by James Hamel

Created on: November 05, 2010

Earlier this year during a full week of testing a 2010 Toyota Tundra we also drove it back to back with the all-new 2010 Dodge Ram. We tested two 4-wheel drive equipped variants both with four doors and hugely powerful 5.7 liter V8 engines. Their full names were (take a breath now) the 2010 Toyota Tundra Limited Crewmax 4x4 and the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Crewcab 4x4.

To be quite frank this was one of the hardest comparison tests we have ever had to do. Both of these trucks had individual strengths that help give them immense amounts of real life appeal. They were luxuriously equipped yet from behind the wheel they made us feel just a little bit manly. Not that there is any aspect of these high utility monster trucks that precludes them from female ownership.

In this test we had to add a few categories just to give you the most detailed explanation of which truck might suit your needs best. So, while our choice wound up being the ones you would make, our choice was the one we always wanted to take on a pleasure drive given the choice.

Exterior Styling

Both of these full size pickup trucks take very different approaches to exterior design. The Dodge Ram is more traditionally styled and just a little bit brash with its long hood and huge grille. The Toyota has a shorter hood (which some truck owners we spoke to didn’t like) and more elegant detailing like the chrome door handles and side mirrors (Limited model only).

Quite frankly, we felt the Toyota was more stylish because it looked like a truck you could take anywhere. The Tundra was more understated and therefore would fit in just as easily on a construction site as it would the parking lot of your favorite fancy restaurant. (Advantage: Toyota Tundra)

Interior

The 2010 Dodge Ram’s interior really is a revelation if you ever spent time in the interior of the last generation model. Where there was once brittle plastic and switchgear from the generations old Dodge Neon, there is now soft touch plastic, chrome ringed dials and elegant switchgear. There are also plenty of storage cubbies and the rear seat is now easy to access thanks to larger rear doors on the Crewcab variant.

But the Toyota has it trumped thanks to its sumptuous leather upholstery (the Dodge had cloth seats), expansive rear legroom, reclining rear seatbacks and the fact that it came equipped with a back-up camera (the Dodge had no back-up camera and instead uses a rear parking sensor).

 The Toyota’s Bluetooth connectivity

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>