2023 Ram 1500 Classic Quad Cab

Price Range: $37,055 - $46,150 ^{Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.}

Ram 1500 Classic Express Crew Cab Pickup Exterior

Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman Crew Cab Pickup Exterior

Ram 1500 Classic Warlock Crew Cab Pickup Exterior

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Edmunds suggests you pay

$33,543

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2023 Ram 1500 Classic Review

byChristian Wardlaw^{Correspondent
Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at Edmunds and was the first editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.}

Pros

Low base price
Smooth and comfortable ride quality

Cons

Design and engineering date to 2009
Few available configurations and trim levels
Lacks safety features

What's new

Express trim level canceled
Regular-cab, short-bed version discontinued
RamBox cargo bed storage no longer available
Part of the fourth Ram 1500 generation introduced for 2009

Overview

Five years ago, the fifth-generation Ram 1500 debuted to critical acclaim. And yet, half a decade later, you can still buy a brand-new example of the fourth-generation Ram 1500. It's called the Ram 1500 Classic, and it's supposed to offer cash-strapped full-size truck buyers a value-oriented alternative to the newer, safer and far more sophisticated fifth-gen Ram 1500. But does it? Nope.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman 4dr Quad Cab SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.05 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$185/mo

$225/mo

Avg. Large Truck

Calculate my fuel costs

If you want a regular-cab Ram 1500, the Classic is the only game in town. Plus, its base price is thousands of dollars less than the cheapest fifth-gen Ram 1500. However, as soon as you upgrade to a Tradesman Quad Cab, the price difference between the old and new Rams shrinks to a few hundred bucks. Trust us when we tell you that you want to skip the Classic for the new Ram.

The Tradesman is one of two Ram 1500 Classic trim levels. The other one is called the Warlock, and it's dressed up with blacked-out trim and bigger wheels. The equivalent in a fifth-gen Ram 1500 would be a Tradesman equipped with the Night Edition package, and to get that, you'll spend less than you would on the Ram 1500 Classic Warlock.

So unless you're buying the regular cab, forget about the Ram 1500 Classic. It's an overpriced antique that Ram has kept in its lineup well beyond its expiration date.

Which 1500 Classic does Edmunds recommend?

If you're going to buy this outdated truck, we recommend the regular-cab Tradesman. It's one of the cheapest ways to get a new full-size light-duty truck, and you can dress it up without spending much money. Otherwise, you should upgrade to a fifth-generation Ram 1500 or switch to a different brand.

Compare 2023 Ram 1500 Classic trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

Ram 1500 Classic models

The 2023 Ram 1500 Classic is available in Tradesman and Warlock trim levels. You choose from three cab configurations (regular cab, Quad Cab and crew cab) and three bed lengths (5 feet 7 inches, 6 feet 4 inches, and 8 feet), but availability depends on the cab style. A 3.6-liter V6 (305 horsepower, 269 lb-ft) pairs to an eight-speed automatic transmission powering the rear wheels. A 5.7-liter V8 (395 hp, 410 lb-ft) is optional, and you can upgrade to four-wheel drive at an extra cost.

Tradesman
The Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman is as basic as trucks get. Still, the following features are standard:

17-inch steel wheels
Locking tailgate
Manually adjustable side mirrors
Manual door locks
Manual windows
Tilt steering wheel
Vinyl floors
40/20/40-split vinyl bench front seat
Class III bumper hitch with integrated trailer wiring
Air conditioning with N95 air filtration
5-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Bluetooth connectivity
Six-speaker audio system
Two USB ports
Cruise control

You can upgrade the Tradesman with the SXT package. It adds:

20-inch aluminum wheels
Chrome bumpers and grille
Foglights
Carpeted floor covering
Cloth seats
Satellite radio

A Power and Remote Entry Group is also available for the Tradesman and offers:

Heated, power-adjustable exterior mirrors
Power door locks with remote keyless entry
Power windows

Warlock
This version of the Ram 1500 Classic comes only in Quad Cab and crew-cab styles. It builds on Tradesman trim with:

20-inch gloss-black aluminum wheels
Black powder-coated bumpers
Black Ram logo grille
Black exterior trim and badges
Projector headlights
LED foglights
Sport taillights
Rear parking sensors
Heated, power-adjustable exterior mirrors
Remote keyless entry
Power door locks
Power windows
Upgraded interior trim
Carpeted floors
Front bucket seats with center console
Cloth upholstery
Satellite radio

Option packages for the Warlock include:

All-Terrain package

17-inch matte black aluminum wheels
All-terrain tires
Rubber floor mats

Luxury Group

Upgraded exterior lighting
LED cargo bed lighting
Power-folding exterior mirrors
Upgraded instrument panel display
Auto-dimming rearview mirror

You can also add the following exclusive items to the Warlock:

Sport Performance hood design
Power trailer tow mirrors
Remote engine start
Hands-free keyless entry
Power sunroof
Premium cloth upholstery
Heated front seats
Heated steering wheel
Alpine premium sound system with nine speakers

Upgrades for any Ram 1500 Classic include:

Limited-slip differential to help improve traction
Various axle ratios
Class IV receiver tow hitch
Trailer brake controller
32-gallon fuel tank (Quad Cab and crew cab)
Full-size spare tire
Spray-in bedliner
Bed tonneau cover
Rear sliding window

Ram also offers an Electronics Group for each version of the 1500 Classic. It installs:

Dual-zone automatic climate control
8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Connected services with access to a Wi-Fi hotspot
Satellite radio
Upgraded instrument panel display
Auto-dimming rearview mirror

Save as much as $6,097 with Edmunds ^{Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $6,097 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the Warlock trim.}

2023 Ram 1500 Classic Quad Cab pricing in Ashburn, VA

Edmunds suggests you pay

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$36,570Starting MSRP
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Ram 1500 Classic Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.3

35 reviews

5(74%)

4(5%)

3(5%)

2(8%)

1(8%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Nice looking truck

Dave Corliss, 07/24/2023

2023 Ram 1500 Classic Express 4dr Quad Cab 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 8A)

Really nice truck has everything and the black and chrome on the outside is beautiful.

See all 35 reviews of the Ram 1500 Classic

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2023 Ram 1500 Classic Features & Specs

Type:

Quad Cab

Trim:

Tradesman

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$37,055
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	20 MPG
Cost to Drive	$185/month
Seating	6 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	10,520 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

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Ram 1500 Classic vs. Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The Chevy's design and engineering are a decade fresher than the Ram's, but in some ways the Silverado falls short of the aging 1500 Classic. For example, the Ram has a more attractive interior than the basic versions of the Silverado, and the Ram offers a more composed ride. However, the more expensive Silverado trims have a substantially nicer cabin and the Chevrolet also offers superior technology. You'll also get more towing and payload capacity with the Silverado.

Compare Ram 1500 Classic & Chevrolet Silverado 1500 features

Ram 1500 Classic vs. Ford F-150

We think the Ford F-150 is the best truck you can buy, so aside from its lower price, the Ram 1500 Classic isn't a contender in this matchup. The F-150 can tow and haul considerably more than the Ram, and its impressive powertrain lineup, broad number of trim levels, and superior technology and convenience features make it the easy choice here. You can learn more by reading Edmunds' long-term road test of the Ford F-150.

Compare Ram 1500 Classic & Ford F-150 features

Ram 1500 Classic vs. Ram 1500

The price difference between the fourth-generation Ram 1500 Classic and fifth-generation Ram 1500 isn't substantial, so we don't advise choosing the older design. The exception would be if you want a regular-cab truck, a configuration not available in the newer Ram 1500's lineup. Otherwise, the newer version of the Ram provides more towing and payload capacity, has a more sophisticated design and refined interior, and supplies superior infotainment and safety tech. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Ram 1500 to learn more.

Compare Ram 1500 Classic & Ram 1500 features

Also Consider

Build Your 2024 Silverado 1500

At a Glance:

10 Colors
1 Trim
5 Packages
$36,800starting MSRP

Build & Price Chevrolet.com

*The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price excludes destination freight charge, tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. Click here to see all Chevrolet vehicles' destination freight charges. Dealer sets the final price.

Safety

Our experts’ favorite 1500 Classic safety features:

Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus: Alerts the driver if a collision might occur and can automatically brake to try to prevent or minimize an impact.
Automatic SOS Call: Uses the available connected services to contact help after the airbags deploy, and can automatically send help to your location.
ParkView and ParkSense: Warns the driver through visual and audible cues when the truck is getting close to an object.

FAQ

Is the Ram 1500 Classic a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 1500 Classic both on the road and at the track. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Ram 1500 Classic. Learn more

What's new in the 2023 Ram 1500 Classic?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Ram 1500 Classic:

Express trim level canceled
Regular-cab, short-bed version discontinued
RamBox cargo bed storage no longer available
Part of the fourth Ram 1500 generation introduced for 2009

Learn more

Is the Ram 1500 Classic reliable?

To determine whether the Ram 1500 Classic is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the 1500 Classic. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the 1500 Classic's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2023 Ram 1500 Classic a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 Ram 1500 Classic is a good car. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 1500 Classic is a good car for you. Check back soon for the official Edmunds Rating from our expert testing team Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2023 Ram 1500 Classic?

The least-expensive 2023 Ram 1500 Classic is the 2023 Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman 4dr Quad Cab SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $37,055.

Other versions include:

Tradesman 4dr Quad Cab SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) which starts at $37,055
Express 4dr Quad Cab SB w/Prod. End 04/23 (3.6L 6cyl 8A) which starts at $38,670
Tradesman 4dr Quad Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) which starts at $40,855
SLT Fleet 4dr Quad Cab SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) which starts at $41,785
Warlock 4dr Quad Cab SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) which starts at $41,785
Express 4dr Quad Cab 4WD SB w/Prod. End 04/23 (3.6L 6cyl 8A) which starts at $42,170
SLT Fleet 4dr Quad Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) which starts at $45,585
Warlock 4dr Quad Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A) which starts at $45,585
Express 4dr Quad Cab 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 8A) which starts at $46,150

Learn more

What are the different models of Ram 1500 Classic?

If you're interested in the Ram 1500 Classic, the next question is, which 1500 Classic model is right for you? 1500 Classic variants include Tradesman 4dr Quad Cab SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A), Express 4dr Quad Cab SB w/Prod. End 04/23 (3.6L 6cyl 8A), Tradesman 4dr Quad Cab 4WD SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A), and SLT Fleet 4dr Quad Cab SB (3.6L 6cyl 8A). For a full list of 1500 Classic models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

2023 Ram 1500 Classic Quad Cab

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2023 Ram 1500 Classic Review

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