2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD vs. 2018 RAM 3500
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The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD was deemed 2018’s best pickup truck, with critics giving it an overall rating of 4.5 stars. Truck lovers typically hail the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD as a great choice for a pickup truck. It does, in fact, have an impressive towing capacity, due to its optional DuRAMax diesel engine and a hefty Allison transmission. This combination allows the Silverado to beat horsepower and torque records: 445 hp/ 910 lb-ft.
Even though it ended up with a lower rating from critics, three stars, the 2018 RAM 3500 is considered comparable to the Silverado in power and capability. Critics aren’t crazy about it undergoing very few changes to the exterior, but it’s still considered quite heavy-duty, with its traditional build. The 2018 RAM 3500 does beat out the Silverado with 930 lb-ft of torque which is due to the strength of its Cummins diesel engine. So, if power is what you are looking for over style, you will be pleased with the RAM’s towing capacity which is a staggering 31,210 pounds. But ultimately, the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD is deemed more sophisticated and technologically up to date than the 2018 RAM 3500.
For pickup trucks, the battle between the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD vs. 2018 RAM 3500 is a close one. However, many drivers and critics note that the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD performs well in the majority of categories when compared to the 2018 RAM 3500. If you’re trying to decide which of these incredibly capable pickup trucks is right for you, it will ultimately come down to which factors you prioritize the most for your next vehicle. So, be sure to take a look at the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD and the 2018 RAM 3500 compared across a few of the most important categories.
Safety
2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD scored four stars in the safety department. However, in order to get your hands on all of Chevrolet’s available safety feature, consumers would have to purchase the top two trims. If they do so, they will have a fully featured system of cameras for heightened visibility. Available also is Teen Driver mode, tire-pressure monitoring, and a tire-fill alert feature. One of the elements of safety that consumers appreciate is the attachment of LATCH anchors to secure car seats, which is a Chevrolet standard.
2018 RAM 3500
Critics were disappointed with the lack of safety features for the 2018 RAM 3500, calling them “scant.” The 3500 only has available a backup camera, mostly used for trailering and towing. Scoring only 2.5 stars, it’s clear that Chevrolet bested RAM in their ability to provide what drivers require for safety, security, and peace of mind.
EPA
Critics gave the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD a 4.5-star rating in fuel-efficiency. The Silverado is stand-out in this regard because most work pickups are not qualified to be tested for real-world efficiency. The Silverado is surprisingly able to maintain great mileage numbers despite its heft and heavy torque. Class-leading, the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD scored 19 mpg highway. The 2018 RAM 3500 was also tested for real-world efficiency, though didn’t stand up to the Silverado. Unfortunately, critics were forced to give the RAM 3 stars for a fuel-efficiency rating having only scored 14 mpg highway.
Engines
2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD is known for its power, getting more horsepower with its Duramax engine and Allison transmission than other engines available. Its original V8 engine was only getting 360 horsepower and 380-lb-feet of torque. Surprisingly fuel-efficient, both engines are crowd-pleasing and usually enough power to provide the class-leading hauling capability. However, the 2018 RAM 3500 somehow manages to beat the Chevrolet Silverado in power and towing capability.
2018 RAM 3500
The Cummins engine outshines the Duramax, providing a startling 925 lb-ft of torque. If that number gives you a double-take, it should. The 2018 RAM 3500 has notably beat out the competition in this area. Keep in mind also that the RAM 3500 is also available with a 30,000-pound towing capacity.
Infotainment
2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
Another area where the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD shines is the infotainment department. This is something that customers are looking for more and more in sports-utility vehicles and work pickups. Chevrolet definitely provided the best and critics noticed, giving the Silverado’s infotainment five stars. Chevrolet pulled out all the stops. Connectivity and response times are what customers are looking for specifically, and the Silverado has both with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto at the heart of it. The best part of Chevrolet’s infotainment is the standard 7.0-inch MyLink touchscreen. This is an interactive, fun and colorful display that will become irreplaceable to drivers once experienced.
2018 RAM 3500
RAM does stand up to the competition, providing an exciting Uconnect system that rivals MyLink. In fact, the available Uconnect touchscreen is an amazing 8.4-inch touchscreen. Critics consider this system five stars as well, fully loaded with 4G LTE, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and HD radio.
Interior
2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD is the leader when it comes to style meeting innovation. Customers and critics both like that it is leading in its class in regard to both interior and exterior design. It isn’t common for designers to take pains to make the interior layout of a work pickup vehicle comfortable and stylish, but that’s just what Chevrolet decided to do. Often when shopping for a vehicle consumers will pay a large amount of attention to the interior, especially if they know they will be spending a great deal of time inside that vehicle. That’s why Chevrolet made the interior of the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD spacious, luxurious, intuitive, and functional. The space it provides for both precious cargo stands out from the crowd.
Critics especially rave about the Silverado’s two available bed lengths, where customers can choose from either the 6.6-foot or 8.0-foot bed. The interior space also includes a much needed and very large console, door pockets, a rear seat hidden compartment.
2018 RAM 3500
Unfortunately, this is where the 2018 RAM 3500 fails to compete. The interior is slightly spacious, but its design is considered stale by critics. Giving it only three stars, testers were disappointed by both the lack of innovation to design and RAM’s inability to compete with other class-leading pickups. To put it lightly, the 2018 RAM 3500 was due for a major interior redesign but failed to receive one for 2018.
Exterior
2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
On the exterior, the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD has the toughness and boldness that drivers are looking for in their pickup truck. The grille is both commanding and aggressive, while the rest of the vehicle flows with smooth, sleek lines. The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD offers potential buyers a plethora of options when it comes to exterior customization including 13 exciting, classic, and standout colors:
- Black
- Cajun Red Tintcoat
- Centennial Blue Metallic
- Deep Ocean Blue Metallic
- Graphite Metallic
- Havana Metallic
- Iridescent Pearl Tricoat
- Red Hot
- Silver Ice Metallic
- Summit White
- Tangier Orange
- Wheatland Yellow
- Woodland Green
The exterior color options available to you will vary depending on the trim level that you decide on for your 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD. Speaking of trim, the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD is available in a variety of trim levels including:
- WT
- LS
- 1LT
- 2LT
- 1LZ
- 2LZ
- High Country
Each trim level offers drivers a variety of customization options throughout all aspects of the vehicle, which means you can truly make your 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD exactly how you’d like it to be.
2018 RAM 3500
The exterior of the 2018 RAM 3500 is off-putting to many drivers and critics. This is due largely to its unattractive grille, and lack of sleek design features present throughout the exterior of the vehicle. However, the 2018 RAM 3500 does come available in an abundance of exterior color options including:
- Black Clearcoat
- Blue Streak Pearlcoat
- Bright Green
- Bright Red
- Construction Yellow
- Hills Green
- Omaha Orange
- Tree Green
- Robin Egg Blue
- Granite Crystal Metallic Clearcoat
- And several more!
While a variety of color options is generally a good thing, some drivers may feel overwhelmed by the number of color options available on the 2018 RAM 3500 – a whopping 30+ options. When it comes to trim levels, the 2018 RAM 3500 gives drivers less options than the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD with only four available trims:
- Tradesman
- SLT
- LaRAMie
- LaRAMie Longhorn
Overall, drivers are sure to be pleased with the exterior customization options available for the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD, as well as the design elements present on the base trim of this model.