Every year, the staff of Motor Trend thoroughly test several of the top contenders in every category of vehicle available for sale in North America and for this year’s Truck of the Year competition, that meant an exhaustive head-to-head comparison between:

• Chevrolet Silverado
• Ford F-150 Diesel
• GMC Sierra
• Ram 1500

The Motor Trend staff started their announcement of the Truck of The Year Winner with a bold statement: “The best-selling pickup in the United States last year—and indeed in every year for the past four decades—has been the Ford F-Series. But our 2019 Truck of the Year should give pause to prospective Blue Oval loyalists (or buyers of any truck, for that matter) because there isn’t a truck out there that so precisely hits the diverse needs of the segment better than the 2019 Ram 1500.”

And they went on to express how impressed they were in several categories such as:

ADVANCEMENT IN DESIGN

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but there’s no arguing that Ram retains its reputation for stylish functionality. “Best-in-class: sophisticated without going over the top,” editor-in-chief Ed Loh said.

“GM has to be kidding, going up against this with the High Country and Denali,” features editor Scott Evans said. “This is a luxury interior. Look at this wood! This leather! The metal, stitching, design, attention to detail! The leather on the grab handles! Cadillac could learn a thing or two by spending an afternoon in this cabin.”

ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE

“It’s really a surprise on the road,” testing director Kim Reynolds said after a stint in an air suspension-equipped 1500. “It’s way more refined and sophisticated than the GMs. Steering is fluid and quality-feeling.” The standard suspension won praise at the expense of its competitive set, too. “The coil-spring suspension is better in the Ram than the ride in any of the GM trucks,” MotorTrend en Espanol managing editor Miguel Cortina said.

VALUE

Motor Trend felt that “where Ram makes the biggest value argument is surprisingly in its two most expensive trims: the Laramie Longhorn and Limited. These two luxe trucks simply blow the competition out of the water. They offer the tech that contractors and civilians alike require and expect, and quite a few luxury automakers could learn a thing from the way Ram matches colors, textures, and materials in these cabins. And it’s a bargain, considering our loaded Ram Limited tester stickered for about the price of a comparable GMC Sierra Denali and less than an equivalent F-150 Limited.”

BRINGING HOME THE GOLD

Ultimately, the Motor Trend staff felt that “the Ram 1500 hits the bull’s-eye. No pickup in the segment better balances capability, efficiency, value, and quality. The Ram 1500 retains its old-school appeal while being refreshingly modern in style and substance. It’s refined and sophisticated without surrendering its dirty-fingernails roots. For that, the Ram is our 2019 Truck of the Year.

Click the TEST DRIVE button below to experience first-hand why Ram 1500 dominated Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year competition. No matter what your practical needs and personal desires for a truck may be, there is a Ram 1500 waiting that is perfect for you.