Of the trucks currently sold in the full-sized market, the Ram 1500 is the oldest in terms of its last generational update. The current-generation Ram 1500 was introduced in 2019. With some changes this year and last plus a lot of smart things underneath the truck since its inception, the Ram 1500 remains a favorite amongst consumers.

Of the trucks currently sold in the full-sized market, the Ram 1500 is the oldest in terms of its last generational update. The current-generation Ram 1500 was introduced in 2019. With some changes this year and last plus a lot of smart things underneath the truck since its inception, the Ram 1500 remains a favorite amongst consumers.

Where the Ram 1500 really shines, though, is reliability. It’s currently ranked at the top of all full-sized trucks on the market for its expected reliability and consumer-reported reliability. That goes a long way towards our view of whether the Ram is a good purchase or not.

Beyond reliability is the Ram’s daily-use ergonomics and usefulness as both a daily driver and a working vehicle. For those things, we give it an average score compared to its peers. That means we at least consider it on par enough that we don’t downgrade it for being so.

In short, we think the Ram 1500 is likely our most recommended option in the full-sized truck market. But not by a large margin.

Technologically, the Ford F-150 outdoes the Ram 1500 on several levels. It has smarter powertrain options, better jobsite-useful features, and typically better fuel economy. The caveat being the price tag. Outside of the basic models of the F-150, all other versions are more expensive than the nearest option Ram. And the Ram has a higher reliability expectation.

The Silverado and Sierra are near-twins, sharing chassis and powertrains with one another and very similar features throughout. The GMC models are more comfortable than the Ram. Otherwise, we think of the Chevy/GMC models as being largely similar in capability and fit. We prefer the simplicity of the Ram split-tailgate over the multi-functional tailgate of the Silverado and Sierra. It’s simpler and less likely to fail while having almost as many useful points about it. Especially when the RamBox option is added to it–something not available from Chevrolet/GMC.

In comparison to the Ram, the Titan is a basic truck whose only major advantage is its looks. This is a simple, no-nonsense, but limited-use pickup that just isn’t in the same league as most of the Detroit makes like Ram in terms of versatility and options.

Similar to the Titan, the Tundra is a basic, no-frills pickup that offers basic truck uses and not much else. Unlike the Titan, the Toyota has a better reputation for reliability and is the closest rival to the Ram 1500 in that regard.

The cost of your Ram truck will depend a lot on your options. There are multiple cab styles and bed lengths to choose from plus several powertrain options as well.

The table below shows the most common trim levels and how much they will run you. The average new price for a Ram 1500 in 2022 is about $46,000.

The 2022 model year brings a new infotainment user interface to the Ram 1500 and a couple of new appearance packages for the truck as sub-trim options.

The new UI for the infotainment is parent-company Stellantis’ new Uconnect 5 system. This is a simpler, more phone-like interface with more intuitive controls and more flexibility for customization. Those who choose the larger infotainment screen can split the screen for multi-view options and customize what’s being shown or modify what's available through quick buttons on-screen. Spending a little time setting up the Ram’s screen to match preferences goes a long way towards better ergonomics and daily use during the lifetime of ownership.

New packages for the Ram 1500 this year are the Backcountry and Limited 10th Anniversary Edition. Each brings unique design elements to the truck to make it more exclusive or unique.

The Backcountry model comes in 4x4 only and adds all-terrain tires on 18-inch black wheels, “tu-tone” black exterior paint, black badging, and black exhaust tips, headlamp bezels, mirror caps, and running boards.

The Limited 10th Anniversary Edition Ram 1500 takes the Limited trim model and adds quilted leather-wrapped seat upholstery and door inserts, a suede headliner, and can include an exclusive blue paint color and other exterior add-ons.

The performance and drive quality of the Ram 1500 varies by trim and powertrain choice. For most, the ride quality is excellent thanks to Ram’s use of coiled springs on all four axle points. This makes for a smoother experience overall. Packages that add on the airbag suspension option smooth this even further and add useful things like load leveling to even out the ride.

Both the quad and the crew cab are good options for interior space, with the crew having far more than most other vehicles of choice. Including most SUVs when it comes to back seat comfort. We will note that the crew cab with the long (6-foot 4-inch) bed isn’t as smooth as the same cabin with the shorter (5ft-7in) bed. Wheelbase makes a difference in ride quality.

There are four engine options for the Ram 1500, all available in different build scenarios for the truck. The base engine is a 3.6-liter V6 that produces 305 horsepower and Ram’s eTorque mild hybrid system for better power delivery and fuel economy. We like this setup and would recommend it to anyone who is primarily working with and daily driving their Ram and doesn’t plan on towing heavy trailers or doing a lot of heavy lifting with their truck.

A 5.7-liter V8 Hemi is the next option, and can come with or without the eTorque mild hybrid added on. This 395 HP eight has been a standard in the Ram lineup for a long time and is well-vetted for its power output. We’d recommend this to most buyers, especially if the eTorque can be added on for better economy.

A diesel-powered 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 is another great option for both fuel economy and capability in the Ram 1500. It’s not cheap to add on, though, so only those who truly need the kind of output this engine can present should opt for it.

Finally, the top-end Ram TRX model incorporates a muscular 6.2-liter “Hellcat” V8 (702 horses!) for maximum noise and power output. If you dream of racing your pickup truck like a NASCAR driver running through the desert and plan on going full speed through most situations.. Well, here’s your truck. Good luck paying for fuel and insurance with this one, though. It’s definitely not going to be cheap.

The NHTSA recently put out a very large recall on the 2022 model year Ram 1500. IT has currently (as of this publication) pulled all safety ratings for the model year from its website. Scores below are based on the 2023 model year, which is largely unchanged.

Most published reliability reports for the Ram 1500 give it an average or better score. These are usually based on testing and early consumer feedback. Longer feedback from consumers shows the Ram 1500 to be much better than average and better than that of any other full-sized truck.

Foregoing cab and bed length options, which will vary by individual need, we recommend the mid-grade Laramie package. Although most buyers find themselves in the Big Horn / Lone Star model, we think the upgrades added to the Laramie make it a more livable and useful truck.

The Laramie trim gives a lot of luxury and upgraded looks for not a whole lot of extra money. We especially like the larger infotainment screen, better audio system, and added safety equipment this package offers.

The warranty offered for the Ram 1500 is pretty basic and about average for the full-sized truck market. It’s worth noting, however, that any changes to the truck aftermarket will almost certainly affect warranty coverage.

• Basic: 3 years / 36k miles
• PowerTrain: 5 years / 50k miles
• Corrosion and Others vary by model
• Certified Pre-Owned: 7 year / 100k miles (under certain conditions)
• If buying used look at our best extended warranties

There's no shortage of used Ram trucks on the market. As with most pickup trucks, these are often traded and sold regularly. With high resale values and high demand, it’s worth comparing used to new before making a decision. There’s often a smaller price difference than one might expect there. And financing on new vehicles is usually easier to get and lower cost. So it’s worth shopping.

Editor's note and disclaimer: Car Talk is supported by our fans, readers and listeners. When you click on some of the links on our website, we may receive referral compensation. However, you should know that the recommendations we make are based on our independent editorial review and analyses.