Ram pickup challenges the best despite towing specs

Ram is the ideal symbol for a big, powerhouse pickup. The truck's visuals have been matching that image since the mid-1990s when other companies' trucks began to look more gentle.

The Ram 1500 is a top pick for many reviewers due to its great features, including diesel power and the 702-horsepower TRX. Its luxurious interior and excellent road manners make it a top choice in its class.

Although Ram's maximum towing capacity of 12,750 pounds falls short of competitors Ford F-150 and the General Motors twins, it is still an impressive number that will likely suffice for most needs. If you're looking for a well-rounded truck with a muscular persona, put Ram on your shopping list.

The entry-level Tradesman model was quite barebones, starting at $38,985. The only standard features were the Quad Cab and 6 by 4-foot bed. Crew Cab and smaller bed versions were available for an extra cost. Classic models with single-row cabs started at $32,130 but they hadn't been updated since 2019.

Ford and Chevy trucks undercut Ram on price, but their base configurations come with single cabs. The redesigned Toyota Tundra is a few hundred less in a similar configuration to the Ram but with added features.

The Ram boasts a whopping four engines, including the 305-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 and the mild-hybrid offerings, going all the way up to the mighty TRX--all of which are married to 8-speed automatic transmissions. I got pretty good mileage out of the base engine for a big pickup; combined driving netted me 23 miles per gallon. The diesel model had some impressive range too boasting 1,000 miles total and up to 26 mpg . Ford and Toyota both offer hybrid powertrains for their pickups as well but neither can hold a candle to Ram's specs--Ram comes in at 22 mpg across the board.

The $82,285 TRX is a powerful machine that can hit 60 miles per hour in just 4.5 seconds. It’s also the King of the off-road circuit, and it’s better than the Ram Rebel.

The Ram is a dream to drive with its top-notch suspension, quickly responsive steering and brakes. Even people sitting in the back of Quad Cabs will feel comfortable in the luxurious interior. Crew Cabs have an unbelievable amount of legroom.

Though most touchscreen displays are small, this one is a whopping 5 inches. If you're looking for an upgrade, however, the 8.4-inch display is great. But 12 inches? Even better! The system intuitive with plenty of redundancy for oft-used controls; not to mention that the big screen makes much better use of space--and it's even customizable.

As far as driver-assistance features go, the base truck comes equipped with only a rearview camera (which is required by law); but it can be upgraded with other systems--just not all of them unfortunately."