2021 RAM 1500 vs 2022 RAM 1500

2021 RAM 1500
2021 RAM 1500
$29,490MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 RAM 1500
2022 RAM 1500
$29,650MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 RAM 1500
$29,490MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 RAM 1500
$29,650MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP

$29,490

MSRP

$29,650

Listings

4971

Listings

8521

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.8 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.7 out of 10

Pros

  • Great ride quality

  • Stylish design

  • Impressive technology

Cons

  • Underwhelming base engine

  • Advanced safety features are not standard

Pros

  • Stylish design

  • Spacious interior

  • Great ride quality

Cons

  • Expensive diesel engine option

  • Advanced safety features are not standard

  • Sensitive rear automatic braking system

2021 RAM 1500 Reviews Summary

Always the bridesmaid but never the bride, the Ram 1500 enters the fray of high-performance off-road vehicles with cocksure confidence. Second place in truck sales last year, Ram earns the first-place podium in superpowers with its new SRT Hellcat-powered TRX trim level as it looks to make moves to climb the sales charts. Or, maybe, just literally drive over its competition.

2022 RAM 1500 Reviews Summary

In 2021, the Ram pickup line overtook the Chevrolet Silverado as the second-best-selling truck in America. That’s the headline. The nuance is that sales figures include the previous-generation version, now sold as the Ram 1500 Classic, which remains in production four years after its should have died. Also, General Motors suffered significant production disruptions due to the ongoing chip shortage. Nevertheless, and especially in light of the redesigned Toyota Tundra arriving in the market, we thought it would be good to revisit the most popular of the Ram trucks, the 2022 Ram 1500.

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

3.6L 305 hp V6

Engine

3.6L 305 hp V6

Drive Train

4X2

Drive Train

4X2

Seating Capacity

3

Seating Capacity

3

Horsepower

305 hp @ 6400 rpm

Horsepower

305 hp @ 6400 rpm

MPG City

17

MPG City

17

MPG Highway

25

MPG Highway

25
2021 RAM 1500
2021 RAM 1500
$29,490MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 RAM 1500
2022 RAM 1500
$29,650MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 RAM 1500
$29,490MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 RAM 1500
$29,650MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP
$29,490
$29,650
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews

4.5

4.6

Expert reviews

7.8 out of 10

Read full review

7.7 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons

Pros

  • Great ride quality

  • Stylish design

  • Impressive technology

Cons

  • Underwhelming base engine

  • Advanced safety features are not standard

Pros

  • Stylish design

  • Spacious interior

  • Great ride quality

Cons

  • Expensive diesel engine option

  • Advanced safety features are not standard

  • Sensitive rear automatic braking system

Summary
Always the bridesmaid but never the bride, the Ram 1500 enters the fray of high-performance off-road vehicles with cocksure confidence. Second place in truck sales last year, Ram earns the first-place podium in superpowers with its new SRT Hellcat-powered TRX trim level as it looks to make moves to climb the sales charts. Or, maybe, just literally drive over its competition.
In 2021, the Ram pickup line overtook the Chevrolet Silverado as the second-best-selling truck in America. That’s the headline. The nuance is that sales figures include the previous-generation version, now sold as the Ram 1500 Classic, which remains in production four years after its should have died. Also, General Motors suffered significant production disruptions due to the ongoing chip shortage. Nevertheless, and especially in light of the redesigned Toyota Tundra arriving in the market, we thought it would be good to revisit the most popular of the Ram trucks, the 2022 Ram 1500.
Video

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
3.6L 305 hp V6
3.6L 305 hp V6
Drive Train
4X2
4X2
Seating Capacity
3
3
Horsepower
305 hp @ 6400 rpm
305 hp @ 6400 rpm
MPG City
17
17
MPG Highway
25
25
Look and feel

2021 RAM 1500

7/10

2022 RAM 1500

10/10

The 2021 RAM 1500 continued the design aesthetics of its predecessors, largely unchanged since the 2019 model. It retained its selection between quad or crew cab models, offering similar bed choices that catered to various needs without adding any significant cosmetic updates. However, the real standout was the RAM 1500 TRX edition, which was not just a trim level but an emphatic off-road statement that brought a blend of ruggedness and luxury. Its formidable presence was complemented by functionalities like a massive grille and fender vents aimed clearly at the off-road enthusiast.

Conversely, the 2022 RAM 1500, while subtly enhanced with newer trim levels and the addition of a clean air system standard across all trims, leaned heavily on technology enhancements to assert its newness. The exterior retained a sleek, less imposing presence that veered towards contemporary rather than rugged, providing a contrast to the more aggressively styled TRX.

Picture of 2021 RAM 1500
Picture of 2021 RAM 1500
Picture of 2021 RAM 1500
Picture of 2021 RAM 1500
Picture of 2021 RAM 1500
Picture of 2021 RAM 1500
Picture of 2021 RAM 1500
Picture of 2021 RAM 1500
Picture of 2021 RAM 1500
Performance

2021 RAM 1500

9/10

2022 RAM 1500

9/10

In 2021, the RAM 1500 TRX brought the awe with its 702 horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 engine, a zenith of power which catapulted it to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. This model was engineered as much for speed as for handling challenging terrains, supported by a robust all-terrain tire setup and adaptive off-road settings, including a newly calibrated Baja mode for enthusiasts.

The 2022 RAM 1500's performance spectrum was broader yet less extreme. Standard offerings started with a 3.6-liter V6 and extended to the optional 5.7-liter V8. The introduction of the EcoDiesel V6 represented a balance between power and efficiency, particularly appealing to those eyeing long-term savings on fuel, despite the higher initial cost compared to some competitors.

Form and function

2021 RAM 1500

8/10

2022 RAM 1500

9/10

Both model years maintained a spacious cabin environment with sophisticated storage solutions. The TRX model of 2021 did well to combine functionality with luxury, sporting ample storage spaces and a strategically designed interior that made long rides comfortable and practical.

The 2022 iteration refined this practicality with enhanced comfort features such as heated and ventilated seats standard on higher trims and innovative storage solutions integrated within the cabin. Both models offered competitive towing and payload capacity, though the 2021 TRX leaned heavily towards power, and the 2022 diesel variant prioritized efficient utility.

Technology

2021 RAM 1500

8/10

2022 RAM 1500

7/10

The 2021 RAM 1500 came well-equipped with a Uconnect 4C system on a 12-inch touchscreen, which was praised for its customizability but critiqued for its non-driver-centric positioning. On the other hand, the 2022 model included the new Uconnect 5 system, presenting a quicker and more feature-rich interface that proved a solid upgrade.

Safety

2021 RAM 1500

9/10

2022 RAM 1500

6/10
Both the 2021 and 2022 RAM 1500 models provided a comprehensive suite of safety features. The 2021 TRX showcased an array of advanced driver assists but at an additional cost. In contrast, the 2022 RAM incorporated these advancements into more accessible lower trims, spreading the safety features more democratically across its lineup.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 RAM 1500 is 7.8 out of 10, while the 2022 RAM 1500 scores 7.7 out of 10. Given these ratings, the 2021 RAM 1500 edges out slightly over its successor, mainly due to its unparalleled power and the off-road capabilities provided by the TRX version. Buyers looking for maximum performance and capability will find the 2021 model a more compelling choice, whereas those who value technology and efficiency might lean towards the 2022 model for its subtle improvements and expanded accessibility of advanced features.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 RAM 1500 is 7.8 out of 10, while the 2022 RAM 1500 scores 7.7 out of 10. Given these ratings, the 2021 RAM 1500 edges out slightly over its successor, mainly due to its unparalleled power and the off-road capabilities provided by the TRX version. Buyers looking for maximum performance and capability will find the 2021 model a more compelling choice, whereas those who value technology and efficiency might lean towards the 2022 model for its subtle improvements and expanded accessibility of advanced features.

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By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

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