Since its inception, the Ram Truck model has tried to be essentially the most truck of all of the vans. “Finest-in-Class” this and “Section-leading” that headlined each press launch and commercial. Not anymore.
At a look
- Ram has the perfect inside expertise of all truck manufacturers
- Hemi V8 returns as a result of Boomers hate Millennials
- There’s little for the Ram 1500 to boast about aside from its inside
Right this moment’s vans are mainly actually, actually massive sedans. Commercials and nation music movies would possibly look again with rosy glasses on the good ol’ days when pickups had bench seats and gun racks and parked subsequent to near-ripe corn fields within the sundown. However the actuality is that these vans had been uncomfortable, bouncy, unreliable horror reveals of utilitarianism. Right this moment’s vans aren’t even shut compared. They’re highly effective, comfortable, and tech-filled. Each pickup truck model is like this now. Ram has, nonetheless, by some means taken this to a brand new stage.
The 2026 Ram 1500 isn’t a lot modified from final yr’s mannequin, which noticed a fairly vital replace. Whereas many of the focus was on the newly-minted RHO model, the speedster changing the ridiculous(ly superior) TRX, the 1500 lineup bought some fairly sturdy adjustments. Largely to its inside. The format in a Ram Truck hasn’t modified an excessive amount of in years as a result of that format is rather well finished.
There’s loads of locations for telephones, devices, drinks, and the opposite assorted junk we are inclined to pile into our autos. The crew cab mannequin boasts greater than a dozen cup holders all through (16+ in some fashions). Upgrades had been largely small issues like supplies selections, added small merchandise storage, and a slight tweak to the place buttons and dials had been positioned.
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
For 2026, the most important adjustments to the Ram 1500 are the re-introduction of the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 and a bid by Ram to treatment its rising fame for unreliability with a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain guarantee for the North American market. The V8 engine, which I drove within the Tradesman mannequin Ram 1500 labeled a “Warlock,” is nothing particular.
Apart from it being gone for a yr of V6-only choices, it’s nonetheless the identical throaty eight-cylinder mid-performing, delicate hybrid engine setup it was earlier than. The turbo-six choices are nonetheless higher in virtually each respect, together with functionality for towing and hauling. However plenty of truck consumers like that 8-count and actually don’t like turbochargers. So Ram will oblige.
There’s a refined factor occurring within the pickup truck market usually and at Ram Truck particularly: functionality is taking a again seat to ergonomics, consolation, and a car-like driving really feel. Blame it on at the moment’s consumers being spoiled or on the rise of the comfortable SUV changing the automobile or on Millennials being no matter it’s Boomers assume they’re. It doesn’t matter. What it quantities to, although, is that the 2026 mannequin yr Ram 1500 just isn’t the best-in-class for something measurable. It tows much less, hauls much less, and will get decrease gasoline economic system than just about all of its rivals.
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
What Ram has, and must be pushing tougher, is a superior inside expertise in its lower-end trim factors. I’d drive a Ram Tradesman with its low-end upholstery and extremely ergonomic format anytime over a Ford XL/STX or a Chevrolet WT/Customized. It’s not till higher-cost trims that the Ford and Chevy interiors start to compete with Ram. Certain, they’ll out-tow and out-haul the Ram more often than not, however these bragging rights don’t trump the each day use expertise.
Couple that inside expertise with the graceful experience high quality that every one of at the moment’s vans now have and also you would possibly perceive what’s occurring right here. Right this moment’s vans are usually not simply comfy; they’re composed. Virtually aloof generally. Particularly the Ram 1500.
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
That composure extends into each day usability. Whether or not you’re commuting, hauling, or simply crossing state strains for the sake of it, the 1500 feels much less like a software and extra like a companion. It’s as comfy as any sedan or SUV throughout highway journeys or simply each day commutes.
Certain, it’ll do truck issues. However it doesn’t really feel like a truck more often than not.
Truck traditionalists and discussion board gladiators will argue this, in fact. The fact is that, like most lovers, they’re both all bluster or they don’t purchase new autos anyway. They fail to appreciate their very own irrelevance to the market. Right this moment’s consumers, going by the numbers of high-end trim ranges being bought throughout the full-sized truck phase within the US, wish to be comfy of their truck. The standard downsides of a pickup, particularly an uncomfortable experience high quality and an absence of facilities, at the moment are a legal responsibility fairly than an expectation.
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
The 2026 Ram 1500 undoubtedly obliges in that consolation. And, like its rivals, the 2026 Ram 1500 has a number of powertrain choices (a V6, a turbo-6, and a V8). Like different pickup vans, the Ram 1500 is available in varied cabin and mattress sizes too. Just like the others, its gasoline economic system ranges from the teenagers to the mid-20s. And like all full-sized pickups, its price ticket seems fairly cheap to start out (about $US42,000 plus vacation spot) to downright ridiculous because it pushes six figures on the prime ranges.
Till these costly higher-end trims, nonetheless, the 2026 Ram 1500 delivers an unequalled inside expertise, experience high quality, and cabin consolation. That’s actually its strongest promoting level.
Product web page: 2026 Ram 1500
