Ram bolsters ranks with 2024 1500 Big Horn as Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra loom

Ram has a new 1500 truck in town, suitably named Big Horn, that will be the new entry point to the range as the previous-generation model winds down.

Priced at $119,950 before on-road costs for the 5'7" tub variant, rising to $120,950 for the 6'4" version, the Big Horn is the most affordable version of the latest DT-series 1500 truck.

Ram Australia is still selling through its outgoing DS-generation, priced at $98,950 drive-away.

The Big Horn sits below the Laramie (from $127,950 before on-road costs), new Laramie Sport ($136,850), Limited ($156,950) and fire-breathing 523kW/882Nm TRX ($224,950).

Powering the big horn is a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 petrol engine, punching out 291kW/556Nm to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

To keep fuel costs down however, the Big Horn features mild-hybrid technology, as well as cylinder deactivation and a stop/start system, resulting in a 12.2 litres per 100km economy rating.

Maximum braked towing capacity is rated at 4.5 tonnes.

Standard equipment on the Big Horn includes cloth seats that Ram Australia describes as "robust", a 60/40 split folding rear bench seat, electric rear sliding cab window, heated front seats, and a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel.

For multimedia, there is an 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen, which is equipped with wired Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay.

The big-unit Ram 1500 also features trailer sway control, hill-start assist, "a full suite of airbags", cruise control, and front and rear parking sensors to help in manoeuvring the full-sized pick-up.

Ram's 1500 line-up (both outgoing DS and current DT generations) leads the pack in terms of popularity in the full-sized pick-up market, accounting for a 63 per cent share, or 3979 sales, to the end of July this year.

However, the segment is due for a shake-up later this year with the introduction of the factory-backed Ford F-150, as well as the Toyota Tundra that's due next year.