The full-size pickup segment has long been the scene of an automotive arms race, with each automaker putting their best and brightest to work on producing the pickup of the future. Given the popularity of full-size pickups in the American market, this approach makes a lot of sense. A quick look at annual sales figures shows that full-size trucks dominate the top of the charts year after year. Ram's flagship pickup routinely moves over half a million units annually. While much of this success can be attributed to Ram's reputation for reliable, go-anywhere performance and the type of heavy-duty construction that's so important to the average pickup driver, you can't discount the impact that comfort, amenities, and styling can provide. In an ultra-competitive segment, these factors are becoming more important than ever as a shifting customer base puts more emphasis on luxury features.
Always ahead of the curve, the Ram 1500 has leapfrogged much of the competition when it comes to integrating the latest and greatest in interior tech, styling, and more. This sort of forward-thinking approach has landed the truck award after award, and the latest model is no exception. The Ram 1500 has made Car and Driver's 10Best list for the last five years in a row, with critics and drivers alike praising Ram's attention to detail and ability to respond to industry trends. Searching for a "Ram dealer near me" is sure to turn up plenty of intriguing models to choose from. Before you visit Ruge's CDJR for a test drive, read on to learn a little more about how the Ram 1500 has upped the bar for luxury and comfort, putting the rest of the full-size pickup segment on notice.
Seven Amazing Trims
The pickup segment has come a long way from its working-class roots, and while today's trucks are still just as capable as ever, they'd probably be unrecognizable to a driver from just a few decades ago. Cutting-edge tech and thoughtful styling choices were once exclusive to sedans and some SUVs, but from the moment you step into the Ram 1500, it's clear that's no longer the case. The 2023 Ram 1500 has been lauded for its interior. In fact, it's one of the primary reasons the pickup has been such a mainstay on Car and Driver's 10Best list. With seven trims available, it's easy to build a Ram 1500 that fits all your needs without breaking the bank. This pickup is at its best when opting for the upper trims, but even the entry-level offerings demonstrate thoughtful attention to detail that's all too often missing in the historically working-class segment.
Take the base Tradesman trim, for example. Although this full-size pickup rings in at just $37,410 for the Quad Cab version, it's still packed with an impressive suite of technology that'll make every day on the job site just a little bit easier.[a] From Trailer Sway Damping and Electronic Roll-Mitigation to a Rear-Seat Reminder Alert and Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring System, the Tradesman is filled with thoughtful touches that one might not expect from an entry-level model. Ram also offers the Tradesman HFE trim, a pared-down version of the Tradesman that, while well-appointed, is limited to a single configuration with a Quad Cab, standard box, 3.6-liter V6 engine, and rear-wheel drive.
Moving Up the Ladder
Things take a noticeable step up when you climb into the cabin of a 2023 Ram 1500 Big Horn. A modest price hike sees the addition of two equipment groups that add a whole host of comfort-focused amenities. You can enjoy an eight-way power driver's seat with power lumbar support, power-adjustable pedals, the Uconnect 5 Nav infotainment system, a seven-inch programmable cluster display, a heated steering wheel, and 115-volt outlets. Drivers seeking the latest and greatest in-cabin tech can add the Technology Group for an integrated heads-up display and digital rearview mirror.
While the term "luxury" tends to conjure images of leather upholstery, wood veneers, heated seats, and massive touchscreen displays, such features aren't the only things that make for a high-class ride. After all, what good is a plush leather seat if your ride is still jostling around the road like a wooden roller coaster that went off the rails? The way a vehicle handles is just as much a part of the equation as the creature features that buyers tend to obsess over, but some brands know how important it is to strike a good balance.
This focus on comfort and handling is never an afterthought when it comes to the Ram 1500. From the Big Horn trim on up, every Ram 1500 is packed with a raft of comfort-enhancing tech, including class-exclusive Active-Level Four-Corner Air Suspension. This premium feature gives you five driver-selectable ride heights that combine easy entry and exit with improved ground clearance, making the 2023 Ram 1500 a noticeable departure from the rough-riding pickups of old.
Amazing High-End Features
Starting at $52,775, the 2023 Ram 1500 Laramie is firmly in the luxury territory, with some high-end features that would make a Lexus blush.[a] An exquisite 19-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system and wireless charging pad make the Laramie the perfect office on wheels, allowing drivers to get work done and stay connected whether they're on the job site or stuck in traffic. The pickup is also exceedingly comfortable, with standard eight-way heated and ventilated front seats that include a memory feature for the driver's seat, mirrors, and pedals. The convenience factor is off the charts with features like an advanced keyless entry system that allows drivers to unlock their pickup simply by touching the handle. Opting for the Advanced Safety Group adds ParkSense to the mix. This innovative feature makes parallel and perpendicular parking easier than ever, giving drivers visual and auditory cues to make squeezing into that tight spot less of a hassle.
Things start to get a little more rough-and-tumble with the Ram 1500 Rebel. Offered standard with a 3.6-liter V6, the Rebel excels when paired with the optional 5.7-liter HEMI V8. As far as off-road equipment is concerned, the Rebel features all-terrain tires, skid plates, an electronically locking rear differential, and a lifted off-road suspension. This upgraded suspension gives the Rebel the aggressive approach and departure angles necessary to tackle daunting off-road obstacles. Given that the focus here is on off-road performance, the base Rebel doesn't significantly improve the luxury factor over the lower trims. However, that can easily be alleviated by springing for additional equipment packages that add heated first and second-row seats, a 12-inch infotainment system, ParkSense, a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and more.
Reaching the Apex
Moving up the list, the Limited Longhorn is an upgraded version of the already-luxurious Laramie trim and includes a generous complement of standard equipment. Heated rear seats, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and a 12-inch configurable digital instrument cluster come at no extra charge. Adding a touch of sci-fi futurism to the cabin, the digital instrument cluster provides drivers with full-color, customizable graphics allowing them to display whatever information is most relevant to their current task. From vehicle stats to safety and security alerts, navigation, driver profiles, and more, the digital instrument cluster can even be tweaked to match your color scheme of choice. The Limited Longhorn can be easily upgraded with the addition of the Longhorn Level 1 Equipment Group, which adds a Harman Kardon audio system, wireless charging pad, power running boards, and more.
Topping the list of current Ram 1500 trims is the Limited. Starting at $63,750, the Limited is packed with luxury and performance features and comes standard with our favorite Ram 1500 engine of the bunch: the 5.7-liter HEMI V8.[a] For those who will settle for nothing but the best, there's the Limited Elite Edition, a no-holds-barred luxury package that includes a Multi-Function tailgate, adjustable cargo tie-downs, and a host of interior upgrades. The pickup's premium quilted leather seats are heated, ventilated, and come with 12-way power adjustments. A heated steering wheel, suede headliner, and jeweled rotary shifter drive the Elite Editon's luxury credentials home.
Delivering Comfort, Performance, and Style
No matter which trim you choose, the 2023 Ram 1500 delivers a reliable mix of comfort, performance, and style. It's no wonder this full-size pickup regularly rates among the industry's best, with drivers returning to the Ram brand time and time again. The automaker has gone to great lengths to keep the model fresh over the years, integrating the latest in luxury and performance technology without falling victim to the allure of those flash-in-the-pan features that add to the price without improving a pickup's functionality. Luxury and comfort features haven't historically been the pickup segment's bread and butter, but as the industry shifts and consumer demands change, they're starting to play a much larger part in separating the best from the rest. If you are ready to explore the luxury features of the 2023 Ram 1500, visit Ruge's CDJR today!