2023 Ram 1500 Classic Performance

When 2019's Laramie trim fell away, the EcoDiesel engine that came with it vanished from the lineup as well. That left two gas engines to power the range from 2020 onward: a 305-hp 3.6-liter V6 and a more powerful 5.7-liter V8 with a stout 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. This remains the same for 2023. Both 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains are available. These trucks are more about capability than acceleration or top speed, and there are trucks in the segment that get from 0-60 quicker than the Ram 1500 Classic. The six-cylinder struggles more because it doesn't offer as much low-down torque, so if you can, it's better to stretch to the V8, which is less affected when lugging a heavy load and provides brisker acceleration. With the V8 engine and 4x2, the 1500 Classic can tow a maximum of 10,620 lbs. With the V6 engine, maximum trailering capacity drops to 7,660 lbs. By comparison, the newer Ram 1500 can tow 12,750 lbs when properly equipped. Properly equipped with the Warlock All-Terrain package, this trim is very capable off-road in 4WD guise.

Starting off the Ram 1500 Classic's engine range is the well-known Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 which produces 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. It's mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The bigger 5.7-liter HEMI V8 generates a more muscular 395 hp and 410 lb-ft - it is also fitted with an eight-speed auto. 4x2 is the standard drivetrain on all models, but 4x4 can be optioned. The Quad Cab comes in four-wheel drive only.

When not heavily laden with passengers and/or cargo, the V6 does a reasonable job of contending with the 1500 Classic's bulk and is pleasingly responsive, but it's the V8 that you want when towing heavier loads or needing to pass slower traffic with more urgency. The eight-speed automatic transmission does a good job of working through its ratios smoothly and is a solid pairing with both engines.

In terms of gas mileage, the Ram 1500 Classic with the best mpg figures is the one with the rear-wheel-drive drivetrain and the 3.6-liter V6, returning EPA-rated estimates of 17/25/20 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles. Not far behind is the 4x4 V6 with figures of 16/23/19 mpg. The 4x2 V8 is expectedly heavier with figures of 15/21/17 mpg, with the 4x4 V8 nearly identical with 15/20/17 mpg. By comparison, the newer 1500 is quite a bit more efficient, with its turbodiesel engine allowing it to return a best of 21/29/24 mpg.

While most variants make do with a 26-gallon gas tank, a 32-gallon tank is found on models with the largest eight-foot bed. Taking this into account, the maximum range will be about 640 miles on the 4x2 with the V6 engine and the maximum fuel capacity. On the other end of the spectrum, the V8 4x4 paired with the smaller tank will only manage 390 miles in the city.