The Ram 1500 Classic soldiers on into the 2023 model year. The pickup is based on the DS generation of the Ram, which dates back to 2009 when it was still called the Dodge Ram. The Ram 1500 Classic may be outdated compared to more modern rivals in full-size pickups, but it’s a good value if you’re shopping on the affordable side of this segment.
The base engine in the 2023 Ram 1500 Classic is a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine rated at 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. It returns up to 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway with rear-wheel drive (RWD), and if you upgrade to 4-wheel drive (4WD), it gets 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway. Opt for the available 5.7-liter Hemi V8 — available in all three trims — and you’ll get 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway with RWD or 4WD.
The Ram 1500 Classic comes in three distinct trims: the no-nonsense Tradesman, mid-range Express, and stylish Warlock. Let’s take a closer look at the model range and find the Ram 1500 Classic that’s right for you.
2023 Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman (starting at $30,110)
As its name implies, the Tradesman trim is a no-frills work truck. It’s the only trim available with a regular cab, which makes it a good choice if you’re strictly in need of an affordable work truck.
Standard features include a Uconnect 3 infotainment system with a Bluetooth-enabled 5-inch touchscreen, a backup camera, vinyl seating and flooring, and manual windows, locks, and mirrors. We weren’t joking when we called it “no-frills.”
There are a few options that let you add some creature comforts to this truck. The Tradesman SXT Package adds aluminum wheels, chrome bumpers, a painted upper front fascia, cloth seats, a front armrest, fog lamps, and SiriusXM. The Electronics Group upgrades the infotainment system with an 8.4-inch screen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot, and SiriusXM. It also adds a 7-inch driver information center, a media hub, and an auto-dimming mirror.
Power windows, locks, and mirrors are also available.
When you factor in a $1,795 destination fee ($1,845 in Hawaii), the starting price of the Ram 1500 Classic comes to $31,905. Assuming a 60-month loan at 3% interest with no money down, buyers can get this truck for a monthly payment starting at about $573. See 2023 Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman models for sale
2023 Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman includes:
Three cab options — The Tradesman is the only trim of the Ram 1500 Classic available with a regular cab, quad cab, or crew cab.
Uconnect infotainment system — This infotainment system has Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming.
Strong engines — The base 3.6-liter V6 engine is adequate for most drivers, but if you need extra muscle, a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 is available.
2023 Ram 1500 Classic Express (starting at $38,670)
If the Tradesman trim is a little too Spartan for you, then the Express trim adds some niceties while keeping the price affordable. It’s available with a Quad Cab or Crew Cab body.
For starters, the Classic Express looks nicer with painted bumpers, a painted upper front fascia, fog lights, and 17-inch aluminum wheels. We like the Express Value Package, which adds 20-inch aluminum wheels, cloth seats, a carpeted floor, a central media hub, remote keyless entry, and SiriusXM. There’s also a Black Ram 1500 Express Group, which adds black exterior accents, dual-zone climate control, and the contents of the Electronics Group — namely, the upgraded infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
If you get the Ram 1500 Classic Express Quad Cab with a 60-month loan at 3% interest with no money down, it will have a payment starting at about $727 per month. See 2023 Ram 1500 Classic Express models for sale
2023 Ram 1500 Classic Express includes:
Alloy wheels — These add a stylish look to the Ram 1500 Classic.
Fog lamps — These come in handy when visibility on the roads is poor.
Painted bumpers — Body-color bumpers and upper front fascia go a long way in giving this proven truck a more modern appearance.
2023 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock (starting at $41,200)
The Warlock model has a unique look with dark accents and prominent “RAM” lettering in the grille. This trim is also the most upscale variant of the Ram 1500 Classic. Like the Express, it’s available with a Quad Cab or Crew Cab body.
On top of the stylish aesthetics, standard features in the 2023 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock include cloth seats, rear parking sensors, quad halogen headlamps, and power windows, locks, and mirrors.
The Warlock also has an Electronics Group package available, and you can get the Uconnect 4C Nav infotainment system as an option. The Luxury Group adds rear in-floor storage bins in the crew cab model, an auto-dimming mirror, a 7-inch driver information center, signal mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a universal garage door opener, LED bed lighting, power-folding mirrors, and vanity mirrors.
Premium cloth seats are also available, adding a more upscale feel to this truck; plus, you can get heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.
The Warlock starts at $773/month if you get one on a 60-month loan at 3% interest with no money down. See 2023 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock models for sale
2023 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock includes:
Dark appearance package — A unique front end, dark accents, and black wheels make the Warlock stand out from the crowd.
Parking sensors — The ParkSense Park Assist system greatly reduces the chance of bumper-to-bumper contact when you’re backing into a parking spot.
Premium options — Some excellent options are available for the Warlock, such as premium cloth seats, a heated steering wheel, and navigation.
