2018 RAM 1500

Interior

Once you’ve chosen your favorite exterior finish, it’s time to start focusing on the inside of your new 2018 Ram 1500 – after all, with all of the trim options and additional packages available, there’s no reason not to tailor your truck to your exact needs and desires. Of course, it’s always good to start from the beginning when making these decisions, so if you’re considering buying the base model 2018 Ram 1500 in Tradesman, you’ll be riding on 17-inch wheels with a USB port, an auxiliary outlet, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, vinyl upholstery, a spray-in bed liner, a Class IV trailer hitch, a 3.5-inch instrument display and a rear backlight. You’ll also have access to Ram’s Radio 3.0 infotainment system. You’ll also have manual door locks and manual windows, so it’s not exactly a luxury interior, but it’s certainly not lacking in some niceties. With a starting MSRP of $27,095, the 2018 Ram 1500 is ideal for those who plan on using their truck primarily as a work vehicle or those who simply aren’t bothered with having many creature comforts in their vehicle.

Now, that’s not to say that you can’t get your 2018 Ram 1500 loaded down with pure luxury. As you move up the trim levels, you can find features such as dual-zone automatic climate control, premium leather upholstery for your truck’s heated and ventilated front seats, navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, top-of-the-line sound systems, heated and leather-wrapped steering wheels, LED running lights, power adjustable seats, power sliding rear windows, and 20-inch wheels. You can also equip your truck with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and use your 8.4-inch display screen to operate the Uconnect software package. Carefully consider what you really need and want in the cab of your truck – there are many options and packages that can help you customize the cab of your 2018 Ram 1500 to make you feel right at home while you’re on the road.

back to top

Exterior

Just as you’re going to have to make some well-thought-out choices when it comes to choosing your 2018 Ram 1500’s engine, you’re also going to want to think through your exterior options as well. For starters, you have your choice of several cab/bed configurations. You can choose the regular cab (which seats up to three passengers) and get either an 8-foot or 6 foot-4-inch bed, the crew cab (which seats up to six passengers) with either a 5-foot-7-inch bed or a 6-foot-4-inch bed or finally the quad cab (which also seats up to six passengers) with it’s 6-foot-4-inch bed. Consider how much cargo you plan to haul when you’re making your decision on bed sizes. Also – don’t forget to explore all of the various cargo and storage accessories that are available for your 2018 Ram 1500 – the RamBox Cargo Management System is definitely worth a second look.

Now second looks are one thing, but we all know first impressions are what matter most. Luckily, when it comes to your 2018 Ram 1500, you won’t be short on exterior paint options that will really get heads turning. Stand out amongst the crowd with an Omaha Orange 2018 Ram 1500 or choose to stay slightly subdued in your Granite Crystal Metallic 2018 Ram 1500. With paint colors ranging from Flame Red to Light Cream, there’s simply a reason not to drive your new 2018 Ram 1500 in your favorite color.

back to top

Utility

If you’re driving a 2018 Ram 1500, most likely you’ll be looking to use the bed of the truck for some heavy-duty hauling and you’re probably also planning on using your truck to tow as well. The 2018 Ram 1500 can tow up to 4,970 pounds in standard form – but when properly equipped, that number grows to 9,160 pounds. The 2018 Ram 1500 also has a maximum payload capacity of 6,025 pounds – so no matter your hauling and towing needs, you can feel confident that Ram’s got you covered.

back to top

Performance

The 2018 Ram 1500 comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that churns out 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. That’s certainly a strong enough engine for most drivers, but if you’re looking for a truck that doubles as a powerhouse, you can also opt for one of two advanced engine options: a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine that gets 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque or a 3.0-liter V6 turbo-diesel that gets 240 pound-feet and 420 pound-feet of torque. The choice is yours and no matter which engine you ultimately choose, you’ll still have an eight-speed automatic transmission as well.

Of course, you’re going to want to take into account fuel economy as you are choosing your engine option – after all, there’s no point in having a truck you can’t afford to drive. Buy the 3.6-liter V6 and you’ll get an EPA estimated 17 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. The Hemi V8 is going to get an estimated 15 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, while the rear-wheel drive turbo-diesel V6 is going to get you around 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway (those numbers will decrease just slightly to 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway when you opt for four-wheel drive). While the fuel economy is pretty good across the board, you obviously are going to burn through more fuel (and therefore, more dollars) if you choose the Hemi V8, so make sure you’re buying the right amount of engine for your actual driving needs.

back to top