One of the top contenders among pickup trucks, the 2021 Ram 1500 has arrived, and it brought its A-game. The latest Ram has a premium interior, a comfortable ride, and innovative features that help raise the bar for the entire class. And there eight trim levels available.

Both the Laramie and the Big Horn are popular trim choices. Is the Laramie worth the price difference? What do you get with each Ram 1500 model?

The 2021 Ram 1500

The Ram 1500 is a favorite pickup truck of many industry experts. Redesigned in 2019, the latest Ram 1500 does everything better – especially when it comes to tech, cabin, ride quality, and hauling and towing chops. 

The 2021 Ram 1500 has some new tricks according to Edmunds. First, there’s the all-new Ram 1500 TRX. The new model has a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine under the hood that gets a whopping 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. Can this beefy pickup really go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds as Ram claims?

The new model also gets 35-inch tires, wide-body fenders, a reinforced frame, a specialized suspension, and a two-inch chassis lift. This trim is all about making the Ram 1500 it a high-performing force to be reckoned with off the pavement. 

The latest Ram 1500 got some great new tech too. There’s a driver head-up display available as an option along with a digital rearview mirror and a trailer reverse control system that guides the truck for you when trying to navigate your trailer into a parking space. It also has an available 12-inch touchscreen to display the new optional performance and off-road readouts.

The Bighorn trim level

While the Bighorn models keep the tiny 5-inch touchscreen, they do give you better cloth upholstery, a rear seat with a 60/40 folding split, and fog lights. It has chrome trim on the outside with the grille, door handles, and front and rear bumpers according to U.S. News. You also get 18-inch aluminum wheels and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. 

The Ram 1500 Bighorn starts at $36,890, and for a little more cash, you can add to it. You can upgrade to a crew cab configuration which gives you in-floor storage space. There’s an available 8.4-inch touchscreen at this level. You can also get 4WD for an additional $3,500.

There are two equipment groups you can add to the Ram 1500 Bighorn to add functionality. The Level 1 Equipment Group has a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a Class IV receiver hitch, and a power-sliding back window. It also gives you an updated Uconnect 4 infotainment system with an 8.4-inch screen and satellite radio. The Level 1 Equipment Group is $1,300.

In the Level 2 Equipment Group, you get everything in Level 1 plus a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and front and rear parking sensors. Level 2 will cost you $2,500.

The Ram 1500 Laramie

The Ram 1500 Laramie is the next step up from the Bighorn models. It starts at $41,430. Is it worth the extra cost?

The Ram 1500 Laramie has authentic leather upholstery with heated and ventilated front seats according to U.S. News. The front seats are also power-adjustable and there’s a heated steering wheel. You get the dual-zone automatic climate control too.

When it comes to tech, there’s the upgraded Uconnect infotainment system and the bigger 8.4-inch touchscreen to navigate it. You get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration along with an Alpine premium sound system and satellite radio.

As with the Bighorn models, there are two equipment groups for the Laramie models. The Level 1 Equipment Group gives you rear cross-traffic alerts, blind-spot monitoring, and front and rear parking sensors for $1,795. You get the same features from Level 1 plus heated rear seats and navigation for $2,750.

The Advanced Safety Group package gives you adaptive cruise control, lane keep alerts, and parallel and perpendicular park assist. It costs $1,695.

With the Laramie, you have more options to choose from when customizing your truck. It’s also the better choice if you want more of a luxury experience for your truck. If you spend a lot of time in your truck and creature comforts are important to you, then you will definitely find the upgrade worth it.