2021 Ram 1500

The Ram 1500 took the pickup truck by storm when it was redesigned in 2019, sporting an amazingly upscale interior, loads of new tech, and levels of refinement no other truck could match. 

The automaker hasn’t rested on its laurels since then. For 2021 the big news the supercharged off-road TRX, which we cover separately, but Ram has continued to refine the regular 1500s and the truck holds up well in the face of competition from a brand-new Ford F-150.

That new Ford offers a full hybrid option and some work-friendly features the Ram doesn’t, but overall the Ram still wins on interior comfort and quality. It also packs a wide variety of powertrains, trims, and tech.

For 2021 the truck gets an optional camera-view rearview mirror, a head-up display, some added trailering functionality, and an expanded safety suite that adds pedestrian detection. The addition of the TRX also means that some off-roading information is now displayable on the infotainment systems of the regular Rams. 

Including the TRX there are eight Ram 1500 trims. The cheapest is the relatively plain Tradesman, which starts at $34,490 including a $1,695 destination charge. Buyers looking for a plainer or cheaper truck than that at the Ram dealership will want to consult the Ram 1500 Classic, the previous-generation truck which is still on sale for 2021. 

Above the Tradesman are the Big Horn ($38,850 including destination fees), Laramie ($43,575), HFE (High Fuel Economy, $43,395), the performance-themed Rebel ($47,465), Limited Longhorn ($54,225), Limited ($58,295), and the TRX ($71,790). 

Though the TRX is by far the priciest Ram to start, a long list of customization options, typical of most full-size trucks, can quickly raise the price. With many available options, it’s possible to create a Ram 1500 stickering above $70,000.

The Ram is available with five different engines starting with a 3.6-liter V6, which makes 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque and is standard on most trims. Above that are two versions of the 5.7-liter Hemi V8, the first making 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. The second packs Ram’s eTorque mild hybrid system, which can add up to 130 pound-feet of torque. On lower trims, these V8s cost $1,795 and $1,995, respectively, but the non-hybrid V8 come standard on some trims.  Rams come standard with rear-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive optional, and all use eight-speed automatic transmissions.

The star of the show on the Ram 1500 is the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6, which has just 260 horsepower but lots of torque, 480 pound-feet, to be precise. It’s available across the whole lineup, but on lower trims it costs a hefty $4,995. 

The diesel delivers only modest acceleration, but even in four-wheel drive form it returns 21 mpg city, 29 highway, and 24 combined. That isn’t quite as good as GM’s diesel sixes or Ford’s Hybrid, but it’s very good for a big truck. The gas V6 also delivers slightly above average fuel economy, but the V8 is strictly average. The TRX’s 6.2-liter V8 isn’t available in the other 1500s.

The Ram 1500 can tow up to 12,560 pounds, but to do that you need to spec the $995 max towing package. That’s still below the max ratings for the Chevy Silverado or Ford F-150. Without it, the Ram tops out at 11,560 pounds, but not every buyer specs the max capacity on these trucks.

Where the Ram truly wins is with its ride quality. The truck’s coil-spring suspension, a more modern design than the tough-but-ancient leaf springs on other full-size trucks, keep it planted and confident over a variety of road surfaces. There’s little of the jittery, unsettled characteristics pickups often display over rough roads, and holds its own when the going gets curvy. Optional air suspension not only gives the Ram an even better ride, it also brings the ability to raise or lower the truck’s ride height for easier access or better ground clearance.

The presence of the Ram 1500 Classic’s regular cab models means that so far there are only two bed lengths, 67.2 and 76.8 inches, and two cab configurations, extended (Quad cab) and crew cab configurations on the new-generation trucks.  

Inside, both cabins are very impressive. Even in the more basic trim levels, the truck has a solidly built cabin with nice materials that make passengers feel special. 

Top models get soft, premium leathers in create color combinations, heated and cooled seats and the ability to add an incredible level of tech for a pickup truck. The interior is spacious, and offers excellent head and leg room in both the front and rear seats, as well as a good amount of small item storage. The optional panoramic moonroof gives the truck an open and airy feel few other trucks can manage.

An 8.4-inch touchscreen is standard but many will be drawn to the available 12-inch screen available on all but the Tradesman. It’s capable of displaying two apps at once, such as audio and climate controls or Apple CarPlay and vehicle settings. Both screens run the Apple interface, as well as Android Auto and both offer a mobile hotspot. Ram did a good job at integrating touch controls into the system, but the physical controls are just as useful.

For 2021, a variety of off-road information can be displayed on the infotainment system, helpful for buyers who want a TRX but have a budget closer to Ram 1500 Rebel.

Trucks don’t always perform well in crash testing, but the Ram does. It earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. There’s also a healthy suite of driver assist technology, though all of it is optional. The $1,695 Advanced Safety Group package adds adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and a surround view camera. Other options include blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts, some of which can be ordered as stand-alone options.