2008 Tundra vs. 2009 Dodge Ram Part Two – Features and Pricing

The second part of our 2008 Tundra vs 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 comparison will compare the relative costs of the two trucks and available features for both. If you haven’t already read part one of our 2009 Dodge Ram Tundra comparison – Mechanicals – you might want to.

INTERIOR:

The Ram Laramie cab is exquisite – wood grain, everything within easy reach and the peripheral vision is perfect. There’s a full-on vehicle information center between the speedometer and tach that shows temperature, miles to empty, odometer, and the radio station ID. Controls on the steering wheel let you scroll up and down for even more info. It’s got Bluetooth technology, stores photos, playlists, maps and, oh yeah, there’s the GPS with turn-by-turn guidance in three languages.  The storage alternatives are mind boggling: double-decker glove compartment (wonder where they got that idea?), nooks and crannies everywhere. The roomy center console opens to a tray, then opens even more to a bottomless pit. There are storage compartments in the Crew Cab back floor with plastic liners so you can empty out the crumbs or use it as an ice chest.

Our test Tundra (an SR5) didn’t have the luxurious finishes of the Ram. The smaller recessed gauges disappear as soon as you put on sun glasses and the stereo system controls, while within easy reach, lie just outside comfortable peripheral vision. It’s more difficult to determine exactly where the front of the truck ends too (for drivers new to the Tundra), but it’s definitely something you’ll get used to. Still, our freelance contributor Dan Murhpy found it a bit disconcerting pulling out of a crowded lot. The Tundra has many of the same storage and technology features (except for Dodge’s UConnect system, which is amazing as well), but Dodge’s top quality interior is excellent. Dodge is even offering heated rear seats in the top-end Laramie edition. It’s gimmicky, but if you’re looking to one-up your fellow truck owners, it’s a good feature to buy.

Winner: Ram. Before Daimler sold off Chrylser, they must have transferred some of the interior designers from Mercedes over to Dodge. It’s that good. UConnect is just icing on the cake.

EXTERIOR:

The new Ram offers many of the same options and features as the Tundra, as well as quite a few different color and trim options that Toyota simply can’t match. The new Ram Box, for example, is a smart feature that seems obvious. We also appreciate the Ram’s standard dual exhaust. However, the devil is in the details. The Ram doesn’t offer an aggressive rear end standard – you have to pay $375 extra for a taller 3.92 rear with “anti-spin” technology. Toyota’s electronic LSD 4.30 rear is standard. Same goes for a heavy-duty hitch – Dodge charges an extra $335 for that feature while Toyota offers it standard. Finally, and perhaps most amazingly, the new 2009 Ram doesn’t come standard with a transfer case shield or tow hooks! That’s another $130.

The new Ram looks great too – Dodge certainly knows how to design a good looking truck.

Winner: The Ram but it’s very close to a tie. The new Ram Box feature is cool and the standard dual exhaust just makes sense, however, if you don’t want to pay for the Ram Box (about $2k) then the Toyota matches up perfectly well.

SAFETY:

The Ram has certainly improved – electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, and side curtain and side airbags are now standard. The Ram also includes trailer sway control as a standard feature, a nice bonus. Testing has yet to be completed, but there’s no reason to suspect that the Ram won’t be able to match the Tundra’s combination of a 4-star NHTSA frontal crash test rating and the Tundra’s status as an IIHS “2008 Top Safety Pick”.

WInner: Tie – and ties always go to the older design. The Tundra’s combination of solid crash test results and accident avoidance equipment set the standard.

PRICING:

Comparing two common builds – an SLT Quad Cab 4×4 HEMI with an SR5 Doublecab 4×4 5.7, the Tundra is about $1000 less expensive MSRP to MSRP ($33,265 v. $32,209). However, as of this month (November 2008), the Tundra’s 0% interest rate clobbers the Dodge’s paltry $1750 in incentives.

Just as importantly, Edmunds.com found the 2008 Tundra to have the highest residual/resale value of any half-ton truck. Dodge’s gimmicky “lifetime” powertrain warranty (with more fine print than a credit card agreement) has done little to boost resale values and should be considered a minor advantage.

Winner: The Tundra, by about $5k when you factor in a lower up-front price, zero-percent financing, and a higher resale value. The cost benefits of the Tundra are pronounced (to say the least).

The third and final part of our comparison – 2008 Tundra vs 2009 Dodge Ram Part Three – Ride, Handling, and Comfort is due out next week. Check back Monday!

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