Three 2015 crew cab pickups-the Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Ford F-150-were recently put through a broad array of testing designed to evaluate the core uses of a truck owner by the editors of Motor Trend during their annual 1/2-ton shootout.
To determine a winner, the Motor Trend judges took the three competitors on a 260-mile drive through eastern California and western Arizona. Each truck’s performance was measured in a number of exercises, including:
- Standard testing (without load): 0-60 mph and 1/4-mile acceleration, 60-0 mph braking, and maximum lateral grip
- Limit handling (without load): closed-course cornering, braking and acceleration
- Tow testing with 7,000 pound trailer
- Payload testing with 1,000 pounds
- Fuel economy testing
After the data was collected, judges convened to determine which truck would be the victor of Motor Trend’s half-ton shootout. The winner is chosen by directly comparing empirical results and drive impressions of each truck.
With the votes cast, the Ram 1500 surfaced as the winner of Motor Trend’s 2015 half-ton pickup shootout.
Motor Trend’s editorial judges were particularly impressed with the performance of the Ram 1500’s EcoDiesel V-6 engine as well as its eight-speed TorqueFlite transmission, a combination that boasts best-in-class 28 mpg fuel economy.
Actual MPG testing during the shootout proved V-6 turbo nor V-8 gas-powered engines can match the EcoDiesel’s efficiency. Judges observed fuel economy of 22 mpg during 1,000-pound loaded testing over 260 miles.
Motor Trend’s Real MPG testing last year returned frugal stats: 19/26/21 mpg city/highway/combined for the Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4×4 with a 3.92 rear axle and an even more notable 18/28/22 for the Lone Star Crew Cab 4×2 with a 3.55 rear axle.
“Our comparison of the latest half-ton pickup trucks was as exhaustive as it was comprehensive, because this segment is so important and so competitive. We evaluated every aspect of these trucks we could and debated long and hard over their merits,” said Scott Evans, Associate Editor — Motor Trend Magazine.
“In the end, the Ram EcoDiesel’s excellent ride quality both loaded and empty, torquey engine, smooth and intelligent transmission, ease in towing, comfortable and refined interior, and best-in-test fuel economy proved the winning combination.”
