Editor's Overview
With big power and attitude, the 2018 Ram 1500 is an extremely capable and comfortable full-size pickup that’s ready to work, tow or play.
Pricing
For Sellers
Cars For Sale
KBB.com Expert Review
You'll Like This Car If...
If you want a capable, comfortable and luxurious full-size pickup that looks tough, rides smooth and packs plenty of power, you’ll like the new 2018 Ram 1500. Until the Ford F-150 diesel comes out this fall, the Ram is the only half-ton truck to offer diesel power, which delivers class-leading fuel economy, and its Hemi V8 is one of the most powerful engines available in the segment.
You May Not Like This Car If...
If you’re shopping for the ultimate tow rig, the 2018 Ram 1500 will disappoint. Both the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado have higher towing capacities. The Ford also offers more tow technology, like an advanced trailer-back-up assistance system, and the Chevy’s 6.2-liter V8 is larger and more powerful than the Ram’s optional Hemi.
What's New for 2018
For 2018 the Ram 1500 has been improved with a switch in the truck bed to activate LED bed lights. A rearview camera is now standard on all models and the 8.4-inch touch screen has been improved with greater resolution, pinch-to-zoom, 4G LTE onboard Wi-Fi, HD Radio, Android Auto and Apple Car Play.
Gallery
Specs
Fuel Economy
Performance
Seating Capacity
Cargo/Interior Space
Basic Warranty
Safety Ratings
Class Rankings
How does it compare?
| RANK | VEHICLE | HP |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 2018 Nissan TITAN Single Cab | 390 |
| #2 | 2018 Toyota Tundra Double Cab | 310 |
| #3 | 2018 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab | 308 |
| #4 | 2018 GMC Canyon Crew Cab | 308 |
| #5 | 2018 Ram 1500 Quad Cab | 305 |
| RANK | VEHICLE | MPG |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 2018 GMC Canyon Crew Cab | 22 |
| #2 | 2018 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab | 22 |
| #3 | 2018 Ford F150 Super Cab | 22 |
| #4 | 2018 Chevrolet Colorado Extended Cab | 21 |
| #8 | 2018 Ram 1500 Quad Cab | 20 |
| RANK | VEHICLE | RATING |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 2018 Ford F150 Super Cab | 9.2 |
| #2 | 2018 Nissan TITAN Single Cab | 9 |
| #3 | 2018 Ram 1500 Quad Cab | 8.9 |
| #4 | 2018 Ram 1500 Regular Cab | 8.9 |
| #5 | 2018 Toyota Tundra Double Cab | 8.8 |
Consumer Reviews
Based on 333 ratings for the 2011 - 2018 models.
RAM
July 15, 2018
Best Truck on the Market
Ive owned Fords and Chevys. Test drove them all when looking for a new truck. The Ram Longhorn was by far the absolute best truck on...
Bigun
June 11, 2018
2013 Ram Sport...Owned since new
I have owned this truck since Dec 2013. The only issue Ive had with it was a bad gas cap...after I had the dealer replace it, no issues...
casper
May 25, 2018
great truck
great truck, took 6mo. of looking and drove them all, I like all the brands, and have had most of them too. the pickup and gas mileage...
Nick
April 27, 2018
Amazing vehicle
I have very few bad things to say about this truck. Traded my 04 1500 in for it and thought there was no way it could be better than my...
MikeHAZ
March 15, 2018
Best Value and Interior HANDS DOWN
This is one of the best trucks ever. Ive driven the Chevy around the dealer lot, and hated it before I even left their lot. This truck...
harleyrider
March 07, 2018
Great truck for the money
I have owned this truck for over 3 years and have driven from Vegas to New orleans, Vegas to Phoenix, Vegas to Rogers Arkansas and I...
Alan
February 27, 2018
Great Deal from the dealer, Great Gas Mileage
The truck I purchased has a V6 for the MPG. I drove it for 1000 miles yesterday, I was impressed. The comfort and handling down the...
Mikes3860
December 01, 2017
2017 RAM Sport
I have only had this truck a short time but I can honestly say I love it. I have a 2002 Dodge Ram also that has been trouble free for 6...
Army68W
November 21, 2017
Dream Truck
Just recently bought this truck and have already put a few thousand miles on it. It runs smooth and powerful on the highway but easy to...
Jcoll
November 07, 2017
Super confortable
Really nice truck
Similar Vehicles
KBB Editor's Overview
Available in a wide variety of configurations, including five body styles, the 2018 Ram 1500 is an extremely capable and comfortable full-size pickup that’s ready to work, tow or play. Buyers can choose from three engines, including a Hemi V8 and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 that delivers 29 mpg on the highway. Buyers can also choose between 2- and 4-wheel drive. For 2018 the Ram 1500 is offered in 11 trim levels, many with cool names like Big Horn, Rebel, Sport and Night, with prices starting around $28,000 for the standard-cab Tradesman model. The standard 3.6-liter gas V6’s 305 horsepower and the Ram’s unique coil-spring multi-link rear suspension give it the smoothest ride in the full-size pickup class, which also includes the Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Nissan Titan, Toyota Tundra and the best-selling Ford F-150.
You'll Like This Pickup If...
If you want a capable, comfortable and luxurious full-size pickup that looks tough, rides smooth and packs plenty of power, you’ll like the new 2018 Ram 1500. Until the Ford F-150 diesel comes out this fall, the Ram is the only half-ton truck to offer diesel power, which delivers class-leading fuel economy, and its Hemi V8 is one of the most powerful engines available in the segment.
You May Not Like This Pickup If...
If you’re shopping for the ultimate tow rig, the 2018 Ram 1500 will disappoint. Both the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado have higher towing capacities. The Ford also offers more tow technology, like an advanced trailer-back-up assistance system, and the Chevy’s 6.2-liter V8 is larger and more powerful than the Ram’s optional Hemi.
What's New for 2018
For 2018 the Ram 1500 has been improved with a switch in the truck bed to activate LED bed lights. A rearview camera is now standard on all models and the 8.4-inch touch screen has been improved with greater resolution, pinch-to-zoom, 4G LTE onboard Wi-Fi, HD Radio, Android Auto and Apple Car Play.
Driving It
Driving Impressions
With its unique coil-spring and multi-link rear suspension, the 2018 Ram 1500 rides as comfortably as a car. It isn’t as sporty as the Ford F-150, but the Ram’s ride is smooth and relaxed with little jiggle and no trucky bounce. The Ram’s steering and road manners are among best-in-class, too. The base 3.6-liter gas V6 makes 305 horsepower and gives the truck plenty of acceleration and passing power. The 8-speed automatic transmission is also among the best in the class with smooth shifts and manual control. The Ram’s optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8, also used in the Dodge Challenger muscle car, packs 395 horsepower and an intoxicating V8 rumble, but if fuel economy is your highest priority you’ll like the Ram’s 3.0-liter EcoDiesel. It delivers 29 mpg on the highway, which is impressive, and has a total fuel range of over 700 miles. The optional air-spring suspension can level a loaded bed, make cabin entry easier and increase ground clearance for off-roading.
Favorite Features
RAMBOX CARGO-MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Incorporated in the Ram’s bedsides, the optional RamBox bins are large, lockable and lighted. They’re durable for tools and designed to drain water so you can throw in wet clothes and gear, or better yet, toss in some ice and make the world’s coolest built-in beer cooler. Perfect for the big game.
PARK SENSE FRONT-PARK-ASSIST SYSTEM
Most people would rather wrestle A.J. Styles than park a full-size pickup in a crowded mall parking lot. This optional system fixes that problem with six parking sensors mounted in the Ram’s front bumper. Get too close to another car or object and it warns you with audible chimes and graphics.
Vehicle Details
Interior
Roomy and comfortable, the interior of the 2018 Ram 1500 features large seats and simple, easy-to-use controls. Ram uses a unique rotary shifter for the truck’s automatic transmission. It looks a bit weird at first, but it works great and frees up space on the console for storage and cup holders. There are also large knobs for radio volume and tuning. The Ram’s large 8.4-inch touch screen makes up most of the dashboard, and offers simple menus and clean graphics. It’s improved this year with better resolution, and the Ram's Uconnect infotainment system adds onboard Wi-Fi and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Exterior
The new 2018 Ram 1500 is the best-looking full-size truck in this class. Bold and brash with big-rig style, the Ram is more curvaceous than the hard-edged Ford and Chevy. It looks imposing and has presence, but its proportions are sporty and its detailing is sophisticated. Check out the subtle rear spoiler built into its tailgate. That’s pretty cool. The Ram pickup line ranges from a basic regular cab to quad cab and crew cab with your choice of short or long beds. The brashest of the Rams is the Rebel, which includes blacked-out elements, beefy all-terrain tires and other macho bits. Higher-end Rams get big chrome grilles.
Notable Standard Equipment
With 11 trims, the 2018 Ram full-size truck spans from basic work truck to loaded hauler that could be mistaken for a luxury truck. At its most basic in Tradesman form, the new Ram comes with a locking tailgate, automatic headlights, a tilt -- but not telescoping -- steering wheel, air conditioning, and a basic 6-speaker radio with USB and auxiliary inputs. Note that you'll have to crank your own window and manually adjust the mirrors. If you want more than a very basic work truck, we recommend climbing trims or opting for a quad-cab or crew-cab version, which includes more amenities. A rearview camera is also standard.
Notable Optional Equipment
With numerous options and packages from which to choose, the 2018 full-size Ram 1500 truck can be fitted to suit practically any individual and a variety of budgets. One item we recommend is the Uconnect Access infotainment system with its 8.4-inch touch screen and user-friendly interface. Additional options include a heated steering wheel, 10-way-power driver’s seat, rain-sensing windshield wipers, 115V household power outlet, LED bed lighting and air suspension. Since the steering wheel does not offer a telescoping function, taller or shorter drivers should consider adding the power-adjustable pedals. And don’t forget to consider the EcoDiesel engine and the RamBox cargo system.
Under the Hood
Three engine choices are offered for the 2018 Ram 1500. The base engine is a 3.6-liter Pentastar gasoline V6 with 305 horsepower and an EPA highway fuel-economy rating of up to 25 mpg. The well-known 5.7-liter Hemi V8 cranks out 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, but the fuel economy is, not surprisingly, only average at best. The 3.0-liter turbocharged EcoDiesel V6 may be the best choice, with 240 horsepower, 420 lb-ft of torque and laudable fuel economy. This turbodiesel is unique to half-ton trucks. All engines are available with 2-wheel drive (2WD) or 4-wheel drive (4WD). An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard with the gasoline and diesel V6 engines and optional with the Hemi V8, which otherwise uses a 6-speed automatic.
3.6-liter V6
305 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
269 lb-ft of torque @ 6,175 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/25 mpg (2WD), 16/23 mpg (4WD)
3.0-liter turbodiesel V6
240 horsepower @ 3,600 rpm
420 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/27 mpg (2WD), 19/27 mpg (4WD)
5.7-liter Hemi V8
395 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
410 lb-ft of torque @ 3,950 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/22 mpg (2WD, 8-speed automatic), 13/18 mpg (4WD, 6-speed automatic), 15/21 mpg (4WD, 8-speed automatic)
Pricing Notes
As a basic 2-wheel-drive regular-cab Tradesman model, the 2018 Ram 1500 has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $28,490 including a $1,395 destination fee. Prices go up depending on trim level and cab/bed configuration. Plan to spend about $35,000-$40,000 for a mid-trim truck, which includes the Express, Big Horn, Sport and Harvest trim levels. The popular Ram Rebel model costs about $46,500 with 2-wheel drive. All-in as a 4-wheel-drive Limited model, the Ram 1500 can surpass $60,000. At these prices the Ram is in line with its Ford, Chevy and GMC rivals, and beneath the starting price of a Toyota Tundra, which has more standard equipment and a standard V8. It also undercuts the all-new Nissan Titan. Before buying, check the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area are paying for their new truck. The Ram 1500's resale value is expected to continue to trail that of the F-150 and the class-leading Toyota Tundra.
