2020 RAM 3500

The 2020 RAM 3500 Regular Cab is limited to only 2 trims, the Tradesman and the Big Horn. Both these trims are available in 2 different engines, RWD and 4WD options. RAM has offered only a single rear wheel option on both of these trims.Tradesman being the entry-level trim is priced at $35,345 and is equipped with features like a 5.0-inch touchscreen display with a 4-speaker audio system, 17-inch steel wheels, Vinyl bench seats which are 4-way manual adjustable, Auto On/Off Halogen DRLs, chrome interior accents, and voice-activated radio. 

It is a well-equipped package with an affordable price tag to it.Spending a little more will get you the Big Horn trim which starts from $39,345. It differs from the Tradesman by adding on features like Cloth upholstered seats, 18-inch chrome wheels, Chrome bumpers, Trailer brake controller, 6-speaker audio system, etc.

Which trim should you buy?

There’s not a lot of options in the Regular Cab configuration but our recommendation leans more towards the refined Big Horn trim. The Big Horn not only adds more amenities but also provides a better cabin experience and also offers you the opportunity to opt for the Night Shade package.

Having two enormous engines which are performance-driven, is conclusive that they are fuel-thirsty. With a city economy of 13 MPG and a highway economy of 17 MPG, it gives a combined 15 MPG economy which is outperformed by its rivals. The standard fuel tank has a 32-gallon capacity but RAM offers an optional 50-gallon fuel tank which improves the range by a big margin.

The figures with the 50-gallon tank are 650/850/750 (city/highway/combined) which are much more than its competition too. With the standard fuel tank, the 2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab has the best range and even has the best fuel economy among the 4 cars returning a fuel economy of 540 in the city and 684 miles while cruising down the highway.

Thanks to RAM, the interior is a much nicer place to be than the rest of the cars in this class. It is much more contemporary and luxurious than its rivals. Starting with the seats, you get vinyl seats in the Tradesman trim and cloth upholstered bucket seats in the Big Horn trim. The interior nevertheless is not as spacious as its rivals. That being said, it has seats for 3 passengers.

Regardless of the trim, the driver and passenger seats both are 4-way manually adjustable. The driving position is fairly on the higher side and it is rather inconvenient. The dashboard and center console design is nothing too fancy but it is functional. The center console is equipped with a 5-inch touchscreen display and a number of buttons and knobs below to manipulate the same. This setup isn’t exactly high tech but it is sufficient.

The numbers clearly suggest that all the rivals offer more headroom, shoulder room, and legroom than the 2020 RAM 3500 Regular Cab. It has the least cargo space as well. The GM twins offer the segment leasing interior spacing and cargo volume of 83.5 inches. On the other hand, the Ford F-350 takes a sweet spot in terms of interior dimensions and cargo volume as well. Some of the standout interior features are as follows:

• Driver and passenger vanity mirrors
• 5.0-inch touchscreen display
• 4-way manually adjustable driver and passenger seats
• Cloth upholstered bucket seats
• Armrest with storage

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The infotainment system in the 2020 RAM 3500 Regular Cab is a 5-inch Uconnect touchscreen display. This is reserved only for the Tradesman and BigHorn trims. The 5-inch screen is too small for the driver to manipulate while driving. This 5-inch screen isn’t packed with a lot. 

Some basic features like Bluetooth, a rearview camera, an AM/FM Radio are standard. It has a friendly user interface but it takes time to get used to it.The Tradesman comes with a 4-speaker audio system while the Big Horn is equipped with a 6-speaker audio system. The latter is more refined and offers a better surround sound quality. Both the trims have 2 USB charging ports as well. Some of the highlights of the infotainment system are as follows:

• Voice-activated AM/FM Radio
• 6-speaker audio system
• 2 USB charging ports
• Bluetooth connectivity
• An external digital memory control
• Voice Activation

The looks of the 2020 RAM 3500 Regular Cab have been subpar before, lacking aggression and elegance. Since the new generation launch made its debut in 2018, things changed. For the year 2020, the RAM 3500 follows the same roots from the 2018 version with a few minor changes. The front fascia with its mammoth hood and DRLs means business! The Tradesman is a pretty straightforward truck with no extraordinary features whatsoever. The Big Horn trim adds a little bling to it by putting on chrome bumpers.

The side profile of the car isn’t attractive as such. Nobody's lines and contours give it a bland look. The Tradesman is equipped with 18-inch steel wheels while the Big Horn adds chrome to those wheels and to the door handles as well. The Big Horn trim offers black heated side mirrors with convex spotters while the Tradesman offers plain black side mirrors. The ground clearance of the 2020 RAM 3500 Regular Cab is one of the highest among its rivals which is a mere 11.2 inches. The rear end of the car comprises incandescent taillights and the Big Horn adds a rear chrome bumper. A big RAM badge boasts in the middle of the tailgate which adds to its character.

In terms of numbers, the 2020 RAM 3500 Regular Cab has the least ground clearance, the shortest wheelbase, and the least width as well. The car with the biggest exterior dimensions is the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Regular Cab with best in class ground clearance of 11.2 inches. Some of the standout exterior features are as follows:

• Black power heated side mirrors with a convex spotter (Big Horn)
• Variable intermittent wipers
• 18-inch steel wheels (chrome wheels for Big Horn trim)
• Light Tinted Glass

Unfortunately, the 2020 RAM 3500 Regular Cab isn’t tested by the federal authorities which are NHTSA and the IIHS but the number of safety features offered on it should get rid of the concern associated with it. Handling such a big car is challenging hence driver assistance and safety features are definitely a necessity. The Tradesman and the Big Horn are the lower two trims hence all the safety features are not available on them but the ones which are available are as follows:

• Automatic emergency braking (available)
• Forward collision warning (available)
• ABS with traction control
• Electronic brake distribution
• Stability control
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Convex spotter OVRMs
• Adaptive cruise control (available)

2020 RAM 3500 Regular Cab vs 2020 Ford F-350 SuperDuty Regular Cab

The long-lasting rivalry of these two cars is because of similar driving experience and pricing. The class in which the RAM clearly performs better than the Ford is engine performance, towing capacity, interior, braking performance, etc. As you go towards the higher trims, the Ford offers better utility options but when it comes to the base trims and Regular Cab configuration, the RAM is the better option out of the two.

2020 RAM 3500 Regular Cab vs 2020 GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab

The GMC Sierra 3500HD Regular Cab is a hardcore pickup truck but the car fails to deliver an all-around package of performance and amenities which would have helped it stand out in this class. Although the GMC offers more cabin space, has best in class fuel economy, and is the better-looking car out of the two, the RAM scores higher in terms of performance and has the upper hand in this comparison.

2020 RAM 3500 Regular Cab vs 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Regular Cab

The Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Regular Cab is the best all-rounder in this class. It is a very close competition between these two cars. Although the RAM has smaller dimensions both inside and outside. It offers more options in the engine and transmission section, has best in class towing capacity, and has better braking performance. The Chevy has been a favorite for American buyers and it’s the RAM’s closest competitor.

The 2020 RAM 3500 has the best performance in this class, period! Both its engine options perform exceptionally well. The cabin amenities and interior looks of the RAM are also better than its rivals. It is also the most affordable pick-up truck at the entry-level. The sections where it falls short are fuel economy and cargo space but these can be overlooked without hesitation. Although this RAM hasn’t been tested by the federal authorities, the abundant safety and driver-assist features ensure its safety. In conclusion, the RAM delivers where it matters and it has definitely taken the pick-up truck market by storm.