Ram 1500
The 2023 Ram 1500 comes in no less than eight different trim levels; however, drivetrain choices are straightforward. All models are available in either 2-wheel drive or 4x4 configuration with an 8-speed automatic. The Ram 1500 offers a variety of cab and bed configurations to choose from. It features a standard coil spring rear suspension, which contributes to its smooth ride, and offers an optional adaptive air suspension on certain trims. The Ram 1500 has a maximum towing capacity of 12,750 pounds and a payload capacity of up to 2,300 pounds, depending on the engine and configuration. It is available with a variety of engines, including a 5.7-liter gasoline V8 or an optional EToruqe Mild Hybrid version, a 6.2-Liter Supercharged V-8, a 3.6-liter V6 or an optional ETorque Mild Hybrid, and an optional 3.0-Liter Turbodiesel V-6 diesel engine.
The most basic Ram 1500 is the Tradesman trim. Intended mostly as a work truck, the Tradesman does without a fancy grill or exterior chrome accents. Instead, it makes do with power door locks and windows, remote keyless access, a rear-view backup camera and of course, a Uconnect system with a 5-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth streaming audio.
The Rebel trim goes for sporty over luxurious and gets a unique, aggressive front grill along with blacked out exterior accents. It looks far meaner than any other trim level. Standard on the Rebel are LED headlamps, taillights and fog lamps, an electronically locking rear differential, 33-inch tires, tow hooks, an assisted tailgate, a power sliding rear window and the 12-way adjustable seats from the Laramie. Of note, the Rebel is only available with a short bed should buyers opt for the bigger crew cab.
The Big Horn Edition adds on to the Tradesman and makes the truck far more livable for the daily driver than just as a work truck. The Big Horn comes with 18-inch aluminum wheels, a leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls on it; exterior chrome work in the grill, bumpers and door handles; fog lamps and in-floor storage should buyers opt for the crew cab.
The next step up is the Laramie, which is where things start to take a turn towards the luxurious. The Laramie comes with a nicer Uconnect system featuring an 8.4-inch touchscreen, a 7-inch driver information digital gauge cluster, heated and ventilated front seats with power seat adjustments and a memory function and a 506-watt alpine stereo with ten speakers.
The Laramie Longhorn is only available with a crew cab, but can have either a short or a long bed. It combines much of the Laramie features with LED projector headlamps, slick looking 20-inch wheels, leather seats, side steps and a wood trimmed interior.
Limited editions come with a huge 12-inch touchscreen, powered running boards, active noise cancellation, a blind spot monitoring system, active air suspension, a wireless charging pad and more. It also has an available 19-speaker harman/kardon sound system, which Ram claims is the most powerful stereo in its class. The New Limited Elite Edition includes a multi-function tailgate, tailgate convenience features, a jeweled rotary shifter, unique instrument cluster, premium heated and ventilated leather seats, a suede headliner, and a heated steering wheel.
The Ram TRX comes with a 702-hp supercharged V-8 out of the Dodge Challenger Hellcat and Charger Hellcat, little more needs to be said other than maybe a thank you to Dodge. The only thing to do next is to listen to that supercharger as you sprint from 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Ram left the one who shall not be named and its 450-hp twin-turbo V-6 in its tire spray with the reveal of the TRX, but the one who shall not be named finally has an answer this year which continues the super-truck wars. Once more a gentleman's thank you, for it is an appropriate swan song for the internal combustion era of the sport truck. The TRX is only offered in a single configuration: crew cab, short bed, 4WD. Cargo space in the bed measures 53.9 cubic feet, and rear-seat space reaches a luxury level of 45.2 inches. It's also still something of a workhorse, capable of towing up to 8,100 pounds and hauling as much as 1,310 in the bed. The Stellantis UConnect 5 infotainment software and 12.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display are standard on the Ram TRX. The newly available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is standard on the 2023 TRX. A color head-up display is also standard, as are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.