Compare the2026 Ram 1500 RHOVS 2026 GMC Sierra 1500

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Ram 1500 RHO have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The GMC Sierra 1500 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the 1500 RHO. But it costs extra on the Sierra 1500.

The 1500 RHO has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Sierra 1500’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 1500 RHO has standard Rear Cross Path Detection, helping the driver avoid collisions. GMC charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Sierra 1500.

The 1500 RHO’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Sierra 1500 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the 1500 RHO and the Sierra 1500 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

The Ram 1500 RHO weighs 418 to 1868 pounds more than the GMC Sierra 1500. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The 1500 RHO’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Sierra 1500’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 43 percent more Ram dealers than there are GMC dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the 1500 RHO’s warranty.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the 1500 RHO has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Sierra 1500.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the 1500 RHO has a standard 250-amp alternator. The Sierra 1500’s standard 220-amp alternator and largest (V8) 170-amp alternator aren’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the 1500 RHO has a 800-amp battery. The Sierra 1500 only offers a standard 730-amp battery.

The 1500 RHO’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 230 more horsepower (540 vs. 310) and 91 lbs.-ft. more torque (521 vs. 430) than the Sierra 1500’s standard 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder. The 1500 RHO’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 185 more horsepower (540 vs. 355) and 138 lbs.-ft. more torque (521 vs. 383) than the Sierra 1500’s optional 5.3 V8. The 1500 RHO’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 120 more horsepower (540 vs. 420) and 61 lbs.-ft. more torque (521 vs. 460) than the Sierra 1500’s optional 6.2 V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ram 1500 RHO is faster than the GMC Sierra 1500 V8:

	1500 RHO	Sierra 1500
Zero to 60 MPH	4.6 sec	5.7 sec
Quarter Mile	13.2 sec	14.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	102.7 MPH	99 MPH

The 1500 RHO has 11 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sierra 1500 2WD Diesel’s standard fuel tank (33 vs. 22 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The 1500 RHO has 5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sierra 1500 Long Bed’s standard fuel tank (33 vs. 28 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ram 1500 RHO higher (6 out of 10) than the GMC Sierra 1500 (4 to 6). This means the 1500 RHO produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Sierra 1500 every 15,000 miles.

The 1500 RHO’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Sierra 1500 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 1500 RHO’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Sierra 1500:

	1500 RHO	Sierra 1500
Front Rotors	15 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	15 inches	13.6 inches

The 1500 RHO stops much shorter than the Sierra 1500:

	1500 RHO	Sierra 1500
60 to 0 MPH	126 feet	136 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the 1500 RHO has larger tires than the Sierra 1500 (325/65R18 vs. 255/70R17). The 1500 RHO’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sierra 1500 (325/65R18 vs. 275/65R18).

The 1500 RHO’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sierra 1500’s standard 70 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 1500 RHO has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Sierra 1500.

The front and rear suspension of the 1500 RHO uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Sierra 1500, which uses coil springs in front and leaf springs in the rear. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 1500 RHO is 5.6 inches wider in the front and 5.7 inches wider in the rear than on the Sierra 1500.

The 1500 RHO’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.8% to 44.2%) than the Sierra 1500’s (57% to 43%). This gives the 1500 RHO more stable handling and braking.

The 1500 RHO executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Sierra 1500 Short Box AT4X Crew Cab (28.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 29.3 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the 1500 RHO has a 3.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Sierra 1500 Standard Box Crew Cab (11.8 vs. 8 inches), allowing the 1500 RHO to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

For excellent aerodynamics, the 1500 RHO has standard flush composite headlights. The Sierra 1500 has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The 1500 RHO uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Sierra 1500 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the 1500 RHO’s available rear seats recline. The Sierra 1500’s optional rear seats don’t recline.

The Ram 1500 RHO has a standard tailgate assist feature, which prevents the heavy tailgate from falling with a crash and causing injury. It allows adults and children to easily open and close the tailgate with one hand to better facilitate loading and unloading. Tailgate assist costs extra on the GMC Sierra 1500.

All models of the 1500 RHO can be flat towed on all four wheels, allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the 1500 RHO can be unhitched and driven around locally. Only the Sierra 1500 4x4 can be dinghy towed and it requires equipment that is not standard.

The 1500 RHO’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Sierra 1500’s standard power windows’ front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

The 1500 RHO’s standard Keyless Enter ‘n Go allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the tailgate, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the Sierra 1500 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the truck.

The 1500 RHO has standard power remote mirrors. The Sierra 1500 only comes with remote mirrors at extra cost. Without them the driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

The 1500 RHO’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. GMC charges extra for heated mirrors on the Sierra 1500.

The Ram 1500 RHO has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Sierra 1500 SLT/AT4/Denali.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the 1500 RHO’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The Sierra 1500 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The 1500 RHO has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Sierra 1500 SLE/Elevation/SLT/AT4/Denali.

The 1500 RHO has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Sierra 1500 SLE/Elevation/SLT/AT4/Denali.

The Ram 1500 RHO has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the driver’s visor. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. GMC charges extra for Homelink® on the Sierra 1500 and isn’t available on the Sierra 1500 Pro.

Compared to traditional radio, the Ram 1500 RHO’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the Sierra 1500.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Ram 1500 RHO has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console for up to two separate devices. Wireless charging costs extra on the Sierra 1500 and isn’t available on the Sierra 1500 Pro/SLE, and only charges one device.

The 1500 RHO was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 6 more times in the last 7 years. The Sierra 1500 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

Motor Trend selected the 1500 RHO as their 2025 Truck of the Year. The Sierra 1500 has never been chosen.