2018 Ram 1500: The Big League Pickup With Many Strengths

Pickup trucks are the main arena for the US new vehicle market. Pickups represent the biggest individual segment in the entire market, and it has been this way for a very long time. These are the biggest ticket, most profitable vehicles for the automakers, so every sale counts.

The long-time winner and perennial champion of this race is the Ford F-150. It has been the best-selling vehicle of any kind in the United States since 1981. The traditional holder of second place has been the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, followed by the Ram 1500 in third place. The Ram managed to squeak by the Silverado into second place for a few months, but the Silverado has beaten back the Ram’s challenge to retain its lead for the year to date. But pickup trucks operate in a very competitive market, and this could change.

Ram 1500 Leads The Pack In Many Areas

While it may be in third place in the sales race, the 2018 Ram 1500 leads the pickup league in several different metrics:

• Highest percentage of pickups still on the road

• Highest owner loyalty of any half-ton pickup

• Best ride and handling with exclusive link coil rear and auto-level air suspensions

• Best-in-class fuel economy and longest range with exclusive EcoDiesel

• Most luxurious pickup trim available with Tungsten Limited Edition

What’s New On The 2018 Ram 1500

A backup camera is now standard on every Ram 1500. There is a new remote switch in the truck bed to activate the LED bed lights from outside. There are now UConnect 8.4” radios with 4G LTE, HD Radio, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. A factory-installed leather interior option is available on Rebel models. A new premium Limited Tungsten model has been added to the top of the lineup.

Eleven Ram 1500 Trim Levels

The 2018 Ram 1500 is available in eleven different trim levels: Tradesman, Express, SLT, HFE, Big Horn/Lone Star, Lone Star Silver, Sport, Night, Rebel, Laramie, Laramie Longhorn, Laramie Limited, and Limited Tungsten. All of these can be had as either 4x2 or 4x4 versions, depending on your needs.

There are several different cab configurations. These are available in both 4x4 and 4x2 versions, depending on the specific model. Cab options are regular cab long bed, regular cab short bed, crew cab short bed, quad cab long bed, and crew cab long bed.

Ram 1500 Gives You The Power You Need

Depending on which model and cab configuration you choose, the 2018 Ram is available with several different engines. The 3.6L 305-horsepower Pentastar V6 offers an EPA-estimated 25 MPG Highway, and is standard on many Ram 1500 models.

The larger, more powerful 5.7L 395-horsepower HEMI V8 gets up to 22 MPG Highway. It is standard on some models and an upgrade on others. The very economical 3.0L, 240 horsepower V6 EcoDiesel, with its 29 MPG Highway rating, can be selected as an option on some models.

A smooth-shifting, fuel-efficient 8-speed automatic transmission comes as standard equipment with all Ram 1500 engines.

Safety Is Built In To Every Ram 1500

Each 2018 Ram 1500 comes with six airbags as standard: advanced multistage driver and front-passenger airbags, side-curtain air bags, and supplemental front-seat side-mounted air bags. Also standard is all-speed traction control, rain brake support, ready alert braking, electronic roll mitigation, hill-start assist, electronic stability control, four-wheel ABS, brake assist, and trailer sway damping.

2018 Ram 1500 – Put It On Your Pickup Shopping List

If you are in the market for a pickup truck, the 2018 Ram 1500 should be part of your search. It has consistently proven itself, and has remained in the top three among American buyers!