2026 GMC Sierra vs 2026 Ram 1500
The GMC Sierra wins clearly, 74.1 to 63.3, on fuel & range. The Ram 1500 is ahead on safety.
2026 GMC Sierra
The 2026 GMC Sierra is sold in the U.S. as an electric, gas and diesel large pickup truck with 25 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the SIERR…
2026 Ram 1500
The 2026 Ram 1500 is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas large pickup truck with 10 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the 1500 2WD, is EPA-…
2026 GMC Sierra
Clear winThe GMC Sierra wins clearly, 74.1 to 63.3, on fuel & range. The Ram 1500 is ahead on safety.
| Category · weight | 2026 Ram 1500overall 63.3 | 2026 GMC Sierraoverall 74.1 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | ||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 34.9 | 100 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 84.6 | 54.7 | ||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | ||||||||||||||
| Space & cargonot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | ||||||||||||
| Performancenot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | ||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortnot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | ||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | Specs not available | Specs not available | ||||||||||||
| Overall | 63.3 | 74.1 | ||||||||||||
Safety-only comparison · 2 of 7 categories compared · specs not available for GMC Sierra
GMC Sierra: open park-outside / do-not-drive advisory (−25)
Ram 1500: base trim Tradesman 4X2 · GMC Sierra: safety only (EPA and NHTSA record; specs not available). Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 GMC Sierra wins
- It is rated 68 combined against 22 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
- It costs $1,950 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,100 against $3,050).
Where the 2026 Ram 1500 answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (103 against 150 filed with NHTSA).
- It has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 64 against 63).
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
42 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Ram 1500Tradesman 4X2 | GMC Sierra |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | — |
| Cylinder count | 6 | — |
| Engine displacement | 3,604 cc | — |
| Engine type (full description) | 3.6-liter V-6 Pentastar eTorque | — |
| Fuel injection system | Sequential, multiport, electronic, returnless | — |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 24-Valve | — |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 305 hp | — |
| Torque | 271 lb-ft | — |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 20 mpg | — |
| MPG (combined) | 22 mpg | — |
| MPG (highway) | 25 mpg | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.21, 3.55 | — |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | — |
| Transmission type | automatic | — |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8.3 in | — |
| Overall height | 77.4 in | — |
| Overall length | 232 in | — |
| Overall width | 81.2 in | — |
| Wheelbase | 145 in | — |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 6 | — |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 40.9 in | — |
| Third-row headroom | 39.9 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 40.9 in | — |
| Third-row legroom | 44.8 in | — |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 5,253 lbs | — |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 4,836 lbs | — |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 7,200 lbs | — |
| Payload capacity | 2,360 lbs | — |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | Upper and lower A-arms, twin-tube shock absorbers and stabilizer bar | — |
| Rear suspension type | Five-link with track bar, stabilizer bar, twin-tube shock absorbers, solid axle | — |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Electric power steering | — |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 46.2 ft | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 378 mm | — |
| Front brake type | vented disc | — |
| Rear brake diameter | 375 mm | — |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | — |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 20 in | — |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 275/55R20 | — |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 26 gal | — |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 66 in | — |
| Third-row shoulder room | 65.7 in | — |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
33 features · differences first, then sharedSafety6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Ram 1500Tradesman 4X2 | GMC Sierra |
|---|---|---|
| Active Lane Management system | std | — |
| Adaptive cruise control | std | — |
| Advanced Safety Group (surround 360-degree camera, Evasive Steer Assist, Intersection Collision Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Drowsy Driver Detection, Hands-free Active Driving Assist) | opt | — |
| Blind-spot Monitoring with trailer coverage and Rear Cross Path detection | std | — |
| ParkSense front/rear park assist with automatic reverse stop | std | — |
| ParkView rear backup camera with dynamic gridlines and center lines | std | — |
Infotainment3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Ram 1500Tradesman 4X2 | GMC Sierra |
|---|---|---|
| Base — six-speaker sound system | std | — |
| Uconnect 12-in. Radio | opt | — |
| Uconnect 8.4 AM/FM/Bluetooth/SiriusXM Radio | std | — |
Seating1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Ram 1500Tradesman 4X2 | GMC Sierra |
|---|---|---|
| 8-way power passenger seat | opt | — |
Exterior5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Ram 1500Tradesman 4X2 | GMC Sierra |
|---|---|---|
| 4x4 Off-road Group (standard on Warlock and Rebel models) — tow hooks, skid plates, rear electronic locking axle, off-road calibrated shocks, Hill-descent Control, all-terrain tires | opt | — |
| Crew Cab 5-ft. 7-in. box — 144.5-in. wheelbase | opt | — |
| Crew Cab 6-ft. 4-in. box — 153.5-in. wheelbase | opt | — |
| Protection Group (4x4 models only) — tow hooks, front suspension skid plate, transfer case skid plate, electronic power steering skid plate, fuel tank skid plate | opt | — |
| Quad Cab 6-ft. 4-in. box — 140.5-in. wheelbase | std | — |
Powertrain13 differ · 13 listed
| Feature | Ram 1500Tradesman 4X2 | GMC Sierra |
|---|---|---|
| 26-gallon fuel tank | std | — |
| 3.0-liter Twin Turbo, Standard Output (SST), eight-speed automatic transmission | opt | — |
| 3.21 axle ratio | std | — |
| 3.55 axle ratio | opt | — |
| 3.6-liter V-6 Pentastar eTorque, eight-speed automatic transmission | std | — |
| 3.92 axle ratio | opt | — |
| 33-gallon fuel tank | opt | — |
| 4x2 | std | — |
| 4x4 | opt | — |
| 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 eTorque, eight-speed automatic transmission | opt | — |
| Anti-spin differential (electronic locking and anti-spin are mutually exclusive) | opt | — |
| Electronic part-time transfer case | std | — |
| Electronic-locking differential (raised ride height available on all axle ratios; standard ride height available only on 3.92 axle ratio; included with 4x4 Off-road Group) | opt | — |
Cargo5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Ram 1500Tradesman 4X2 | GMC Sierra |
|---|---|---|
| Bed Utility Group (upper adjustable tie downs, bed extender, bed step, bed lighting, spray-in bed liner) | opt | — |
| Integrated electronic trailer brake controller (requires Class IV trailer hitch; included with Trailer-tow Group) | opt | — |
| Trailer reverse steering control | opt | — |
| Trailer Technology Package (trailer hitch line-up assist, integrated trailer health monitor, trailer reverse guidance, surround 360-degree trailer camera, tow-specific navigation, digital rearview mirror with tow mode) | opt | — |
| Trailer-tow Group (integrated trailer brake controller, trailer tire-pressure monitoring system, trailer reverse steering control, trailer light check, trailer tow mirror) | opt | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPRam 1500
Top recalls
- high Air Bags 26V622000 · 5 vehicles
- high Tires 26V623000 · 16,385 vehicles
- high Seat Belts 26V495000 · 1,271,294 vehicles
- high Electrical System 26V225000 · 65,348 vehicles
- high Exterior Lighting 26V059000 · 456,287 vehicles
- moderate Back Over Prevention 26V560000 · 239,130 vehicles
GMC Sierra
Top recalls
- critical Electrical System 26V494000 · 11 vehicles
- critical Power Train 26V289000 · 66 vehicles
- high Wheels 26V496000 · 952 vehicles
- minor Equipment 26V114000 · 5,861 vehicles
- minor Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 25V594000 · 1,191 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Ram 1500Tradesman 4X2 | GMC Sierra | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — (base trim) | — |
| Price range across trims | — 14 trims | — |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | BEV, GAS, Diesel |
| EPA configuration compared | 1500 2WD | SIERRA EV Ext Range (11kW Charger) |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 22 | 68 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $3,050 | $1,100 |
| EV range | — | 410 mi |
| Basic warranty | — | 3 yr / 36,000 mi (make terms) |
| Powertrain warranty | — | 5 yr / 60,000 mi (make terms) |
| Roadside assistance | — | 5 yr |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Ram 1500 or the 2026 GMC Sierra?
The GMC Sierra wins clearly, 74.1 to 63.3, on fuel & range. The Ram 1500 is ahead on safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 GMC Sierra scores 74.1 and the 2026 Ram 1500 63.3. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Ram 1500 or the 2026 GMC Sierra?
2026 Ram 1500: 5 NHTSA stars, grade D, 9 recalls. 2026 GMC Sierra: 5 NHTSA stars, grade D, 5 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Ram 1500 and the 2026 GMC Sierra?
Where the 2026 GMC Sierra wins: it is rated 68 combined against 22 (EPA mpg or MPGe) and costs $1,950 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,100 against $3,050). Where the 2026 Ram 1500 answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (103 against 150 filed with NHTSA) and has the cleaner recall record (Safety Signal 64 against 63). What they share: 5 NHTSA stars.