Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A silver 2021 Ram 1500 is shown from the side parked in a desert.

2021 Ram Truck Buyer’s Guide

Ram trucks are built to withstand tough conditions, whether you choose an off-road model like the TRX that’s built for both speed and trail riding, or you choose one of the heavy-duty trucks built to tow, haul, and trailer. If cargo is your trade, Ram Promaster can be built to suit your business for almost any type of delivery or tradesman specs. Cutaway models offer a wide range of options to build your truck your way. Use this convenient buyer’s guide to choose which 2021 Ram truck meets the needs for your work or recreational habits, and then you’ll be prepared to search for a Ram dealer near you.

Ram TRX

If you want the ultimate truck for play, the 2021 Ram TRX has the horsepower, torque, and driving modes to handle anything you throw at it. The 6.4-liter HEMI V8 blasts out a stunning best-in-class 702 horsepower with 650 lb-ft of torque. That kind of power can climb any mountain and forge any stream, but it also takes on the street with a quick zero to 60 time of 4.5 seconds.

Have you ever wished you could own a machine with launch control? Wish granted. Hit the button and watch what the TRX can do. When you’re on the road, the TRX takes care of the wheel slip and RPM management, so you get the optimum performance. Off-road, the TRX dashboard tells you the steering angle, lets you lock the axle, and check-in with your transfer case gearing, so you always get the best articulation for the terrain. With 11.8 inches of ground clearance, eight drive modes, and Bilstein Black Hawk shocks, you can roam free with confidence.

A tan 2021 Ram TRX is shown from the front parked in a desert at dusk.

Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic

When you need a work truck that can drive over fields or haul equipment without being fussy, the Ram 1500 Classic is for you. This is a truck you can get with vinyl seats you can wipe clean – if you feel like it – and that comes with a standard 3.6-liter Pentastar engine, or you can upgrade to the more powerful 5.7-liter HEMI for 395 horsepower.

Purchase the entry-level Classic Tradesman with a regular cab without the fancy bells and whistles. Go with the Express trim to gain options for infotainment and performance upgrades, or choose the Warlock with its slick black interior and quad cab made for taking your crew with you. Standard features like a wireless key fob, electronic stability control, and a 6’4” bed all lend themselves to you being able to focus on work. Add options like the Ram Cargo Box for easy access to tools, a tonneau cover, or a bed liner to customize your Ram Classic to suit your work needs.

For a bigger range of performance and capability, the 2021 Ram 1500 has four available engines, including an eTorque mild hybrid and a diesel option for improved fuel efficiency of up to 33 MPG. Tow up to 12,750 lbs with the available 5.7-liter HEMI engine, and easily stay in control with trailer sway control and hill start assist, or add the available features like trailer reverse steering control to make towing as simple as pushing a button. This is the most luxurious truck in its class compared with the F-150, Silverado, and Sierra uppermost trims, with 100% leather seating, a large 12-inch touchscreen, the Harmon Kardon stereo system, and even reclining rear seats all available. Choose from six trims that can be customized to work and travel your way.

Ram 2500 and 3500

Serious towing and hauling require a heavy-duty truck. The 2021 Ram 2500 starts with a powerful 6.4-liter V8 engine made for towing and hauling with 410 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque or upgrade to the 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel engine for double the torque. Tow up to 19,680 lbs with the Cummins engine, and utilize the available trailering tech like the Auto-Level Rear Air Suspension or the 360-degree Surround View camera to make towing easier than it’s ever been.

Choose the entry-level Tradesman trim with vinyl seats, class V hitch, trailer sway damping, and push-button start, or upgrade to one of six other trims to gain access to features like the 400-watt inverter, heated seats, powered running boards, and wireless charging. For off-road enthusiasts, the Power Wagon delivers front and rear locking axles, a disconnecting front sway bar, an electric winch, and skid plates to protect the underbody.

Take advantage of the best-in-class towing capability with the 2021 Ram 3500 for those who use their trucks for trailering the heaviest loads. Trust in the power of the available 6.4-liter HEMI V8, or upgrade to one of the Cummins diesel engines for improved towing and hauling capability. With the Cummins high-output turbodiesel, access best-in-class towing with up to 37,100 lbs of towing capacity and best-in-class torque of 1,075 lb-ft. Add the integrated hardware for a gooseneck or fifth wheel towing assembly or the technology options available for simplified towing so you never miss your hitch when you back up, and you have cameras to keep eyes on your trailer at all times. Like the 2500, the trim levels start out with the entry-level Tradesman and range up to the luxurious Limited.

A white 2021 Ram 2500 is driving through a dusty desert in low lighting.

Ram Chassis Cab

Here is where heavy duty goes over the top with the 4500 and 5500 models of 2021 Ram Chassis Cabs. When you want to build your truck your way, the Ram Chassis Cab offers the versatility to give you the power you need with available best-in-class 440-amp dual alternator output, dual fuel tanks that hold up to 74 gallons, and countless upfit options. Tow up to 35,220 pounds with the available 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel engine, and enjoy the freedom of 12,500 miles between oil changes.

Just because you need a truck to work hard doesn’t mean you have to go without the technology and convenience to make your work easier. Add the available adaptive headlights that help you see what’s coming around the bend or the adaptive cruise control that makes highway driving a chance to relax between work sites. Choose from four available trims, starting with the 3500 10K Chassis Cab at entry-level, or go full-out with the 5500.

Ram Promaster

For hauling cargo that you want to keep safe from the elements or secure when you park, the 2021 Ram Promaster offers two options to take your business to the next level. With the Ram Promaster City, you get best-in-class cargo capacity suited to delivery businesses, handyman trades, and even seating options for shuttling up to five passengers with the best-in-class payload up to 1,900 lbs. When you work in the city, traffic can be tricky, so Ram provides the Parkview camera for rear views that help you see where you’re going in reverse. It also offers the available Rear Park Assist System to protect your investment so you can safely guide your Promaster into parking spaces. Configure your Ram Promaster City for any number of business needs with cargo shelving, HVAC to control the interior temperature, plumbing, and electrical upfits to accommodate everything you need to do on the go.

Businesses that need more cargo space and more capability can choose the 2021 Ram Promaster for best-in-class cargo height and width and best-in-class payload capacity. With up to 4,680 pounds of payload, you can deliver whatever you need to take on the road and add to your delivering capability with a towing capacity of up to 6,910 pounds. Taking corners in tight places won’t be a problem with the best-in-class turning diameter of 36 feet, and available technology features like the Crosswind Assist or Blindspot Monitoring can tell you when to expect strong gusts of wind and avoid accidents on busy highways or city traffic. Configure your Ram Promaster for cargo or passengers, or choose a cutaway model to build the Promaster that works best for your business.

With so many Rams to choose from, it should be easy to find the perfect one for your business or lifestyle.