The 2023 Ram 1500 Classic Survives as the Best Work Truck
Did you know that you can still get the Ram 1500 Classic? This affordable workhorse of a truck s a survivor because people keep buying them. If you don’t need all the frills of a modern, safer truck, then it makes sense to save with the 2023 Ram 1500 Classic.
What comes with the 2023 Ram 1500 Classic?
The 2023 Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman starts with a regular cab, meaning it has two doors and an eight-foot box. You can upgrade to a larger cab and a shorter box. It rides on 17-inch steel wheels and features manual wides and door locks.
It has a locking tailgate, tilt steering wheel, vinyl floor covers, a bench front seat, air conditioning with N95 air filtration, a 5.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity, a six-speaker audio system, two USB ports, cruise control, and a Class III bumper hitch with integrated trailer wiring.
The basic 1500 Classic Tradesman starts at $30,695, but you can upgrade to the Ram 1500 Classic Warlock for $41,985.
The Warlock build upon the Tradesman with 20-inch gloss black aluminum wheels, black exterior trim and badging, black powder-coated bumpers, a black RAM logo grille, projector headlights, LED foglights, and sports taillights.
You also get rear parking sensors, heated/power mirrors, power locks/windows, remote keyless entry, upgraded interior materials, carpeted floors, bucket seats with a center console, cloth upholstery, and satellite radio.
Upgrades include a power sunroof, a rear power window, all-terrain tires, towing mirrors, a 32-gallon fuel tank, an 8.4-inch infotainment screen, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
How much power does the Ram Classic have?
The standard 2023 Ram 1500 Classic engine is a 3.6-liter V6 unit with 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. Upgrade to the 5.7-liter V8 engine for 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. Edmunds shared that both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Ram Classic Tradesman can tow up to 8,240 lbs with the standard engine and up to 10,620 lbs with the beefier V8 engine. It can carry a payload of up to 1,982 lbs. With the current Ram 1500, you can tow up to 12,750 lbs and carry a payload of up to 2,300 lbs.
For off-roading, you can add 4×4, a limited-slip rear differential, a full-size spare tire, all-terrain tires, and enhanced gear ratios.
The Ram 1500 Classic pickup truck gets an EPA-estimated 17 mpg in the city and up to 25 mpg on the highway. The current model gets about 20 mpg in the city and up to 25 mpg on the highway.
Is the Ram 1500 classic reliable?
Yes, the 2023 Ram 1500 Classic is a reliable work truck. J.D.Power gave it a reliability ranking of 86 out of 100, which is above average. Anything between 81 and 90 is above average, while scores between 91 and 100 are best.
The Ram Classic is expected to last between 250,000 and 350,000 miles. It should reach 300,000 miles before needing any serious repairs. If you drive an average of 15,000 miles per year, then you could get 20 years of service on the road.
Plus, the Classic has a durable high strenght steel frame with six airbags. The frame warranty covers five years or 100,000 miles, the powertrain warranty lasts for five years or 60,000 miles, and the roadside assistance warranty is good for five years or 60,000 miles.
If you like how the Ram 1500 Classic looks, make a move. The V8 engine is being discontinued, and the Classic might not return in 2024. The base models provide plenty of savings against the current model, but higher trims and packages can get pricy.
