2021 Ram 1500: Here’s What’s New For The Upcoming Model Year

The 702 horsepower TRX is headlining the new model year, but what about the rest of the range?

The 2021 Ram 1500 lineup’s most notable expansion, if you’ve been following TFLtruck these past several weeks, is the 702 horsepower TRX model set to go on sale in the coming months. But what about the rest of the range? Are any of the other trucks seeing noteworthy changes? As it happens, other models are getting some new technology onboard. In addition to the rest of the trims, a new Limited Longhorn Special Edition also joins the fold.

A configurator is not yet live for the 2021 trucks (TRX excepted), but order options and pricing will become available as Ram shifts to the new model year, as FCA’s other brands are also doing.

On the technology front, Ram is adding a head-up display unit — the first FCA vehicle to use one. The unit allows the driver to see up to five content areas, including information like turn-by-turn navigation, speed and the current speed limit, adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist. In trims where it’s available, you’ll be able to configure the HUD using the 12-inch Uconnect 4C infotainment screen.

A new 9.2-inch digital rearview mirror also joins the lineup, expanding the technology’s availability beyond GM’s current crop of half-ton trucks. A new Trailer Reverse Steering Control is available as part of the Trailer Package, allowing the driver one-dial control to precisely back up a trailer, as first demonstrated by Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist.

New Snow Plow Prep option

Ram first announced the Snow Plow Prep option back in March, and it’s now available with the 2021 Ram 1500 lineup. The package adds a heavier duty 220-amp alternator, as well as a truck-side plow wiring harness and a rear power sliding window with a defroster.

Across the rest of the range, power-folding trailer mirrors are now available as a standalone option, rather than strictly coming as part of the Trailer Tow Group. You can also bundle the feature with the 360-degree surround view camera, which is also new to the 2021 Ram 1500 range. The Wired Trailer Camera Prep Kit also adds more towing flexibility across the entire lineup. Off-Road Pages are now available with the 4×4 Off-Road Group as well, rather than being a feature relegated to the Rebel.

On the safety front, the 2021 Ram 1500 adds pedestrian detection to the Advanced Safety Group. Full-speed frontal collision warning now comes standard on Laramie, Rebel, Longhorn, Limited Longhorn and Limited trims, while it’s available as part of the Level 1 Equipment Group on Tradesman and Big Horn.

Limited Longhorn 10th Anniversary Edition

In total, the 2021 Ram 1500 has nine trims. From Tradesman, the range goes up through HFE, Big Horn, Lone Star, Rebel, Laramie, Longhorn, Limited Longhorn 10th Anniversary Edition and Limited. As for the anniversary edition, you get special badging on the doors and tailgate as well as throughout the interior. The Limited Longhorn 10th Anniversary Edition has a Mountain Brown interior with unique door bolsters, trim bezels, speaker grilles, berber carpet and metal pedal kit.

Engines across the 2021 Ram 1500 lineup remain the same, apart from the new TRX. The base 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 puts out 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 is also still available with 260 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. FCA’s 5.7-liter Hemi V8 still manages 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, putting it in the middle of the V8 pack among Ford, GM, Toyota and Nissan’s current offerings. eTorque is available on the Hemi V8, though it nets no constant gain in horsepower or torque. All 2021 Ram 1500 models, TRX included, come mated to an eight-speed transmission (though exactly which eight-speed transmission varies by engine).