The Ram 1500 Crew Cab has established itself as the luxury benchmark of pickup trucks. The vehicle was completely redesigned in 2019 as a part of its fifth generation refresh. The new design saw the replacement of iconic cross hair grille of 25 years heritage with a bold RAM logo placed in the centre of six sided grille. Also, it received a segment first active air dam and its chassis has become much lighter but stronger with 98 percent high tensile strength steel.
The brand improved the truck's every single USP to capture the market share of its competitors Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado. With its 2019 overhaul working largely in its favor, there was little need to upgrade the truck even further for 2020. Aside from a few minor interior details and addition of some standard features, Ram has left the 1500 mostly untouched, and we are all the more happy for it. The variety of exterior and interior features that add to the overall appeal are still there. The truck's utility hasn't diminished, either.
Vehicle images are guides only and may not reflect the model's exact specifications/features– exact specifications/features should be confirmed with the seller.
Ever since its redesign in 2019, this Ram 1500 Crew Cab looks more sedated. But what’s noteworthy is its interior which is simply top-notch on the top-level trims. The base models use fairly low-cost materials, but the overall layout of the cabin is still impressive. The engine options don't disappoint, either. With a choice between a humungous Hemi V8 and the trusted Pentastar V6, a lack of power is not something you'll ever experience. The Ram 1500 Crew Cab is a vehicle that can cater to all your requirements. Be it hauling cargo, dropping off kids to school, or a road trip across the Rockies, the Ram 1500 does it all. No wonder it is the second best selling pickup in the US.
Still, the full-size pickup segment is constantly evolving. So is the competition for the Ram 1500. The F-150 is a pickup truck that has received updates regularly. Even Chevrolet has stepped up the game with the Silverado. Taking cues from the past, the Silverado 1500 is well on its way to regaining the glory of its forefathers. With such a formidable opposition in its way, it would seem that the Ram 1500 would have a tough time proving its worth a second time around. Read our detailed analysis to find out if Ram 1500 is the pickup truck you are looking for.
2020 Ram 1500 three quarter view
2020 Ram 1500 rear three quarter view
8.5/10 Pricing and Features
8.0/10 Engine and Performance
3.0/10 Fuel Economy
7.8/10 Interior
6.0/10 Exterior
7.0/10 Safety
8.0/10 Competition
6.2/10 Final Verdict
2020 RAM 1500 Pricing and Features
8.5/10
There are a total of six trims available in the 2020 Ram 1500 lineup. These are Tradesman, Big Horn, Laramie, Rebel, Laramie Longhorn, and Limited. Also available along with these are the night edition variants of Bighorn and Laramie trims. All the variants are equipped with the same hybrid 3.6-liter V6 engine. There’s also another 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine to choose from for people who crave more power. The latter lets you decide if you want it with or without the hybrid system. All variants are also available as rear-wheel drives or all-wheel drives.
Aside from the standard MSRP for basic engine config, opting for the 5.7L V8 costs an additional 1495USD and another 200USD more for the mild hybrid eTorque engine. Each of the trim comes in three body styles - crew cab 5'7"box, crew cab 6'4"box and Quad cab 6'4"box, except for the Laramie Longhorn and Limited trim which doesn't have Quad cab style box.
Trim
Tradesman
Big Horn
Laramie
Rebel
Longhorn
Limited
MSRP (RWD)
$32,145
$36,540
$40,640
$44,490
$51,390
$53,665
MSRP (4WD)
$35,645
$40,040
$44,140
$45,190
$54,890
$57,165
Key Features
Automatic headlights
Adds/Upgrades to Tradesman
Adds/Upgrades to Big Horn
Adds/Upgrades to Laramie
Adds/Upgrades to Rabel
Adds/Upgrades to Longhorn
Vinyl flooring
Carpet floor
Heated steering wheel
Exclusive off-road tires
Spray-in Bedliner
Adjustable air suspension
Vinyl upholstery
Cloth upholstery
Leather upholstery
Front tow hooks
Chrome side steps
Chrome exterior trim
Uconnect infotainment system
Uconnect infotainment system
Keyless entry
Skid plates
Power tailgate release
Blind-spot monitoring
5-inch touchscreen
8.4-inch touchscreen
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Fortified shocks
Automatic high beams
Trailer sway control
Off-road underbody protection
Cruise control
Hill descent control
Automatic wipers
Rearview camera
The trim levels stretch far and wide in terms of features. You can get an old-school work truck when going for the Tradesman. The Rebel is a pure off-roader, with self-locking differentials and hill descent control, making it able to conquer any terrain. The Laramie and Longhorn stand in the middle of the spectrum, providing decent cargo-hauling capacity as well as a few creature comforts. The Limited sits as the king of the hill, transforming the insides of the truck like that of a luxury sedan.
Which trim of Ram 1500 do we recommend?
The 2020 Ram 1500 Crew Cab brings a lot to the table. Of all the things that this Ram has to offer, the Rebel trim appears to be the most sensible choice. It is a workhorse that can be plenty of fun along dirt roads. For 2020, Rebel now has Comfort package as standard which includes power tailgate release, power adjustable driver seat and heated rear seats. Paired with some select optional features such as driver assistance tech, the Crew Cab Rebel is every bit of a playful work truck with impressive cargo capacity and luxury.
2020 RAM 1500 Engine and Performance
8.0/10
Besides all the several trim levels, Ram 1500 Crew Cab also offers two engine options - a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and another a 5.7-liter Hemi V8. The former makes 305 hp and 269 lb.-ft. torque while the latter cranks out 395 hp and 410 lb.-ft. torque.
2020 Ram 1500 engine bay
Interestingly, both engines are aided by a 48-volt electrical system that behaves more as a propulsion assist rather than a true hybrid. It comes as standard across the range on the lesser 3.6-liter V6. On the more powerful 5.7-liter V8, that hybrid system remains optional. Also standard on both the engine options is an 8-speed automatic transmission that drives either the rear or all the wheels of the 2020 Ram 1500 Crew Cab.
Models
Ram 1500 Crew Cab
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab
GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab
Ford F-150 SuperCrew Cab Styleside
MSRP
$32,145
$34,600
$35,900
$35,035
Engine
3.6L Regular V6
4.3L Regular V6
4.3L Regular V6
3.3L Regular V6
Drivetrain
RWD
RWD
RWD
RWD
Transmission
8-speed automatic w/OD and auto-manual
6-speed automatic w/OD and auto-manual
6-speed automatic w/OD and auto-manual
6-speed automatic w/OD and auto-manual
Power (hp @ rpm)
305 @6,400
285 @5,300
285 @5,300
290 @6,500
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm)
269 @4,800
305 @3,900
305 @3,900
265 @4,000
Even though most pickups in this segment get bigger engines, the Ram 1500 powertrain makes most power on paper. But anyone with experience in trucks would know that it is the torque that counts. While Ram 1500 offers more than enough of it, its high power figures give Ram a clear advantage over the Chevy and GMC. Still, the awesome 8-speed automatic transmission and e-hybrid system ensure a smooth power delivery, so you never feel out of revs even when encountering steep climbs.
How fast is the Ram 1500 Crew Cab?
As a competent light-weight pick-up, the 2020 Ram 1500 Crew Cab is not meant for quick acceleration. Although as is expected of any V6 or V8 engine that generates as much power as they do, this Crew Cab does accelerate swiftly. The automatic transmission shifts smoothly too to deliver the right amount of power at the right time.
2020 Ram 1500 hits 0-60 mph just in 6.6 sec
Ram 1500 is the heaviest of the lot. To counter its weight, it also has the most powerful engine. The accelerator is smooth to operate and you can actually get quite a few thrills blitzing across dirt trails. Don't expect a breakneck push when going full throttle. The truck is subtle and smooth when on the tarmac.
What about the braking performance on the Ram 1500 Crew Cab?
The 2020 Ram 1500 Crew Cab manages to stop quickly under panic braking. It is without a doubt that the brakes are strong and deliver the right amount of feedback to stop this pickup on the drop of a dime. At city speeds, the truck is well capable of coming to a halt during panic stops. The travel and bite are just right to let even novice drivers have a bit of confidence and pick up some speed on the freeway.
2020 Ram 1500 brakes
The 2020 Ram 1500 Crew Cab gets relatively smaller rotors in comparison to the Chevy Silverado 1500 and the GMC Sierra 1500 despite the fact that it is much heavier than both. This can affect the Ram 1500 Crew Cab's braking ability. Regardless, the 2019 version was one of the best pickups as far as braking was concerned. We can expect the same this year as well.
Model
Ram 1500 Crew Cab
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab
GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab
Ford F-150 SuperCrew Cab Styleside
BrakeRotors Front (in)
14.9
13.5
15.6
13.8
Brake Rotors Rear (in)
14.8
13.6
10.9
13.7
Curb Weight (lbs)
4798
4920
4950
4069
60-0 MPH (ft)
125
129
130
127
Under panic braking tests, Ram 1500 stops from 60-0MPH in just 125 feet which is quite remarkable for a truck this heavy. How you ask? The heavier the vehicles are, the more the inertia force comes into play. Thus bringing such a heavy object from such high speeds within a short distance can prove to be difficult. Thanks to its bigger brake rotors, this pick up manages to oust the competition.
How well does Ram 1500 Crew Cab ride and handle?
The 2020 Ram 1500 Crew Cab’s riding dynamics are supported by standard coil spring suspensions at the rear, while all other competitors mostly sport the traditional leaf-spring suspension setup. One can also have them swapped for air suspensions which are optional.
The optional air-spring suspensions let the rider adjust the ride height accordingly too. This helps improve the Crew Cab’s off-road abilities while making them more fuel-efficient at the same time.
2020 Ram 1500 handling
The steering is light and the wheels respond well to the slightest flicks. This makes the driver feel relaxed and inspires confidence while making swift maneuvers. Although, this light-weight pick-up is not meant to take on curves, courtesy of its sheer weight and size.
How much payload and towing capacity does Ram 1500 Crew cab have?
The 2020 Ram 1500 Crew Cab can tow a minimum of 7730 pounds. It may not sound too impressive, but equip this Crew Cab with the right components and it offers a maximum towing capacity of 11,750 pounds which is more than all other pickups in this segment except the Ford F-150.
The payload capacity of the 2020 Ram 1500 Crew Cab also impresses a lot. It varies between 1,670 pounds to 2,320 pounds. It’s not class-leading by any means, but we’ll let that slide considering its remarkable towing capacity.
Model
Ram 1500 Crew Cab
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab
GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab
Ford F-150 SuperCrew Cab Styleside
Payload Capacity (lbs)
2300
2040
2010
1990
The 2020 Ram 1500 Crew Cab's payload capacity is a bit compromised as compared to the rest of the pickups in this segment -a downside of its otherwise luxurious interior.
2020 RAM 1500 Fuel Economy
3.0/10
The naturally aspirated V6 and V8 engines of the 2020 Ram 1500 Crew Cab aren’t as thirsty as one might think thanks to their hybrid 48-volt system which is optional on the V8 Hemi though. Consequently, the Crew Cab’s engines offer varying fuel economies. The most economical is obviously the V6 hybrid setup. Officials claim an estimated EPA rating of 20 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. The other V8 engine returns an average of 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.
Model
Ram 1500 Crew Cab
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab
GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab
Ford F-150 SuperCrew Cab Styleside
MPG (City)
20
16
16
20
MPG (Highway)
25
21
21
25
MPG (Combined)
22
17
17
22
Fuel Capacity (Gallons)
23.0
24.0
24.0
26.0
Range (City/Hwy/Combined) (mi)
460/575/529
384/504/408
384/504/408
494/650/572
The Ram 1500 Crew Cab benefits greatly from its hybrid powertrain. Consequently, it has the most fuel-efficient engine. Ford uses a smaller 3.3L variant of the same V6. Still, it does not exceed the Ram's mpg figures due to the lack of a hybrid powertrain. The bigger V6 engines on the Silverado and Sierra might offer better torque, which is why they fall behind in fuel economy.
2020 RAM 1500 Interior
7.8/10
All Ram 1500 models are known to be the luxury cars of the pickup truck segment. The 2020 Ram 1500 Crew Cab lives up to that image. The front-hinged doors of the Crew Cab open to treat the front passengers and the driver with extremely comfortable seats even in the base models. While most Rams are equipped with massive bucket seats and a configurable center console, there’s also the availability of a three-seat bench.
2020 Ram 1500 front seats
The 2020 Ram 1500 Crew Cab is so well equipped and luxurious that its mid-tier trim manages to outcompete even the top-tier trim of many rivals. While higher trims wrap the interior in premium leather and wood accents, and even equip features like heated and ventilated seats, panoramic sunroof and an even bigger 12-inch touchscreen. Clearly, the inside of this Ram 1500 is one of the most functional places to be in.
Model
Ram 1500 Crew Cab
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab
GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab
Ford F-150 SuperCrew Cab Styleside
Seating Capacity
6
6
6
6
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
40.9/66.0/40.9
43.0/66.0/44.5
43.0/66.0/44.5
40.8/66.7/43.9
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)
39.8/65.7/45.2
40.1/65.2/43.4
40.1/66.2/43.4
40.4/65.9/43.6
When it comes to comfort for passengers. the GMC Sierra 1500 and the Chevy Silverado 1500 offer the most spacious cabins. In Ram 1500, as for the second row, there is so much space that the rear seats can be slid forward or backward to comfortably accommodate passengers. In fact, the backrest can also be adjusted. This is something limited only to this pickup. No other truck offers such a feature.
Interior Features on the Ram 1500 Crew Cab
Ram has made the 1500 Crew Cab as user friendly as possible. The different features to ensure occupant comfort and convenience includes:
Power mirrors
Automatic Climate Control
Leather trimmed seats
Keyless entry
Keyless start
Active Noise Cancellation
Reclining Rear Seat
Rear seat fold down center console
Under seat storage
Dual Pane Panoramic sunroof
Class exclusive configurable center console with USB C charging ports
Door pockets with LED lights
How good is the infotainment system in Ram 1500 Crew Cab?
Modern day pickups are not like traditional pickups. They do not solely focus on utility and performance aspects alone. Much importance is also given to infotainment system as well. The vehicle features the fourth-gen Uconnect system and largest-in-class 12.0-inch central touchscreen display as standard in higher trims. The homescreen can be customized according to user preferences and it also comes with split screen capability, pinch and zoom capability and physical control buttons for easy access to key features. The navigation system can draw maps full screen so that you can stay more focussed on the road.
2020 Ram 1500 infotainment display
Some of the highlights of the Infotainment include:
19 speaker 900 watt Harman Kardon Premium Audio system
12 inch Central Touchscreen display
7-inch Driver Information Digital Cluster Display
Media center with auxiliary ports and four ultra-fast USB charging ports
Three 115V outlets
Adaptive Cruise control
Auxiliary audio input
Bluetooth connection
Sirius XM satellite radio
Sirius XM Guardian with access to safety devices and remote start
4G Wifi hotspot
Google Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
How much cargo can Ram 1500 hold?
Pickup trucks are known for their cargo carrying capacity. With a Quad cab box on the base trim, you get 61.5 cubic feet of cargo space. But then lower the rear tailgate and anchor your cargo to the bed, you can squeeze in more. There is also an added Ram box cargo management system in higher trims where you can store your high value items. The small item storage inside the cabin is also pretty decent.
The Ram 1500 Crew Cab is the heaviest of all other light-weight pickup trucks in this segment. It does lose some of its big rig swaggers since its redesign in 2019 though. Some twenty-five years ago, Dodge completely altered truck designs with the low headlight and tall grille of the Ram. Now, all these years later, the modern-day big-rig Ram looks a lot soberer and tranquil.
2020 Ram 1500 three quarter view
The base Tradesman variant impresses with its work-oriented features. But on the higher trims, there’s a generous use of chrome and fancy LED all around. Overall, the present-day Ram 1500 models look a lot sleeker regardless of what variant you consider. The Limited gets you the most eye candy in addition to exclusive paint jobs.
Model
Ram 1500 Crew Cab
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab
GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab
Ford F-150 SuperCrew Cab Styleside
Curb Weight (lbs)
5160
4920
4950
4069
Length (in)
241.8
241.2
231.7
231.9
Width (in)
82.1
81.2
81.2
79.9
Height (in)
77.4
75.3
75.5
75.6
Ground Clearance (in)
8.1
8.1
8.1
8.5
Wheelbase (in)
153.5
156.9
147.4
145.0
The Ram 1500 Crew Cab is the heaviest in this lineup of pickup trucks. However, it's the GMC Sierra 1500 that has the longest wheelbase. This grants both of them quite a lot of space for the bed to store in more cargo. However, the Ram 1500 handles much better thanks to its adjustable suspension and better weight distribution.
Exterior Features on Ram 1500 Crew Cab
The several design elements that make the Ram 1500 Crew Cab one heck of a looker are:
Both the NHTSA and IIHS have granted near-perfect scores to the 2020 Ram 1500 Crew Cab. To put things in perspective, 2019 model of the same was awarded Top Safety Pick+ award by IIHS. As part of its redesign, the crumple zone placement has been optimized to make the cabin secure from even the direst of situations. Airbags have been amply placed and are capable of absorbing most of the momentum safely from the passengers.
There are quite a lot of features to ensure the safety of the driver and other people riding along. These features include:
Six advanced airbags protection system
Blindspot Monitoring with rear cross path and trailer detection
Lane Departure Warning Plus
Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go
Active Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist
360 degree surround view camera
Electronic Stability control with Roll Stability Control
98 percent high tensile strength steel in frame
Side Impact Beams
Anti-lock brakes with brake assist
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Driveline Traction Control
Some of these advanced driver aids are provided as optional packages. With all this tech in place, you can pretty much never put the strength of the chassis to the test.
2020 RAM 1500 Competition
8.0/10
Ram 1500 Crew Cab vs. GMC Sierra 1500
The Sierra 1500 offers much more powerful engine configurations and more efficient transmission systems. Its list of optional features has some exclusives such as carbon fiber reinforced cargo bed which supposedly makes the vehicle lighter and stronger. On the exterior, the GMC looks more macho and aggressive than the Ram. Its interior elements are decent if not on par with the dodge counterpart.
2020 GMC Sierra 1500
However, the Ram 1500 Crew Cab is a much better overall package. It offers more second row space. The hybrid engine is more fuel efficient, and it also has an optional V8 engine. The Sierra on the other hand is more expensive than the Ram 1500 Crew Cab. Between the two, Ram 1500 wins hands down.
Ram 1500 Crew Cab vs. Ford F-150
The Ram 1500 Crew Cab is considerably cheaper than the Ford F-150. However, there’s a lot more than just MSRP involved while owning a pickup. To put things in perspective, F-150 comes with a lot of engine options and can be customized to literally hundreds of configurations. Like the Ram, Ford F-150 has been recently refreshed in the year 2018.
2020 Ford F-150
To give a tough competition to the Ram 1500, F-150 has a great history and it is the best selling pickup truck in the half ton category for being powerful all while maintaining fuel efficiency. However, the 1500 is just as fuel efficient, so it means less stops on the road. It also offers more space for passengers. We recommend you to choose the Ram 1500 with Hemi V8 eTorque engine if you are looking for an alternative to F-150.
2020 RAM 1500 Final Verdict
6.2/10
The 2020 Ram 1500 Crew Cab is the most ideal choice of all other pickups in this segment. It just impresses everyone with its practicality and utility. It offers competitive towing and payload capacity, and also has the most fuel-efficient engine. The interior is a whole league apart. Also the variants have been priced to be as pocket friendly as possible, though you need some serious bankroll to afford the top-level trims.
Big Horn/Lone Star 4dr Crew Cab 5.7 ft. SB 4WD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
8
User Overall Rating
Posted On: October 7, 2020
Dodge Ram 2020 big horn
Pros - Big tyres, Remote start,, comfortable suspension
Cons - Big for tight spaces, bed shakes while on rough road
Overall Review
8 /10 Overall Rating
Noisy cabin is the first noticeable thing when sitting inside. While driving this truck you will notice little road indulations while the suspension system works great and drives smooth and stable along all surfaces. Though city driving does need a lot of efforts considering the big size of this vehicle. With the optional 33 gallon fuel tank, this thing can go for long trips with less stopping on fuel stations.
Driving these trucks requires a good amount of time behind the wheel. Truck are meant to haul big rigs and this trim with its 5.7L hemi engine do that with just a tap on the accelerator pedal. After this the price tag also justifies the equipments we get along with it. With the optional 20 inch wheels i got fitted with it, the driving has changed drastically. With bigger tyre patch it now handles better on tripple digit speeds and also get better traction while on lose sand. Overall it drives better than stock trim.
Pros - Spacious, big navigation screen, panoramic roof
Cons - No CD player, mpg, wooden trim in a pickup
Overall Review
7 /10 Overall Rating
Comfortable seating position and even better suspension setu than ever. This truck with its 5.7L Hemi performs very well with its power/torque output to pull this pickup out of every condition. Grippy tires and good ground clearence is a plus point.
Noisy cabin is the first noticeable thing when sitting inside. While driving this truck you will notice little road indulations while the suspension system works great and drives smooth and stable along all surfaces. Though city driving does need a lot of efforts considering the big size of this vehicle. With the optional 33 gallon fuel tank, this thing can go for long trips with less stopping on ...
by Walter G. McCreery
9
User Overall Rating
2020 Ram 1500 Laramie review
Driving these trucks requires a good amount of time behind the wheel. Truck are meant to haul big rigs and this trim with its 5.7L hemi engine do that with just a tap on the accelerator pedal. After this the price tag also justifies the equipments we get along with it. With the optional 20 inch wheels i got fitted with it, the driving has changed drastically. With bigger tyre patch it now handles ...
by Carlos S. Molina
7
User Overall Rating
Ram 1500 longhorn
Comfortable seating position and even better suspension setu than ever. This truck with its 5.7L Hemi performs very well with its power/torque output to pull this pickup out of every condition. Grippy tires and good ground clearence is a plus point.
by Zachary B. Fox
9
User Overall Rating
Limited Ram 1500
Drives good when empty and drives even better when fully stcked up. This engine is tuned so perfectly that it does not let you feel what is going on in the engine compartment. Comign onto seating, the seats are well cushoned with spacious interiors and good under thigh support for making long journeys comfortable.
by David S. Crowell
9
User Overall Rating
Rebel RAM 1500
The first thing i noticed was how easily this truck goes through rough terrain and off road situations. Superb 4WD system works flawlessly when the whole crew decides to go off the road on any random weekend. The etorque technology, according to me provides a little extra initial torque during picking up the truck from lower rpm.
