“I love my 2021 Ram. I didn't want to go with Chevy or Ford because everyone else has one. I didn't want a black or white truck because everyone has one. I love my Blue Ram.”
2021 Ram 1500: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2021 Ram 1500 is the arrival of the TRX, a supercharged V8 off-road performance truck. The wider lineup also gains an EcoDiesel HFE model and expanded towing, safety, and display technology.
About the 2021 Ram 1500
5th generation Ram 1500 (DT, launched for 2019); 2021 is the third model year.
Ram positions the 1500 as the full-size pickup that blends real truck capability with a smoother ride and a more upscale cabin than its main rivals. The model’s core appeal is breadth: it can be a basic job truck, a comfortable family truck, a luxury pickup, or a serious off-road machine. Across the range, Ram leans hard on ride comfort, interior storage, towing tech, and available big-screen infotainment as reasons to choose it over the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500.
The 2021 lineup stretches from the straightforward Tradesman work truck and efficiency-focused HFE to the leather-lined Limited and western-themed Laramie Longhorn. Rebel provides factory off-road equipment such as Bilstein shocks and a locking rear axle, while the new TRX goes much further with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, adaptive shocks, extra suspension travel, and a 12-inch touchscreen with performance and off-road displays.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The new TRX brings a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 and eight-speed automatic. HFE also gains an EcoDiesel configuration alongside its gas V6 version.
Safety
Forward-collision warning becomes more widely offered across the lineup. Pedestrian detection is added to the Advanced Safety package on Laramie Longhorn and Limited.
Tech
Trailer Reverse Steering Control is added to help steer while backing up a trailer. A head-up display and digital rearview mirror are newly offered on several trims, while select off-road models gain dedicated off-road information pages.
Structural
The new TRX adds specialized off-road hardware, including adaptive Bilstein shocks, 13 inches of front and 14 inches of rear suspension travel, a 6-inch-wider track, and a locking Dana 60 rear axle.
2021 Ram 1500 specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V6, VVT, eTorque, 3.6 Liter / V6, Turbo Diesel, 3.0 Liter | V8, HEMI, Supercharged, 6.2 Liter | V8, HEMI, 5.7 Liter / V8, HEMI, eTorque, 5.7 Liter / V6, VVT, eTorque, 3.6 Liter / V6, Turbo Diesel, 3.0 Liter | V8, HEMI, 5.7 Liter / V8, HEMI, eTorque, 5.7 Liter / V6, VVT, eTorque, 3.6 Liter / V6, Turbo Diesel, 3.0 Liter | V8, HEMI, 5.7 Liter / V8, HEMI, eTorque, 5.7 Liter / V6, Turbo Diesel, 3.0 Liter | V8, HEMI, 5.7 Liter / V8, HEMI, eTorque, 5.7 Liter / V6, VVT, eTorque, 3.6 Liter / V6, Turbo Diesel, 3.0 Liter | V8, HEMI, 5.7 Liter / V8, HEMI, eTorque, 5.7 Liter / V6, VVT, eTorque, 3.6 Liter / V6, Turbo Diesel, 3.0 Liter | V8, HEMI, 5.7 Liter / V8, HEMI, eTorque, 5.7 Liter / V6, VVT, eTorque, 3.6 Liter / V6, Turbo Diesel, 3.0 Liter | V8, HEMI, 5.7 Liter / V8, HEMI, eTorque, 5.7 Liter / V6, VVT, eTorque, 3.6 Liter / V6, Turbo Diesel, 3.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd | Automatic, 8-Spd |
| Drivetrain | 2WD | 4WD | 4WD / 2WD | 4WD / 2WD | 4WD / 2WD | 4WD / 2WD | 4WD / 2WD | 4WD / 2WD | 2WD / 4WD |
| Fuel Type | Gas / Diesel | Gas | Gas / Diesel | Gas / Diesel | Gas / Diesel | Gas / Diesel | Gas / Diesel | Gas / Diesel | Gas / Diesel |
| MPG City | 20–23 mpg | 10 mpg | 15–22 mpg | 15–22 mpg | 15–22 mpg | 15–22 mpg | 15–22 mpg | 15–22 mpg | 15–22 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 26–33 mpg | 14 mpg | 21–32 mpg | 21–32 mpg | 21–32 mpg | 21–32 mpg | 21–32 mpg | 21–32 mpg | 22–32 mpg |
| Horsepower | 260–305 hp | 702 hp | 260–395 hp | 260–395 hp | 260–395 hp | 260–395 hp | 260–395 hp | 260–395 hp | 260–395 hp |
| Torque | 269–480 lb-ft | 650 lb-ft | 269–480 lb-ft | 269–480 lb-ft | 410–480 lb-ft | 269–480 lb-ft | 269–480 lb-ft | 269–480 lb-ft | 269–480 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 10390 lb | 8220 lb | 11240 lb | 10260–11340 lb | 11240–11340 lb | 10260–11340 lb | 10260 lb | 10260–11340 lb | 11240–11340 lb |
| Rear Legroom | 35.6–45.2 in | 45.2 in | 35.6–45.2 in | 35.6–45.2 in | 45.2 in | 35.6–45.2 in | 35.6–45.2 in | 35.6–45.2 in | 45.2 in |
| Seats | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | |||
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 4-Wheel Disc Brakes | |||||||||
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||||||
| Alarm System | |||||||||
| Anti-Lock Brakes | |||||||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | |||||||||
| Automatic Headlights | |||||||||
| Automatic High Beams | |||||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||||||
| Cruise Control | |||||||||
| Hill Descent Control | |||||||||
| Hill Start Assist | |||||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||||||
| Park Assist | |||||||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||||||
| Stability Control | |||||||||
| 360 Camera | |||||||||
| Traction Control | |||||||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||||||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | |||||||||
| Fog Lights | |||||||||
| Heated Mirrors | |||||||||
| LED Headlights | |||||||||
| LED Tail Lights | |||||||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||||||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||||||||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | |||||||||
| Power Mirrors | |||||||||
| Power Side Steps | |||||||||
| Privacy Glass | |||||||||
| Remote Control Liftgate/Trunk Release | |||||||||
| Side Steps | |||||||||
| Tow Hooks | |||||||||
| Trailer Hitch Receiver | |||||||||
| AM/FM Radio | |||||||||
| Navigation System | |||||||||
| Premium Audio | |||||||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||||||
| Subwoofer | |||||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | |||||||||
| USB Ports | |||||||||
| 115V Power Outlet | |||||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | |||||||||
| Folding Rear Seat | |||||||||
| Rear Air Conditioning | |||||||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||||||
| Heated Rear Seats | |||||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||||||
| Leather Seats | |||||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||||||
| Memory Pedals | |||||||||
| Power Adjustable Pedals | |||||||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||||||
| Power Locks | |||||||||
| Power Steering | |||||||||
| Power Windows | |||||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | |||||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||||||
| Reclining Rear Seats | |||||||||
| Remote Start | |||||||||
| Remote Keyless Entry | |||||||||
| Tilt/Telescoping Steering Wheel | |||||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||||||
| Ventilated Rear Seats | |||||||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2021 Ram 1500?
The biggest change is the new TRX trim. It is a high-performance off-road model with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, adaptive Bilstein shocks, a wider track, substantial suspension travel, and specialized four-wheel-drive hardware.
Was the Ram 1500 TRX new for 2021?
Yes, the TRX joined the Ram 1500 lineup for 2021. It serves as the off-road performance flagship and is much more specialized than the existing Rebel trim.
Did the 2021 Ram 1500 add a diesel HFE model?
Yes, an EcoDiesel version of the efficiency-focused HFE trim was added for 2021. The HFE had previously been represented by a gas V6 configuration.
What safety features changed on the 2021 Ram 1500?
Forward-collision warning became more widely offered for 2021. The Advanced Safety package on Laramie Longhorn and Limited also gained pedestrian detection.
What new towing and display technology arrived for the 2021 Ram 1500?
The 2021 Ram 1500 added Trailer Reverse Steering Control to help with steering while backing up a trailer. A head-up display and digital rearview mirror were newly offered on several trims, and select off-road models gained dedicated off-road information pages.
2021 Ram 1500 Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 Ram 1500.
4.3
2021 Ram 1500
(529 reviews)
“The tailgate likes to just open on its own. Not enough where I want to waste my life yet but overall great truck though.”
“The vehicle itself is very nice the only thing I have concerns with is the transmission my truck only has 4,500 miles on it and shifts very poorly I doubt it's going to last that long other than that the truck is great”