Is the RAM 1500 a Good Truck for Your Needs?
Ram trucks are built to be durable and dependable — and the Ram 1500 is no exception. Offering bold performance for every work or weekend adventure, this full-size pickup truck thrives in rugged conditions. But is it the right truck for your lifestyle?
To help you decide, we’ll take a look at the different ways the Ram 1500 has been recognized by reputable sources like MotorTrend and Car and Driver. We’ll also highlight the latest Ram 1500’s performance and capability as well as cabin comfort to give you an idea of what it’s like to drive this outstanding pickup truck. Then you can stop by Sumter Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram to experience the 2026 Ram 1500’s performance and features for yourself!
Ram Recognition
Let’s see what the experts are saying about the Ram 1500 and the various ways it’s been recognized, both past and present.
Ram Safety
- 2026 Ram 1500 Quad Cab: NHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating
- 2025 Ram 1500 Quad Cab: NHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating
- 2024 Ram 1500 Crew Cab: NHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating
- 2023 RAM 1500 Crew Cab: NHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating
- 2023 Ram 1500 Crew Cab: IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick
- 2022 Ram 1500 Crew Cab: IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick
Recent Ram Awards
- Ram 1500: 2025 Truck of the Year, MotorTrend
- Ram 1500: A 10Best Truck for 2025, Car and Driver
- 2026 Ram 1500: #1 in Best Full-Size Pickup Trucks, Car and Driver
- 2026 Ram 1500: #2 in Best Full-Size Trucks of 2026, Kelley Blue Book®
- 2025 Ram 1500: #2 Full-Size Pickup Trucks, U.S. News & World Report
- 2025 Ram 1500: Great Resale Value (81/100 rating), J.D. Power
- 2025 Ram 1500: Best Full-Size Pickup Truck for the Money, U.S. News & World Report
Outstanding Performance and Capability
If you want a truck that delivers next-level power, this is it. The 2026 Ram 1500 gives drivers four engines to choose from: a 3.0-liter Hurricane engine, a high-output 3.0-liter Hurricane engine, a 3.6-liter Pentastar® V6 engine with eTorque, and a HEMI® V8 engine. We’ll break down what each engine has to offer in terms of horsepower, torque, payload, and towing strength below:
3.0-Liter Hurricane Engine
- Maximum Horsepower: 420
- Maximum Torque: 469 lb-ft
- Maximum Towing Capacity: 11,610 pounds1
- Maximum Payload: 1,930 pounds1
High-Output 3.0-Liter Hurricane Engine
- Maximum Horsepower: 540
- Maximum Torque: 521 lb-ft
- Maximum Towing Capacity: 10,000 pounds1
- Maximum Payload: 1,490 pounds1
3.6-Liter Pentastar® V6 Engine with eTorque
- Maximum Horsepower: 305
- Maximum Torque: 269 lb-ft
- Maximum Towing Capacity: 8,130 pounds1
- Maximum Payload: 2,360 pounds1
HEMI® V8 Engine
- Maximum Horsepower: 395
- Maximum Torque: 410 lb-ft
- Maximum Towing Capacity: 11,320 pounds1
Whether you’re hauling a load of mulch, packing up for a major move, towing a horse trailer, or venturing off-road, the 2026 Ram 1500 delivers the performance and capability you need.
A Cabin Catered to You
In addition to providing the power you need, the Ram 1500 delivers comfort you can count on, especially during long days of work. Plus, with available features like heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, leather seating, and even massaging front seats, you have the option of riding in luxury.
A standard 40/20/40 split bench seat allows you to adjust the cabin to suit your needs, and features like second-row in-floor storage bins and front center-seat cushion storage are available for extra convenience.
Enjoy an audio upgrade from the standard six speakers to the available nine amplified speakers with a subwoofer. On higher trim levels, a 19-speaker Harman Kardon® Premium Sound system is available, and the top trim level comes with a 23-speaker Klipsch® Reference Premiere Sound System.
The touchscreen can also be upgraded from the standard 8.4-inch touchscreen to the available 12-inch touchscreen — or even the available 14.4-inch touchscreen. Plus, a variety of driver-assistance features like Blind-Spot and Cross-Path Detection provide more peace of mind. You can even experience hands-free driving with the available Hands-Free Active Driving Assist System.
Common Questions About the RAM 1500
How reliable is the Ram 1500?
The Ram 1500 holds its own in the reliability category. It gets an above-average Reliability Rating from RepairPal: 3.5 out of 5.0. In fact, this means the Ram 1500 is number one for reliability out of 17 full-size trucks!
Why choose the Ram 1500?
Where do we even start? From its robust performance and towing capability to its well-appointed cabin and advanced technology features, the Ram 1500 is a smart choice for tough jobs and off-road adventures.
Is the Ram 1500 available as a hybrid?
Though not termed a Ram 1500 hybrid, the Ram truck lineup will soon include the all-new RAM 1500 REV, a Range-Extended Electric Truck, expected to arrive in 2026. This all-new truck will be equipped with a liquid-cooled 92-kilowatt-hour battery pack, 30-kilowatt generator, and 3.6-liter Pentastar® V6 engine.
What are the Ram 1500 truck bed sizes?
The Ram 1500 offers drivers different cab and bed sizes to choose from:
- Crew Cab 5'7" Box
- Crew Cab 6'4" Box
- Quad Cab 6'4" Box
What are the Ram 1500 trim levels?
You can choose from the following trim levels in the 2026 Ram 1500 lineup:
- Ram 1500 Tradesman
- Ram 1500 Express
- Ram 1500 Warlock
- Ram 1500 Big Horn
- Ram 1500 Laramie
- Ram 1500 Rebel
- Ram 1500 Rho
- Ram 1500 Limited
- Ram 1500 Limited Longhorn
- Ram 1500 Tungsten
Does the RAM 1500 have good resale value?
According to J.D. Power, the 2025 Ram 1500 has great resale value: 81/100. According to iSeeCars for 2025, the Ram 1500 has a five-year resale value of 57.2%.
What is the best-selling Ram truck?
The 2025 Ram 1500 made it onto U.S. News and World Report’s list of bestselling trucks. In addition, U.S. News and World Report has named Ram as the Best Truck Brand for seven years in a row.
How much is the Ram 1500?
2026 Ram 1500 MSRP starts at $42,0252 with the Tradesman trim level. The starting MSRP for the top trim level, the Tungsten, is $89,095.2 If you want more affordable options, check out our pre-owned inventory to see if we have any used Ram 1500 trucks in stock now.
What are the safety features in the Ram 1500?
Drivers can enjoy more peace of mind on the road with standard features like Active Lane-Management System, Blind-Spot and Cross-Path Detection, Full-Speed Forward-Collision Warning Plus, and more.
What is the RAM 1500 towing capacity?
Ram 1500 towing capacity depends on the engine. When properly equipped, the Ram 1500 offers the following maximum towing capacities per engine:
- 3.0L Hurricane Engine: 11,610 pounds
- High-Output 3.0L Hurricane Engine: 10,000 pounds
- 3.6L Pentastar® V6 Engine with eTorque: 8,130 pounds
- HEMI® V8 Engine: 11,320 pounds
Find Your RAM 1500 at Your Local Ram Dealership
If you’re still not sure if the Ram 1500 is right for you, stop by our dealership for a test drive — our available RAM truck lineup just might convince you! At Sumter Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, our team can tell you more about Ram 1500 reliability, features, and performance and help you choose the best Ram truck for your lifestyle.
The Ram 1500 is worth buying if you're looking for dependable performance, excellent towing capability, advanced driver-assistance technology, and next-level comfort. You can also explore our other Ram trucks, like the Ram 3500 heavy duty truck, and take a look at our used truck lineup. Experience Ram truck performance today at your local RAM 1500 dealer!
Disclaimer by Sumter Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM:
Sumter Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM believes the information and specifications on this website to be correct at the time of publishing.
Model specifications provided may vary based on selected trim, options, and installed accessories. Specifications, standard features, options, fabrics, accessories, colors, and other features related to the vehicles are subject to change without notice. Values are based on MSRP and exclude taxes, fees, and adjustments. Please visit certified dealers for more accurate pricing.
Images of vehicles are for illustrative purposes only. Please see the dealer for details and availability.
1When properly equipped. Additional options, equipment, passengers, and cargo weight may affect payload/towing weights. Contact dealer for details.
2MSRP excludes destination, taxes, title and registration fees. Starting at price refers to the base model, optional equipment not included. A more expensive model may be shown. Pricing and offers may change at any time without notification. To get full pricing details, see your dealer.