The Ram 1500 Classic may finally be coming to an end after 15 years
The last-generation Ram 1500 was introduced in 2008, when George W. Bush was our president and the Dodge brand was still selling pickup trucks. It has evolved over time with the addition of new trims, more luxurious interiors, and even a turbodiesel engine for a period. Interestingly, it remained around even after the new fifth generation hit the market in 2019, just with a different name: Ram 1500 Classic. But now, it looks like he may finally be dead after 15 years.
Ram’s website still lists the 1500 Classic as available, but stops at the 2023 model year, while the other trucks are listed as 2024. I’ve been watching all year to see if that would stick, so I reached out to Ram as soon as I saw it. The brand’s PR rep responded like this:
“We haven’t announced anything yet but we’ll let you know when we do. I hope everything goes well!”
Honestly, I’m not sure if everything is okay! Ram 1500 Classic may be dead! We already knew that the fifth-generation Ram would ditch the V8 engine, but it wasn’t clear if that meant the older model would be discontinued as well. Since we’re already talking about 2025 The 1500 lineup is still without a mention of the classics, our worst fears seem likely.
In its contemporary form, the Ram 1500 Classic is available in two models: Tradesman and Warlock. You can spec it with either two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, and power comes from either a 3.6-liter V6 or a 5.7-liter V8. It was never scheduled to get the twin-turbo 3.0-liter flat-six that its successor will soon offer, and the sleeker models are reserved for the fifth generation, but a little more simplicity isn’t a bad thing in the world of trucks.
The fifth-generation Ram 1500 is a capable pickup truck; Really, a lot of it looks like the fourth generation underneath. However, it comes at a cost. The 2024 model starts at $36,065 after destination, which is about $3,400 above the entry-point Ram 1500 Classic. There are more options and features at the upper end, but if you’re comparing relatively basic pickups to each other, the fifth generation doesn’t offer much that its predecessor didn’t.
I guess now we’ll wait and see if Ram officially declares the 1500 Classic dead. Stellantis isn’t obligated to do so, of course, and there’s a chance the truck will drive quietly on that good night. If that’s the case, we’ll be pouring one over for a pickup truck whose longevity has given us something to talk about for years.
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