2018 Ram 1500 and HD Truck Lineup: What’s New and What’s the Same

2018 ram power wagon 1500 rebel 4x4 4wd red off-road
2018 Ram Power Wagon and 2018 Ram Rebel

The Ram pickup truck lineup remains largely unchanged for the 2018 model year with the following notable exceptions. The 2018 Ram 1500 and HD trucks get a new top-of-the-line luxury model, the Limited Tungsten Edition. The Ram 3500 HD escalates the torque wars with a class-leading 6.7L high-output Cummins I6 turbo-diesel. The rest of the Ram lineup and special editions trucks continue on.

Note: Ram is expected to unveil the next generation 2019 Ram 1500 at the Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS 2018) in January.

2018 ram 1500 rebel 4x4 black edition snow
2018 Ram 1500 Rebel – Black edition

The base 2018 Ram 1500 Tradesman 2WD starts at $27,095 before destination charges. You will still find all of the Ram trim levels and special editions as with the 2017 model year: Tradesman, Express, Lone Star, Big Horn, Sport, Night, Harvest, Lone Star Silver, Laramie, Rebel, Laramie Longhorn, and Limited.

Ram says that the engine and transmission options remain the same. This includes the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 with the 8-speed automatic transmission. If you are looking at the Ram’s website configurator for the 2018 Ram 1500, you may not see an option for the 3.0L EcoDiesel. We contacted Ram about this, and they say that not all build configurations have been finalized and to stay tuned. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 and the 5.7L HEMI V8 are still available. The HD trucks continue with the HEMI gas V8 and Cummins turbo-diesel engine options.

2018 Ram 1500 and HD Tungsten Edition

2018 ram hd 2500 1500 limited tungsten edition luxury pickup 4x4
2018 Ram HD 2500 and 2018 Ram 1500: Limited Tungsten Edition

The Tungsten edition starts with an already very well appointment Ram Limited model and sprinkles in additional high-end touches such as the suede headliner, premium “Natura Plus” leather seats, unique Tungsten finish chrome exterior elements, special badging, and distinctive 20-inch rims.

The Tungsten package is available across the half-ton, 3/4-ton, and 1-ton Ram trucks. You can now configure the 2018 Tungsten trucks on Ram’s website. If you select a Ram 1500 4×4 with all options – the final MSRP is $63,690. The most expensive Ram truck title goes to 2018 Ram HD 3500 Dually diesel crew cab 4×4 Tungsten edition. The final suggested retail price is $81,055 (after a $2,000 offer).

2018 Ram HD 930 Lb-Ft Diesel

Ram keeps the heavy duty truck torque wars alive and well with a power rating increase for the 2018 model year. The update is only available for the high-output 6.7L Cummins I6 that is solely available in the 3500-series trucks with the 6-speed Aisin automatic transmission. The engine is now rated at 385 hp @ 2,800 rpm and a class-leading 930 lb-ft of torque @ 1,700 rpm.

Along with the higher torque rating, Ram and Mopar are now offering a redesigned 5th-wheel hitch for the Ram HD trucks that is rated at 30,000 lbs. This covers some of the biggest and most luxurious 5th-wheel camping trailers.

Ram is still offering three 6.7L Cummins power options. The first is the 350 hp and 660 lb-ft engine for the Ram HD 2500 with the manual 6-speed transmission. Next is the 370 hp and 800 lb-ft version that is paired to Ram’s 68RFE 6-speed automatic. Finally, is the high-output version, which can only be had in the 1-ton Ram trucks.

Get all of the details about the Limited Tungsten edition Ram trucks in the video below.

Andre Smirnov
Andre Smirnov is an Automotive Enthusiast, Producer, Reviewer, Videographer, Writer, Software Engineer, Husband, Father, and Friend.