We’re living in a golden age of off-road pickup trucks that you can buy straight from the factory, and the Ford F-150 Raptor and Ram 1500 TRX are the most high-profile examples. They’re similar in many respects and offer full-size truck utility combined with exceptional high-speed desert-running performance. But there are some differences that make each performance pickup unique. Which truck is the better buy? Edmunds’ experts break down the pros and cons of each to find out.
POWER AND ACCELERATION
The F-150 Raptor comes with a turbocharged V6 that generates an imminently respectable 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. But those numbers look almost quaint compared to what the Ram 1500 TRX is capable of. Its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 cranks out an incomparable 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. By normal performance truck standards, the Raptor’s engine produces a healthy amount of power, but it simply cannot touch the TRX’s output.
To get a sense of just how much more potent the TRX is, you need only look at the two trucks’ acceleration numbers. In Edmunds’ testing, the Raptor sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in a quick 5.8 seconds, but the TRX reached 60 mph more than a second quicker at 4.2 seconds. The TRX also sounds a lot cooler when you hammer the gas.
Winner: TRX