There's also a covered compartment under the rear floor and the RamBox bins that can be added to the bed walls. The five-passenger model's center console features clever, multi-configuration storage solutions thoughtfully designed for how people might use this space - it's not just some cupholders and a pair of differently sized bins. The Ram doesn't just impress aesthetically. For instance, the rich gray cloth upholstery in a Big Horn test truck contributed to a far more premium environment than what we found in a comparable Ford F-150 XLT trim level (not to mention any trim level of the pre-2022 Chevy Silverado). While the quality of plastics is typical for the segment (that goes for those ritzy Rams, too), the different textures and attractive design result in a cabin that looks and feels better than trucks that cost a comparable amount or more. They're easily the most luxurious pickups ever made.Ĭrucially, however, we are actually more impressed by the basic Ram 1500 Tradesman and Big Horn trim levels. There are unique features like the huge vertically oriented touchscreen and the ventilated reclining back seat.
It's easy to be smitten by the Ram 1500 in its fanciest Longhorn and Limited trim levels, which are bedecked in soft leather, special color schemes and unique styling elements like the Longhorn emblem literally branded into real wood trim.
It gets unique blue paint and "Indigo and Sea Salt" quilted leather seats, 22-inch wheels, "a jeweled shifter knob and aluminum Litho bezels" (don't those sound fancy?), a 19-speaker sound system and of course special badging.Ĭlockwise from upper left: Tradesman, Big Horn BackCountry, Limited 10th Anniversary, Longhorn Southfork What are the Ram interior and in-car technology like? Last year's Longhorn 10th Anniversary Edition lives on as this year's Longhorn SouthFork, while the Limited gets its own 10th Anniversary Edition for 2022 (pictured above right). On the other end of the trim level spectrum, the mighty TRX gains an Ignition variant. The BackCountry, which builds upon the Big Horn/Lone Star, adds a body-color grille surround, black-accented two-tone paint and various black-painted exterior parts. The new Laramie G/T and Rebel G/T (pictured above left) are fully described here. Then there's the annual Ram tradition of new models and appearance packages, most of which are pictured in the above gallery. The Trailer Tow Group adds four LED lights directly above the hitch, and a new Clean Air system is now standard, filtering out 95% of air particulates. It's four times faster and has three times more memory than Uconnect 4 (which was one of the better systems out there as-is). The new Uconnect 5 tech interface is added to the Ram 1500, starting with the Big Horn trim level. Interior & technology | Passenger & cargo space | Performance & fuel economy What it's like to drive | Pricing & features | Crash ratings & safety features What's new for 2022? Apart from the Ford, we have yet to spend enough time with these updated competitors to make any definitive statements about which is now the best (OK, so it's probably not the Tundra), but the Ram definitely remains in the running. For 2022, there's an all-new Toyota Tundra that counts a rear coil-spring suspension (just like the Ram) among its multitude of improvements, while the 2022 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra see their laughable interiors get replaced by what appear to be cabins that are every bit the equal (if possibly better) than the Ram in terms of design, quality and feature content.
RAM TRX MPG PLUS
Last year's updated Ford F-150 saw the addition of a hybrid powertrain Ram can't match, plus chassis refinements that wipe out much of the Ram's previous on-road advantages. The wrinkle is that this winner's league just got a whole lot harder this season. It satisfies the nuts-and-bolts capability requirements of a serious truck, while boasting shockingly refined road manners and a knock-out interior.
From the humble Tradesman all the way up to the indulgent Limited (with the stupefying Ram TRX on its own high-octane plane of existence), the Ram is a thoughtfully designed truck with distinctive features and a compelling lineup of build combinations. The 20 remains every bit the exceptional pickup it's been since being completely redesigned three years ago.