Driving in winter weather conditions, including snow, sleet, freezing rain, and bitter cold, isn’t for the faint of heart. That’s why choosing the right truck with the necessary options to brave these conditions is critical to your winter commute and holiday festivities. Winter is coming, and the 2022 Ram 1500 has what it takes to get through it.

2022 Ram 1500, the official winter pickup truck?

According to Torque News, the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) chose the 2022 Ram 1500 as its Official Winter Pickup Truck of New England for two main reasons. One reason is the Ram 1500 engine options are broad and allow New England drivers to balance the amount of power on hand to tackle the harsh New England winters and still have some semblance of environmentally friendly fuel economy. 

The other reason is Ram’s comfortable ride, thanks to its air suspension system that allows it to soak up the ruts and ridges left on the roadways as they freeze and thaw throughout the winter and into spring. 

While John Paul, NEMPA president, only cited these two reasons for the 2022 Ram 1500 receiving the honor, this is Ram’s second year at the top of the category. Last year, the 2021 Ram TRX got the nod over the other entrants. When bestowing the award upon the Ram 1500 TRX, Paul said that the TRX satisfied New England drivers’ winter driving needs in “every detail from its supercharged engine to its 35-inch tires.”

What makes the 2022 Ram 1500 a good winter pickup truck?

The 2022 Ram 1500 features a variety of engine choices allowing flexibility when choosing power versus fuel economy, and its hybrid powertrain options provide a taste of the best of both. According to Ram Trucks, the most powerful engine option is the supercharged 6.2-liter “Hemi” V8, rated at 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. While this engine choice is only available in the Ram 1500 TRX version, its 4.5-second zero to 60 mph acceleration and 118 mph top speed could help to get you home ahead of an approaching winter storm. 

Next on the power scale is the available 5.7-liter “Hemi” V8 equipped with Ram’s “eTorque Mild Hybrid Technology System.” This combination produces 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque while providing up to 12,750 pounds of towing capacity for a properly equipped Ram 1500. Without the hybrid addition, the 5.7-liter engine provides the same horsepower and torque but towing capacity drops to 11,610 pounds.

There are two V6 engines available, one gasoline-powered and the other diesel. The gas V6 is a 3.6-liter paired with Ram’s eTorque with 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque capable of towing up to 7,730 pounds. The 3.0-liter diesel V6 has 260 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque with a 12,560 tow rating. 

The Ram 1500 Limited trim includes the 5.7-liter V8 engine with or without eTorque and Ram’s “Active-Level Four-Corner Air Suspension” system for improved ride and stability. Southside Dodge explains that the air suspension system “is an advanced piece of technology in your Ram 1500 that automatically (or manually, if you choose) adjusts the ride height of your truck.” It works with the rest of the truck’s systems to detect a heavy payload or attached trailer to provide a “stable and smooth ride height.”