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2021 RAM 1500 Classic

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Make
RAM
Model
1500 Classic
Year
2021
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Used Car Price Range
$17,977 - $34,422
$17,977 $34,422
Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2021 Tradesman 4x2 Regular Cab 6.3 ft. box 120 in. WB
most popular
Price:   -  From $29,510
2021 Tradesman 4x2 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 140 in. WB Price:   -  From $29,810
2021 Tradesman 4x2 Quad Cab 6.3 ft. box 140 in. WB Price:   -  From $33,990
2021 Tradesman 4x4 Regular Cab 6.3 ft. box 120 in. WB Price:   -  From $34,450
2021 Tradesman 4x4 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 140 in. WB Price:   -  From $34,450
2021 Tradesman 4x2 Crew Cab 5.6 ft. box 140 in. WB Price:   -  From $36,690
2021 Tradesman 4x2 Crew Cab 6.3 ft. box 149 in. WB Price:   -  From $36,990
2021 Tradesman 4x4 Quad Cab 6.3 ft. box 140 in. WB Price:   -  From $37,490
2021 SLT 4x2 Quad Cab 6.3 ft. box 140 in. WB Price:   -  From $38,640
2021 Tradesman 4x4 Crew Cab 5.6 ft. box 140 in. WB Price:   -  From $40,190
2021 Tradesman 4x4 Crew Cab 6.3 ft. box 149 in. WB Price:   -  From $40,760
2021 SLT 4x2 Crew Cab 5.6 ft. box 140 in. WB Price:   -  From $41,340
2021 SLT 4x4 Quad Cab 6.3 ft. box 140 in. WB Price:   -  From $42,140
2021 SLT 4x4 Crew Cab 5.6 ft. box 140 in. WB Price:   -  From $44,840
Expert Rating
3 (Good)

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

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Overview

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 TypeHorsepowerTorqueMax TowingFuel Economy (Combined)
3.6L V6305 hp260 lb-ft7,600 pounds20 mpg
5.7L V8363 hp394 lb-ft10,680 pounds17 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.

RAM 1500 Classic

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.

RAM 1500 Classic

Tradesman — From $30,145

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.

Express — From $31,645

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.

Warlock — From $38,290

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

CarsDirect Tip

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.

author image
Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

Pros
  • Throwback looks
  • No-frills powertrain options
  • Significantly cheaper than the new RAM
Cons
  • Old technology
  • No advanced safety gear
  • Limited powertrain options
Expert Rating
3 (Good)

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Automotive Editor

Oldie, but is it a goodie?: When RAM released the all-new 1500 pickup in 2019, it had one clear gap: There was no single-cab variant. RAM kept ahold of the last-gen 1500, which was available as a single, quad, or crew cab, and rebadged it the RAM 1500 Classic to fill the vacant slot.

Through 2021, the RAM 1500 Classic remains a cheaper, smaller option for RAM 1500 buyers who don’t need four doors – though it’s still available as a four-door, further confusing everyone.

Find out if this last-gen pickup is a worthy option or just a forgettable gap-filler in the RAM lineup below.

Big savings but an old-school look: The 2021 RAM 1500 Classic starts from just $30,395 (destination fees included), giving it more than an $8,000 price advantage over the base RAM 1500. While it’s a great value compared to its newer sibling, it’s only a few hundred bucks cheaper than the base Chevy Silverado 1500 and Ford F-150.

The word “Classic” in the name really means something – and it’s not a good thing. RAM based this pickup on the last-generation 1500, which dates back to the Dodge Ram days. Let’s just say it’s a little bit dated relative to its competitors.

However, the RAM 1500 Classic is the only way to get a two-door RAM 1500. The new RAM is available as a four-door model only.

Potent engines with an old-school feel and old-school fuel consumption: The 2021 RAM 1500 Classic goes old-school with its engines, boasting a 305-horsepower standard 3.6-liter V6 or a 395-hp HEMI 5.7-liter V8. No electrification, no turbocharging. Just classic, American muscle.

This all sounds good to the average gearhead, but these old-school engines come up short in several ways. The base V6 is more powerful than the F-150 or Silverado’s base engine, but its fuel economy tops out at just 20 miles per gallon combined.

The F-150 and RAM 1500 with their base V6 engines beat it by 1 and 2 mpg combined, respectively. The Silverado’s base V6 is the only one that loses to the RAM 1500 Classic at 17 mpg combined.

This peak fuel economy gap grows as you move into more advanced engines the RAM 1500 Classic lacks, like turbo-diesel engines. Respectively, the F-150, Silverado 1500, and RAM 1500 offer up to 23 mpg, 27 mpg, and 26 mpg combined with their turbo-diesel options.

The F-150 has an added twist with its hybrid variant that delivers up to 25 mpg combined.


Ram 1500 Classic

Limited standard features: The 2021 RAM 1500 Classic shows its low pricing when you start checking out its standard features. The base Tradesman trim comes standard with only the basics, including a 5-inch touchscreen, the Uconnect 3 infotainment system, a six-speaker audio system, and not a dab of advanced safety tech.

While its RAM 1500 younger sibling isn’t much better in terms of fun tech, it at least has available advanced safety gear like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. The real value comes in the Ford F-150 with its standard 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in-truck Wi-Fi, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, active lane control, and automatic high beams.

The Silverado 1500 isn’t far behind the F-150 with its 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Automatic emergency braking remains an option on the Silverado.

Final thoughts: Unless you really need a two-door RAM or a few extra ponies from the base V6, there’s no true benefit to buying the RAM 1500 Classic.

The Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado 1500 offer superior features at just a few hundred dollars more. Plus, the F-150 includes loads of standard safety gear and a slew of engine options to fit just about any driver’s needs.

Check prices for the 2021 Ram 1500 Classic »

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Available
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
Standard: 3.6L V-6 / 305 HP / 269 ft.lbs.
Available: 5.7L V-8 / 395 HP / 410 ft.lbs.
Transmission
Standard: 8-spd sequential shift control auto w/OD
Available: 8-spd auto w/OD
Drive Type
Rear-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
17 / 25 / 21 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
3 / 2
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
Standard: 3.6L V-6 / 305 HP / 269 ft.lbs.
Available: 5.7L V-8 / 395 HP / 410 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Rear-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
17 / 25 / 21 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Short And Long Arm
Rear Suspension
Rigid Axle Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Full-size Steel / Full-size
Fuel Tank
26.0 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$100
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
Passenger Volume
63 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
209.0 "
Exterior Width
79.4 "
Exterior Height
74.6 "
Front Headroom
39.9 "
Rear Headroom
Front Legroom
41.0 "
Rear Legroom
Front Shoulder Room
66.0 "
Rear Shoulder Room
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
4,517 Lbs. / 4,520 Lbs. / 4,561 Lbs. / 4,525 Lbs. / 4,514 Lbs. / 4,524 Lbs. / 4,571 Lbs. / 4,544 Lbs. / 4,503 Lbs. / 4,516 Lbs. / 4,738 Lbs. / 4,535 Lbs. / 4,531 Lbs. / 4,519 Lbs. / 4,518 Lbs. / 4,529 Lbs. / 4,528 Lbs. / 4,523 Lbs. / 4,662 Lbs. / 4,527 Lbs.
Wheel Base
120 "
Turning Radius
19.7 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
2 Doors
Wheels
17.0 " Argent Styled Steel / 17.0 " Silver Aluminum / 20.0 " Aluminum / 20.0 " Silver Aluminum / 20.0 " Black Aluminum / 17.0 " Black Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Metallic Monotone / Pearlcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Manual / Dual Power Remote Heated Convex Spotter / Dual Power Remote Heated / Dual Manual Heated
Bumpers
Black / Front Body-colored / Front Black / Front Chrome
Grille Moldings
Black / Chrome / Body-colored
Rear Spoiler
Exhaust
Stainless Steel / Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
3 / 2
Seat Trim
Vinyl / Cloth / Premium Cloth
Front Seat Type
40-20-40 Split-bench / Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
4-way / (8-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
4-way / (8-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Rear Seats
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm, Clock, Seek-scan / Am/fm, Seek-scan / Siriusxm Am/fm/satellite, Seek-scan / Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers
6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Driver And Passenger
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
1
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Not Yet Available
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Parksense Rear
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Sentry Key
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months

Used 2021 RAM 1500 Classic for Sale

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