Is the Cheapest Full-Size Truck in 2023 Worth It?
Believe it or not, the cheapest new full-size truck you can get in 2023 first went on sale back in 2009. Yes, Ram is still selling something that it calls the Ram 1500 Classic, and it’s essentially the cheapest new full-size pickup that you can get. But is it actually worth it?
What does Ram 1500 Classic mean?
When Ram introduced the fifth generation of its truck in 2019, the fourth-gen Ram 1500 hung around known as the Ram 1500 Classic. In 2023, the Classic is still here, and it has an MSRP starting at $30,695.
Now, you might be a little confused about why Ram is still selling this truck. But, Ram is not the first brand to sell a previous-generation vehicle alongside the new one. And it is kind of a winning strategy, especially with trucks.
For folks who don’t want to deal with all of the bells and whistles that come with a new pickup truck, or don’t want to pay the cost, the Ram 1500 Classic is there.
The 2023 Ram 1500 Classic is available in two trims
The Ram Classic does not offer all of the configurations that the 2023 Ram 1500 does. It is only available in two trim levels. The base model is the Tradesman, and it is probably best viewed as a work truck. In its cheapest form, it comes with a regular cab (meaning two doors) and an eight-foot bed. So it’s fairly safe to call that an old-school truck.
The Ram 1500 Classic Tradesman is also limited to the 3.6-liter V6 engine that makes 305 horsepower and 269 pound-foot of torque. This V6 has been used in an array of products, and is generally seen as being reliable.
The top trim level of this truck is the Warlock. It’s got a more aggressive design and can come equipped with a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine. This engine produces 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque. And, as you would expect from a full-size truck, the Ram Classic is available with four-wheel drive. But it does come standard with rear-wheel drive.
Is the Ram Classic worth it?
As one of the cheapest new trucks you can buy in 2023, the Ram 1500 Classic does offer a solid value proposition. But, that cheaper price does mean making some legitimate sacrifices. You cannot get this truck with the modern safety features of the fifth-gen Ram 1500. And you are limited in terms of configurations available.
In terms of towing capacity, this truck can tow up to 10,620 lbs. So, at the same time, it is a capable full-size truck.
It’s not clear how much longer Ram will sell the 1500 Classic. According to Car and Driver, when the Ram 1500 Classic first became available, it had three trim levels. Now, that number is down to two. As long as this pickup is available, it does give consumers a more affordable option. And in my opinion, that’s a pretty good thing to have out there.
