When you think of the “best” or “most-popular” trucks, the brands Chevrolet and Ford may come to mind first. But in the last few years, RAM has reemerged as more than just a contender. When it comes to which truck has been named the best 2020 truck on the market, it may surprise you to know that the title isn’t be held by a Ford or Chevy.

Edmunds’ opinion on the best 2020 truck

Edmunds recently announced its winners of the 2020 Top Rated Awards. Based on “insight from Edmunds’ extensive new vehicle testing and rating process,” as well as other important data, the top-rated truck of 2020 came as a shock. According to this year’s awards, the RAM 1500 reigns supreme as Edmunds’ Top Rated Truck.

The 2020 RAM 1500 beat out all other truck finalists, including top-dogs Ford and Chevy, based on its highest overall testing ratings in the following categories: “performance, comfort, technology, fuel economy and value.” So what is it about the 2020 RAM 1500 that catapults it into the top position?

How RAM is becoming king

Breaking down Edmunds’ ratings of the 2020 Ram 1500, it’s easy to see why everyone finds it so impressive. It receives an overall rating of 8.6 out of 10, with a consumer rating of five-out-of-five stars. As a Top Rated 2020 award winner, it is also Edmunds’ No. 1 one choice in large trucks. Breaking down Edmunds’ expert rating down even further, the 2020 RAM 1500 received the following impressive scores (out of 10):

• Driving performance: 8.5
• Comfort/interior: 8.5/9.0
• Infotainment/automation: 8.5
• Cargo and utility: 9.5
• Fuel economy: 8.0
• Value/ownership: 8.0

What Edmunds loved best about the 2020 RAM 1500 is its super-strong V8 diesel engine that features tow ratings that rival those of V8 engines, but that’s not it. The 2020 RAM 1500 also features a new, improved suspension that “delivers unequaled ride smoothness and control,” as well as an off-roading Rebel variant that is aesthetically striking and real-life capable.

The RAM 1500 also features an improved 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine with more power and torque as well as new exterior styling packages that sharpen the truck even more. Edmunds had great things to say about the 2020 RAM 1500’s interior, which is quiet, roomy, and loaded to the brim “with useful storage and tech features.” The only real negative Edmunds had to say about the 2020 RAM 1500 is that many of the driver-assist features available are limited only to higher trims.

Do other experts agree?

The experts at Edmunds aren’t the only ones that are agreeing on the impressiveness of the RAM 1500. Consumer Reports, for example, puts both the 2019 and 2020 RAM 1500 at the top of its list for best full-size trucks. The 2020 RAM 1500 received a surprisingly impressive score of 83 (out of 100) on Consumer Reports’ road test. Stating that the “RAM 1500 remains a kinder, gentler pickup truck in a competitive field.” The most current model is lighter, more efficient, and roomier than ever. Even the interior seems to raise the bar for America’s other truck makers.

Even the harsh critics at Car and Driver give the 2020 RAM 1500 an overall perfect score of five-out-of-five. It also gained the honor of Car and Driver’s 10-Best awards as well as a pick for Editors’ Choice. Finding the pickup to be “versatile and competitively capable,” it seems the RAM brand is going to make things hard for truck giants Ford and Chevrolet. If you’re looking for the best 2020 truck that’s “suited to weekend household chores, off-road fun, or serious towing and handling,” the RAM 1500 seems to be the best choice.