Interior Overview

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside, the Ram 1500 has supremely functional cubby stowage and cavernous passenger space. Higher trims add upscale materials and creature comforts, making the Ram feel more like a luxury vehicle than a pickup truck. Most models are available with upscale features such as heated and ventilated seats and a panoramic sunroof, while the fanciest versions have premium leather surfaces and genuine wood accents.

As with most full-size pickup trucks, the Ram 1500's crew cab is supremely spacious. It also has vast amounts of interior storage and a unique split-folding tailgate. Both the five-foot-seven-inch and six-foot-four-inch cargo beds are available, but the extended cab body style only pairs with the latter. Ram doesn't offer the 1500 with a regular cab, though it does sell the prior generation truck, the 1500 Classic, with such a body style.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Ram trucks have had one of the best infotainment systems and connectivity features in the class for a while. That continues in the latest trucks, which have either a responsive 8.4-inch or an optional 12.0-inch touchscreen that is available on all but the base Ram model. Both systems are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible.

The Ram 1500 has a host of available driver-assistance technology that range from automated emergency braking to lane-keeping assist. For more information about the Ram 1500's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
• Available automatic high-beams headlights
• Available adaptive cruise control

Preformance

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Ram 1500 offers V-6 and V-8 gasoline powertrains that pair with a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. Both engines are assisted by a 48-volt hybrid system, though the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 is also available without the electric support. A diesel is also available for 2023, though Ram intends to stop production of this engine in January 2023. Until then, the 260-hp diesel V-6 is available under the hoods of 1500 Tradesman, Big Horn, Lone Star, Laramie, Limited Longhorn, and Limited trims.

For adventurous folk, the rugged Rebel model provides beefier looks and legitimate off-road capability. Every Ram 1500 has an impressive ride thanks to a rear suspension that uses standard coil springs or optional air springs, unlike the traditional leaf-spring setup found on domestic rivals. Models equipped with air suspension even have an adjustable ride height, which aids fuel efficiency and off-road performance.

Towing and Payload Capacity

The Ram 1500 can tow up to 12,750 pounds and carry a payload of up to 2320 pounds. Its maximum towing capacity exceeds all but the Ford F-150, which currently tops 13,000 pounds. Rams with the crew cab body style—including the Rebel model—can't tow as much as those with the extended cab. Nonetheless, the more passenger-friendly 1500 crew cab can still tow north of 11,500 pounds.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

With hybridized V-6 and V-8 engines, as well as a diesel option, the Ram 1500 lineup has varied fuel economy. The EPA estimates that the most efficient Ram, the rear-drive diesel, nabs a combined fuel economy rating of 26 mpg. The gas V-6 and V-8, meanwhile, top out at 23 and 20 mpg combined, respectively. A 1500 Rebel with the gas V-6 tested returned 24 mpg. That's 6 and 4 mpg better than a V-8 Rebel and a V-8 Laramie, which lacked electric-assist, we tested. For more information about the Ram 1500's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

The 2023 Ram TRX | A Ram Truck with a Hellcat Motor

The TRX can devour off-road miles with ease, being the fastest gas-powered truck produced: The 702-hp powerhouse achieves 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.7 seconds. This means that despite its 6800-pound weight, it can outperform a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 at a traffic light. Its reign is challenged only by city traffic, tight parking spots, and frequent gas station visits. The TRX's supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 engine requires fuel injectors that resemble showerheads, delivering a thrilling ride.

Starting just over $80,000, the TRX offers a lot of value for its cost. The base version is well-equipped, but it lacks some features that one might expect to be standard. For instance, heated steering wheel and heated front seats cost extra, only included in the Level 1 package. This package adds nearly $4000 to the price but brings a wealth of upgrades, including leather-trimmed seats, cargo-box lighting, a leather and microsuede-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel, under-seat storage in the rear, and more. We recommend this option, as well as the Trailer-Tow package to enhance the pickup's towing capabilities.

Hidden within the TRX's robust fenders and beneath its hood scoop lies a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V-8, popularly known as the Hellcat engine. It produces 702 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, which are delivered to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The TRX reaches 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds during our tests and completes the quarter-mile in 12.3 seconds at 110 mph. This makes it the fastest pickup we've ever tested. Despite its weight and large size, the Hellcat-powered Ram offers a refined driving experience on paved roads. However, its supercharged V-8 is always ready to roar.

The TRX is designed for off-road excursions too, with a reinforced steel frame, a robust suspension allowing more than 13 inches of travel, and 35-inch all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels providing 11.8 inches of ground clearance. Ram claims the half-ton Hellcat can ford up to 32 inches of water. Every TRX comes equipped with underbody plating for protection, Bilstein remote-reservoir dampers, an electronic-locking rear differential, and huge 15.0-inch front brakes.