Photo: Cars.com/Evan SearsHood-to-hood: How the 2015 Ford, GM and Ram 1500 V6s compare
Bench racers are always talking numbers and comparing which of the various nameplate’s newest models is the “best.”
So we teamed up with Cars.com/Pickuptrucks.com to see how six 2015 1/2-ton V-6 pickups compare when subjected to track testing.
The acceleration and braking tests were conducted at the Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Phoenix, Arizona. Each truck was tested on the dragstrip both empty and loaded with 1,080 pounds in the bed.
Our fuel economy numbers were compiled while driving on a 100-mile highway loop between Glendale and Canyon Lake, 40 miles to the east of Phoenix.
The highway mpg numbers were compiled with drivers alternating between vehicles during multiple runs both empty and towing 4,200-pound horse trailers while maintaining posted speed limits. The mpg numbers were then averaged.
Here’s a list of the 2015 pickups we tested:
Chevy Colorado 4Ă—2 Z71 Crew Cab, 3.6L V6, 6-speed auto w/ 3.42:1 axle ratio
Chevy Silverado 1500 4Ă—2 LS Ext Cab, 4.3L EcoTec V6, 6-speed auto w/ 3.23:1 axle ratio
Ford F-150 4Ă—2 XLT SuperCab, 2.7L EcoBoost V6, 6-speed auto w/ 3.31:1 axle ratio
Ford F-150 4Ă—4 Platinum SuperCrew, 3.5L EcoBoost V6 , 6-speed auto w/ 3.55:1 axle ratio
Ram 1500 Express ST QuadCab, 3.6L Pentastar V6, 8-speed auto w/ 3.55:1 axle ratio
Ram 1500 Tradesman Reg. Cab, 3.0L EcoDiesel V6, 8-speed auto w/ 3.55:1 axle ratio
The charts below show how the final numbers shook out. Click on an image to see the chart full size.
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- Comparison of 2015 1/2-ton V-6 pickups’ 0-60 mph acceleration empty and with 1,080 pounds in the bed.
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- Comparison of 2015 1/2-ton V-6 pickups running a 100-mile test loop empty and towing identical 4,200-pound enclosed trailers.
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- Comparison of 2015 1/2-ton V-6 pickups’ horsepower and torque.
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- Comparison of 2015 1/2-ton V-6 pickups’ top speed when running the 1/4-mile empty and with 1,080 pounds in the bed.
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- Comparison of 2015 1/2-ton V-6 pickups’ curb weight and payload based on GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.)
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- Comparison of 2015 1/2-ton V-6 pickups running the 1/4-mile empty and with 1,080 pounds in the bed.
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- Comparison of 2015 1/2-ton V-6 pickups braking from 60 mph both empty and with 1,080 pounds in the bed.
Bruce Smith is senior editor of TLC’s sister publication, Hardworking Trucks.
