2021 Ram 1500 Review

Name: 2021 Ram 1500
Brand: Ram

Price Range: $21,995 - $89,995

Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab Pickup Exterior

Great

8.4

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2021 Ram 1500 offers uncommonly smooth driving manners because of its distinct rear suspension design. You also get unique upscale interior highlighted by the optional 12-inch infotainment display. The V6 and V8 engines are both solid choices, but the reintroduced second-generation EcoDiesel V6 has even more going for it.

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Average price: $34,519

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Appraise My 2021 Ram 1500

Ram 1500 model years

Ram 1500 for Sale

Ram 1500 types

Pros

Impressively smooth ride
Cabin is roomy, quiet and laden with useful storage and tech features
Great combo of fuel economy and towing power from available diesel engine
Range-topping TRX provides exceptional off-road abilities and performance

Cons

Common driver assist features are limited to higher trims

What's new

New TRX version with 702-horsepower V8 engine
Newly available head-up display
New optional Trailer Reverse Steering Control
Part of the fifth Ram 1500 generation introduced in 2019

Overview

Written by automotive expert Travis Langness

9/28/2021

The Ram 1500 truck has been our top-rated light-duty pickup since this latest generation debuted for 2019. It has set the bar for the class in terms of technology integration, interior materials quality and ride comfort while providing stout towing and hauling capabilities. For 2021, however, the competition is significantly tougher: The 2021 Ford F-150 has been fully redesigned.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

173 listings

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2021 Ram 1500
Big Horn Crew Cab
$26,500
great price
$5,671 below market
- 97,452 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 5'7” bed, 5.7l, 8cyl
- Jerry's Ford of Leesburg (6 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Leesburg, VA
**NAVIGATION**, **1-OWNER**, 1500 Big Horn/Lone Star, 4D Crew Cab, HEMI 5.7L V8 Multi Displacement VVT, 8-Speed Automatic, 4WD, Bright White Clearcoat...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
Listing Information:
VIN: 1C6SRFFT8MN573067
Stock: L25594A
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 02-23-2026
2021 Ram 1500
Big Horn Crew Cab
$21,995
great price
$5,594 below market
- 113,129 miles
- 3 accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 5'7” bed, 5.7l, 8cyl
- Kargar Motors (19 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Upgraded Headlights
Close
Located in Manassas, VA
BUYING A CAR HAS NEVER BEEN THIS EASY.We specialize in 100% GUARANTEED APPROVAL. BAD CREDIT, NO CREDIT, BANKRUPTCY, REPO, FORECLOSURE...NO PROBLEM. NO...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
Listing Information:
VIN: 1C6RREFT7MN628701
Stock: KMM15599
Certified Pre-Owned: No

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Ram isn't just giving up its crown without a fight. This year's 1500 gets new optional tech features such as a driver head-up display, an available digital rearview mirror, new performance and off-road readouts via the 12-inch touchscreen, and a trailer reverse control system that steers the truck for you as you direct your trailer into your parking spot.

Small potatoes, you say? OK, how about the all-new Ram 1500 TRX? It features a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 thumping out 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. That's a lot of russets. Ram says the TRX can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds — an astonishing figure for a beefy pickup truck like this. But that's not all. The TRX also gets wide-body fenders, 35-inch tires, a specialized suspension, a reinforced frame and a 2-inch chassis lift, all for enhanced off-road high-speed performance.

With a potential price tag approaching $100,000, a fully loaded TRX certainly isn't for everyone. Then again, that's the beauty of a full-size truck — there's a version to pretty much match every need, want and budget. Want to know more? Check out our Expert Rating below to get our team's full evaluation of the 2021 Ram 1500's performance, comfort, towing capability and more.

What's it like to live with?

Edmunds purchased a Ram 1500 and drove it for two years and nearly 50,000 miles. To learn more about our experiences, read our Ram 1500 long-term test. We cover everything from seat comfort to real-world fuel economy and durability. Note that we tested a 2019 Ram 1500 but it and the 2021 truck are of the same generation, so most of our observations still apply.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Great

8.4

out of 10

We drove the 2021 Ram 1500 on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

8.5/10

How does the 1500 drive? Our test truck had the V8 engine and the eight-speed transmission. They work so well together that we could recommend this truck on that basis alone. It's strong, and it's easy to drive in just about every situation. The same can largely be said for the newly reintroduced EcoDiesel powertrain — especially if you appreciate the pulling power of diesel torque.

But there's much more to the Ram than solid powertrain choices. We've tested many Ram configurations, and they all impress us with their steady steering, confident braking and secure handling. Ram's decade-old decision to walk away from leaf springs and switch to a coil-spring rear suspension continues to pay dividends. We're surprised no one has followed its lead.

Comfort

8.5/10

How comfortable is the 1500? Wind and road noise is minimal, particularly in higher trim levels. Even the rumbling V8 provides only a soothing soundtrack unless you decide to open it up. The Ram 1500 expertly soaks up varying road imperfections and does it without the rough ride you'd normally expect from a light-duty pickup.

The front seats are nicely shaped to provide comfort and support over long distances, and that's even true of the entry-level Tradesman. Even the rear bench has an agreeable backrest angle, and it reclines a surprising amount in higher trims. We also like the Ram 1500's effective climate control system, which offers rear center A/C vents even if you get three-across front seating.

Interior

8.5/10

How’s the interior? The Ram 1500 crew cab's interior is a pleasing place to spend time. The doors open wide to make it easy to get in, and all four doors have their own chunky and well-positioned grab handles. For the driver, there are easy-to-reach controls and a commanding view of the road.

Passengers in any seat will find plenty of headroom, legroom and shoulder room. The cabin is spacious, and the Ram has more rear legroom and foot clearance than competing trucks. Although the rearview mirror is a bit small, the Ram's large windows and clever hood design help with outward visibility overall.

Technology

8.5/10

How’s the tech? The optional 12-inch touchscreen is a dazzling addition to any vehicle, let alone a pickup truck. It offers a huge map and sharp graphics. The 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system is also impressive and offers navigation. Both get multiple USB and USB-C ports, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility. Meanwhile, the 5-inch screen in the Tradesman has the basics down pat.

Ram unfortunately does not include any driver assist features as standard equipment. Only the Laramie model and above offer parking assistance sensors, forward collision and lane departure mitigation. When it's equipped, adaptive cruise control does a good job of bringing the truck down to a complete stop. Automated parking assistance is available, and it works admirably.

Towing and Storage

9/10

How are the towing and storage? Tow ratings, particularly for the diesel, are stout for this class. With the V8 or the diesel engine, most of the Ram 1500's common configurations can pull more than 11,000 pounds, and some exceed 12,000 pounds. The optional RamBox locking bins built into the side of the bed are useful for storing tools or towing equipment. There's also an optional two-way tailgate that can open downward or outward like doors.

Interior storage space is another area where the truck shines. Its center console is enormous and highly configurable. The Ram can be ordered with hidden compartment spaces in the rear floor, underneath the rear seats or in the back cushions themselves. The rear seat folds up as one piece or in a 60/40 split on higher trims.

Fuel Economy

8/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Ram's combined city/highway fuel economy ranges, for the most part, from the high teens to the low 20s depending on the engine and whether you get rear- or four-wheel drive. But the EcoDiesel V6 is the mpg star here. With rear-wheel drive, it posts an EPA-estimated 26 mpg combined. With the optional 33-gallon tank, it can go about 1,000 highway miles on a fillup. Our 4WD test truck with the diesel returned a 24.2 mpg average over 923 mixed-driving test miles.

Value

7.5/10

Is the 1500 a good value? The Ram 1500's build quality, at first, feels and looks great, especially in the more upscale trim levels such as Big Horn, Laramie and beyond. However, after spending some extended time in a long-term test truck, we experienced a few part failures, revealing lesser quality than we originally perceived. Ram pricing remains pretty competitive, though.

Ram's engine choices are largely independent of trim, so you're not forced to spend more for a big engine if you want an economical V6 in a nicely trimmed truck. On the flip side, you can also buy the top-tier diesel in something like a Tradesman work truck, a unique move that makes it a diesel bargain compared to the competition. You won't find anything more than the usual warranty coverage, but that's no bad thing.

Wildcard

8.5/10

The Ram 1500 is a smart and civilized truck that doesn't drive like anything else in its class. Much of that is attributable to its independent rear suspension, which makes it pleasing to drive and gives it an uncommonly smooth ride. Opting for the Rebel off-road version will get you more off-road potential with no real loss in comfort.

Once known for big-rig styling, the Ram 1500 is now more stylish and aerodynamic. It doesn't hit you over the head with a tough-truck theme. This aesthetic carries over inside, where the Ram impresses with a handsome look that is logically laid out and oozes quality. And the 12-inch screen and reclining rear seat never get old.

2021 Ram 1500 trim level differences

The Ram 1500 comes in seven trims: the base Tradesman, Big Horn (also called the Lone Star in Texas), the beefed-up Rebel, followed by the Laramie, Long Horn and Limited. Finally, new for 2021 is the TRX, an off-road-focused version with many exclusive features. Compare the 2021 Ram 1500 trim levels in-depth.

Which 1500 trim does Edmunds recommend?

While we'd love to recommend the fully bonkers off-road TRX model to all Ram 1500 buyers, we know it's not the practical pickup that most buyers will need. Instead, the Laramie should work out well for most Ram buyers. It comes with some desirable standard equipment such as an 8.4-inch touchscreen and heated and ventilated front seats. It also gives you access to optional tech and safety features that aren't available on the Tradesman or the Big Horn.

See Edmunds pricing data

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Reliability

The 2021 Ram 1500 has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5, ranks it #3 out of 19 among Fullsize Trucks. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

3.5 out of 5 stars3.5/5Above Average

#3 out of 19 among Fullsize Trucks

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$652/yr

vs. $752/yr
for Average Fullsize Truck

Frequency

0.72x/yr

vs. 0.98x/yr
for Average Fullsize Truck

Severity

17.5%

vs. 19.9%
for Average Fullsize Truck

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2021 Ram 1500

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles

Ram 1500 Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.6

68 reviews

5(57%)

4(4%)

3(5%)

2(7%)

1(27%)

See all 68 reviews of the Ram 1500

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

Safety nightmare and ram will not help

Dweaver, 04/25/2021

2021 Ram 1500 Limited 4dr Crew Cab 5.6 ft SB (5.7L 8cyl 8A)

*** update - now almost 12,500 miles later , almost 1 year old , and FCA still has me driving an unsafe car. Stay far away , especially if it’s the e-tourque engine , I’m on a forum confirming this engine is the problem , have dash cam footage of stalls and I’m still driving it. ****4500 miles and three problems , 1 is huge. Engine stalls when pulling into traffic. Been at the dealer …

Door will not close....:(

Rezek, 03/22/2021

2021 Ram 1500 Limited 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.6 ft SB (5.7L 8cyl 8A)

New 2021 Ram Limited Laramie after 5 times to the dealer to fix the issue and many part replacements same issue. Door doesn't close:( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZMcJhFfC0Y

New so let's see

Redfour5, 07/15/2021

2021 Ram 1500 Limited 4dr Crew Cab 5.6 ft SB (5.7L 8cyl 8A)

I had a 2015 Outdoorsman with a winch and after market rear bumper. It went 75K miles for me and then finally let me down while towing a 6500 lb travel trailer and it was going to be at least a week or two as no one could figure out what was wrong. Well, they still offered my over 5,000 bucks more than a year ago on a trade and this new one a "Built to Serve" edition was sitting there … and the final price was right at the one I bought six years ago for financing. So, what has changed in five years? Well they are four inches longer. I didn't know that but do every time I try to park it. There are more bells and whistles for sure. So, here at first what stands out? It is the luxurious feel of this truck. I mean it is so smooth driving it is amazing. It is quiet inside and the dogs love the back with their extra four inches of space with the seats up out of the way. The truck is NOT my daily driver anymore and is mostly dedicated to towing the trailer and going to the transfer station and some light off roading in interesting places here in Montana. It certainly has the equipment to do that so now it is just seeing how it does over time. First impressions are a highly refined but still assuredly a beast. I got it to tow and it has the tow package. THAT I like including the trailer TPMS monitor. The sleeper package I didn't really want was the Ramboxes and the new "barn door" tailgate. OK, two weeks into it and I am really starting to like them. The Ramboxes are huge and FOR MY NEEDS, don't get in the way of space in the bed. AND, Going to the transfer station I open the doors and not the "tail gate" and can reach everything instead of having to throw half my body on the tail gate to reach stuff. OH, get the premium light package period. The LED headlights are worth their weight in gold compared to the old ones. Make that a must. But if gas mileage is a problem for you? Get a prius. Well, I got rid of the 1500. Not because I had a problem as such, but because it didn't tow my 6700 lb travel trailer as good as I needed. I bought a "22" 2500 in the same color and love it. So, IF you do NOT tow over 6000 lbs, I would actually go for a 1500 over a 2500. The Gen 5 1500 in a Bighorn trim and up is essentially a luxury daily driver with some very good capabilities for towing...up to around 6K in perfect comfort. The ride vs a 2500 is amazing. The 2500 is a truck and rides like a truck. It has the luxurious interior but less room in the cab as the dogs will attest to. I loved my 1500's all three of them, but IF you are going to tow and generally go above 6K on your trailer and above 25 feet, you might want to consider a 2500. It is a completely different "towing" experience...in a good way. A 2500 will be more "planted" and less subject to the wind. A 1500 never lets you forget you are towing...something that big... A 2500 gives you a bit more peace of mind and less stress... But basically, on both of them, I was happy...

2021 ram limited long horn

Alfredo Tercero , 04/08/2021

2021 Ram 1500 Limited 4dr Crew Cab 4WD 5.6 ft SB (5.7L 8cyl 8A)

The looks and drive feel is amazing.. I only have 730 miles in it and 4 months ...truck is already giving issues.. ram boxes pop open ... lights flicker when door opened, odometer jumps up and down .. truck makes all kinds of scary noises .almost like a short is going on .. I regre ignoring warnings of people telling me to stay away ...

2021 Ram 1500 videos

Ford F-150 vs. Ram 1500, Two of the Most Popular Trucks Face Off

The Ford F-Series is not only the most popular pickup truck in the U.S., it is also the most popular vehicle in the nation. So when the newly redesigned 2021 F-150 was released, we just had to see how it stacks up against the Ram 1500, our previous Edmunds Top Rated pickup.

2021 1500 Features & Specs

Type:

Crew Cab

Trim:

Tradesman

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$35,645
Engine Type	Mild hybrid
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$185/month
Seating	6 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	11,540 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the 1500 models:

Forward Collision Mitigation: Warns the driver of an imminent impact and, if necessary, can initiate emergency braking.
Blind-Spot Monitoring: Alerts you when a vehicle is in your blind spot and can extend its coverage when you're towing a trailer.
Lane Departure Warning Plus: Can apply steering effort to assist the driver with corrective action when the system detects the vehicle drifting from the lane.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover19.8%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Ram 1500 Review

Price & Payment

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

What's it like to live with?

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Towing and Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2021 Ram 1500 trim level differences

Which 1500 trim does Edmunds recommend?

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Recalls

Warranty

Ram 1500 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2021 Ram 1500 videos

2021 1500 Features & Specs

Safety

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