How much does the 2021 RAM 1500 cost?

Prices have softened 5.53% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 9,620 listings available, which suggests you should have room to compare prices and equipment.

If you find a listing below $30,775.38, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 RAM 1500 a good car?

Yes — the 4.73/5 user rating points to strong owner satisfaction, and the expert rating is 7.83/10. The model scores 9/10 across Performance and Safety.

Owners consistently praise the refined driving experience, smooth ride, and high-quality interior. They also highlight the powerful engine performance and advanced technology features, including the infotainment system. On the trade-off side, some owners mention engine noise and missing features such as heated seats or sunroofs.

That lines up with the truck’s use-case appeal: you’re getting a full-size pickup that leans into comfort, tech, and capability rather than feeling purely work-focused. With 32.4% of listings marked as good or great deals, you may find attractive pricing if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 RAM 1500 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.73/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback also points to a truck that feels dependable and trouble-free in everyday use, with many drivers emphasizing confidence in the long-term ownership experience. The expert evaluation reinforces that sense of durability by describing the truck as comfortable to drive in city traffic and composed under hard use.

The truck also includes a maintenance-friendly ownership angle through its broad feature set and available convenience tech, which can make day-to-day use easier to live with. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that higher-mileage examples may show the effects of hard towing, off-road use, or deferred upkeep.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 RAM 1500?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any truck you’re considering, even if the listing looks clean. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection if the truck has towing, off-road, or heavy-work miles. Focus on wear items, interior condition, and signs that optional equipment or safety tech may not be present on the trim you’re looking at.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup includes a wide spread of equipment, and the base truck is more stripped down than higher trims. Advanced safety features are not standard, so you should check carefully for missing driver-assistance equipment.
• Powertrain: The standout engine is the 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi V8 paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It delivers 702 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, but fuel economy is only 10 mpg city, 14 highway, 12 combined mpg.
• Safety package: The Advanced Safety Group adds a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and pedestrian detection with emergency braking. Some of these features are not standard.
• Infotainment: You get a 12-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 4C, navigation, wireless charging, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and over-the-air-style connectivity features through the system’s broader connected services.
• Fuel efficiency: The TRX returns 10 mpg city, 14 highway, 12 combined mpg, so fuel costs can be a major ownership factor.

Which 2021 RAM 1500 trim should I buy?

The 2021 RAM 1500 is offered in 10 trim levels: Tradesman, TRX, TRX Launch Edition, and Limited Longhorn 10th Anniversary Edition.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The entry-level Tradesman is the most stripped-down choice, and you should expect fewer luxury touches and fewer standard safety features than higher trims.
• Premium/top trim: The TRX Launch Edition is the most exclusive choice mentioned here, but it comes at a steep price and is aimed more at enthusiasts than value shoppers.
• Off-road trim: The TRX is the standout if you want extreme performance and off-road capability, but its fuel economy and pricing make it a poor fit for most daily drivers.

Advanced safety features are available, but they cost extra rather than coming standard.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 RAM 1500?

This looks like a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop selectively without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 32.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 9,620 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.53% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 78.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $30,775.38, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 RAM 1500's resale value?

The current average of $31,496 sits slightly below last year's $33,339.

That price movement suggests the market has softened enough to give you a better entry point now than a year ago. If you buy well and keep the truck in strong condition, you may have a better chance of limiting depreciation pressure later. Trucks with broad appeal and strong owner satisfaction tend to hold buyer interest better than more niche vehicles.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.73/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 RAM 1500 safe?

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

The truck is offered with more than 100 safety and security features, but many of the most advanced systems are optional rather than standard. The Advanced Safety Group adds a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and pedestrian detection with emergency braking. Other available features include adaptive headlights, hill-start assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, trailer sway control, lane-departure warning, and front and rear park assistance with automatic braking.

A rear backup camera with dynamic guidelines is standard, but the more advanced towing and parking visibility tools require extra equipment. That means you should verify exactly which safety packages are installed on any used truck you’re considering.

Should I buy a 2021 RAM 1500 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 32.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 78.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.53% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.73/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The TRX brings extreme performance and off-road capability to the lineup.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $28,955, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $31,496 average.
• It adds the EcoDiesel engine across all trims for more versatility.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $34,399, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $31,496 average.
• It adds the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with faster response times.

The bottom line: You should start with the 2021 if you want the strongest mix of performance, comfort, and tech in this price band. If your priority is saving money, the 2020 is the better value play, while the 2022 makes sense if you want newer infotainment and are willing to pay more.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from July 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.