If you’re in the market for a pick-up truck, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice. Pretty much every automaker worth its salt has a model or range you’ll need to consider, and making that final decision can be a tough one. When it comes to off-roading pick-ups, however, there are only really two that matter: the Ford F-150 Raptor and Ram 1500 Rebel.

As high-performance trims of two iconic pick-ups, there’s a lot of debate as to which is superior, so we wanted to settle the score once and for all. Today, we’ll put them head to head, comparing their power, towing capabilities, fuel efficiency, and more.

Keep reading to find out which came out on top in each category and which we think you’ll want to be behind the wheel of.

Engine Performance and Power

There’s no getting around the fact that both of these vehicles are performance powerhouses. Rugged and dependable, a lot is going on under the hood of each, but the standard engine for the 2024 Ford F-150 Raptor has the edge over the Ram Rebel. To give you a clearer idea, let’s compare them here:

Ford Raptor Engine Specs

• Engine: 3.0L EcoBoost® Engine with Auto Start-Stop Technology
• Horsepower: 405
• Torque: 430 lbs-ft
• Transmission: 10-speed automatic
• Drive System: Four-wheel
• Towing Capacity: 5,510 pounds

RAM Rebel Engine Specs

• Engine: 3.6L V6 Engine
• Horsepower: 305
• Torque:269 lbs-ft
• Transmission: 8-speed automatic
• Drive System: Four-wheel
• Towing Capacity: 7,210 pounds

The same goes for off-road capabilities, with the Raptor offering a more fine-tuned experience. Each truck comes with a high-strength steel frame, all-terrain tires, and an electronic locking rear differential, but the Ford F-150 Raptor also adds on:

• Heavy-duty front and engine skid plates
• 5-link rear suspension with panhard rod
• Long travel suspension
• Front and rear Fox Racing Shox™ with live valve technology
• Trail Control™ with trail 1-pedal drive
• Multiple drive modes, including Normal, Sport, Tow/Haul, Slippery, Off-Road, Baja, and Rock Crawl

Winner: Ford F-150 Raptor

Towing and Hauling Capabilities

The Ram 1500 Rebel has some impressive hauling capacity, towing up to 12,750 pounds and carrying a payload of up to 2,320 pounds. Its maximum towing capacity beats every other pick-up except one: the Ford F-150. As for the Ford F-150 Raptor, however, this doesn’t quite match the power of the standard F-150 model, shedding some of its strength in exchange for off-road capability. The Ford F-150 Raptor R can tow up to 8,700 pounds, while the maximum pulling capacity of the normal Raptor is 8,200 pounds. The maximum payload is 1,400 pounds for both.

Winner: Ram 1500 Rebel

Pickup Truck Fuel Efficiency

Both Ford F-150 Raptor and Raptor R come with a 36-gallon fuel tank. The EPA estimates that the 2024 Ford Raptor’s fuel economy is around 14 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. Opt for the V8-powered Raptor R, and that drops to 10 mpg city and 15 mpg highway.

The Ram Rebel is also available with V6 and V8 engines, again with different estimated mpg. According to the EPA, these top out at a combined range of 25 mpg and 23 mpg, respectively. On paper, this is significantly better than the Raptor’s fuel economy, so the Rebel wins out here.

Winner: Ram 1500 Rebel

Cabin Comfort and Technology

Gone are the days when pick-up trucks came bare bones. Today’s vehicles include all of the modern comforts you’d expect, and at this level of trim, you’re in for a real treat from both the Raptor and the Rebel.

The Raptor’s cabin features the same layout and passenger space as the regular F-150 SuperCrew but boasts more interior storage space and nicer materials. Dominating the dashboard is a 12-inch touchscreen with an infotainment system that includes Amazon Alexa interactions, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For those who really like to get the most out of their pick-up, the Raptor can even come equipped with a 2.0-kW mobile generator mounted in the cargo bed that can run power tools and other useful equipment.

Switching our attention to the Rebel, luxury is the order of the day. Storage is plentiful, as is passenger space, with a unique split-folding tailgate to boot. Rams, in general, have some of the highest-rated infotainment systems and connectivity features of any pick-up, with an 8.4 or optional 12-inch touchscreen. As you’d expect in 2024, it’s all compatible with Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

Winner: Ram 1500 Rebel

Overall Value

The 2024 Ford F-150 Raptor’s pricing starts at $80,325 and goes up to $111,550, depending on the trim and options. The 2024 Ram Rebel starts at a much cheaper $57,445. That’s over $20,000 less than the Raptor! This saving does come at the expense of some engine power and features, but what the Rebel lacks in these areas, it makes up for in fuel economy and towing capacity.

Ultimately, it depends on what features you’re looking for in a vehicle and how much money you have to spend. But the Ram Rebel sure does give you a lot for a lot less than the price of a Ford F-150. According to RepairPal, the Ram and F-150 both have the same reliability rating, coming in at 3.5 out of 5. So that extra money spent on a Raptor isn’t likely to prolong the time between purchase and repair bills either.

Winner: Ram 1500 Rebel

Why Get An Extended Warranty?

In the simplest possible terms, an extended warranty can save you hundreds — if not thousands — of dollars per year on the rising cost of car ownership. But to give you the full picture, we need to go back to the start of a car’s life cycle.

When a vehicle first rolls off the production line, it comes protected by what’s known as a factory or manufacturer warranty. This effectively acts as the automaker’s promise to repair or replace any components that fail due to fault within a predetermined number of years or miles traveled (whichever comes first). How long this lasts will completely depend on your model and manufacturer, but whatever the case, one thing is for certain: the second coverage ends, and you, as the owner, are financially responsible for any future repair bills.

All is not lost, however. If you’d like to continue enjoying the peace of mind you’ve become accustomed to, there are two routes you can go down. The first is what’s commonly known as a traditional extended warranty, which does as the name implies and extends your protection beyond the date of expiry. This is usually purchased via your dealership or directly from your manufacturer, and while it might seem great at first glance, there are some major downsides to this kind of coverage.

For example, the price point is often so high that you’d probably spend less on individual repairs. Also, all work must be carried out at an authorized dealership—which isn’t ideal if you break down hundreds of miles from one. To make things even worse, an extended warranty can only be purchased while your factory warranty is still active. Leave it just a moment too late, and you’ll no longer qualify.

As a result, the second route is universally preferred. A vehicle service contract from a third-party provider offers almost as comprehensive coverage for a much lower monthly cost, often throwing in some great added perks to give you even better value for money. Work can be carried out at the certified auto shop of your choice, and coverage can be purchased regardless of factory warranty status. That last point, in particular, is great news for used car owners.

Cost of Repairs

With the average annual cost of car ownership recently boiling past the $12,000 mark, there’s never been a better time to invest in extended auto protection. For high-performance vehicles like the Ford F-150 Raptor and Ram 1500 Rebel, projected repair costs are even higher. Examples of estimates for both vehicles include:

Blown Head Gasket

• Ford F-150 Raptor cost: $2,377 to $2,767
• Ram 1500 Rebel cost: $1,558 to $1,726

Rack and Pinion

• Ford F-150 Raptor cost: $2,730 to $2,895
• Ram 1500 Rebel cost: $4,110 to $4,154

Catalytic Converter

• Ford F-150 Raptor cost: $1,533 to $1,558
• Ram 1500 Rebel cost: $4,583 to $4,625

With a vehicle service contract watching out for you, however, you don’t need to worry about your wallet. As long as your coverage is comprehensive enough, it never needs to leave your pocket.

A High-Performance Vehicle Needs Top-Tier Protection

Owning a vehicle is like owning freedom, but you can’t enjoy your liberty with the threat of unexpected repair bills looming over you. When you experience a breakdown, you can bet your bottom dollar it’ll wait for the worst possible moment, leaving you stranded far from home and faced with a repair bill you couldn’t possibly afford. To achieve total driving peace of mind, you need an extended warranty contract in place.

Endurance Warranty offers unrivaled eligibility, with auto protection plans aimed at a wide range of drivers. Whether you’re a casual commuter, a rideshare driver, a high-mileage vehicle owner, or even a luxury car driver, we have something to suit your situation. Also, if our base plans don’t quite meet your individual needs or budget, we’re happy to customize one that does.

In addition to market-leading coverage, we offer some of the best added benefits in the business. All Endurance plans come standard with 24/7 roadside assistance (including towing, fuel delivery, and lockout services), rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption costs.

Give us a call at (800) 253-8203 to request a FREE quote, or shop online to see your price now. Our extended warranty blog has plenty more useful auto expert articles like this one.