2020 RAM 1500

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Rating7.0

Ranked #10 in 

Pickup-truck
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$28,200 - $57,515
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on June 10, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

V6 turbodiesel is a lot better now

Advance driver aids limited to top trims

All-new 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6

Spacious and practical cabin

Top trim levels are absurdly priced

A Night Edition introduced for the Big Horn and Laramie trims

Facelift looks better and purposeful

Lower towing and payload capacity compared to F-150

Tweaks made to the Rebel trim

Specs & Features

$34,945

price

305 hp @ 6400 rpm

horsepower

269 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

torque

8-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

3.6L 6cyl RWD 8A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2020 RAM 1500 is a workhorse that is high on luxury and is among the most versatile pickups in the segment. It has all the capability of a proper SUV and at the same time is as comfortable and easy to drive as a car. For 2020, RAM 1500 gains an improved turbodiesel V6 engine, Night Edition package returns on select trims, and more standard and optional features are added to the RAM 1500 Rebel trim. Since most of the changes aren't standard there is just a $100 price bump and the 2020 RAM 1500 starts at $34,945.

The RAM 1500 has been the go-to truck for a wide spectrum of people - from construction workers to the ones who like a spacious and comfortable ride. The prime reason for that it has a long list of trim and optional packages making it easy to configure a truck that suits every individual's needs. While regular pickup truck duties like towing and hauling are also well-taken care of as the 2020 RAM 1500 claims a maximum tow rating of 2,750 pounds (with the optional Trailer-Tow Group package installed) and a maximum payload capacity of 2,300 pounds.

Buying Advice

Every trim of the RAM 1500 has a purpose and is built for some special class of the market. That being said, the best buy if you want one for yourself is the Laramie trim as it is not absurdly priced like some of the top-spec trims and also gets you a lot of features like keyless entry, heated seats and steering wheel, leather upholstery, an 8.0-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a lot more.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The 2020 RAM 1500 remains a highly sought-after pickup truck in its class as it is not only a capable workhorse but also well suited for buyers who go for a pickup truck, not for traditional duties but more for the lifestyle and practicality aspect. The RAM 1500 in the Crew Cab box style offers two bed-length choices and is spacious enough to seat six people inside.

Motivating this big and burly pickup truck are three engine choices out of which you have a V6 and a V8 both in gasoline form while there is another turbodiesel V6 which has been vastly improved for this year. That being said, the 2020 RAM 1500 locks its horns with the likes of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the GMC Sierra 1500, and the Ford F-150.

Features
7.0/10

The 2020 RAM 1500 Crew Cab comes in essentially six trims namely Tradesman, Big Horn, Laramie, Rebel, Longhorn, and Limited. Which is a lot of trims to suit your needs from a truck in the utmost way possible. It all starts with the Tradesman spec which comes for $34,945 and goes all the way up to Limited trim priced at $57,515. The base spec Tradesman is not essentially a feature-loaded trim and gets basic functionality like automatic headlamps and a tiny 5-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system. 

After this, all the trims bring in incremental upgrades to the interior, comfort amenities, and also, hauling capacity. RAM also offers certain packages and equipment groups, the most famous of which is the Level 1 Equipment Group that adds in features such as advanced driver aids, automatic headlights, and windshield wipers, premium sound system, upgraded infotainment system, etc. Depending upon the trim level the equipment list on this package removes standard features of that trim and retains the rest of them.

Trim

Tradesman

Big Horn

Laramie

Rebel

Longhorn

Limited

MSRP (RWD) (5'7")

$34,945

$39,390

$43,490

$44,740

$51,140

$53,715

MSRP (4WD) (5'7")

$38,445

$42,890

$46,990

$48,240

$54,640

$57,215

MSRP (RWD) (6'4")

$35,245 $39,690 $43,790 N/A $51,440 $53,715

MSRP (4WD) (6'4")

$38,745 $43,190 $47,290 N/A $54,940 $57,515

Key Features

18-inch steel wheels

In addition to or replaces Tradesman features with:

In addition to or replaces Big Horn features with:

Is based on the Big Horn and adds:

In addition to or replaces Laramie features with:

In addition to or replaces Longhorn features with:

 

Uconnect infotainment system w/ 5-inch touchscreen

18-inch aluminum wheels

20-inch alloy wheels

Aggressive styling

Premium-leather bucket seats

Chrome exterior trim

  Rearview mirror

Fog lights

Power side mirrors and rear window

Electronic locking rear axle

Leather-wrapped steering wheel w/ wood inserts

Standard four-corner air suspension

 

Push-button start

60/40-split rear seat

Uconnect infotainment system w/ 8.4-inch touchscreen

Four skid plates

Spray-in Bedliner

12-inch vertically stacked touchscreen
 

Trailer sway damping

Upgraded fabric-trimmed seats

Power-adjustable and leather-trimmed front seats

Tow hooks Heated rear seats Power running board
 

6-speaker stereo

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility

Heated and ventilated front seats

Performance-oriented suspension setup Front and rear parking sensors Blind-spot monitor w/ rear cross-traffic alert
 

Second-row in-floor storage.

Leather-wrapped steering wheel Dual-zone automatic climate control   Navigation and HD Radio Wireless device charging

We Recommend

Every trim of the RAM 1500 has a purpose and is built for some special class of the market. That being said, the best buy if you want one for yourself is the Laramie trim as it is not absurdly priced like some of the top-spec trims and also gets you a lot of features like keyless entry, heated seats and steering wheel, leather upholstery, an 8.0-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a lot more.

Fuel Economy
7.1/10

The 2020 RAM 1500 with the base V6 and a mild-hybrid system earned an EPA rating of 20/25/22 MPG while with the 4WD the mileage further drops to 19/24/21 MPG for the city, highway, and combined scenarios respectively. Lastly, the most famous engine, the 5.7-liter V8 is the least fuel-efficient as expected with fuel efficiency figures of 15/22/17 MPG and 15/21/17 MPG for the RWD and 4WD models respectively.

If you opt for mild-hybrid powertrains then the figures go slightly up to 17/23/19 and 17/22/19 for RWD and 4WD models respectively. While the newest of the bunch the 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel is the most efficient engine with a rating of 22 MPG in the city, 32 MPG on the highway, and 26 MPG under mixed driving. 

Models

2020 RAM 1500 Crew Cab

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab

2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab

2020 Ford F-150 SuperCrew

MPG (City)

20

16

15

19

MPG (Highway)

25

21

20

25

MPG (Combined)

22

17

17

22

Fuel Capacity (gal.)

26.0

24.0

24.0

26.0

Range (City / Highway) (mi.)

520 / 650

384 / 504

360 / 480

494 / 650

The RAM 1500 with its biggest fuel tank capacity and good gas mileage manages to beat all the trucks when it comes to range from a full tank of gas in the city. On the highway it beats the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra while the F-150 shares a similar range. 

Interior
7.0/10

"Inside, the 2020 Ram 1500 has supremely functional cubby stowage and cavernous passenger space." -CarandDriver

The RAM 1500 Crew Cab is easily the most luxurious pickup truck of the bunch. It is the true definition of luxury everyday motoring if we talk about pickup trucks only. The RAM 1500 Crew Cab comes with four proper full-size doors and seating for 6 people on board. The cabin is extremely spacious and practical and easily the best laid out among the competition. 

The whole dashboard is very well laid out and the more premium trims getting extended leather upholstery with impeccable fit and finish. We loved the way RAM has designed the interior of the RAM 1500 and also the quality of material used is quite premium. The cabin is also packed with features like a sunroof, dual-zone climate control, and a lot.

Most of the RAM 1500 come with bucket seats at the front which are massively supportive and accommodating. They hold you quite well and have a plethora of adjustability available to get you comfortable. They also come with heated and ventilated functionality in upper trims for added convenience. 

The 2020 RAM 1500 offers multiple infotainment units for different trims. The base trim gets a 5-inch infotainment system while the Bighorn and upwards trim levels get an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment display. While the Limited trim features a 12-inch vertically stacked touchscreen unit.

As for the cargo bed, you have two choices the standard one is a 5'7" size while the other one is a 6'4" size. The standard box offers 53.9 cubic feet of cargo volume while the bigger box offers 61.5 cubic feet of cargo volume. The 2020 RAM 1500 in the base trim has a payload capacity of 1,820 lbs which maxes out at 2,329 lbs.

Models

2020 RAM 1500 Crew Cab

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab

2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab

2020 Ford F-150 SuperCrew

Seating Capacity

6

6

6

6

Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Legroom; inches)

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 (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Legroom; inches)

39.8/ 65.7/ 45.2

40.1/ 65.2/ 43.4

40.1/ 65.2/ 43.4

40.4/ 65.9/ 43.6

Cargo Volume (ft³)

53.9 62.9 62.9

52.8

Rear seat space is also one of the strong points of the RAM 1500. The rear seats are super wide and can easily accommodate even three adults abreast which is quite a rare sight. The legroom is class-leading and the backrest can also be adjusted to suit your liking. The seats can also be slid forward and backward in case you want some additional space to stretch.

All the trucks here offer to seat for six passengers but when it comes to space in front and rear seats it is a mixed bag here. For the front seats, the Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Sierra are the most spacious hands down.

While when it comes to rear seats if you keep the headroom aside the RAM 1500 offers the best space among all. As for the cargo volume in the standard bed, the Silverado and the Sierra twins once again take the lead here followed by RAM 1500.

Interior Features:

  • Available Leather-trimmed front seats
  • Available Heated and ventilated front seats
  • Available Power-adjustable front seats
  • Available Leather-wrapped wood steering wheel
  • Available 19-speaker 900 watts Harman/Kardon Premium Audio system

Exterior
7.0/10

"The 2020 Ram 1500 is available with three body/bed configuration: extended Quad Cab with a 6-foot-4 bed, or a Crew Cab with either the longer bed or a standard 5-foot-7 bed. The exterior dimensions are similar to its competitors." -Autoblog

The 2020 RAM 1500 Crew Cab has recently been redesigned and though it has lost its big daddy looks, it still has an imposing stance. They have completely changed the design of the truck by lowering the bumper and giving it a sleeker yet modern look. 

The base spec Tradesman is a non-expensive affair and gets all your basic utilitarian functionality. It is a good option if you want a no-nonsense abuse friendly truck. The upper trims though get a lot of blingy stuff especially in fronts like the large chrome grille and sleek LED headlight unit. 

At the sides, you would notice how well the side body has been sculpted to meet the rear box without taking a hit on the aerodynamics. While at the rear you have a choice of standard bed with a traditional tailgate or the split swing tailgate available on a select model.

RAM also offers what is called RamBox storage in-built in the bed which has storage compartments at the side apart from the regular storage. Moving on to the dimensions, the RAM 1500 is a big truck measuring 232.9-inches bumper-to-bumper and sitting 82.1-inches wide with 8.1-inches of ground clearance.

Models

2020 RAM 1500 Crew Cab

2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab

2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab

2020 Ford F-150 SuperCrew

Curb Weight (lbs)

4964 4702 4950 4529

Length (inches)

232.9

231.7

231.7

231.9

Width (inches)

82.1

81.2

81.2

79.9

Height (inches)

77.5

75.5

75.5

75.6

Ground Clearance (inches)

8.1

7.9

8.1

8.5

Wheelbase (inches)

144.5

147.4

147.4

145.0

RAM is the heaviest here and is also the longest, widest, and tallest of the bunch which very much justifies its additional weight and imposing stance. As for the wheelbase surprisingly the Silverado and the Sierra twins are the ones that offer the longest wheelbase among all the trucks here.

Exterior Features:

  • Available 22-inch painted/polished aluminum wheels
  • Available Power release tailgate assist
  • Available Active grille shutter
  • Available RAMBox Cargo Management system
  • Available Sleek LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights

Safety
6.0/10

Safety is not a very strong talking point of the pickup trucks because they are not what you exactly call very safe. They have a reputation of being quite easy to lose control of and also for not having a rigid structure. Well, thankfully that’s not the case with the 2020 RAM 1500 Crew Cab as it is among the safest pickup trucks in its class. It has received an overall five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and IIHS also awarded the car with a “Good” rating in all the categories.

Only the headlights just like any other truck in the class get a second-lowest “Marginal” and lowest “Poor” rating depending on the trim. Also for the first time, IIHS has awarded a truck with the “Top Safety Pick+” award and that is a real achievement for the RAM 1500.

Safety Features:

  • Blind-spot monitoring system w/ rear cross-path and trailer detection
  • Lane departure warning
  • Adaptive cruise control w/ Stop and Go
  • Active parallel and perpendicular park assist

Competition
7.0/10

2020 RAM 1500 Crew Cab vs 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab

The GMC Sierra 1500 is undoubtedly the best-looking pickup truck right now in the market without any second thought. Its engine is also more powerful than the RAM and the optional list is long and has some mouth-watering options. 

On the other hand, this all does come for a price as the Sierra is considerably more expensive than the RAM 1500 and also the RAM comes with a very fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain which makes the Sierra feel like an ancient dinosaur.  

2020 RAM 1500 Crew Cab vs 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is like the less rich cousin of the Sierra 1500. It essentially has the same underpinnings as the Sierra 1500, just misses out on some of the luxury bits on the inside.

Thus overall the Silverado 1500 is well built like a pickup truck but just misses out on the wow factor. And considering it is also more expensive than the RAM 1500 Crew Cab, it loses the competition hands down.

2020 RAM 1500 Crew Cab vs 2020 Ford F-150 SuperCrew

The Ford F-150 is the best-selling pickup truck in the States and that is for a reason. It comes with a lot of powertrain options, is lighter which makes it quite a lot fuel-efficient, is very abuse friendly, and obviously, Ford’s better after-sales is also one of the key reasons why F-150 is so big of a successful name in the trucking industry.

But the RAM is also not far behind as it offers better value for money than Ford and is considerably spacious and premium inside. Honestly, both are very well built and you won’t go wrong in picking any one of the two.

Final Verdict

The RAM 1500 Crew Cab is undoubtedly a very well-built truck with quite a long list of creature comfort and safety features. While at the same time it is also very good at doing the pickup truck duties. It comes with a bunch of different drivetrain options and also has an option to choose from two-bed sizes. These small things make it quite versatile and purposeful. We genuinely think it is a very good buy for the money it demands and you can not go wrong with this one.

Trims

    Tradesman
    $28,200 onwards
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot
    • 5-Inch touchscreen
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • Push-Button start
    • Remote keyless entry
    Express
    $32,800 onwards
    • Engine: 3.6L 6cyl 4WD 8A
    • Horsepower: 305 hp @ 6400 rpm hp
    • Torque: 269 lb.-ft. @ 4175 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.2 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 19 mpg
    HFE
    $34,095 onwards
    • Engine: 3.6L 6cyl RWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 305 hp @ 6400 rpm hp
    • Torque: 269 lb.-ft. @ 4175 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.6 sec
    • Top Speed: 130 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 23 mpg
    Big Horn
    $36,690 onwards
    • Engine: 3.6L 6cyl 4WD 8A
    • Horsepower: 305 hp @ 6400 rpm hp
    • Torque: 269 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.8 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 21 mpg
    Big Horn/Lone Star
    $36,690 onwards
    • 18-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    Laramie
    $40,790 onwards
    • 2 - 1st row LCD monitor
    • Driver and passenger Lumbar support
    • Heated Front Seats
    • Leather Seat trim
    • Siriusxm AM/FM/Satellite
    Rebel
    $44,740 onwards
    • Cloth/Vinyl Seat trim
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Electronic locking rear axle
    • Four skid plates
    • Parking assist
    Laramie Longhorn
    $51,140 onwards
    • Engine: 3.6L 6cyl RWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 395 hp @ 5600 rpm hp
    • Torque: 410 lb.-ft. @ 3950 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.6 sec
    • Top Speed: 130 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 22 mpg
    Longhorn
    $51,140 onwards
    • Engine: 3.6L 6cyl 8A
    • Horsepower: 305 hp @ 6400 rpm hp
    • Torque: 269 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.4 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 22 mpg
    Limited
    $53,715 onwards
    • Engine: 3.6L 6cyl RWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 395 hp @ 5600 rpm hp
    • Torque: 410 lb.-ft. @ 3950 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.6 sec
    • Top Speed: 130 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 22 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$28,200- $57,515

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.02

Horsepower

401 hp @ 5200 rpm

Torque

464 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

Capacity

6

Read Review

2020 RAM 1500 vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Source
    7.1 sec15.7 sec

    2020 RAM 1500 vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Source
      17 mpg25 mpg20 mpg26 gal. -

      2020 RAM 1500 Pickup Truck Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

      13

      Recalls

      1

      Investigations

      557

      Complaints
      Overall Safety Rating
      Read More

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      2020 RAM 1500 User Reviews

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      POPULAR TAGS

      RV

      Rhonda Vanaman

      2020 RAM 1500

      Big Horn 4dr Crew Cab 5.5 ft. SB 4WD (3.0L 6cyl Turbodiesel 260 hp 8A)

      Not Rated

      User Overall Rating

      Posted On: July 30, 2024

      Premium Ram 1500 turns heads.

      Pros - ["My Ram 1500 Crew cab is a premium vehicle that performs like a workhorse. It is a beautiful blue and has the best leather interior.", "Also it will pull just about anything you can hook up to the hitch. The Ram has never failed to almost effortlessly pull the boat or the camper over some hilly and rough terrain.", "It has a great touchscreen and backup camera to go with a phenomenal sound system. It integrates with any device."]

      Cons - ["Im not crazy about the turn radius. It is very large and there are a few parking spaces it just doesnt corner into.", "The gas mileage is not the best either. As it is pretty heavy and just for getting to work and back uses close to $300 a week in gasoline. My commute is 2 hours total per day. A lot of stop and go in some areas.", "The last thing is probably the center console area. I would have liked to had a better design that would include hot or cold beverage holders."]

      I loved the Ram 1500 Crew Cab that I have from the moment I saw it. Then to drive it and feel just how powerful and smooth it was sealed the deal. The price was a big hefty but well worth it for all the uses I have for it. Taking it on road trips with the camper is so very easy to do. Its a joy to drive and the leather heated and cooled seats make it so very comfortable for a long ride. There are...

      Not Rated
      Features
      Not Rated
      Interior
      Not Rated
      Design
      Not Rated
      Safety
      Not Rated
      Reliability
      Not Rated
      Deal Value
      Not Rated
      Dealer Review


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