2026 Ford F-150 Lariat vs Ram 1500 Laramie: Why We Think the Lariat Wins | Jay Malone Ford | Hutchinson, MN

We are a Ford dealer. We sell F-150s. And we are going to tell you exactly where the Ram 1500 Laramie beats the F-150 Lariat — because we also happen to sell Ram 1500s at our CDJR store down the hall, and we have no reason to mislead you. What we want is for you to buy the right truck. If that is a Ram, we will sell you one. If that is an F-150, we will sell you one. This blog makes the case for the F-150 Lariat — honestly — and tells you when the Laramie is the better call.

Why Does a Ford Dealer's Take on This Comparison Actually Matter?

Most truck comparison articles are written by publications with no skin in the game — or by dealers who only sell one brand and are arguing with one hand tied behind their back. Jay Malone Ford in Hutchinson, MN is a Ford dealer. Jay Malone CDJR, our sister store, is a Ram dealer. We physically carry both trucks on the same lot.

That means when we say the F-150 Lariat wins in specific categories, we are not trying to talk you out of a truck we don't carry. We sell that truck too. The credibility of this comparison comes from the fact that we will make a sale either way — and what we actually want is for you to drive home in the right one. This blog makes the case for the F-150 Lariat. Our CDJR team has written a companion blog making the case for the Ram 1500 Laramie. Read both before you decide.

Where Does the 2026 F-150 Lariat Have a Clear and Confirmed Advantage?

Towing capacity is the most straightforward win for the F-150 at this trim level. When properly equipped, the 2026 F-150 offers a maximum towing capacity of 13,500 lbs. The 2026 Ram 1500's maximum towing capacity is 11,610 lbs when properly equipped. That is a nearly 1,900-pound difference — and for buyers who are regularly pulling a large boat to a lake in McLeod County, a livestock trailer on gravel roads between Hutchinson and Litchfield, or a heavy equipment trailer on a job site, that gap is real and it matters.

The F-150 also leads in NHTSA safety ratings at this comparison point: an average of 4.89 out of 5 stars versus the Ram 1500's 4.65 out of 5. Neither truck is unsafe — both are modern full-size trucks with comprehensive safety systems — but the F-150 holds the edge in government crash testing. For buyers who put safety ratings high on the priority list, this is a meaningful differentiator.

Why Does the F-150's Powertrain Lineup Give Buyers More Options Than Any Other Truck?

The 2026 F-150 Lariat is available with four engine options: the 2.7L EcoBoost V6, the 5.0L V8 (400 HP), the 3.5L EcoBoost V6, and the 3.5L PowerBoost full hybrid V6. No other full-size truck in this comparison offers a full hybrid powertrain option at any trim level. The Ram 1500 lineup has no hybrid option — at any trim, in any configuration.

For central Minnesota buyers who do a significant amount of highway miles between Hutchinson and the Twin Cities, Willmar, or New Ulm — or who want to reduce fuel costs over a long ownership cycle — the PowerBoost hybrid is a meaningful option that simply does not exist on the Ram side of the comparison. The F-150 is also available with a 10-speed automatic transmission that provides more gear ratios for optimizing efficiency and performance across a wider range of driving conditions than the Ram's 8-speed TorqueFlite. For the deeper picture on what the F-150's powertrain options mean for central Minnesota truck buyers, see our 2026 F-150 overview page.

What Does Pro Power Onboard Actually Change About the F-150 Lariat?

Pro Power Onboard is Ford's integrated generator system, available on the F-150 in outputs up to 7.2 kW on PowerBoost models. It puts 120V AC power outlets in the bed and cab of the truck — enough to run serious power tools, lighting systems, compressors, and equipment on a job site or at a remote location without a separate generator. At the Lariat trim level, this is an available option that changes the practical use case of the F-150 for contractors, farmers, and anyone who works from their truck.

The Ram 1500 Laramie does not offer an equivalent onboard power system at this trim level. The Black Diamond Off-Road Package on the Bronco Sport Big Bend includes a 400W system as comparison — but at the full-size truck level, 7.2 kW of jobsite-ready power accessible from inside and outside the bed is a capability the F-150 uniquely brings to this comparison. For buyers who use a truck for work in addition to daily driving, Pro Power Onboard is one of the most practical features in the class and it lives exclusively on the Ford side of this comparison.

Where Does the Ram 1500 Laramie Genuinely Win — and We Mean It?

We said we would be honest, so here it is.

Powertrain warranty: The Ram 1500 Laramie comes with a 5-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The F-150 Lariat comes with a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. That is a 40,000-mile gap at the same warranty duration — and for buyers who keep their trucks a long time or put significant miles on them, that difference is real money and real peace of mind.

The Hurricane I6 engine: Ram's available 3.0L Hurricane inline-six — both the 420 HP standard output and 540 HP high output versions — is one of the most modern turbocharged truck engines on the market. It is a compelling reason to consider the Ram 1500, particularly if modern engine technology is a priority for you over the proven track record of Ford's EcoBoost lineup.

The available 14.4" portrait touchscreen: Ram's Uconnect 5 system with the 14.4" display is genuinely one of the best infotainment screens in any truck. The F-150 offers up to 15.5", but the Ram's portrait-oriented display and Uconnect interface have a strong following among buyers who prioritize in-cabin tech experience.

If any of those three things — warranty length, the Hurricane I6, or the Uconnect infotainment experience — are at the top of your priority list, the Ram 1500 Laramie may be the right truck. You can browse Ram 1500 inventory at our CDJR store at jaymalonechryslerdodgejeepram.com.

Which Truck Is Right for Central Minnesota Buyers?

The 2026 F-150 Lariat makes the most sense for central Minnesota buyers who prioritize maximum towing capacity, want a hybrid powertrain option for fuel savings on long drives, need Pro Power Onboard for jobsite or field use, or put government safety ratings near the top of their checklist. It also comes in at a slightly lower starting MSRP at this trim level, which means more room to add options or simply keep more money in your pocket.

For buyers who are towing boats to Mille Lacs, hauling livestock trailers on county roads between Hutchinson and New Ulm, or running a crew that needs power on a job site — the F-150 Lariat's capability numbers and available features make it the proportionate choice. For buyers who prioritize long warranty coverage, the Hurricane engine's modern turbocharged technology, or the Uconnect infotainment experience — the Ram 1500 Laramie deserves a serious look.

The best way to decide is to drive both. We have both in Hutchinson. Call us, come in, and we will put you in each one without any pressure to land on either side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I actually test drive both trucks at Jay Malone Motors?

Yes. Jay Malone Ford and Jay Malone CDJR operate under the same roof at 1165 Highway 7 West in Hutchinson. You can drive an F-150 Lariat and a Ram 1500 Laramie back to back on the same visit with no pressure to land on either one. Call us at (320) 587-4748 and we will have both ready.

Is the F-150 Lariat's towing capacity available in all configurations?

Maximum towing figures require specific equipment group selections, the Max Trailer Tow Package, and the right engine configuration. The 13,500-lb figure applies when properly equipped — not every F-150 Lariat configuration will achieve that number. Our team will confirm the exact towing capacity for any specific unit before you buy.

Does the F-150 Lariat come standard with Pro Power Onboard?

Pro Power Onboard is an available option on the F-150 Lariat, not standard equipment. The 7.2 kW output is available on PowerBoost hybrid models specifically. Lower output versions are available on other engine configurations. Confirm which output level is included on any specific unit with our team.

Should I just read the Ram comparison too before deciding?

Yes — genuinely. Our CDJR team has written a companion blog making the honest case for the Ram 1500 Laramie, including where it beats the F-150 and where it falls short. Read both and then come in and drive both. That is the approach we would take if we were buying a truck.

We carry both trucks. We have no agenda beyond getting you into the right one. If the F-150 Lariat is the answer for how you actually use a truck in central Minnesota — call us at (320) 587-4748, stop by at 1165 Highway 7 West in Hutchinson, or browse our F-150 inventory online. If the Ram 1500 Laramie is the better fit, we will tell you that too.