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High Inventories Make for Hot Deals2020 RAM 1500 Review
After taking a look at the 2020 Ram 1500, it’s safe to say that it’s strong on the inside and handsome on the outside.
What’s New for the 2020 Ram 1500
RAM introduced the EcoDiesel and some new looks for the 1500. You could also get the Big Horn and Laramie in a new 2020 Night Edition. It gives you, for a price, a striking blacked-out grille that sweeps into dark headlamps, a chrome-less exterior, plus black-out wheels, badges, and exhaust tips. The Big Horn added 20-inch wheels and the Laramie got some extra massive 22-inch wheels with the package.
Not to be left alone, the Rebel received a new Black Appearance Group package that included a black exterior with wheels and optional accessories that are also black.
2020 RAM 1500 – media.stellantisnorthamerica.com | Shop 2020 Ram 1500 on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Handsome all-around styling
Well-thought-out interior
Beautiful 12-inch touchscreen
Excellent UConnect connected car system
Gas hungry
2020 Ram 1500 Specs
- 305 horsepower from base engine
- 269 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 8 available trims
- 126 cu-ft. of passenger volume
- Towing capacity up to 12,750 lbs
- Payload capacity up to 2,320 lbs
- 12-inch infotainment screen except base trim
- 5-star NHTSA safety rating
2020 Ram 1500 Powertrain
New for 2020 is a mild-hybrid eTorque system that preserves engine power while increasing fuel mileage. It does its job quietly and efficiently on the base Pentastar V6 and the HEMI V8. Both engines have a very smooth eight-speed automatic transmission that’s standard on all trims.
Of course, for those of us who love the torque of a diesel engine, RAM has us covered. The 3.0-liter V6 EcoDiesel pumps out 480 lb-ft of torque. Although not as strong as a RAM 3500 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo-Diesel, the EcoDiesel beats Ford and Chevy’s half-ton engines when it comes to torque. The model we drove had the 3.0-liter and, except for idle, you wouldn’t know it was a diesel.
2020 Ram 1500 Fuel Economy & MPG
The mpg here won’t rival that of an economy car but you’re probably not buying for that purpose anyway. For a truck, the mileage isn’t bad. The Tradesman, Big Horn, Laramie, and Rebel are getting you 20 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway. There’s a drop when you get up to the Limited, giving you a combined 15/22 mpg.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
When Ram redesigned their pickups, they set a high bar with the interior. Its materials are upscale, with the quality and design of a luxury sport sedan or SUV more than an everyday truck. And speaking of SUV, the Ram has SUV-sized interior elbow space and cubbies. And you’ll find significant legroom in Quad Cab. Nothing is standing in your way of convenience and comfort in a Ram.
If you want to fill up the truck bed, you can do so through an optional split-folding tailgate. It’s available in the five-foot-seven-inch and six-foot-four-inch cargo beds.
2020 Ram 1500 Entertainment & Technology
Parent company, Stellantis, has provided its Dodge and Ram products with excellent entertainment systems. The Uconnect system in the 2020 Ram 1500 has a well-thought-out user experience and responsive user interface. We still love the look.
The good thing is that the system works and looks as good on the 8.4-inch screen as it does on the larger screen. Speaking of that larger 12-inch touchscreen, you can get it on all but the Tradesman. The 1500 we were in had a smaller screen, and it was integrated well into the dash. And even though you have a touchscreen, Ram still gives you big knobs for important functions, unlike some of its competition. While sitting in the driver’s seat, you’ll also appreciate the large digital screen between the tach and speedo that shows everything from speed to phone calls. An optional heads-up display potentially keeps your eyes on the road, too.
We saw at least four USB ports in front and four in the rear and two plugs for your charging transformers. You won’t have issues with charging anything. There are too many slots, pockets, and well-designed storage places to mention. The truth is, you may lose things inside the Ram because you forgot where you stored them. We especially loved the available in-floor storage.
And if you love music, you can option up to the Harmon Kardon sound system with 900-watts of power, 19 speakers, and a 10-inch subwoofer. Really. The most powerful sound system in today’s pickups.
Safety Features
Our 2020 Ram 1500 received a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA. Although Ram has driver assistance features, you have to pay extra for them in Safety and Convenience packages or move up to a higher trim level like the Laramie, which is annoyingly expensive for safety. Available features are blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, automatic high-beams, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assists, and automatic emergency braking.
2020 Ram 1500 Trims & Pricing
Tradesman – $34,845
When a base trim model is almost $35,000, is it a base trim? It is in the world of $100,000 trucks. The good thing is that you get some luxuries inside like power windows, a push-button start, power windows, and cruise control. If you desire, spring for the optional cloth seats over the standard vinyl bench front seat. Outside, you get a black grille, bumpers and door handles that actually look good. The 18-inch wheels are lonely in the wheel wells and are powered by the 3.6-liter V6. The EcoDiesel and Hemi are options if you need the power and torque.
Big Horn – $39,190
The Big Horn throws on its chrome clothes with a shiny grille, bumpers, and aluminum wheels. You’ll also see fog lamps and heated side-view mirrors with embedded turn signals.
Once inside, you’ll be pampered with carpeted floors, cloth seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. Look around, and you’ll see the sliding rear window, storage in the center seat cushion and doors, plus the addition of RAMs Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen that’s optional.
Although the Big Horn’s standard engine is the fully capable Pentastar V6, you can also power up with the optional 5.7-liter Hemi or EcoDiesel.
Laramie – $42,990
The 2020 Laramie doesn’t get dirty like the Rebel. Rather than an off-road focus, for a bit less cash, you get a more luxury-focused 1500.
Open the Laramie’s door and plop down on heated and ventilated power leather seats that include driver-side memory switches. The 8.4-inch touchscreen is standard, and there’s a 115-volt auxiliary rear power outlet added for your use. For an extra $1000 or so, you can get bucket seats to replace the bench. And while you’re at it, pick up the massive optional 12-inch Uconnect system.
With the eTorque Hemi V8 or optional EcoDiesel, it helps to have the Laramie’s active front air dam that will deploy to save fuel.
Rebel – $44,490
While destined for the off-road, the Rebel picked up an electronic locking rear differential, 3.92 axle ratio, big tires, and upgraded Bilstein shocks with external reservoirs for the rear set. Combined with skid plates, hill descent control, and a one-inch lift, you have a decent part-time off-roader.
The Rebel gets a specially designed and blacked-out grille and bumper combo flanked by darkened headlamps. The hood has a non-functional power bulge but still adds a look, at least, of sportiness. The unique 18-inch black and chrome wheels with Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac off-road rubber look excellent, and so does the black-out badging.
Inside, you can get the Uconnect system and other options like the Active-Level Four-Corner air suspension.
Laramie Longhorn – $50,990
If you’re looking for chrome, you’ve found your home. The Longhorn seems to have it everywhere – especially on the grille. With that slightly different grille design, you also get projector LED headlamps and a color-keyed bumper.
Inside are your Tan/Black or light brown leather choice to complement the authentic wood dash trim. To add to the decided ranch, feel inside is the cattle-brand look of the Longhorn logo. You’ll still have to pay extra for the 12-inch Uconnect display but heated second-row seats are standard.
Limited – $53,690
The Longhorn and Limited are only $3,000 difference in price, but they’re miles away in look and feel. The Longhorn driver will wear cowboy boots, and the Limited is going to wear dress shoes. In other words: one’s country, the other’s business in the city. Adding to that more comfortable look and feel is the Limited standard four-corner air suspension and polished 20-inch wheels.
Step up into the Limited, and you’ll immediately see that 12-inch screen. And it’s a beauty. Leather heated and cooled seats will also welcome you, and there are all sorts of places to store your cups and gear. Finally, you get a standard wireless charging pad to power your mobile device while playing through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Like the Longhorn, you’ll have a choice of the Hemi V8s or EcoDiesel.
Warranties
RAM has a similar 3-year 36,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year 60,000-mile powertrain warranty as every manufacturer. There isn’t a Toyota-style two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance, which would offset some initial purchase prices. Although they produce reliable trucks, Ram won’t do you any favors regarding maintenance costs.
What we think
2020 RAM 1500 – media.stellantisnorthamerica.com | Shop 2020 Ram 1500 on Carsforsale.com
If you’re looking for a pickup, can afford the price of entry plus the cash when you fill up, we recommend that you buy the Ram. It’s brilliantly designed quality interior with cubbies, nooks and cupholders everywhere just can’t be beaten today.
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