Is a Used Ram 1500 a Good Truck?

If you have thought about buying a truck and are looking at a used Ram 1500, then you’ve come to the right place. What was once a pickup truck under the Dodge tutelage, the Ram trucks became their own brand in 2014. These are the vehicles we will be covering today. Any Ram models before 2014 will not be addressed. So, is a used Ram 1500 a good truck? Yes! Here’s why.

Used Ram 1500 Overview

The Ram 1500 is a reliable pickup truck that offers advanced safety features and plenty of state-of-the-art technology. Durable, practical, and intelligent, this well-rounded truck is a great vehicle no matter which production year you choose. However, there can be some very significant differences between the models by year. Before we jump into specifics, let’s go a few key facts that never change.

Reliability is a major factor to take into consideration when you’re thinking about purchasing a pre-owned truck. Luckily for you, a used Ram 1500 is very reliable. Maintenance and replacement parts are very inexpensive, and these powerful trucks offer up a performance that is unmatched by any other truck in the same class.

Safety ratings are high, no matter which year you choose, the Ram 1500 models have consistently scored 4 or 5-star ratings from the NHTSA due to the abundance of safety features. You will often find features such as anti-lock disc brakes, stability/traction control, hill start assist, hill descent control, trailer sway control, and plenty of airbags. Most used Ram 1500 trucks are also equipped with the UConnect system that can notify emergency services in the event of an accident. This telematics service can also help track down the truck if it is stolen.

Now, let’s take a look at a few of our favorite used Ram 1500 models from recent years.

The 2014 Ram 1500

The base level Tradesman trim comes with a protective spray-in bed liner, a locking tailgate, vinyl flooring, vinyl upholstery, air conditioning, cruise control, and a 6-speaker sound system. It also has USB ports and an auxiliary jack for streaming your music from your phone.

The second trim level is only found on FWD regular cab models. This trim is called the HFE, which stands for High Fuel Economy, and it includes stop-start technology, cloth upholstery, and full power accessories.

The mid-level SLT switches everything up. It comes with dual glove boxes, an overhead storage console, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a leather-wrapped secreting when with audio controls.

Meanwhile, the athletically-style Sport model gets dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, power-adjustable pedals, a rearview camera, a voice-controlled infotainment interface displayed on an 8.4-inch touchscreen, and 3G Wifi capability.

The most popular model is the Laramie, which adds leather seats, wood grain/chrome interior accents, heated side mirrors, driver memory settings, and a subwoofer.

Finally, the Longhorn gets luxury features such as remote start, HD radio, navigation, front/back parking sensors, and tow hooks. It is also possible to find any of the aforementioned models with packages or stand-alone options that were added.

As for the engine lineup, the 2014 used Ram 1500 comes standard with the 3.6-liter V6 engine on the first three trims. Equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission and 2WD (4WD is optional on most trims), this powertrain pushes out 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque, and the fuel economy is estimated at 21 MPG combined (18 city/25 highway).

On the upper-level trims, a 5.7-liter V8 is the standard. Paired with either a 6 or 8-speed automatic transmission, this powertrain generates 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. The average combined fuel economy depending on the transmission ranges from 16 MPG to 17 MPG. If you’d rather look for a diesel model, the turbo-diesel 3.0-liter V6 is the one to search for. Using an 8-speed automatic transmission, it produces 240 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. It also has an average combined fuel economy of about 23 MPG.

The 2018 Ram 1500

Jumping forward to 2018, the used Ram 1500 models from this year are arguably the best one available on the used car market. This is because they have the fewest number of complaints from the folks who bought these models. According to data gathered by CarComplaints.com, there have only been a few complaints made about these trucks. Most of those complaints had to do with spilling a bit of fuel when refilling the tank. Other than that, the vast majority of people who purchased a model from 2018 have been thrilled with the truck.

The cabin configurations, bed lengths, and engine offerings remain the same, but the 2018 Ram 1500 models came in 11 unique trims. Let’s take a closer look at each one now!

Starting with the Tradesman again, this war truck is mostly unchanged for the 2018 production year. The most notable added feature is the Class IV hitch receiver that makes towing a trailer much easier.

The Express is also considered to be a work truck. However, it eliminates the spray-in bed liner and Class IV hitch and replaces the vinyl floor coverings with carpet.

As for the HFE model, it gets a new powertrain, a 3.0-liter diesel motor. Fittingly, it has also been renamed. Now it’s called the HFE EcoDiesel. The other notable change is that it is no longer offered as a regular cab truck. The 2018 version was only manufactured as a Quad Cab.

Next, the Big Horn trim replaces the SLT model. It gets an advanced infotainment system known as UConnect Access. Displayed on an 8.4-inch touchscreen, this system works with Bluetooth connectivity and a rearview camera. Dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel complete the comfortable interior.

The next two trims share the same functional features, but they have different styling elements. The Sport trim features body-colored exterior accents, 20-inch wheels, LED cabin lighting, adjustable pedals, and bucket seats. The Night trim has the same features, but the exterior accents are done in black.

All-new for 2018, the Harvest model gets all-terrain tires, higher ground clearance, tow hooks, black side steps, skid plates, a chrome grille, and chrome exterior accents.

Moving to the popular Laramie, this fan-favorite is equipped similarly to the Big Horn with a few added features. These include heated/ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, driver memory settings, wood accents, auto-dimming side mirrors, and a 10-speaker sound system.

Next, the Laramie Longhorn was only made as a crew-cab truck. Featuring keyless entry/ignition, remote start technology, wood accents, leather upholstery, front/back parking sensors, and a navigation system, this particular model is the perfect fusion of luxury and practicality.

The Limited trim adds rain-sensing wipers, automatic high beams, and premium leather upholstery. Finally, the off-roading trim known as the Rebel gets fender flares, Bilstein shock absorbers, tow hooks, and all-terrain tires. It’s basically a luxurious Sport model.

Find the Perfect Ram 1500

If you want to take one of our used Ram 1500 models out for a spin, get in touch with our experts today! We’d love to help you find the perfect model for your exact needs. Call us at (513) 421-1111 or visit our lot in Cincinnati today!