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Ram has been selling the 2018, fourth-generation Ram 1500–badged as the Classic–since 2019. For the first months of 2023, Ram kept the 2022 Classic order form open but didn’t announce a 2023 truck. This led some truck fans to wonder if the Ram 1500 Classic had been canceled. But the Ram 1500 Classic is indeed coming back for its fifth year in production: 2023. Ram just announced the trucks trims and MSRP.

Ram is cutting back on 1500 Classic trim levels

Front view of black 2023 Ram 1500 Classic, cheapest new Ram model and most affordable full-size pickup truck in America
2023 Ram 1500 Classic | Ram

Back in 2022 you could order three separate Ram 1500 Classic trim levels. The Warlock was the premium Classic and came with four doors standard. At the truck’s entry-level MSRP you could choose between the Express and the Tradesman. The Classic Tradesman featured black plastic trim and was very much a work truck. But the Classic Express offered body-colored trim and you could upgrade it with chrome.

For the 2023 model year, Ram has cancelled the Classic Express. Perhaps they weren’t selling many because drivers interested in a sleek-looking truck opted for a fifth-generation Ram. Or perhaps the automaker is planning to phase out the Classic altogether and, this year, is cutting it back to just fleet-oriented work trucks.

Ram increased the Classic MSRPs

Front seats in 2023 Ram 1500 Classic, cheapest new Ram model and most affordable full-size pickup truck in America
2023 Ram 1500 Classic | Ram

For 2023, you can choose between to Classics. The 2023 Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman starts at $30,695. The four-door Ram 1500 Classic Warlock starts at $41,985.

To be honest, Ram had to adjust its Classic MSRPs throughout the 2022 model year, likely due to global supply chain shortages and inflation. As a result, the final MSRP for the 2022 Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman was $30,235 and the Warlock was $41,825. The 2023 MSRPs are only a few hundred higher, and the Ram 1500 Classic is still the cheapest full-size pickup truck you can buy–by thousands of dollars.

How much cheaper is the Ram 1500 Classic than other half-ton trucks?

This is an orange Ram 1500 Classic.
2022 Ram 1500 Classic | Ram

The Ram 1500 Classic ($30,695) is the cheapest half-ton truck you can buy, by a mile. Its closest competitor is the 2023 Ford F-150 XL ($33,695). In third place is the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT ($35,600).

Interestingly, the regular Ram 1500 only comes as a four door. For this reason, it starts at $37,410. See how all the half-ton pickup truck MSRPs compare in the table below:

ConfigurationManufacturer’s Advertised MSRPEdmunds’ Estimated Total
Ford F-150 XLRegular cab (2-door)$33,695$36,380
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WTRegular cab (2-door)$35,600$37,395
GMC Sierra 1500 ProRegular cab (2-door)$37,200$38,195
Ram 1500 “Classic” Regular Cab (2-door)$30,695$31,445
Ram 1500 TradesmanQuad cab (small 4-door)$37,410$38,295
Toyota Tundra SRDouble cab (small 4-door)$36, 965$38,000
Nissan Titan SKing Cab (rear suicide doors)$39,700$41,495
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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.