What Is the Cheapest 2022 Ram Truck?
Americans love their trucks. Over 48 million pickup trucks were registered in the United States in 2019 alone. But trucks can be expensive. The average cost of a new truck has risen to $41,105. So what is the cheapest full-size pickup truck you can buy? The most budget-friendly options is a Ram pickup, but it’s not the regular Ram 1500.
The cheapest modern Ram 1500 is the Tradesman ($35,200)
Ram rolled out the fifth generation of its full-size half-ton, the 1500, for the 2019 model year. The automaker chucked the two-door “regular” cab option. This was one of the reasons that the cheapest fifth-generation Ram is relatively expensive.
For $35,200, you can buy a 2022 Ram 1500 Tradesman. The entry-level Tradesman comes with a short four-door cab (the quad cab), a 6′ 4″ bed, a V6 engine, and 2WD.
The Ram Tradesman offers electric windows and power door locks. It also has an electric parking brake and backup camera. The V6 makes 305 horsepower and comes with a maximum tow rating of 7,703 pounds.
This Ram is a barebones work truck. At this entry-level price, Ram only outfits it with steel rims, white paint, and a black plastic bumper and grill. But you can pay to upgrade any of these options. The 5.7L HEMI V8 adds $2,295 to the price tag. 4WD costs an extra $3,500.
The Ram 1500 Tradesman is more expensive than other work trucks. The 2022 Ford F-150 XL starts at $29,990 while the Chevy Silverado Work Truck starts at $29,595.
But the cheapest Ford and Chevy trucks are two-door “regular cab” pickups with roll-up windows and no power door locks. To option either to be competitive with the four-door Ram Tradesman costs a bit extra. Even then, you don’t get the Ram’s rear coil springs and eTorque mild-hybrid system.
Ram still sells its fourth-generation pickup truck as the Classic ($29,515)
To better compete with Ford and Chevy’s work trucks, Ram still offers its fourth-generation 1500. These trucks are essentially 2018 technology, badged as the Ram 1500 Classic.
You can buy a 2022 Ram 1500 Classic for just $29,515. This truck is optioned much more like the Ram XL or Chevy Work Truck. At its lowest price, the Classic is a two-door pickup with a V6 engine and 2WD. The cheapest Ram Classic also has roll-up windows and no power door locks.
In some ways, the Ram Classic is even more stripped-down than its Ford and Chevy competitors: The entry-level truck has vinyl seats, older infotainment software, and the older ZF (8-speed) automatic transmission. No Ram Classic has the new eTorque mild-hybrid system.
You can upgrade your Ram Classic with an 8′ bed, a four-door cab, or a V8 engine. Ram 1500 Classic trim levels actually go up to the “Warlock” which starts at $39,835 and you can upgrade with an all-terrain package.
Is the cheapest Ram worth the money?
The Ram 1500 Classic is the cheapest full-size truck you can buy in 2022. But is it worth the price?
While your Ram Classic will be a “brand new” truck in that Ram manufactured it this year, its technology is not brand new. In fact, the drivetrain and software standard on the 2022 F-150 XL makes the Ram Classic look dated.
In addition, the $29,515 Ram 1500 Classic can only tow 4,940 pounds and has a payload capacity of just 1,510 pounds. That’s akin to a midsize truck. Depending on your needs, there may be better trucks for you in the midsize segment.
Statistics provided by the Department of Transportation, and Kelley Blue Book. Check out a video review of the 2022 Ram 1500 Classic below:
