The Ram pickup truck has been around in some form or another since 1981, starting its life as the Dodge Ram full-size truck. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (known today as Stellantis) spun Ram trucks off into a separate brand in 2009 so Dodge could concentrate on building cars like the Charger and Challenger. However, the Dodge name didn’t get nixed from the Ram 1500 until the 2011 model year, a few years into the Dodge Ram 1500’s fourth generation. This is where we’ll start our generation walk-through.

The Ram 1500 is beloved for its smooth ride and early adoption of upscale features like a large touchscreen and top-quality interior materials.

The current Ram 1500 can be had in Tradesman, Big Horn, Rebel, Limited Longhorn, and Limited trims. The lower trim levels still offer decent appointments like automatic headlights, heated side mirrors, and a folding rear seat. Mid-grade Ram 1500 Big Horn (or Lone Star in Texas) adds unique badging and nice option-package features like dual-zone climate control and side steps. At the top end, the Ram 1500 Limited features plenty of chrome, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a unique grille and bumpers.

Buyers have their choice of rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), a long or a short bed, and three different cab configurations: regular, Crew Cab, or Quad Cab. Engine options include a diesel, a V6, or a choice of two different Hemi V8 power plants, and some are offered with a mild-hybrid system.

Generations: Two

• Ram 1500 1st Generation
• Ram 1500 2nd Generation

Pros: Smooth ride, roomy cabin, quality interior materials
Cons: Base engine in early models is inefficient, tow ratings are a bit behind the competition, advanced driver’s aids are only offered on higher trims (current model)

Ram 1500 2nd generation (2019-present)

In 2019 Ram improved its payload and towing capacity to 2,300 pounds and 12,750 pounds, respectively, and introduced the eTorque mild hybrid system to its 3.6-liter V6 with 305 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, and its 5.7-liter V8 with 395 ponies and 410 pound-feet of twist. Both engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 3.0-liter diesel was not available for 2019.

The 48-volt eTorque system allows for short blasts of extra torque as well as some brake regeneration. On the V6 engine, the system adds 90 pound-feet of torque while the V8 gets an additional 130 pound-feet.

A 12-inch touchscreen was available in 2019, as was a 19-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system. Advanced drivers aids were also available in 2019 but most were part of an extra-cost package available to the Ram 1500 Tradesman, HFE, Big Horn/Lone Star, Rebel, Laramie, Longhorn and the top Ram 1500 Limited trim level. In 2019, the Ram 1500 manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) started at $33,340 including destination.

In 2020, Ram added the ecodiesel engine back into the mix, offering 22 mpg city, 32 highway, 26 combined in RWD guise. And in 2021 the company went bonkers and introduced the Ram 1500 TRX with a supercharged 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with 702 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, previously seen in the Dodge Hellcats and Jeep Trackhawks. In addition to the impressive powertrain specs (and unimpressive fuel economy), this truck boasts 13 inches of wheel travel at all four corners, 11.8 inches of ground clearance and specially tuned Bilstein shocks. The TRX started at $71,690 including destination. 2020 also saw the introduction of Ram’s multifunction tailgate. Like the trick tailgates on competing vehicles, this new bit of kit could open in multiple ways, including a 70/30 split.

In 2022 the Ram 1500 got an upgraded Uconnect 5 system on most trim levels.

Ram 1500 1st generation (2011-2018)

The new Ram trucks didn’t lose their Dodge moniker until the 2011 model year. The fourth-generation Ram 1500 was the first to offer a coil spring rear suspension in lieu of a leaf spring, making for a more comfortable ride. The full-size pickup truck came in ST, SLT, Sport, and Laramie trims with a single or quad cab configuration. Buyers could get a 5.5-foot bed, a 6-foot bed, or an 8-foot bed, depending on cab selection.

Engine options here included a 3.7-liter V6 with 215 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque, which was mated to a four-speed automatic transmission in all RWD models. 4WD Ram 1500s, meanwhile, got a 4.7-liter V8 with 310 ponies and 330 lb-ft of torque or a 5.7-liter V8 pushing out 390 horses and 407 pound-feet of torque, both mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The 1500 could tow a maximum of 10,250 pounds.

2012 brought a six-speed automatic transmission to the 4.7-liter and 5.7-liter engine. The following year, Ram replaced the 3.7-liter engine with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that made 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, and added an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 4.7-liter stuck with the six-speed auto, while the 5.7-liter was upgraded to the eight-speed later in the model year.

Ram also introduced a four-corner air suspension system in 2013, with five different ride heights. Maximum towing for this model year was 10,450 pounds. Ram went all-in with technology, offering an 8.4-inch touchscreen with an upgraded Uconnect infotainment system and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Trim levels in 2013 included Tradesman, Express, HFE, SLT, Big Horn/Long Horn, Outdoorsman, Sport, Laramie, and Laramie Longhorn. Pricing started at $23,585, including $995 destination charge.

In 2014, Ram dropped the 4.7-liter V8 engine and replaced it with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 diesel engine with 240 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. This oil-burner was capable of towing 9,200 pounds. It also added the top Ram 1500 Laramie Limited trim and dropped the SLT trim. The 2013 and 2014 Ram 1500s were Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year as well as the Truck of Texas.

The SLT trim was added back in 2015 and the Ram 1500 Rebel was introduced. The Rebel offered 33-inch tires, a 3.92 axle ratio, a 1-inch lift, skid plates, tow hooks, and other off-road goodies. In 2016 Ram introduced the Laramie Limited trim, and it killed the Outdoorsman trim in 2017. Ram also nixed the six-speed automatic in 2017, leaving the eight-speed automatic the only transmission available.

For tech upgrades, look to 2018 with the introduction of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, but the truck remained largely the same with the introduction of the next-generation 1500 in 2019.