2023 Ram 1500 Classic

In a world of near $100,000 luxury pickups loaded with NASA-like technology, the Ram 1500 Classic remains a true what-you-see-is-what-you-get proposition. The current fifth-generation Ram set some new standards in terms of design, comfort and tech when it debuted for the 2019 model year, but the consensus was that the previous model had some life left in its bones, and the Ram 1500 Classic was born, or reborn, more accurately.

Aimed primarily at traditional truck customers who care more about getting the job done and saving a few bucks than leather upholstery and high-end audio, the Classic delivers a proven powertrain, familiar style, and very few of the non-essential accessories that proliferate in the modern truck market.

Changed only sparingly from its 2009 introduction, the Classic focuses on value and utility, offering body styles and work trims not available elsewhere. Ram kept it current during its heyday, but updates during its “Classic” tenure have been minimal. 2023 saw a minor reshuffling of trims and prices.

It’s worth noting that Ram is cagey about just how long it will keep the 1500 Classic in production, so if the idea of a basic work vehicle at a fire-sale price intrigues you, now is the time to act.

Ram 1500 Classic Design & Style

The Classic Tradesman goes for the spartan-chic vibe above all else. The entry-level basic black plastic bumpers, door handles and grille, but the mid-range Express trim at least comes with body-colored bumpers and a painted grille. The top Warlock trim comes with an aggressive blacked-out grille with the Ram name spelled out in imposing black letters. It makes for a good imitation of the far more expensive Ram 1500 Rebel. Although out of favor with most buyers these days, the Classic continues to offer regular-cab models with six and eight-foot beds, the former combination only being available on one other truck, the Ford F-150.

The Classic’s interior is somewhat of a time machine; dated and spartan but otherwise comfortable, it serves as a gentle reminder of how plush even entry-level model trucks have become. Though newer Ram trucks can be had with large touchscreens and luxurious finishes, accommodations in the Classic are more straightforward. Hard plastics are plentiful, though the interior feels solid and well put together overall.

Ram 1500 Classic Performance

The base engine for the 2023 1500 Classic is the brand’s ubiquitous 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, rated for 305 horsepower and 296 pound-feet of torque. If that sounds a little weak in the knees, remember that just 20 years ago, Ram’s 5.4 V8 could barely crank out 230 ponies. The V8 option is a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 rated for 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. Both use an 8-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. Buyers can select from three gear ratios and have the option to add an anti-spin differential to the rear axle for $495.

Maximum towing is 10,620 pounds when properly equipped with the V8 engine and its 410 pound-feet of torque. Know that the towing limits for the base V6 models start at 4,940 for the Express and Tradesman and 4,560 for the Warlock. The Max payload is 1,810 pounds.

Unlike its competition, the Ram 1500 Classic—as well as the current Ram 1500—uses coil springs in the rear instead of a traditional leaf-spring setup, which helps take the harshness out of the ride, particularly when unladen.

Ram 1500 Classic Fuel Economy

Considering its size and age, the 1500 Classic can be surprisingly thrifty. With the base V6, it’s EPA-rated for 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 25 mpg highway. Four-wheel drive subtracts one mpg in combined and city, and two mpg highway.

The V8 offers more power, but you’ll pay for it at the pump. Rear-wheel drive trucks are rated for 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 22 highway. Although far off the efficiency pace of some of the latest diesel and turbocharged four- and six-cylinder trucks, not to mention the F-150 hybrid and Tundra hybrid, the 1500 Classic’s fuel economy is reasonable given the age of the design.

Ram 1500 Classic Comfort and Convenience

What the Classic lacks in luxury, it makes up for in space. Headroom and legroom up front measure 41 inches each, and rear-seat passengers get up to 39.9 inches of headroom and 40.3 inches of legroom. Quad cab trucks are slightly smaller, at 39.7 inches of headroom and 34.7 inches of legroom.

Ram 1500 Classic Cargo & Storage

Ram offers three bed lengths for 2023: A full 8-foot box for regular cabs, a 5-foot 7-inch shortbed for crew cabs and the popular 6-foot 4-inch box length that is available with all three cab sizes. Interior storage is generous and offers plenty of spots to stow small gear, bags and other items that need to stay close at hand.

Ram 1500 Classic Infotainment & Connectivity

If the latest in infotainment and tech features are a must on your shopping list, you can move along now. The Classic’s age means it dates to a time before modern infotainment systems, and to keep the price low, it isn’t equipped with much in this department out of the box. A basic 5-inch infotainment display is standard across the board, but it’s far from a punishment. Bluetooth, USB inputs, voice commands and auxiliary inputs come with the standard unit. An $845 Electronics Group package is available, which brings an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, additional USB inputs and SiriusXM radio.

Ram 1500 Classic Safety Systems

The Ram 1500 Classic has not been evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2021 Classic a four-star overall rating. IIHS last rated the basic design in 2018 (when it was the previous-generation Ram 1500), but with mixed results. No advanced active-safety features of any kind, including forward automatic emergency braking, are available on the Classic.

All get a complement of standard airbags, but the Warlock adds Supplemental Side-Curtain Front and Rear Air Bags as standard equipment.

Warranty

The Ram 1500 comes with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Roadside assistance is available for the duration of the basic warranty. This is the standard level of coverage for most full-size trucks, though Ram itself offers a 100,000-mile powertrain warranty on the more expensive regular 1500 and Nissan offers similar coverage on the Titan.

How much does The Ram 1500 Classic cost to insure?

The Ram 1500 Classic costs less to insure than most of its peers, in part because it doesn’t offer very expensive luxury trims. According to our data, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record can expect an average annual premium of $1,857, though this averages all 50 states. That compares to $2,047 for the Chevrolet Silverado, $2,190 for the current-generation Ram 1500, $2,026 for the Toyota Tundra and $2,178 for the Nissan Titan. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.

Trim Specifications

The Ram 1500 Classic comes in three trims: Express, Tradesman and Warlock.

The Tradesman starts at $32,490, including a $1795 destination fee. That’s for a standard cab, rear-wheel drive with the V6 engine and a work-ready 8-foot bed; in other words, a great deal on a basic work truck. The value erodes with the addition of four-wheel drive ($7,160), driving the price to $39,650. Concessions to modernity include a 5-inch touchscreen a rearview camera and a locking tailgate. Manual roll-up windows and door locks help keep things real, although power windows and locks along with keyless entry are available as part of a package for $735.

The Express is no longer offered in standard cab, so the least expensive model is the $38,850 Club Cab with a 6.4-foot bed. Though prepared similarly to the Tradesman, it gets body-color bumpers, and adding four-wheel drive is $3,800.

The Warlock, which only comes as a club- or crew cab, takes a significant step to $43,580 for the Club Cab, V6, rear-wheel drive with a 6.4-foot bed. It brings standard 20-inch wheels, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, mudflaps and front wheel-well liners, supplemental front and rear side-air curtain airbags and standard cloth interior (extra on the Express and Tradesman). It also opens the door to more options, including a folding rear seat with storage, an overhead console with a garage door opener, a 9-speaker Alpine audio system, a power rear sliding window and more.

All models are eligible for the upgraded to the 5.7-liter V8.