Ram Pickup (fifth generation)


The fifth-generation Ram pickup was introduced by FCA US LLC in January 2018 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.

Exterior design

The Ram 1500 and Ram Heavy Duty both feature a more aerodynamic exterior design. Full LED headlamps are available as an option on most trim levels, although most models also feature LED Daytime Running Lamps. Either black or chrome front and rear bumpers, side mirrors, and door and tailgate handles, as well as black or chrome front grilles with unique designs for each trim level are available. All front grilles now feature the "RAM" lettering are available, depending on the trim level selected. In addition, a newly-redesigned RAM "Ram's-Head" graces the tailgate, as well as the steering wheel.

Cab configurations

The all-new 2019 Ram 1500 is available in two different configurations: either a four-door Quad Cab with a Standard Bed, or a four-door Crew Cab with either a Short Bed or a Standard Bed. A two-door Regular Cab model is unavailable with the new Ram 1500, due to low demand for this configuration. Buyers wanting a two-door Regular Cab Ram 1500 will have to opt for the Ram 1500 Classic, which is a renamed version of the previous-generation Ram Pickup.
The all-new Ram Heavy Duty is available in three different configurations: a two-door Regular Cab with a Long Bed, a four-door Crew Cab with either a Standard Bed or a Long Bed, or a four-door Mega Cab with a Standard Bed.
The cab configurations available on each trim level are as follows:
Ram 1500:
Ram Heavy Duty :
The 2019 Ram 1500 is available in Tradesman, HFE, Big Horn, Rebel, Laramie, Laramie Longhorn, and Laramie Limited trim levels. Each trim level of the Ram 1500 features its own interior design theme, with different materials and color schemes used throughout. Ram 1500 interior designers used different types of hammers as inspiration for interior designs.
The Tradesman trim level is the most basic trim level on the Ram 1500. Its design is more basic than other trim levels, with halogen headlamps, incandescent tail lamps, and a non-chromed grille. The interior contains vinyl or cloth seats and the Uconnect 3 5.0BT radio.
More up-level than the Tradesman, the Big Horn/Lone Star comes standard with everything on the Tradesman plus fog lights, chrome grille, bumpers, and door handles, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The larger Uconnect 4 8.4 inch touchscreen also becomes available, with or without navigation.
The Lone Star, similar to "Texas Edition" trucks offered by other manufacturers, is virtually identical to the Big Horn trim level, although the Lone Star is sold exclusively in the state of Texas, whereas the Big Horn is sold in all other states and in Canada. The Lone Star Silver comes with a chrome luxury grill, 20” Aluminum Wheels and side steps
The North Edition adds off-road oriented features, such as Hill Descent Control and Tow Hooks, combined with body color bumpers, mirrors, and grille. With this special edition comes the Uconnect 4 8.4 touchscreen, 7 inch digital cluster display, dual zone climate control, and heated front seats and steering wheel.
Being the off-road oriented trim level, the Ram 1500 Rebel offers an electronic locking rear differential, 33 inch tires, and tow hooks. It comes standard with the Uconnect 3 5.0BT radio but can be upgraded to the Uconnect 4 8.4 inch touchscreen.
The Ram 1500 Rebel 12 offers a 12" touchscreen.
Standard features include the 900-watt Harman Kardon sound system with 19 speakers and black luxury leather seats. Door speakers have unique RADAR RED grille surrounds. The Rebel 12 production began in November 2018.
The Power Wagon is the off-road oriented model of the Ram 2500 lineup. Equipped with standard four wheel drive and available in a single configuration, it also includes unique interior trim, a unique front grille, a unique exterior decal package, and larger, off-road tires with unique aluminum-alloy wheels. The name "Power Wagon" refers to the first Dodge Power Wagon trucks that were produced in 1946.
The Laramie is the mid-level trim of the Ram 1500. It features LED headlamps and tail lamps, heated and ventilated leather seats, a standard Uconnect 4 8.4 touchscreen, 7 inch digital cluster display, and a memory feature. The Uconnect 4C 12 inch touchscreen is available.
An upgrade from the Laramie, the Laramie Longhorn features more luxurious features such as standard navigation, LED projector headlamps, chrome side steps, and genuine wood and leather in the interior. The Uconnect 4C 12 inch touchscreen is optional.
The Limited trim level is the most luxurious model of the Ram 1500 lineup. The Uconnect 4C 12 inch touchscreen is standard, as well as safety features such as blind spot monitoring, rear cross path detection, and trailer detection, and a four-corner air suspension. A 19-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system is available.
The Sport is a Canada-only trim level offers a sportier look in addition to a standard Uconnect 4 8.4 touchscreen, 7 inch digital cluster display, and heated front seats. Although the package is not available in the United States, buyers in the U.S. market can still order styling elements from the Canadian Sport trim level on some Ram 1500 trim levels.

Powertrain

All models of the Ram 1500, regardless of cab configuration, are powered by the existing 3.6L Pentastar V6 gasoline engine producing 305 horsepower, and 269 lb. ft. of torque, and serves as the base engine option. However, the engine is now equipped with the "eTorque" mild hybrid system, which gives the truck improved fuel economy, and increased towing capacity.
Also available in all cab configurations for the Ram 1500 is the existing 5.7L HEMI V8 gasoline engine with the Multi Displacement System and VCT, producing 395 horsepower and 410 lb. ft. of torque. It is unchanged from the previous-generation Ram 1500.
In addition to the standard 5.7L HEMI gasoline V8 engine, there is also a 5.7L HEMI V8 engine equipped with the eTorque mild hybrid system, which gives the truck improved fuel economy and increased towing capacity. Like its non-eTorque counterpart, it produces 395 horsepower and 410 lb. ft. of torque. It is available on all Ram 1500 trim levels, regardless of cab configuration.
A new 3.0L EcoDiesel turbocharged diesel V6 powertrain will be available starting with the 2020 model year, and will be revised from the unit that was used in the previous-generation Ram 1500, with increased horsepower, torque, and tow ratings. The same engine will also be offered on future Chrysler products, including the all-new 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Wrangler. All engines in the Ram 1500 are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. All models are available with a choice of either two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive, except for the Rebel, which is available exclusively with four-wheel-drive.
All Ram Heavy Duty models, regardless of cab configuration, are powered by the existing 6.4L HEMI V8 gasoline engine with the Multi Displacement System and VCT, producing the same 410 horsepower as its predecessor, although torque has been increased by 29 lb. ft. to 429 lb. ft., up from 400 lb. ft. of the previous model. It is mated to a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission, replacing the previously-available Chrysler-built six-speed automatic unit. The 6.4L HEMI V8 is now the base engine in the Ram Heavy Duty, as the previously-available base 5.7L HEMI V8 has been discontinued, reserved exclusively for Ram 1500 models.
Also available on all Ram Heavy Duty models, regardless of cab configuration, is a newly-improved 6.7L Cummins Turbodiesel Inline Six-Cylinder engine, now producing 400 horsepower . Torque has been increased to a maximum 1,000 lb. ft. of torque. It is mated to an Aisin-sourced heavy-duty six-speed automatic transmission, as with the previous-generation Ram Heavy Duty. A manual transmission is no longer available as an option for the U.S. and Canadian market in 2019.
The Ram Heavy Duty is available with two-wheel-drive on all models, and is available with four-wheel-drive as an option, except for the 2500 Power Wagon where four-wheel-drive is standard.

Frame and body

The frame and body structures feature 98 and 54 percent high-strength low-alloy steel respectively. Innovative high-strength steels allow auto components to be made thinner, and thereby lighter. The Ram 1500 reduced its weight by nearly 120 pounds from the chassis. The frame alone accounts for 100 pounds of weight savings. The truck has lost around 225 pounds overall when compared to the prior generation. Aluminum is used for the tailgate, engine mounts, and lower control arms.
The Ram 1500 can tow up to 12,750 pounds and has a payload of up to 2,300 pounds.

Suspension

The Ram 1500 also features the previously-available adaptive multi-level air suspension system, but the system now features additional "modes" for off-road use, as well as a mode that lowers the vehicle by two inches to allow for easier entry and exit. The latter feature can be activated via a button on the keyless entry key fob. In addition, the Ram 1500 also features active front grille shutters, which are now driver-adjustable, as well as a low coefficient of drag for improved aerodynamic performance.
Also new for the 2019 Ram 1500 is a new 4X4 Off-Road Package, which includes a factory-equipped suspension lift, off-road tires, and enhanced off-road performance and handling. It is available on all trim levels, when equipped with 4X4.
Ram is using frequency response damping shocks as standard, allowing for more aggressive damping during cornering and braking.

Driver assistance systems

A toggle switch in the lower portion of the dashboard control parking sensor activation. The Ram 1500 gets blind spot monitoring that automatically extends down the length of a trailer when it is attached. The truck comes with a 360-degree surround view camera system providing a birds-eye view of the vehicle via four cameras. It can park perpendicular and parallel by its own by controlling steering, but braking and gear shift are still responsibly controlled by the driver.

In-vehicle infotainment

Both the all-new 2019 RAM 1500 and RAM Heavy Duty offer a choice of four different infotainment systems, dependent upon the trim level chosen:
The base Uconnect 3 5.0BT radio, standard on Big Horn/Lone Star and optional on Tradesman, includes a five-inch touchscreen display, A/M-F/M Radio, Bluetooth hands-free calling and wireless audio streaming via A2DP, USB and auxiliary inputs, a rear-view backup camera display, and integrated digital compass. SiriusXM Satellite Radio can be added as an option to either trim level when this radio is selected. It is not available with either premium audio system option.
The midlevel Uconnect 4 8.4 infotainment system, standard on Rebel, Laramie and optional on Big Horn/Lone Star, adds the following features to the base Uconnect 3 5.0BT radio: an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and a USB-C input that supports USB fast charging.
The premium Uconnect 4C 8.4 w/ GPS Navigation infotainment system, standard on Laramie Longhorn and optional on Big Horn/Lone Star, Rebel, and Laramie, adds the following features to the midlevel Uconnect 4 8.4 infotainment system: Uconnect Guardian Services powered by SiriusXM, A/M-F/M HD Radio, and a high-resolution 8.4-inch touchscreen display.
The top-of-the-line Uconnect 4C 12.0 w/ GPS Navigation infotainment system, standard on Limited and optional on all models except the base Tradesman, is the largest infotainment system available in any full-size truck, and adds the following features to the premium Uconnect 4C 8.4 w/ GPS Navigation infotainment system: SiriusXM 360L Satellite Radio technology, a high-resolution, twelve-inch tablet-style glass touchscreen display, and a multi-angle camera system. The user is able to "dual-wheel" the touchscreen display, for example, they are able to view both the multi-angle camera system, as well as the Apple CarPlay or Android Auto display from their smartphone, at the same time, something that cannot be done with any of the RAM's other infotainment systems. It requires one of two premium audio system options, which are standard equipment on the trim levels this system is available with.
In addition to the four different infotainment systems available on the all-new 2019 RAM 1500 and RAM Heavy Duty, there are also three different audio systems available:
The center console can be configured 12 different ways. An available panoramic sunroof features 10 square feet of space.
The RAM's newly-redesigned interior promises increased head and leg room, and the most genuine leather trim used in any full-size truck. In addition, the Limited includes additional stitched leather-trimmed dashboard surfaces and door panel trim, and is the most luxurious full-size pickup interior available in its class. Like the previous-generation RAM, the all-new RAM uses genuine wood trim throughout their interiors. An available twelve-inch touchscreen infotainment system is the largest touchscreen installed in a full-size truck, and the available 900-watt, nineteen-speaker Harman/Kardon premium audio system is the highest-quality factory premium audio system available on any full-size truck. A reconfigurable Thin-Film Transistor LCD full-color instrument cluster is also available on most trim levels.

Production

The Ram 1500 is built at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan. FCA has retooled the plant to handle the 2019 Ram 1500. Previously, the plant produced the Chrysler 200, which ended production after the 2017 model year. The Ram 1500 Classic continues to be built at both Saltillo Truck Assembly in Saltillo, Mexico and Warren Truck Assembly in Warren, Michigan. Ram Heavy-Duty models are produced at Saltillo Truck Assembly in Saltillo, Mexico.

Awards and recognition

The 2019 Ram 1500 received multiple industry awards even before its availability to customers.

2018

Wards 10 Best
Texas Automotive Writers Association
The 2019 Ram Heavy Duty was revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 14, 2019.
The truck is a heavy-duty version of the all-new 2019 Ram 1500.
For the 2019 model year, FCA has discontinued the 6 speed G56 manual transmission in 6.7 Cummins equipped trucks, replacing it with the 8 speed ZF designed 8HP75 automatic. The only remaining heavy duty Ram truck with a manual transmission is the Mexican market Ram 4000 which can be optioned with a Tremec 5 speed manual mated exclusively with the 5.7L Hemi V8 engine.