In its defense, the Ram has a more attractive $47,000 sticker, which with the Big Horn Level 1 adds $1,300, plus the Longhorn Package $1,295, remote start $245, and Weather Tech-like rubber floor mats $135, the Hemi $1,495 and 20-inch chrome cladded alloys, $1,595. Take all those option into account with a base sticker of $39,140, plus $1,695 in designation charge, and that gets you the $47k.

After doing the math, again, my son thought this was his best fiscal option. He should be in this Ram for at least another three years. By then, hopefully his income will have improved and whether he likes the Ram or wants to get back into the Ford is anyone’s guess.

Though the competition is worth a look, one cannot knock that the Ram has won Motor Trend Magazine’s “Best Truck” for two years straight; that’s saying a lot for a truck that only came head-to-head with the major competition since the earlier 1990s.