Comfort Over Crawl: Which 2025 Pickup Is the Ultimate Family Truckster?

In a world where off-road-themed truck trims like Trailhunter and Tremor steal headlines, it’s easy to forget that most folks buy pickups for everyday practicality. And with even base models starting to flirt with $50,000, value and livability matter more than ever. Which 2025 Pickup Is the ultimate family truckster?

Which 2025 Pickup Is the Ultimate Family Truckster?

That’s why Car And Driver turned their attention to a pair of mainstream workhorses: the 2025 Ram 1500 Big Horn and the 2025 Ford F-150 XLT. These aren’t the flashiest trucks, but they hit the sweet spot for buyers who need capability. 

They stacked them up to see which one best blends real-world usefulness with comfort. Both trucks deliver a healthy dose of blue-collar swagger, but only one walks away as the go-to pick for families. Neither of these trucks screams for attention—and that’s kind of the point. 

Big Sidewalls, Bigger Sense: Why Less Bling Means More Comfort

With only modest off-road gear bolted on, two test rigs blended into the crowd of bed-backed machines lining suburban streets. But look closer, and you’ll find a setup that’s refreshingly practical. These are trucks built with a real-world balance in mind—equal parts weekday hauler and weekend escape pod. 

Notably, both roll on sensible rubber with sidewalls, a choice that dodges the big-wheel tire trend that’s become all too common. The result? A smoother ride and real usability, minus the flashy pretense. Up front, the Ram makes a strong first impression with a bold, squared-off fascia that borders on heavy-duty territory. 

Grille Games: Ram Goes Bold, Ford Keeps It Low-Key—Sort Of

If you didn’t know better, you might assume it’s a 2500 at a glance, thanks to its oversized gleaming chrome grille. The Ford, on the other hand, takes a more subdued approach. Its grille skips the shiny stuff in favor of a darker, more understated look—but chrome still sneaks in around the door handles and trim bits to remind you this isn’t a base model.

Despite not being off-road-focused trims, both pickups still stand tall, and clambering inside requires a serious step up. Ford throws in running boards as standard fare on hybrid-equipped XLTs (or as part of a $1585 package otherwise). Ram’s Big Horn? You’re on the hook for at least $695 if you want factory steps, regardless of what powers it. 

Tailgate Face-Off: Ram’s Swinging Split vs. Ford’s Straightforward Step

Arguably the most imaginative part of any modern pickup is the tailgate. Manufacturers have been in a full-blown innovation arms race, trying to outsmart one another. The optional $1,095 multifunction tailgate on the Ram earns its keep with a handy 60/40 split that swings open sideways—ideal for tight loading zones.

The Ford F-150 XLT, on the other hand, keeps things a little more basic. The $635 Bed Utility package includes a tailgate step and a built-in work surface. Functional, sure, but if you’re eyeing Ford’s trick Pro Access tailgate with its nifty swing gate, you’ll have to shell out for a higher trim level. 

Ram Brings the Wow Factor, Ford Brings the Toolbox

One of the most creative features on today’s pickups is something you might not expect—the tailgate. Manufacturers are going all in on rethinking how this basic piece of hardware can do more than just open and close. The Ram 1500 Big Horn comes equipped with the optional $1,095 multifunction tailgate, which opens in a 60/40 split-like barn doors. 

The Ford F-150 XLT sticks with a more traditional approach. With the $635 Bed Utility package, you get a step built into the tailgate and a handy work surface—great for DIY jobs or tailgate lunches. But if you’re hoping for Ford’s slick Pro Access tailgate with its swing gate and multiple stop points, you’ll need to spend more and move up the trim ladder.

Need to Haul People, Not Just Gear? These Trucks Deliver

For those who want maximum interior versatility, both the Ford F-150 XLT and Ram 1500 Big Horn offer the option of a 40/20/40 split-bench front seat. The F-150 arrived with the bucket seat setup, which brings a bit more separation and comfort up front—but you do lose the ability to seat six.

That’s where the Ram shines. Its front bench layout allows for an extra passenger when needed, even if we wouldn’t suggest cramming a full-size adult in the middle for a long road trip. Still, it’s a great spot for kids, and the seatback folds down to become a functional center console in seconds.

Under the Hood: Optional Power, Serious Punch

Why settle for the base engine when there’s more muscle on the menu? Both of these trucks skip the standard fare in favor of brawnier, optional powertrains—and each takes a different approach to adding extra grunt. The Ram 1500 Big Horn ditches its usual 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 in favor of the Hurricane twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six. 

This $2,695 upgrade cranks out an impressive 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque, paired exclusively with an eight-speed automatic. It’s a big jump in power—and one that gives this Ram a heavy-duty attitude without actually being one. Ford, meanwhile, gives buyers more ways to build their perfect powertrain. 

The F-150’s lineup starts with a twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 and stretches to a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 and a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6. But the test truck in question brought the big guns: the PowerBoost hybrid.

Big Boost, Bigger Price Tag: Is Ford’s PowerBoost Worth It? 

This top-tier setup combines the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 with an electric motor, delivering a combined 430 horsepower and a massive 570 lb-ft of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission handles the shifting duties. It’s a strong performer—but it’s not cheap. 

The PowerBoost system adds $3,560 to the sticker and requires buyers to pony up for the $1,585 Equipment Group 301A package. That’s a steep price to pay for electrified muscle, but it does bring serious capability with it.

Stopping Power, Grip, and Efficiency: Ford Edges Ahead

Weight matters—and in the braking department, the Ford F-150 proves it. Despite having smaller brake rotors, the lighter F-150 came to a halt from 70 mph in just 185 feet. The Ram 1500? It needed 196 feet to do the same. That’s a notable difference, even if the Ram’s larger discs suggest it should have done better on paper.

When it came to cornering grip, the Ford once again pulled ahead, registering 0.76 g on the skidpad versus the Ram’s 0.72 g. But there’s an important caveat: the Ram tester was fitted with Falken WildPeak all-terrain tires—great for dirt, less so for pavement. The Ford, in contrast, rolled on roa-focused Michelin Primacy XC tires.

Everyday Usability, Not Just Workhorse Duty

This wasn’t a torture test of payload limits or rock-crawling capabilities. How well do these trucks serve the average driver who juggles job site duties with school runs and grocery hauls? The Ram 1500 leans hard into comfort, and it shows. Equipped with the optional four-corner air suspension ($1,995), the Ram glided over Michigan’s battered pavement with remarkable ease. 

Ford doesn’t offer air springs at all, giving Ram a clear edge in ride plushness. But there’s a trade-off. That buttery-smooth ride also introduces a sense of disconnection. The Ram’s steering feels overly light and lacks the confidence-inspiring feedback of the Ford’s setup. 

Close Call in a Heavyweight Showdown

Both contenders rolled in with plenty of extras, but the Ford F-150 edged ahead in value, landing at $65,940 as tested—just under the Ram 1500’s $68,320 sticker. For that price, the F-150 packed in its potent PowerBoost hybrid powertrain, offering stronger highway performance and better efficiency, even in conditions where hybrids usually don’t shine. 

When it came to ride and handling, the two trucks took different approaches. Ford’s traditional coil-and-leaf rear suspension struck a better balance around town, with a more connected feel behind the wheel. The Ram, riding on its plush air suspension, soaked up the road with a luxurious smoothness. 

Battle-Tested: Why the Ford F-150 Barely Beats the Ram 1500

This wasn’t an easy decision. Both trucks are strong players, and either one would serve buyers well. But after the dust settled, the F-150 claimed a narrow win—just one point separated the two. In this head-to-head matchup, the Ford proved to be the more refined daily driver and the more complete package for the money.

What is YOUR favorite between these two powerhouses? Even though so many hard-working contractors thrive on rigs that have tons of extras, families are after different attributes. Let us know in the comments below, or check out another article about how much you should spend for a five-year-old pickup.