2021 Ram 1500 review

2021 Ram 1500 Review: 

With a luxurious interior and available brawny V8 or rugged diesel engine, the Ram 1500 is one of the top full-size trucks on the road today. The Ram stands out with its premium interior, smooth ride, and available off-road performance TRX trim. It's plenty capable for towing and hauling, too. The Ram 1500 is most notable for its coil-spring suspension design, which offers a much smoother ride, improves off-road performance. It is the only truck in its class with this type of suspension and it's one of the main reasons why the Ram 1500 deserves consideration.

The 2021 model year was notable for the debut of the exciting Ram 1500 TRX. Its dinosaur-inspired name also matches its massive power, featuring a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 stomping out 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. That's nearly two and a half times the power of the base V6 engine. Ram says the TRX can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, an impressive feat for a truck this size. But wait, there's more. The TRX also gets wide-body fenders, 35-inch tires, a specialized suspension, a reinforced frame, and a 2-inch chassis lift, all for enhanced off-road and high-speed performance. That said, the TRX isn't for everyone, as it costs significantly more than the standard Ram, and you're likely to see real-world fuel economy in the single digits. 

• Technology

• Comfort

• Cargo and storage

• Ease of use

• Driving

What tech does the 2021 Ram 1500 have?

Connectivity

Depending on your Ram's trim level, there is an available wireless charging station, up to four USB-C charging ports, and up to three 115-volt outlets to keep your devices powered up. Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ come standard on the Laramie and higher trims, and it's easy to pair your phone

Infotainment

Lower Ram trims come with a five-inch center touchscreen. Laramie and Rebel trims come with an 8.4-inch touchscreen. Finally, the upper Limited Longhorn, Limited, and TRX trims come with a whopping 12-inch vertically oriented touchscreen.

Ram's operating system was once on the cutting edge, but is now starting to show its age. Edmunds' testers found the response time to be a bit laggy and the interface not very intuitive. The onboard satellite navigation works well, but its resolution lacks crispness and tends to lag on pinch-to-zoom gestures and when moving the map. The audio system in the top trim was very good but less impressive on lower trim levels.

Driver Assist Tech

Several driver-assist features are available for the Rebel, Laramie, Longhorn, Limited and TRX trims, such as adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Ram 1500 and the car in front), lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position), and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse). A surround-view camera system gives you a top-down view of the Ram 1500 and its surroundings for tight parking situations.

How comfortable is the 2021 Ram 1500? 

Front Seating

The front seats are comfortable and supportive, even on long drives, and this holds true for the entry-level Tradesman as well. The Ram 1500’s climate control system works well, and you still get rear-center A/C vents even if you get the bench seat in the front. Cloth seats come on lower trims and leather seats are standard on the Laramie and higher trims. Upper trim levels add heated and ventilated front seats.

Rear Seating

The Ram offers exceptional rear-seat comfort for a truck, thanks to a significant amount of built-in recline in the back bench. Edmunds' testers found the truck comfortable enough for hours-long drives (and passengers in certain trims can also enjoy available massage functionality).

The back seats are very spacious, particularly in the crew cab, providing abundant head- and legroom for all passengers. One tester even likened the Ram's back seat to a "mini-living room."

Ride Quality and Interior Noise

The Ram distinguishes itself with fantastic ride quality, largely thanks to its rear suspension design, which uses coil springs rather than the leaf springs more commonly used in full-size pickup trucks. This translates to fewer jittery motions in the rear—especially without payload—than rivals, even the Tundra with its similar setup. Minor road imperfections like seams and bumps are almost completely absorbed.

The cabin is generally quiet, with wind and tire noise well contained. While the six-cylinder engine sounds good under hard acceleration, the noise is a bit gruff and doesn't match the V8's growl. Over several days of testing and towing, Edmunds' reviewers didn't notice any unusual vibrations.

Does the 2021 Ram 1500 have good storage?

Cargo 

The maximum payload for the Ram's bed is 2,300 pounds, which is a bit less than the Ford F-150. Edmunds' testers were unable to assess the ride quality with a full load, as they did not have the opportunity to drive the truck with the bed fully laden. Optional on some Ram 1500  trims with the short bed, include a pair of RamBox® cargo bed storage bins, a unique feature that lets you store smaller items out of sight and locked away. The only trade-off is that it cuts into the width of the bed. 

The back seats can also fold up, revealing a small cargo area. However, because this area is not lockable, items stored there cannot be secured. Furthermore, it lacks the flat floor design found in some competing pickup trucks.

Storage

The front seating area (on models without the front bench) includes a large storage bin situated between the seats. This bin has a floating center section where the cupholders are located and can be moved forward or backward to optimize storage space. When slid all the way back, it creates enough room for a sizable purse or bag.

How easy is the 2021 Ram 1500 to use?

Entry, Exit, and Car Seats

The Ram 1500's entry height may be challenging for some drivers, though the air suspension system on some models can lower the vehicle for easier access. The top trim Edmunds tested mitigated this issue with powered running boards, but the Tradesman trim proved more difficult to get into.

Installing a child seat was easy thanks to the generous cabin space. However, like most full-size trucks, the top LATCH anchors use straps, which can be somewhat awkward to use. The significant benefit is that once the seat is in place, there remains plenty of room to move around it to access the other side of the cab.

Interior Layout and Visibility

The Ram offers a well-designed driver interface. Key information is easily accessible: The vertically oriented touchscreen places crucial details at the top, and the instrument cluster is clear, especially for the status of driver-assist systems. Physical controls for climate make them easier to use. For convenience, the USB ports are located directly above the wireless charger.

Finding a comfortable driving position was simple, with easy adjustment of the seat and steering wheel relative to the pedals. Additionally, the large steering wheel does not obstruct the gauge cluster, ensuring clear visibility of all your driving information.

What’s the 2021 Ram 1500 like to drive?

Driving

Over the years, Edmunds has tested many Ram configurations, and they've all made an impression with their steady steering, confident braking, and secure handling, so you can't go wrong with whichever engine or trim you choose.

Edmunds test truck was equipped with the V8 engine and eight-speed transmission. It's hard to argue with the 5.7-liter HEMI® V8. It feels strong off the line, and it serves up excellent roll-on acceleration when it's time to merge or make a pass. Our measured 0-60 mph test time was 6.6 seconds with a truck with economical 3.21 axle gearing. This is a no-nonsense truck engine. But the second-generation EcoDiesel is strongly worth considering. It delivers plenty of torque, and aside from a bit of turbo lag at first, it feels easy to drive around town, whether you’re merging or passing. Its peak power is a bit lower than the V8, so along with the turbo lag, its straight-line acceleration isn’t quite as strong. Edmunds recorded 8.5 seconds to reach 60 mph.

The Ram 1500 offers predictable handling and carries its size well, never feeling sloppy around corners, thanks to its light steering. It feels more connected to the road than other full-size pickups, although the steering offers little road feel. Visibility is excellent due to large windows, but the truck's high sides can obscure shorter objects. For off-road enthusiasts, the Ram RHO is ready for action with ample ground clearance and impressive high-speed capability.

Towing

Crew-cab V8 tow ratings are about 11,200 pounds (4x4) and 11,500 (4x2) pounds with the 3.92 axle option. Other options include a zoomable backup camera for easy hitching, a blind-spot system that adjusts for trailer length, excellent flip-up tow mirrors, and an integrated trailer brake controller.

The Ram's EcoDiesel engine can tow just as much as the V8. The rating is only about 200 pounds less than the HEMI® V8, mainly because the engine and exhaust system are a bit heavier. As a result, the Ram leads its class for towing among 1500 diesel trucks. Plus, you’ll get better fuel economy and range when towing with this setup. Ram is also the only 1500 series truck brand that offers a big-tank option with its diesel.

Fuel Economy

The Ram’s combined city and highway fuel economy usually falls between the high teens and low 20s, depending on the engine and whether you choose rear- or four-wheel drive. The EcoDiesel V6 stands out for its fuel efficiency. With rear-wheel drive, it gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg combined.

EPA Fuel Economy Estimates