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2025 Car Mileage with the Best Gas Mileage2021 RAM 1500 Pickup Review
The RAM 1500 had the lead in the pickup truck war, but with the release of the new F-150 it's time to see if the 2021 RAM 1500 can keep its crown.
2021 RAM 1500 Pickup – ramtrucks.com | Shop 2021 RAM 1500 on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2021 RAM 1500 Pickup?
For the first time, the 2021 RAM 1500 gets a new “Trailer Reverse Steering Control” as well as a digital reverse mirror and a heads-up display. Within the infotainment system, more off-road performance metrics can be found. To take better advantage of those metrics, RAM has released the Warlock trim package that adds all-terrain tires and special graphics, but the real story is the RAM TRX boasting some 702 horsepower. While the TRX could be considered an entirely different animal when compared to the regular RAM, it’s absolutely the most noteworthy addition to the RAM 1500 lineup in 2021.
The Breakdown
Best riding full-sized pickup
Excellent versatility
The TRX is an insane truck
Safety features an after thought
Trims aren’t competitively priced
Bring back the road-focused SRT-10
2021 RAM 1500 Specs
- 260 horsepower from base engine
- 269 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 8 available trims
- 2320 lbs of payload capacity
- Towing capacity of up to 12,750 lbs
- Available 12.3-inch infotainment system
- NHSTA 5-star safety rating
2021 RAM 1500 Pickup Powertrain
RAM has led the way in terms of driving and performance since its latest generational release in 2019. The 2021 RAM 1500 uses the most modern of suspension designs and that’s changed the way we view what a truck can be. In addition, the excellent range of engines here makes the RAM particularly appealing to customers who really want to have the last word when it comes to the exact specifications of their vehicle.
Regardless of choice though, we think RAM owners will be happy with the way this truck moves through the world. Acceleration from either of the V6 engines is sufficient enough to do anything one might need and when opting for the V8s it just gets more enjoyable than it already was to drive the RAM 1500. The all new 2021 RAM 1500 TRX got its own review since it’s an entirely different beast to the lineup, but the next top trim level called the Limited with the 395 horsepower V8 is also an incredible truck. It can do practically anything the modern family might need it to from helping to bring home the bacon, to shuttling kids around town in comfort, to soaking up long road trips towing large loads on the weekends.
Quite simply, RAM pushed Ford to improve its F-150 and it was plainly seen when we had our chance to look it over. Gone are the days of full-sized trucks that drove like a drunken cow with a bad leg.
Towing & Payload
The 2021 RAM 1500 pickup can tow up to 12,750 lbs when equipped with the 5.7L HEMI V8 engine and it’s eTorque Mild Hybrid Technology. On the low end, the 3.6L V6 engine with eTorque has a towing capacity of up to 7,730 lbs. The high-strength steel frame under the RAM 1500 is capable of carrying a payload of up to 2320 lbs.
2021 RAM 1500 Pickup Fuel Economy & MPG
With ratings of just 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway on the 3.6-liter V6 models, the RAM 1500 isn’t particularly breathtaking when it comes to efficiency. Still though, compared to just a few years ago, the HFE (High Fuel Economy) trim making 23 mpg city and 33 mpg highway is pretty impressive for a full-sized truck. It’s only with the release of new products from Ford like the F-150 Hybrid and upcoming F-150 EV that RAM might need to make some further improvements.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
This is by far the most impressive part of the 2021 RAM 1500. Even on the lower-tiered models like the Tradesman, the comfort level is high. Features might be sparse, but the seats are incredibly comfortable and the layout of the controls is outstanding. Once in a Laramie or above, the RAM is quite simply an exceptional place to be. The feeling of the materials is second to none, the capacity for storage inside the vehicle is supreme and the space for people isn’t any worse.
High trim levels are equipped with Bedliner from the factory to ensure a long and trouble-free life. The payload is a bit lower than we expected at just 2320 lbs, but considering that the RAM 1500 could tow a full-sized bull elephant if it had to we’ll give it a pass.
Entertainment & Technology
Perhaps a drawback of the Tradesman and Big Horn trim levels is that they’re still not standardly equipped with the 8.4-inch touchscreen. The 5-inch unit inside them is a bit frustrating after using the larger options. Nevertheless, Dodge has done a nice job of providing the option to upgrade both the infotainment system as well as the audio package.
Both larger screens have Android Auto and Apple Carplay as well as a well-laid-out user interface and sharp graphics. Still, we highly recommend the 12.3-inch as it not only looks the best, but it’s the easiest to use and will be the one to have years from now.
Safety Features
While not named a top safety pick by the IIHS, the 2021 RAM 1500 did score 5 stars in NHTSA crash testing. The RAM doesn’t come standard with many of the high-end safety features found on rivals, but it does offer adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and lane departure warning as options.
2021 RAM 1500 Pickup Trims & Pricing
Tradesman – $33,790
The Tradesman is well named as the truck meant to get the job done without excess. To that point, it comes with the base V6 sporting 305 horsepower, a 5-inch touchscreen, air conditioning, and a trailer brake assist system for fighting trailer sway.
Big Horn – $34,335
The Big Horn gets a small price bump because it’s not going to offer a boatload more. Improvements are seen in the wheel material changing from steel to aluminum, adding fog lights, chrome bumpers, and now the rear seat is a proper 60/40 split-bench.
Laramie – $41,075
This is where the RAM 1500 starts to come into its own with heated and ventilated front seats, a 9-speaker sound system, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 12-inch touchscreen is an available option.
HFE (High Fuel Economy) – $41,935
The HFE pairs the diesel V6 with rear-wheel-drive to provide the best economy of any RAM 1500. The price point basically only adds the fuel efficiency and doesn’t add much to the interior, it’s pretty basic inside much like the Tradesman.
Rebel – $45,465
The Rebel is geared to go off-road both figuratively and literally with an electronic locking rear axle, special 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and off-road floor mats. High-end tech isn’t standard here though.
Longhorn – $52,225
Longhorn owners will get 20-inch wheels standard as well as an auto-dimming reverse mirror, bi-function LED headlights, LED taillights, and heated second-row seats. The 8.4-inch touchscreen display becomes standard as does a 9-speaker sound system.
Limited – $56,295
This is the only trim level aside from the TRX and the HFE to come with a standard motor that isn’t the 3.6-liter V6. For the Limited you’ll get the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with 395 horsepower. In addition, buyers get all the features of the Longhorn, but now with the 12-inch touchscreen, 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
TRX – $71,790
Available with only the 702 horsepower supercharged V8 and four-wheel-drive, the TRX comes standard with almost every option available below it.
Warranties
The 2021 RAM 1500 is as commonplace as it gets when it comes to warranty coverage. It carries what most see as the industry-standard 5-year 60,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 3-year 36,000-mile limited warranty with no complimentary maintenance.
What we think
2021 RAM 1500 Pickup – ramtrucks.com | Shop 2021 RAM 1500 on Carsforsale.com
While it would be great to get more safety equipment and better warranty coverage for the money, RAM knows its customers care more about the driving experience, capability, and technology more as a whole. With that in mind, we can’t find fault in giving customers what they want and offering the freedom for them to pick and choose almost any combination of trims, options, and powertrains for the 2021 RAM 1500.
