2020 Ram 1500 Classic: Review, Trims, Specs, Price, New Interior Features, Exterior Design, and Specifications

$28,200 - $44,380

Price Range (MSRP)

2020 Ram 1500 Classic For Sale

Best Half-Ton Trucks

Trucks with Best MPG

Ram Trucks

Ram 1500 4th Generation (DS/DJ/D2)

Photos

2020 Ram 1500 Classic Review: The Blue Collar Hero

by Michael Butler

Instead of canning older models, many manufacturers in the US are repurposing them at the lower end of the lineup, and one such brand is Ram with the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic. This model is technically the fourth-generation 1500 pickup truck which now slots in below the all-new one. The Classic is priced nearly $4,000 cheaper than the new generation's base model, which will appeal to those looking for a more affordable, hardworking truck, and its relative age bodes well for future reliability. The 1500 Classic is a comfortable and capable machine with a duo of powerful engines, topped by a 5.7-liter V8 producing 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque in place of the base 6-cylinder. Power is sent to the rear or all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. There are three cab styles including 2- and 4-door options and three bed sizes on offer, so there's something for everyone here. The lack of driver assistance features and the high number of recalls is worrying, but at the price, this truck is still a bargain. The Ram 1500 Classic goes up against a fierce rival: the Ford F-150.

Read in this review:

Exterior Design 8 /10
Performance 8 /10
Fuel Economy 7 /10
Interior & Cargo 8 /10
Infotainment & Features 9 /10
Reliability 8 /10
Safety 8 /10
Value For Money 10 /10

8.2

What is BuzzScore?

2020 Ram 1500 Classic Changes: What's the difference vs. the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic?

Unsurprisingly, Ram hasn't made many changes to the 2020 1500 Classic for this model year, choosing instead to focus more on the newer 1500. That said, Ram has trimmed the lineup quite significantly, with only the Tradesman, Express, and Warlock trims remaining. The SSV remains as well, with more of a focus on towing and hauling within the special services sector. Many of the more luxurious trims such as the Laramie have fallen away - perhaps a wise move, as they competed with the newer 1500 on price. New colors have also been added, such as Olive Green and Hydro Blue.

Pros and Cons

Good value for money
It's a comfy ride
Strong range of engines
Solid build quality

Some will simply stretch for the new 1500
Towing performance isn't great
4-star safety rating
Not a lot of safety features onboard

Best Deals on 2020 Ram 1500 Classic

2020 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock

$33,999

66,872 miles

2020 Ram 1500 Classic SLT

$25,900

55,165 miles

Good Deal

$5,700 below

2020 Ram 1500 Classic SLT

$32,985

49,096 miles

Fair Deal

Average price

2020 Ram 1500 Classic SLT

$30,991

67,646 miles

Fair Deal

Average price

See All 1500 Classic For Sale

2020 Ram 1500 Classic Trims

See trim levels and configurations:

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drivetrain	Price (MSRP)
Tradesman	3.6L V6 Gas 5.7L V8 Gas	8-Speed Automatic	Rear-Wheel Drive Four-Wheel Drive	$28,200
Express	3.6L V6 Gas	8-Speed Automatic	Rear-Wheel Drive Four-Wheel Drive	$28,200
SLT	3.6L V6 Gas 5.7L V8 Gas	8-Speed Automatic	Rear-Wheel Drive Four-Wheel Drive	$32,145
Warlock	3.6L V6 Gas	8-Speed Automatic	Rear-Wheel Drive Four-Wheel Drive	$36,145
SSV	5.7L V8 Gas	8-Speed Automatic	Four-Wheel Drive	$41,375

See All 2020 Ram 1500 Classic Trims and Specs

2020 1500 Classic Exterior

FPI Studios

FPI Studios

FPI Studios

See All 2020 Ram 1500 Classic Exterior Photos

Dimensions

Length 229.0 in
Wheelbase 140.0 in
Height 77.2 in
Max Width 79.4 in

Exterior Colors

Delmonico Red Pearlcoat +$100
Diamond Black Crystal Pearlcoat +$100
Hydro Blue Pearlcoat +$100
Patriot Blue Pearlcoat +$100
Olive Green Pearlcoat, Build Out:03/03/2020. +$100
Olive Green Pearlcoat, Build Out: 03/03/20. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$100
Olive Green Pearlcoat, Build Out:03/03/2020 +$100
Billet Silver Metallic Clearcoat +$200
Granite Crystal Metallic Clearcoat +$200
Maximum Steel Metallic Clearcoat +$200
RV Match Walnut Brown Metallic Clearcoat +$200
Case IH Red, Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Black Clearcoat, Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Bright Red, Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Omaha Orange, Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
School Bus Yellow, Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Timberline Green Pearlcoat, Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Yellow, Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
New Holland Blue, Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Bright Green, Build Out:03/03/2020. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Construction Yellow, Build Out:03/03/2020. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Detonator Yellow Clearcoat, Build Out:03/03/2020. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Hills Green, Build Out:03/03/2020. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Light Cream, Build Out:03/03/2020. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Light Green, Build Out:03/03/2020. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Midnight Blue Pearlcoat, Build Out:03/03/2020. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
National Safety Yellow, Build Out:03/03/2020. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Power Tan, Build Out:03/03/2020. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Robin Egg Blue, Build Out:03/03/2020. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Tree Green, Build Out:03/03/2020. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Bright Green, Build Out: 03/03/20. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Construction Yellow, Build Out: 03/03/20. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Detonator Yellow Clearcoat, Build Out: 03/03/20. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Hills Green, Build Out: 03/03/20. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Light Cream, Build Out: 03/03/20. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Light Green, Build Out: 03/03/20. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Midnight Blue Pearlcoat, Build Out: 03/03/20. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
National Safety Yellow, Build Out: 03/03/20. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Power Tan, Build Out: 03/03/20. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Robin Egg Blue, Build Out: 03/03/20. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Tree Green, Build Out: 03/03/20. Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
New Holland Blue +$450
Holland Blue, Minimum Build Quantity of 10. +$450
Bright White Clearcoat
Flame Red Clearcoat

See all 45 colors

2020 1500 Classic Performance

FPI Studios

FPI Studios

Ram

Engine and Transmission

Engines

3.6L V6 Gas, 5.7L V8 Gas, 5.7L V8 HEMI MDS VVT
Transmission

8-Speed Automatic
Drivetrains

4X4, RWD

2020 1500 Classic Interior

Ram

FPI Studios

Ram

See All 2020 Ram 1500 Classic Interior Photos

Seating and Interior Space

Seating capacity

6-seater

Front Leg Room 41.0 in
Front Head Room 41.0 in
Rear Leg Room 34.7 in
Rear Head Room 39.7 in

2020 1500 Classic Trunk and Cargo Space

Ram

Ram

FPI Studios

2020 1500 Classic Safety and Reliability

Warranty

Basic:
3 Years \ 36,000 Miles
Drivetrain:
5 Years \ 60,000 Miles
Corrosion:
5 Years \ Unlimited Miles
Roadside Assistance:
5 Years \ 60,000 Miles

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Overall Rating
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Side Crash Rating
Rollover Rating

Verdict: Is the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic A Good pickup truck?

There is no doubt that the US is crazy about pickup trucks, and the previous-generation Ram 1500 was a highly successful vehicle. Ram's decision to keep the old-gen truck going while at the same time introducing a new model shows that it is thinking about budget-conscious buyers, and the move should pay off. This wallet-friendly truck offers a range of potent engines, a large range of body styles, and a level of road comfort that stands up to more modern competitors. The cabin is spacious too, and the build quality is not all that bad. Unfortunately, the Ram 1500 Classic is starting to show its age: average crash scores and a lack of driver assistance systems are some of its most apparent shortcomings, but questionable reliability ratings are also worrying. If you're on a tight budget, the price of the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic pickup truck makes sense. If it were up to us, we'd save a bit longer and get the latest generation Ram 1500 or Ford F-150.

What 2020 Ram 1500 Classic Model Should I Buy?

When it comes to trucks such as the Ram 1500 Classic, this is a very open-ended question, as there's no real one-size-fits-all option here. Depending on your needs, you'll either go for a long bed and single cab or choose to have more seating space and less cargo room. As the Ram 1500 Classic is a budget-friendly truck, we would recommend going for the Tradesman or the Express trim. Be careful of how you spec this truck, as the price could easily creep up to the new 1500. It's worth a careful review of the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic in your chosen spec, too, as the new 1500 is vastly better.