Another year gone, another “Truck of the Year” award won. The Ram lineup of trucks is just that: the best. It’s quite difficult to find faults with any of the Ram light-duty or heavy-duty models, so it should come as no surprise that they continue to impress even the strictest automotive critics out there. And since it became a standalone brand in 2009, Ram has consistently produced top-notch pickup trucks and garnered more loyalty among pickup enthusiasts than any other brand.
Think this is just another article that’s going to overhype a particular vehicle in hopes that it leads to another sale or two? Nah. The Ram trucks speak for themselves—and very loudly, for that matter—so no exaggeration or flattery is necessary. We’re simply here to talk about the facts and explain what makes Ram Truck stand out among the competition. More specifically, we’re going to talk about the 2021 Ram 1500. Let’s get started.
MOTORTREND TRUCK OF THE YEAR (AGAIN)
Every year, MotorTrend names one “Truck of the Year,” as it does with vehicles in all the other segments. This is among the most prestigious awards a pickup can earn, which is saying a lot considering how competitive the segment is. Not surprisingly, the accolade is highly coveted by every manufacturer in the automotive industry. To win the award, a vehicle must prove to be generally superior to its competitors, make a profound impact on the industry, and provide exemplary value overall.
The process through which MotorTrend chooses its winners is a vigorous one, and it’s open to all new-generation vehicles and those that have undergone consequential upgrades. Each vehicle is thoroughly evaluated and analyzed from the inside out through a series of performance tests. Then, professional drivers take each vehicle through three different test courses to assess its performance. Testing all of the vehicles takes weeks, after which judges decide which ones will carry the banner “Of the Year.” Six factors determine the winner of each segment:
- Design advancement
- Engineering excellence
- Efficiency
- Safety
- Value
- Performance of intended function
Ram Truck has taken this award three years in a row: 2019, 2020, and 2021. The manufacturer has won the award six times since 2010. That’s pure domination. In an ultra-competitive pickup segment, the 2021 Ram 1500 excels in everything from performance and capability to comfort and style.
FEATURES
Without further ado, let’s dive into some of the details of why the Ram 1500 is the best truck you can buy this year:
Upgrades for 2021
There’s a new Ram 1500 model in town, and it’s nasty. In fact, it’s what earned Ram the 2021 Truck of the Year award. The 1500 TRX is powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8; you might know it as the Hellcat engine. But the emergence of the TRX has also led to many significant upgrades to other 1500 models in 2021. For example, an all-digital rearview mirror and head-up display are optional, and the infotainment system now offers off-road pages that display various performance measures, such as pitch-and-roll monitoring, transfer-case mode, and ride height.
The Trailer Reverse Steering Control is also a new option, which is a semi-autonomous technology that makes backing up a trailer easier than ever, as are new trailer tire pressure monitoring and light check systems. Furthermore, the Advanced Safety package has improved by adding pedestrian detection, and forward-collision warning is now available on more models than in previous years. And then there’s the Ram 1500 Limited Longhorn 10th Anniversary Edition, which boasts a Mountain Brown interior and special badging along the exterior and interior.
Powertrains
There are five different engines available for the 2021 Ram 1500. No matter what trim you go with, power is not going to be a problem. The base engine is a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that pushes 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. A step up, and you get a 3.0-liter Ecodiesel V6 that’s good for 260 hp and 480 lb-ft.
The real fun begins with the Hemi V8 engines. There are two 5.7-liter V8 engines that each produce 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque—one is solely gasoline-powered, and the other is paired with the eTorque electric motor. Then there’s the Hellcat engine that comes standard on the Ram 1500 TRX. This 6.2-liter V8 is a monster of an engine rated at 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. It enables the truck to hit 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and reach a quarter-mile in 12.3 seconds. Absurd, we know.
Every available engine for the 2021 Ram 1500 is matched with the TorqueFlight eight-speed automatic transmission. This transmission has been lauded for its smooth shifting and responsiveness.
Towing Capability
Depending on the engine, the Ram 1500 can tow anywhere between 7,410 and 12,750 lbs (with a maximum payload of 2,320 lbs). The maximum towing capacity is bested only by the Ford F-150, which tops out above 13,000 lbs. While the base engine provides decent towing capability, the V8 or diesel engines are ideal for towing.
Ride and Handling
No full-size pickup truck is going to provide you with the handling prowess of a smaller vehicle. But compared to the competition, the Ram 1500 is the most stable and composed around bends. Nonetheless, ride quality is where this truck really stands out. Virtually all of its competitors use a conventional leaf-spring suspension system. Every Ram 1500 comes with either an exclusive link coil rear or auto-level air suspension system, both of which offer a far superior ride. It’s so plush, it’s easy to forget you’re riding in a truck.
Interior Comfort 
The interior of the 2021 Ram 1500 is unmatched by other pickup trucks. Whatever trim you choose, you’ll get a beautiful, well-designed cabin with lots of premium materials. The higher trims are so luxurious that you can almost forget you’re driving the meanest truck on the market.
Six people can fit in the Ram 1500. It comes standard with synthetic leather and cloth upholstery, as well as a folding rear bench seat. Of course, genuine leather seats are available, as are heated and ventilated seats (front and rear), a heated steering wheel, and eight-way power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats.
There is lots of head- and legroom in both the Quad Cab and Crew Cab. While adults can ride comfortably in the rear seats of the Quad Cab, the Crew Cab leads the class in rear-seat head and legroom. Additionally, it’s easy to get in and out of the cab thanks to oversized doors. The seats themselves are as comfortable and supportive as you will find in a pickup truck, no matter what kind of upholstery you get.
Technology Features
Technology is not lacking in the 2021 Ram 1500 either. All models come with a rearview camera, a five-inch infotainment touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, a six-speaker audio system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, several USB ports, and a push-button start. You can opt for a larger touchscreen (8.4 or 12 inches), navigation, satellite radio, HD Radio, wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and more USB ports. There are also three different premium audio systems available, along with dual-zone automatic climate control and a sunroof.
Not surprisingly, the 12-inch touchscreen is a rare gem for vehicles. And the Uconnect infotainment system is the best in the industry. Along with a responsive touchscreen, the Uconnect comes with intuitive menu layouts that are easy to navigate. Plus, the screen layout is customizable so that you can use shortcuts to the features and functions of your choosing. All these features combined with the overall quality of the cabin make for one killer interior.
Utility 
The 2021 Ram 1500 is just as useful as it is nice to look at. All and all, it’s the perfect truck for both work and play. The cargo bed is available in two different lengths: 6’4” and 5’7”. Loading and hauling various items is easy-peasy; it’s clear that this was a priority for Ram when designing every 1500 model. For example, four-foot-wide sheets of plywood can fit between the wheel wells with no problem.
A wealth of features add utility to the bed. This includes the exclusive RamBox Cargo Management System, which allows you to store a variety of items (you can even use it as a cooler) and power devices and tools on the go through a 115-volt auxiliary outlet. The multifunction tailgate comes with a 60/40 split door; you can either open the gate using the split or drop it down the conventional way. A center bed step improves access to the front of the bed, and the 60/40 doors are designed to swing away, which allows you to easily access the cargo bed when trailering.
Moreover, the Ram 1500 comes with the option of RamBins located inside the cabin underneath the cargo floor in the rear seat. There is also a sizable center console available that can store all kinds of things, and all the rear bench seats can fold flat.
Style
The 2019 Ram 1500 that won the MotorTrend award was so attractive, its styling so well-considered inside and out, that it was hard to imagine it improving. Yet, here we are. The 2021 models look even better. And there is an unmatched breadth to the Ram 1500 lineup. The Tradesman trim is contemporary and attractive, yet ready for the job site. The Laramie Longhorn trim is as western-inspired as you would hope. The Ram 1500 Limited is the closest thing you will get to a luxury truck, and the stylings of the Rebel and TRX trims are dialed in with rugged, off-road perfection.
Safety
The 2021 Ram 1500 performed well in the major crash tests, especially for a full-size truck. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it four out of five stars for overall safety, including five stars in the side crash test and four stars in the frontal crash test. It received a Good rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which IIHS’s highest rating, in all of the organization’s six tests. Furthermore, IIHS gave the Ram 1500 a Superior rating for its vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system (which is optional) and an Advanced rating for the available vehicle-to-pedestrian system.
There is no shortage of advanced safety features included in the 2021 Ram 1500. All models come with a rearview camera. Optional is a head-up display, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beams, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, pedestrian detection, 360-degree parking camera system, rear cross-traffic alert, parallel/perpendicular parking assist, front and rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control.
In Sum
There’s a reason the Ram 1500 earned the 2021 MotorTrend Truck of the Year award: It leads the class in a lot of categories, and it’s by far the most impressive pickup truck overall. It provides superior performance, capability, comfort, and style, and it offers all the modern features you could ask for. If you’re interested in doing your own fact-checking, don’t hesitate to contact Mount Airy CDJRF to set up a test drive. We’re confident you’ll be blown away!
