What's New
The 2021 RAM 1500 Classic carries on with minimal change. The Classic emerged three years ago as a continuation of the previous-generation RAM 1500. Enough buyers prefer the older design and its lower price to keep it in production a while longer.
Choosing Your RAM 1500 Classic
The 1500 Classic comes in three trim levels: Tradesman, Express, and Warlock. Pricing starts at $30,145 and tops out at $38,290 for the Warlock.
Engine Choices
All versions of the 1500 Classic start out with a V6 engine. The optional V8 costs $1,450.
Engine Type | Horsepower | Torque | Max Towing | Fuel Economy (Combined) |
3.6L V6 | 305 hp | 260 lb-ft | 7,600 pounds | 20 mpg |
5.7L V8 | 363 hp | 394 lb-ft | 10,680 pounds | 17 mpg |
Both engines use an eight-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive costs $4,600 on the Tradesman and Express, and $3,600 on the Warlock.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
The Regular Cab seats three, while the Quad Cab and Crew Cab can handle up to six. The Tradesman and Express are available in all three configurations. The Warlock comes in Quad and Crew form.
The Regular Cab and Quad Cab come with a 6-foot-4-inch bed, and the Crew Cab gets a 5-foot-7-inch bed.
An 8-foot bed is available on the Express Regular Cab only at no extra cost.
Safety Features
Here's where the 1500 Classic shows it's a product of a different era. The only driver assistance technology to speak of is the mandatory rearview camera and the Warlock's rear parking sensors.
Connectivity
The standard infotainment system for all trims includes a five-inch touchscreen, six speakers, and two USB ports. The Warlock also gets satellite radio.
The $695 Electronics Group for the Tradesman and Express adds an 8.4-touchscreen, HD and satellite radio, a 7-inch color driver information display, dual-zone automatic climate control, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The Electronics Group for the Warlock ($795) has all those features, plus navigation.
Tradesman comes minimally equipped with air conditioning, automatic headlights, and vinyl seats and flooring. The outside wears black trim and 17-inch steel wheels. The Double Cab and Crew Cab also get power heated side mirrors and power windows and locks. These features can be added to the Regular Cab with the Power and Remote Entry Group ($735), which also includes keyless entry and upgraded door panel trim on par with the other cabs.
The Popular Equipment Group ($825) provides cloth seats, full carpeting, and satellite radio. The package also includes keyless entry on the Quad Cab and Crew Cab, and rear under-seat storage on the Crew only. These features are also available in the $1,295 Chrome Plus Package, along with aluminum wheels and chrome body trim. The Interior Cold Weather Group for the Quad and Crew ($1,150) includes heated front seats, remote start, and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls.
The Express adopts a more upscale look outside with body-color front and rear facias, aluminum wheels, and fog lights. Other standard equipment is shared with the Tradesman. The Express Value Package ($2,160) combines the features of the Popular Equipment Group with 20-inch wheels and dual exhaust outlets with chrome tips. The price drops to $1,465 when the Interior Cold Weather Group is also ordered.
The Warlock gets black exterior accents, black powder-coated bumpers, a unique grille, and black semi-gloss 20-inch wheels. The Popular Equipment Group contents are standard, along with projector beam headlights and LED fog lights. The Luxury Group ($795) adds auto-dimming and power-folding side mirrors, LED bed lighting, a universal home remote, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and lighted vanity mirrors. Heated front seats and a heated steering can be added to the bundle for $595.
Compare 1500 Classic Trims Side-By-Side
The Express doesn't look like a work truck on the outside, which is the only reason to choose it over the Tradesman. The Warlock offers a handful of features not available on the others, but not enough to justify its price, especially when spooky looks are part of the deal.