2021 Ram 1500

There are eight trim levels of the Ram 1500: Tradesman, HFE, Big Horn, Laramie, Rebel, Limited Longhorn, Limited, and TRX. Less expensive trim levels are available in the extended cab body style, while upper trims come only in full-size crew cab format. Two- and four-wheel-drive are available, as are different bed lengths. The Tradesman starts around $32,500. A work truck, it still comes with many features, including a backup camera, automatic headlights, variable intermittent wipers, power mirrors, vinyl seating, keyless entry and ignition, power windows and locks, air conditioning, cruise control, in-truck WiFi, a five-inch infotainment screen, and Bluetooth. The HFE retails for about $34,500. It adds exterior and interior upgrades like alloy wheels and cloth seats. The Big Horn adds many features for roughly $37,000. It gets a remote engine starter, metal interior trim, a leather steering wheel with multifunction controls, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and voice-activated infotainment. The Laramie is comfortable and family-friendly at about $41,500. It has forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, heated/ventilated front seats with power adjustment, driver’s seat memory, dual-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, household-style power outlets, satellite radio, a 506-watt Alpine premium audio system, an 8.4-inch touchscreen, front and rear USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Rebel adds rugged styling for around $45,500. It gets 33-inch all-terrain tires, black wheels, an electronically locking rear differential, black exterior accents, an off-road front bumper, rear parking sensors, and cloth and vinyl seats. The Limited Longhorn is rustic and upmarket, with an MSRP of about $52,500. Notable features include LED projector headlights, 20-inch wheels, leather upholstery, wood trim, and side assist steps. The Limited adds modern styling and plush luxury for an estimated $56,500. It gets a 12-inch touchscreen, wireless device charging, powered side steps, blind-spot monitoring, active noise cancellation technology, and an air suspension. The new-for-2021 TRX has Hemi power and exclusive features for about $70,500. The high-performance TRX gets the same supercharged V8 engine used in the Challenger Hellcat, paddle shifters, launch control, off-road tires, and a celebratory interior VIN placard.

Three engines show up in the Ram 1500 lineup, a quiet and economical 3.6-liter V6, a smooth 5.7-liter V8 built for towing heavy loads, and a super-powerful supercharged 6.2-liter V8. Buyers also get to choose two- or four-wheel-drive and short or long bed lengths. The Ram 1500’s 3.6-liter V6 engine comes on most trim levels. A 48-volt electrical system connected to the engine helps make it more efficient. It uses regenerative braking, which captures some of the energy that would otherwise be lost when the brakes are used. It then routes that in the form of electricity back to the powertrain. A start/stop engine feature turns off the motor at idle, saving more fuel. All told, a Ram 1500 crew cab should return 21 mpg overall, according to the EPA. Not bad for a full-size truck with four-wheel-drive. Power output is 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. Ram recommends regular fuel. The Limited trim comes with the smooth and potent 5.7-liter V8, which runs on mid-grade unleaded fuel. Its extra cylinders help boost power output to 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. With four-wheel-drive, it gets an EPA-estimated 17 mpg combined. For 2021, Ram is debuting the TRX, meant to compete in the hyper-competitive high-performance truck niche. Built to be the fastest production pickup truck, the TRX uses the same supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine as the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. Those models have made quite a splash in their respective categories, and the TRX is guaranteed to be one of the most exciting truck releases ever. In this application, the motor makes 702 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. The EPA has not yet released gas mileage numbers, but due to the TRX’s sheer size, they will likely be lower than the Trackhawk’s 13 mpg combined. Four-wheel-drive comes standard. Premium fuel is required. A 3.0-liter diesel V6 engine is available on select trims. It makes 260 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque, delivering up to 12,560 pounds of towing along with an EPA-rated 32 mpg highway. All Ram 1500s use an eight-speed automatic transmission with available paddle shifters. Standard fuel tank capacity ranges from 26-33 gallons, depending on body style and engine.

The Ram 1500 has a large and practical cabin that’s great for carrying people and their stuff over long distances. It helps make the 1500 a great towing and work vehicle and a superb SUV alternative for active families. There’s more rear-seat space than in competitors. Most full-size trucks have a leaf rear suspension with leaf springs -- a rugged setup for hauling large loads in the bed, but not very refined. The Ram 1500 does things differently, with a multi-link rear suspension more commonly found on European sports sedans than chunky American trucks. Coil springs come standard, while air springs are available. This suspension type gives the Ram a smooth ride. Compared to competitors, the Ram’s interior has a more upscale interior. The cabin styling is warm and welcoming, with elegance similar to a premium SUV. Upper trims come with leather upholstery, heated/ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 10-speaker Alpine audio system, and smartphone apps for Apple and Google phones. The Ram’s infotainment system is straightforward to use, with intuitive menus and available visual aids for off-road driving and towing.