Ram 1500 SLT Quad Cab vs GMC 1500 AT SLT Double Cab

OkieDavid · November 8, 2013

I’ve had my GMC for a couple of weeks now so I wanted to jot down some first impressions of how it compares against the vehicle it was replacing, a RAM. Ok, first thing to acknowledge here is that the RAM was a mid-range truck while the GMC is the top of the line model, so this isn’t really an apples to apples comparison here but I wanted to talk a little about the RAM Quad vs the GMC Double cab since most of the reviews out there focus on crew vs crew. I had the 2010 RAM for just over 42,000 miles before trading for the GMC. I have owned mostly GM products most of my life so the RAM was a bit of an outlier. A lot of the big stuff has been covered by other more technical reviews, so my thoughts below cover a lot of little things.

The back seats in the RAM are definitely roomier than in the GMC. Not sure exactly what metrics apply here but it seems that leg and knee room was bigger in the RAM. Also, the space under the seat is greater in the RAM with the distance between the floor to the bottom of the seat seeming bigger. The RAM comes with built-in storage and now comes with a standard cover that folds out to make the floor area flat when the back seat is folded up. Let’s be honest, no one buys a double cab in place of a crew just to have space in the back, but this is one area that RAM has GM beat. The overall length of both trucks is the same but the bed is 2” shorter in the RAM so I’m thinking they put that extra space in the backseat of the cab. The head room in the GMC’s front passenger seat is better, according to my tall friend who road to dinner tonight and owns a 2011 RAM. So maybe they took a little space in the seat base from the back to use in front? I don’t know; it’s probably the differences in the bed length more than anything else. I wish the underseat storage came standard on the GMC like it does on the RAM but I do like that if you spend the $200 for the storage on the GMC you can pull it out to carry larger items in the cab. Overall can’t decide who wins here but the fold out load flat floor on the RAM is definitely slick.

The center console in the RAM has the shifter with the six-speed so of course the GM is deeper. However, in terms of useable space I kind of think of this as somewhat a wash as the depth of the center console doesn’t really mean I will cram it full of stuff, it’s not like I’m putting a half gallon of milk in there or anything. However, the plethora of USB and power ports on the dash of the GM’s are a huge advantage if you have a truck full of passengers on a road trip all wanting to keep their phones charged. Trust me, that was always an issue in the RAM. The glove boxes in the RAM are bigger than the GM but overall, advantage to GM. Now if you get the eight-speed in the RAM you get the dial on the dash for the transmission so a lot more space is available in the center console versus the six-speed console. A really nice feature on the RAM that I would like to see copied by GM is a little tray on top of the dash. It was just the right size to toss a pen in and I would also keep a gate key up there.

Ride quality is always subjective, but the GM seems much more sure footed to me. It may be the All-Terrain package vs the standard 4x4 outfitting I had on the RAM but the GMC definitely feels better going down the road. My other vehicle is a Pontiac G8 GT and the new truck feels a lot closer to driving the G8 than driving the RAM.

As I said before, the RAM was a mid-range and didn’t have the RAM UCONNECT infotainment so no comparison to the Intellilink in the GMC. However, comparing the feel of the dash buttons (yeah, trivial I know) I do prefer the feel of the rubber in the GM to the plastic in the RAM, hopefully the rubber will hold up over time but we’ll see. The big push buttons below the radio are nice, I do sometimes drive while wearing gloves. I also like how everything can be done via touch screen, voice command or via the buttons and you are not locked into the touchscreen. The new RAMs are really nice in the instrument cluster displays and the GPS is licensed from Garmin so they are competitive there. Haven’t used my GM nav much so can’t really tell you much about how well it works yet. Also, the steering wheel buttons on the RAM are separated instead of the single button with raised areas like the GM. So on the one hand, I can see the GM advantage of them being sealed and not getting gunk in between, however I have had bad experiences over the years with keypads like this breaking down over repeated use and it seems that the tactile feedback you get from the separate buttons in the new RAMS is easier to use. Only time will tell.

One really tiny thing that is bugging me is the door handles on the GMC. They feel flimsy compared the RAM, again a trivial thing but hey, it’s the first thing I touch as I approach the truck. They just don’t feel as long lasting as I would like to see in a truck at this price point. I’m relatively short (only 5’8”) and miss the grab handle on the A pillar that the RAM had on the driver’s side, realize there’s a fold down handle in the GMC but the A pillar grab is handier. Another trivial thing that I LOVE about the GMC is that they key and key-fob are separate. I backpack and kayak a lot and like that I can carry just the key with me and leave the fob behind. Also, I like to give the spare key someone else in the group and again, having just a key do the heavy lifting is a good thing.

So, why didn’t I buy another RAM? I liked the looks of the GMC, liked the ride quality and while I can’t quantify it, I prefer the dash layout, buttons and infotainment a little bit better than the RAM. You do have to give RAM credit for nooks and crannies of storage. On my RAM, I spent less than $300 on a piston for the easy open tailgate and a folding bed step so that’s kind of a wash. I also had bed lights but like that all these are factory on the GMC, but they weren’t a game changer. I didn’t really have any service issues during the 3 years and 42,000 miles I had the RAM but it does seem GM’s quality reputation is better, we’ll see how it holds up.

Well, I’m heading out to go kayaking this weekend so won’t be responding to any of your comments until Sunday, time to put some more miles on the new toy!

Carder09 · November 8, 2013

Excellent review of the minor stuff!

GMC-AT · November 8, 2013

I never get into these Chevy vs Ford, vs Dodge things.. but I have to say.. I saw a RAM today parked next to me at lunch. The truck looked nice, clean, couldn't be more than 3 years old. I looked down at the tailgate... most the entire bottom of the tailgate paint was bubbling with rust. Keep in mind.. this is Florida. But I don't care where you are ... or what chemicals you haul... I don't think that should happen in a few years time. Just sayin..

cadaniel · November 8, 2013

I have a build in for a silverado, and the handle is a dealer-installed option that you can select for the driver's side. I don't remember the cost off the top of my head.

DanielAcosta · November 9, 2013

Great review. For the record, on a recent long trip in our 14 Sierra we moved the cup holders to the forward notch and discovered the opening aft was the perfect size for a half gallon of milk, so there!

KMGMC · November 9, 2013

There both good trucks, it's basically personal preference. Here's the two 14's I have there both Crew Cab's, real nice trucks

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

OkieDavid · November 10, 2013

Great review. For the record, on a recent long trip in our 14 Sierra we moved the cup holders to the forward notch and discovered the opening aft was the perfect size for a half gallon of milk, so there!

I was wondering if you would pick up on that. When I read that in your other thread I had to mention it

OkieDavid · November 10, 2013

I have a build in for a silverado, and the handle is a dealer-installed option that you can select for the driver's side. I don't remember the cost off the top of my head.

I've got the chrome handle already. It's just that when I yank on it, it doesn't feel as solid as the one on the Ram, like I'm going to pull it off the door. Probably ever happen, but I'm just saying, it seems flimsy, when it's the first thing I touch when I approach the truck.

crushNchowda · November 10, 2013

I drive a 2014 all terrain sierra traded and I traded in a bolted 360whp G8 GT. The sierra handles phenomenally well - for a truck- but I won't say it reminds m of my g8!!

I wished I kept it but will get another muscle car to replace it

OkieDavid · November 11, 2013

I drive a 2014 all terrain sierra traded and I traded in a bolted 360whp G8 GT. The sierra handles phenomenally well - for a truck- but I won't say it reminds m of my g8!!

I wished I kept it but will get another muscle car to replace it

Yeah, it's still a truck. But all I'm saying is that the AT Sierra is closer to the G8 than the RAM was. It's the first truck I've been in that didn't make me miss the G8, but it's still a truck and drives like one.

Shahar · November 11, 2013

Great review of the little details, looks like you have invested a lot of time and effort to put it together, one of the longest comparison reviews I have red so far. Can give a lot of experience information to those who have no experience with either truck. Thumbs up

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

fondupot · November 11, 2013

Good review. I do like the look of the Ram trucks as well. I had a 2011 F150 and it was nice, but a lot of hard plastic inside made it feel cheap after a short time.

Went with a GMC because I have always been a fan of GM. If the Ram's mileage was a little better, I may have considered it. But Glad I went with the GMC.