​If you're shopping for a full-size truck, you face a tough choice between the 2026 Ram 1500 vs. the Toyota Tundra. These two popular pickups bring different strengths to the table. Ram leads with raw performance and luxury touches, while Toyota banks on its reliability and strong resale value. Our team at Huffines Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (CJDR) Plano has broken down everything you need to know about capability, tech features, and overall value to help you pick the right truck for your needs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Price and Trim Levels
The 2026 Toyota Tundra SR starts at $41,260, while the Ram 1500 Tradesman starts at $41,575. Toyota offers the Tundra in 10 options: the SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794 Edition, Limited i-FORCE MAX, Platinum i-FORCE MAX, 1794 Edition i-FORCE MAX, TRD Pro, and Capstone. The Ram 1500 also comes in 10 trim levels: the Tradesman, Express, Warlock, Big Horn, Laramie, Rebel, RHO, Limited, Limited Longhorn, and Tungsten.
Both full-size trucks offer multiple cab and bed configurations for different hauling needs.
Engine Performance and Powertrain Analysis
The Ram 1500 offers engine options for everyone. The base 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 with eTorque (305 horsepower, 269 lb-ft of torque) handles daily driving just fine. If you want some V-8 rumble, the 5.7-liter HEMI with eTorque (395 horsepower, 410 lb-ft of torque) returns for the 2026 RAM 1500. The Hurricane twin-turbo I-6 engines steal the show with 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque with the standard engine or 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of torque with the high-output version.
Toyota keeps it simpler in the Tundra. The i-FORCE twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 makes 358 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque in base SR models, with higher trims getting 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. The i-FORCE MAX hybrid delivers 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque with better fuel economy. All Tundras use 10-speed automatics vs. the Ram 1500's eight-speed, making everyday driving smoother. Recently, however, certain Tundra models have been affected by an engine recall due to issues with internal components, so owners are encouraged to check with their dealerships for any necessary inspections or repairs.
The fuel efficiency of the Ram 1500 vs. Tundra is closely matched. The Tundra hybrid hits 20 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, while the Ram 1500's V-6 manages 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.
Towing and Payload Capabilities
The Tundra's 12,000-pound maximum towing capacity barely edges out the Ram's 11,610 pounds of towing capacity, although both trucks fall behind the competition. The Ford F-150 leads the half-ton class with 14,000 pounds of pulling power, with the Chevrolet Silverado close behind at 13,300 pounds. So, while the Toyota-Ram rivalry is tight, neither one takes the towing crown. Still, both trucks can easily handle most regular towing jobs, including boats, campers, and utility trailers.
The Ram 1500 clearly wins the payload battle with a hefty 2,360-pound capacity compared to the Tundra's 1,850 pounds. That's 510 extra pounds of concrete bags, lumber, or whatever you need to haul in the bed. If you're a contractor, landscaper, or weekend DIYer who loads up regularly, that extra capacity makes a real difference day to day. It also gives you more wiggle room for adding accessories without maxing out your weight limits.
Interior Comfort and Technology Features
The Ram 1500 Crew Cab provides 45.2 inches of rear legroom vs. the Tundra's 41.6 inches. The Ram also offers 39.8 inches of rear headroom compared to the Tundra's 38.5 inches. That extra space can make a big difference on long drives. The Ram seats six with a front bench or five with bucket seats, while the Tundra maxes out at five across Double and CrewMax cabs.
Both trucks offer solid tech. The Ram 1500 provides a 12-inch standard screen or 14.4-inch Uconnect 5 touch screen with an optional 10.25-inch passenger display and 12-inch digital cluster display. The Tundra counters with 8-inch or 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia systems and 4.2-inch or 12.3-inch driver displays.
Off-Road Capability and Performance
The Ram 1500 RHO trim wins the ground clearance battle with an impressive 11.8 inches compared to the Tundra's 9.4 inches. When you're crawling over rocks or through muddy ruts, that extra 2.4 inches makes a huge difference in keeping your undercarriage scratch-free.
Both trucks ditch old-school leaf springs for coil-spring rear suspension, giving them a much smoother ride than trucks of yesteryear. The Tundra uses a multilink rear setup with double wishbone front design that feels planted on pavement. The TRD Pro version comes with fancy 2.5-inch FOX internal bypass shocks that lift the front by 1.1 inches for better off-road geometry.
Safety Technology and Driver Assistance
Toyota loads every Tundra with its Safety Sense 2.5 package. Even base models get automatic high-beams and lane departure warning with steering assist standard. Higher trims (Limited and up) add blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and trailer detection. This all-inclusive approach means budget-conscious buyers still get advanced safety tech without having to spring for pricier models.
Ram and Toyota share many similar safety features, such as forward collision warnings, blind-spot systems, and surround cameras. Ram offers an optional hands-free active driving assist for highway cruising that can reduce fatigue on long trips. Meanwhile, Toyota includes dynamic radar cruise control standard across the board. Both trucks take safety seriously, but Toyota gives you more standard equipment at lower price points.
Which Full-Size Truck Delivers the Best Value?
Choosing your perfect truck from the Toyota Tundra vs. Ram 1500 depends on your priorities. The Tundra comes with a hybrid option, more standard safety equipment, and Toyota's known reliability. However, the Ram 1500's massive payload advantage, more engine options, higher ground clearance, and comfortable interior make it a compelling choice. If you're still not sure whether to choose the Tundra or Ram, visit our Huffines CJDR Plano dealership to take the 2026 Ram 1500 for a test-drive. Nothing beats hands-on experience when you're choosing a new truck.