2021 Ram 1500 provides the power and capability you expect from a truck

The Final Call

The 2021 Ram 1500 provides the power and capability you expect from a truck, but it also has the cushioned ride and upscale cabin that you don't often find outside of a luxury vehicle. The seats are expansive and comfortable, the infotainment system is intuitive, and there's a new TRX model that's ridiculously powerful and a terrific off-roader. In short, the Ram has something for every full-size pickup truck buyer. It's a top choice in the class.

Don't just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

"The 2021 Ram 1500 … raises expectations for the entire breed. Pickups were once judged based on ruggedness rather than refinement. No longer. And this latest Ram, with its luxury-grade interior and cushy ride quality, easily exceeds even the fanciest versions of the Chevy Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, and Ford F-150." -- less

Car and Driver

"The Ram 1500 is my favorite truck in the highly competitive full-size pickup segment. With excellent onboard technology, good looks both inside and out, lots of utility and a comfortable ride, it's hard to beat this well-rounded package." -- less

CNET (2020)

"The 2020 Ram 1500 received a stem-to-stern redesign in 2019 that brought with it increased capability, improved fuel economy, greater refinement and a features list that can't be beat. It builds upon its smooth-riding, well-rounded predecessor while adding plenty of new, impressive elements: from the most basic Tradesman work truck and its standard eTorque mild-hybrid V6 powertrain to the range-topping Limited interior that deserves the title 'luxury truck' more than anything previous. Is it the best full-size pickup you can buy? It's certainly racking up the awards to indicate that, and we certainly wouldn't argue." -- less

Autotrader (2020)

Current Deals and Incentives

Finance Deals:

0% financing for 60 months plus up to $3,750 cash back. (Expires: 02/01/21)

0% financing for 60 months plus up to $3,000 bonus cash (Northeast, Southeast, South Central)

0% financing for 60 months plus up to $3,750 bonus cash (Mid-Atlantic)

0% financing for 60 months plus up to $3,500 bonus cash (Midwest)

0% financing for 60 months plus up to $5,000 bonus cash (Southwest)

0% financing for 60 months plus up to $4,000 bonus cash (Northwest)

0% financing for 72 months (Midwest) (Expires: 02/01/21)

Cash Back Deals:

Up to $5,250 cash back. (Expires: 02/01/21)

Up to $4,500 cash back (Northeast, Southeast, South Central)

Up to $5,250 cash back (Mid-Atlantic)

Up to $5,000 cash back (Midwest)

Up to $6,500 cash back (Southwest)

Up to $5,500 cash back (Northwest) (Expires: 02/01/21)

2021 Ram 1500 provides

The Final Call

The 2021 Ram 1500 provides the power and capability you expect from a truck, but it also has the cushioned ride and upscale cabin that you don't often find outside of a luxury vehicle. The seats are expansive and comfortable, the infotainment system is intuitive, and there's a new TRX model that's ridiculously powerful and a terrific off-roader. In short, the Ram has something for every full-size pickup truck buyer. It's a top choice in the class.

Don't just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

Don't just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

"The 2021 Ram 1500 … raises expectations for the entire breed. Pickups were once judged based on ruggedness rather than refinement. No longer. And this latest Ram, with its luxury-grade interior and cushy ride quality, easily exceeds even the fanciest versions of the Chevy Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, and Ford F-150." -- less

Car and Driver

"The Ram 1500 is my favorite truck in the highly competitive full-size pickup segment. With excellent onboard technology, good looks both inside and out, lots of utility and a comfortable ride, it's hard to beat this well-rounded package." -- less

CNET (2020)

"The 2020 Ram 1500 received a stem-to-stern redesign in 2019 that brought with it increased capability, improved fuel economy, greater refinement and a features list that can't be beat. It builds upon its smooth-riding, well-rounded predecessor while adding plenty of new, impressive elements: from the most basic Tradesman work truck and its standard eTorque mild-hybrid V6 powertrain to the range-topping Limited interior that deserves the title 'luxury truck' more than anything previous. Is it the best full-size pickup you can buy? It's certainly racking up the awards to indicate that, and we certainly wouldn't argue." -- less

Autotrader (2020)

Which Ram 1500 Model Is Best for Off-Roading?

Which Ram 1500 Model Is Best for Off-Roading?

There are two trims you should seek out if off-roading is your jam. The first is the Rebel. A locking differential, tow hooks, skid plates, off-road-tuned suspension components, a 1-inch factory lift, hill descent control and 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires are among its list of standard equipment – when four-wheel drive is added. Note that upgrading to four-wheel drive costs an extra $3,500.

The other is the brand-new TRX model. It's the best off-roader in the lineup, and Ram envisions it as a direct answer to the Ford Raptor. It has the usual off-road features offered by the Rebel, but it takes things a step further with add-ons like an off-road chassis and suspension, upgraded Bilstein shocks, and a larger air filter to help it survive dusty conditions.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Ram dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Ram deals page.

See 2021 Ram 1500 specs and trims »

Which Ram 1500 Model Is Best for Towing and Hauling?

Which Ram 1500 Model Is Best for Towing and Hauling?

The Ram 1500 reaches its 12,750-pound maximum towing capacity with the Quad Cab, the eTorque-assisted V8 engine, and rear-wheel drive.

You can tow significantly heavier trailers in models with the V8 engines (which have tow ratings that range from around 8,100 to 11,560 pounds) or the diesel engine (which enables towing up to 12,560 pounds). With the V6 engine, this truck only has a maximum tow rating of 7,730 pounds.

The smaller engine isn't as good for towing, but it's actually better for hauling. The V6 unlocks a maximum payload capacity of 2,300 pounds, compared to the V8’s highest rating of 1,970. The highest payload with the diesel engine is 2,040 pounds.

Which Ram 1500 Bed Length Is Right for Me?

Which Ram 1500 Bed Length Is Right for Me?

The standard bed size for most Ram 1500 trims is 6 feet, 4 inches. All Quad Cab models have this bed size, and Crew Cab versions offer it as an option. The other choice is a 5-foot-7-inch bed that you can only get with the Crew Cab.

While the larger bed provides an additional 9 inches of length and 7.6 cubic feet of volume, it also makes Crew Cab versions of the truck longer, which can make it significantly more difficult to park. Make sure it can fit in your garage or driveway before you choose this combo.

Ram 1500 Reliability Is the Ram 1500 Reliable?

Ram 1500 Reliability

Is the Ram 1500 Reliable?

The 2021 Ram 1500 has a predicted reliability rating of three out of five, which is about average.

Ram 1500 Warranty

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles covers the Ram 1500 with a three-year/36,000-mile basic limited warranty. Models with a gasoline engine come with a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, while those with a diesel engine get a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Read more about reliability »

Ram 1500 Safety

Ram 1500 Crash Test Results

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2021 Ram 1500 an overall safety rating of four out of five stars (five out of five stars for Crew Cab models). The Ram received four stars in the frontal crash test, five stars in the side crash test, and, depending on the model, three or four stars in the rollover test.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2021 Ram 1500 the highest rating of Good in all six of the organization's crash tests. The headlights in Laramie Longhorn, Limited, and TRX models earned Good ratings for how well they illuminate the road ahead. In other models, the headlights received the second-lowest rating of Marginal.

The IIHS uses a different grading scale for collision-avoidance features. The Ram 1500 earned the highest rating of Superior for its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, while the optional vehicle-to-pedestrian system received the second-highest rating of Advanced.

Ram 1500 Safety Features

Standard advanced safety features:

Rearview camera

Available advanced safety features:

Head-up display

Adaptive cruise control

Forward collision warning

Automatic emergency braking

Pedestrian detection

Blind spot monitoring

Lane departure warning

Lane keep assist

Surround-view parking camera system

Rear cross traffic alert

Front and rear parking sensors

Parallel and perpendicular park assist

Automatic high-beam headlights

Read more about safety »

Ram 1500 Versus the Competition Ram 1500 vs. Ford F-150

Ram 1500 Versus the Competition

Ram 1500 vs. Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 is an annual challenger for the top spot in our full-size pickup truck rankings, and it's fully redesigned for 2021. The 2021 F-150 hasn't been reviewed yet, but its highlights include a full hybrid powertrain, the all-new SYNC 4 infotainment system, and projected towing and hauling capacities that should be among the best in the class.

Compare the Ram 1500 and F-150 »

Ram 1500 vs. Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a good pick for those who tow heavy trailers, and it can tow more than the Ram. The Chevy also has spacious front seats and a decent amount of rear-seat legroom. But its so-so interior can't match the Ram 1500's, which partly explains why the Silverado sits behind the Ram in the class rankings. If you don't need the higher towing capacity of the Chevrolet, go with the Ram.

Compare the Ram 1500 and Silverado »

Compare the Ram 1500, F-150, and Silverado »

2021 Ram HD Ram3500 Should I Buy the Ram 1500?

Should I Buy the Ram 1500?

Full-size pickup truck shoppers would be foolish not to at least consider the Ram for their next purchase. As mentioned above, this truck has a laundry list of strengths with no major weaknesses to speak of, and its competitive pricing means it delivers as much or more bang for your buck than anything else in the class.

Find a 2021 Ram 1500 for sale near you »

2020 vs. 2021 Ram 1500: What's the Difference?

The Ram 1500 sees one big change for 2021: The all-new Ram TRX joins the trim lineup. The TRX features the same engine as the Dodge Charger and Dodge Challenger Hellcat models: a 702-horsepower supercharged V8. Ram expects the TRX to rival the Ford Raptor in terms of capability, and it comes standard with a plethora of off-road features.

Compare the 2020 and 2021 Ram 1500 »

Here are the key changes for the Ram 1500 over the last few years:

2018: rearview camera added to standard features list; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became available

2019: fully redesigned with increased fuel economy, higher towing capacity, a nicer interior, updated exterior styling, and more available features

2020: diesel engine became available

2021: high-performance Ram TRX joins lineup

If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2018 Ram 1500, 2019 Ram 1500, and 2020 Ram 1500 reviews to help make your decision. Also, check out our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to learn about savings and discounts you can find on new vehicles.