All-New 2019 Ram 1500: What You Need to Know

Lighter and More Powerful, With New Technology

In recent years, the demand for full-size pickups from domestic automakers has grown substantially. Among the top three sellers, no model has seen greater sales increases than the Ram 1500, which is up more than 70 percent since 2012. This has taken it from an overall seventh place finish on sales charts to third place, starting in 2014. Credit its “big rig” styling and what is arguably the most comfortable ride in the pickup truck arena.

This raises an interesting question: Will the 2019 redesign keep the Ram on its winning streak?

Check out the following slides for more photos and information about the 2019 Ram 1500.

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The Lineup: Say Goodbye to the Regular Cab

The 2019 Ram 1500 will be offered in seven trim levels: Tradesman, HFE, Big Horn, Rebel, Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited. The Rebel is the sporty model; the HFE is available only with rear-wheel drive and serves as the brand’s fuel economy leader. Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited models cater to buyers who want luxury in their pickups.

Two body styles will be available: a Quad Cab and Crew Cab, both with four independently operating doors. The Crew Cab is the larger of the two, with nearly 10 inches of extra legroom for the rear-seat passengers. That provides enough room to allow the rear seats to recline.

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Styling: Appearances and Aerodynamics Are Both Important

Chrysler took a gamble by adopting “big rig” styling for the 1994 redesign of the Ram, known then as the Dodge Ram. It paid off handsomely. Sales more than doubled in the first year.

The overall shape of this newest Ram, however, may be seen as less distinctive, though a remnant of 1994’s domed hood remains. A larger, forward-leaning grille is the real attention grabber in the new design.

Ram’s design team calls the overall look “interlocking,” while noting that aerodynamics as well as aesthetics played a role in the shape, which produces a .357 coefficient of drag. Also helping to reduce wind resistance are a front air splitter and active grille shutters on many models.

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Drivetrain: eTorque Mild Hybrid System Available

All 2019 V6 Rams will feature a 3.6-liter engine paired with a mild hybrid assist system, called eTorque. This eTorque enhancement will also be available as an option on models with the 5.7-liter V8. eTorque combines a belt-driven motor generator powered by a 48-volt battery pack. It is used for a stop-start fuel-saving function, as well as for short-term torque assist and brake energy regeneration.

The short-term torque assist is applied only when the vehicle first begins to move. As a result, the overall horsepower and torque specifications are unchanged when this system is added to the V8. However, eTorque adds up to 90 pound-feet of torque to the V6 and up to 130 pound-feet of torque to V8 models when they first start moving.

The only transmission will be a new eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard, with two four-wheel drive systems, both with a two-speed transfer case, optional. A new electronic locking rear differential is available on all models and standard on the Rebel and on models with the 4x4 Off-Road Package.

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Chassis: Air Suspension Option Returns; Off-Road Package Is New

Of the 225 pounds that the new Ram has shed, 120 pounds came from the chassis. Ram claims that its frame, despite being lighter, is the strongest ever. Credit its 98 percent high-strength steel content for this. The structure is designed to be highly effective in absorbing energy in a crash, with added bracing meant to keep a front tire from intruding on the front foot wells in a severe frontal collision.

The independent front suspension is new, while the rear suspension retails its coil springs for a smoother ride. Four-corner air suspension that adjusts to loads and alters the ride height remains an option.

The 4x4 Off-Road Package includes a 1-inch suspension lift, with or without the optional air suspension upgrade. In addition to the locking electronic differential, 32-inch tires on 18- or 20-inch rims provide added grip with the Off-Road Package. Skid plates and hill-descent control complete this package.

• Find the best price on the 2018 Ram 1500
• Read the 2018 Ram 1500 Full Review
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Towing and Hauling: The New Ram Can Carry and Tow More

Ratings for both towing and hauling have increased with the redesign. The maximum payload, depending on equipment, is now 2,300 pounds. Making cargo loading easier, a lift assist feature on the aluminum tailgate uses a nitrogen and oil-charged strut, for constant assistance regardless of the temperature. The tow rating has risen to 12,750 pounds, up from 10,640 pounds in the 2018 model. That means the Ram 1500 is now much more competitive with the rest of the full-size truck class.

Quad Cab Rams come with a 6-foot 4-inch cargo box. Crew Cab buyers can take this cargo box or specify a 5-foot-7-inch cargo box. The RamBox lockable storage compartments in the sidewalls of the cargo box remain an option in all but the HFE model. A bed extender is also optional on all but the HFE.

• Find the best price on the 2018 Ram 1500
• Read the 2018 Ram 1500 Full Review
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Interior: Ram Claims the Largest Cab in the Segment

The new Ram’s cabin has more passenger space. This improvement keeps it, according to the manufacturer, ahead of the competition. Ram also boasts of using premium materials for the interiors of each trim level. The new center stack has been raised and moved closer to the driver, while every model will include push-button start, an electronic parking brake, and an updated rotary transmission gear selection knob.

As for climate control, the new Ram boosts airflow from the vents while reducing noise. The improved vent design also increases airflow to the rear-seat passengers by 50 percent compared to the current Ram. Finally, active noise cancellation should ensure luxury car levels of silence on the highway.

• Find the best price on the 2018 Ram 1500
• Read the 2018 Ram 1500 Full Review
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Technology: The Ram Plays Catch-Up on Safety

The current Ram offers only a standard backup camera and optional front and rear parking sensors as safety enhancements. The new 2019 Ram will offer adaptive cruise control with full-stop capabilities, an adaptive front-lighting system, advanced brake assist with automatic braking that will attempt to mitigate or prevent a forward collision, blind spot monitoring, and lane keep assist.

The new Ram is also first to offer SiriusXM 360L, a subscription entertainment service that will now include thousands of hours of streaming audio along with content recommendations. Also optional will be a 12-inch reconfigurable touch screen with navigation and the ability to operate two different applications simultaneously. An 8.4-inch Uconnect with or without navigation is available, too. Uconnect 3, with a 5-inch screen, is standard. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio upgrade is optional.

• Find the best price on the 2018 Ram 1500
• Read the 2018 Ram 1500 Full Review
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Ride and Handling: Test Results Are Coming, But It’s Promising

The Ram has long held bragging rights for delivering the most comfortable ride in a pickup truck, with or without the optional air suspension, which returns for 2019. Handling has also been composed in past models. Both ride and handling should be enhanced with the redesign, but the final verdict will have to await our full review.

• Find the best price on the 2018 Ram 1500
• Read the 2018 Ram 1500 Full Review
• See 2018 Ram 1500 Photos
• See Full Size Pickup Trucks Rankings

Value: Pricing Information to Come

Pricing was not revealed when the new Ram was unveiled. However, the pickup truck market is highly competitive. Expect Ram’s marketing team to take this into account when setting the final prices for each model.

Production of the 2019 Ram started in January. However, the 2018 version will continue to be built as well, and will remain available for about a year, according to FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne, who was quoted in Automotive News.

• Find the best price on the 2018 Ram 1500
• Read the 2018 Ram 1500 Full Review
• See 2018 Ram 1500 Photos
• See Full Size Pickup Trucks Rankings

More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report

Learn more about the 2019 Ram by exploring our 2019 Ram 1500 review when it becomes available. In the meantime, check out our 2018 Ram 1500 review.

And when you are ready to buy, use our Best Price Program to get the best deal on your new truck purchase. U.S. News’ Best Price Program helps you find the dealer in your area offering the best prices.