Ram 1500 Classic

When Ram introduced the fifth generation of its full-size 1500 pickup in 2019, rather than retire the outgoing version, they kept selling it as the 1500 Classic. It’s available in three cab styles and three bed lengths. The two-door, three-seat Regular Cab can be paired with either the 6.3-foot standard bed or the 8.0-foot long bed. The four-door, six-seat Quad Cab pairs exclusively with the standard bed, while the even roomier Crew Cab comes with either the standard bed or the 5.5-foot short bed. Properly equipped, the 1500 Classic can haul up to 1,810 pounds and tow up to 10,620 lbs.

The 1500 Classic comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, which makes 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. For more oomph, an optional 5.7-liter V8 is available, providing 395 hp and 410 lb-ft. For the 2019 model year only, Ram also offered a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 producing 240 hp and 420 lb-ft. Four-wheel drive is available as an option on the 1500 Classic; otherwise, power routes to the rear wheels. A standard eight-speed automatic transmission takes care of the shifting duties.

Ram offers the 1500 Classic in three main trims: the bare-bones Tradesman, the slightly upgraded Express, and the sport-themed Warlock. At the model’s 2019 debut, several higher-level trims were also available, including the mid-range SLT, the well-equipped Big Horn (also known as the Lone Star), and the range-topping Laramie, but they were discontinued for 2020 and later years. Standard features on the Tradesman include steel wheels, air conditioning, cruise control, and a 5.0-inch infotainment display with two USB ports. The Express adds body-color exterior trim, a carpeted interior, and alloy wheels, while the Warlock offers larger alloys, upgraded shock absorbers, rear parking sensors, and a sliding rear window. An 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is optional. However, most active safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring and forward collision mitigation, are not available on the 1500 Classic.