Used 2023 Ram 1500 Crew Cab

Why buy a new Ram 1500 instead of another half-ton pickup? In the end, it might come down to brand loyalty, since they’re all highly capable and priced competitively. But the smooth way the Ram 1500 drives is definitely a plus point.

Among the more significant changes for the 2023 Ram 1500 lineup is the addition of the Limited Elite variant. This takes the usual upscale Limited trim then adds a few special touches like heated/ventilated front seats covered in premium leather, heated steering wheel, suede headliner, and a jeweled rotary gear shifter (who doesn’t want one of those in their work truck?).

The (RAM)RED is also based on the Limited, with a red-accented grille and a (RED) badge on the center console. This is part of an initiative by Ram’s parent company to commit at least $4 million to people’s health around the world in conjunction with the (RED) charity.

Comfortable seats, quiet cabins, and a generally confident driving experience combine to make the 2023 Ram 1500 one of the more civilized choices in the full-size pickup class.

The standard coil spring rear suspension is so much more refined than the leaf springs found in other trucks and horse-drawn buggies. The Ram 1500 even has an adaptive air suspension on the options lists of the Rebel, Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited trims.

For 2023, the Rebel model (the saner of the two off-road variants) gains Selec-Speed Control, a low-speed cruise control for tricky ascents and descents. This becomes optional with the Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star, Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited trims.

The wilder off-road variant — the TRX — has a specialized suspension with Bilstein components, and its 702-horsepower supercharged V8 ensures its rivals will be left in a cloud of desert dust.

Back to more serious matters — maximum towing capacity is 12,750 pounds, achieved by a Tradesman Quad Cab with rear-wheel drive and the 5.7-liter gasoline V8. That’s outdone by the Chevy Silverado (13,300 pounds), and both trucks are beaten by the Ford F-150 (14,000 pounds).

Swap in the diesel engine and it can still pull 12,560 pounds. The same vehicle but with the base 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine handles the Ram 1500’s best payload figure of 2,300 pounds. Once again the Ford F-150 casts a giant shadow, with a payload capacity of 3,325 pounds.

Quad Cab or Crew Cab, those are the only choices. Both have seating for up to six (three per row) but the Crew Cab brings almost 10 inches more rear legroom, at an expansive 45.2 inches. Either way, in-cabin storage is plentiful, with a huge bin in the center console, plus more space under the folding rear seats.

As is the way with pickups, the cheapest Tradesman version is really basic, while pricier top trims like the Limited are like luxury cars inside with real wood and leather. The infotainment systems are user-friendly, with the capability for over-the-air updates. Infotainment screen sizes range from a small 5 inches in base models to either 8.4 or 12 inches in higher trims.

It’s bed time. The Quad Cab comes solely with a cargo bed 76 inches long. The Crew Cab can be paired with either that or a 67-inch bed. The longer bed/Crew Cab combo isn’t available with the HFE, Rebel or TRX, however.

These beds also have lockable compartments on either side. Naturally, a spray-in bed liner is among the options, along with adjustable tie-down hooks, and a deployable bed step.

In general, the 2023 Ram 1500 looks every inch a full-size truck. Buyers may choose exterior elements finished in black or the same color as the rest of the body.

1. Multi-function tailgate
This optional feature can flip down like a regular tailgate, or open out like a pair of barn doors, albeit asymmetrical with a 60/40 split. The LED hitch light in the tailgate’s handle also becomes standard this year.

2. Digital driver information display
A 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster is now offered in the 2023 Ram 1500. It can be configured to show various types of information and have the settings saved to dedicated user profiles.

3. Glove box UV light
A new feature across the 2023 Ram 1500 truck range, this kills bacteria with ultraviolet light. Just pop something into the glove box, close the lid, press the button on the center console, and a three-minute hygiene cycle takes place.

4 Trailer Reverse Steering Control
As well as steering a trailer in the desired direction (set by the driver), this optional feature can also help the driver reverse a trailer in a straight line.

5. TRX
The TRX version is pricey, sure, but it can sprint from standstill to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. And this full-size truck weighs more than 3 tons. It could probably pull the same kind of acceleration time even if there was no tarmac beneath it — which is kind of beautiful, hilarious, scary, and crazy all at once.

6. Park Sense Active Park Assist
The driver controls the throttle, brakes, and gear selection, and this optional self-parking system takes care of the hard part — the steering. It works for both parallel and perpendicular spaces.

Ram offers an intriguing selection of powertrains. Even the basic setup has a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to smooth out the fuel-saving stop/restart function and help the engine attain its peak output with optimum efficiency.

That base engine is the 3.6-liter V6, a stalwart of the Ram/Jeep/Dodge/Chrysler family and regarded highly. Output here is 305 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque, created from regular 87-octane gasoline.

The best fuel economy in a 2023 Ram 1500 is achieved by the turbodiesel 3.0-liter V6, especially the High Fuel Efficiency (HFE) variant that comes solely with rear-wheel drive. This engine generates 260 horsepower and a substantial 480 lb-ft of torque.

Ultimate towing chops of 12,750 pounds is made possible with the 5.7-liter gasoline V8, which is also augmented by a mild-hybrid system. Although 87-octane gas is acceptable, Ram recommends using the 89-octane stuff to access the full 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque.

More serious desert sports machine than work truck, the Ram 1500 TRX has its own exclusive method of propulsion — a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 making a mighty 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque.

All engines connect to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is standard in the lower trims. Each form of 4-wheel drive (4WD) fitted across the lineup — usually optional, but standard with the TRX — has high- and low-range gearing with a shift-on-the-fly transfer case.

3.6-liter V6
305 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
271 lb-ft of torque @ 4,900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/25 mpg (RWD), 19/24 mpg (4WD)

3.0-liter turbodiesel V6
260 horsepower @ 3,600 rpm
480 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/32 mpg (RWD), 23/33 (HFE RWD), 21/29 mpg (4WD)

5.7-liter V8
395 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
410 lb-ft of torque @ 3,950 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/23 mpg (RWD), 17/22 mpg (4WD)

6.2-liter supercharged V8 (TRX only)
702 horsepower @ 6,100 rpm
650 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 10/14 mpg

3/36 Warranty

The basic new-vehicle warranty for the 2023 Ram 1500 half-ton pickup is three years or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles.