2020 RAM 1500 vs 2021

What's the difference?

It's like one day there was no such thing as a jumbo-truck segment in Australia. And then the very next day the market was booming. And that's almost entirely down to the arrival of the locally converted Ram range in 2018.

We’re talking significant numbers, too. Ram sold almost 2700 of its 1500 truck in 2019 alone. And yes, I know that’s nowhere near Toyota HiLux figures, but for a truck that starts at around $80,000, and that is absolutely massive, those are some seriously big numbers. 

So big, in fact, that other brands have taken notice. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has now launched in Australia, giving the Ram a true like-for-like competitor in our market. Toyota is eyeing the US-born Tundra for Australia, too. And likewise Ford with the next F-150.

All of which means Ram can’t afford to rest on its laurels. Which brings us to why we find ourselves in Los Angeles (before the Covid-19 pandemic struck, of course). See, the new 2021 Ram 1500 is expected to arrive in Australia by the end of the year, but we couldn't wait that long to tell you what it's like.

And given the vehicle had already launched in the USA, we knew exactly what we had to do…

The new-generation Ram 1500, designated the DT Series, has arrived. 

This is a modern utility vehicle in the true sense of the word: it’s able to tow 4.5 tonnes, it sports a grunt-heavy 5.7-litre Hemi V8, it has a very versatile load space and it’s equipped with a stack of safety tech – all of that in a premium package.

I spent seven days with the Limited, the new top-spec Ram 1500 in the line-up, and it’s a prestige ute if ever I’ve had the pleasure of driving one.

So, does this luxurious full-size pick-up truck deserve your attention? Read on.