What's the Difference Between the Ram 1500 and Ram Classic?

A silver 2022 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock is shown parked outside of a farm.

Since 2019, Ram has been offering pickup truck shoppers an opportunity to indulge in a bit of recent history by purchasing a Ram 1500 Classic from their local Ram dealer. This has been a popular option that has managed to stick around for years, even though it's a design that hearkens back to a bygone generation of Ram pickup trucks. But why is the Ram Classic so popular, and what is the difference between it and the normal Ram 1500? Well, you're in luck because that's exactly what this article discusses. A lot of shoppers ask us these exact questions, so let us break down for you the ins and outs and the ups and downs between the Ram Classic vs Ram 1500.

Big Updates in 2016 Leading To 2019 Changes

In order to understand the differences between the Ram Classic and Ram 1500, you have to first understand where the Ram Classic came from. It started with a major update to select trims for the 2016 model year. Most trims retained the iconic Ram look, but the Ram Rebel and Ram Laramie Limited received new exteriors. This included a brand new grille and logo for Ram, featuring a bold "RAM" on the front. This was a departure from the crosshair design that the Ram had been known for since the early 1990s.

This was the turning point for making the big change to the Ram and moving it into the new aesthetic it would eventually settle on for the 2019 model year. The 2019 model year marked the introduction of the fifth generation of Ram pickup trucks. It was at this point that the classic crosshair grille was moved out of the main line-up and re-branded as the Ram Classic. This signified that the classic look represented a visual theme for the Ram from previous generations, whereas the standard Ram 1500 was going to be the present and future of the brand.

A black 2022 Ram 1500 Classic is shown parked on a city street.

Ram Classic vs Ram 1500 Trims

From the 2019 model year onward, the trim line-up is where things really created the separation between the Ram Classic and Ram 1500. For those visiting a Ram dealer in Canada, you no longer simply picked a Ram 1500 trim and were treated to the iconic cross-shaped grille from the previous generations. Now, every trim featured the all-new fascia and badging design signifying the generational shift for the popular pickup.

Alternatively, the Ram Classic was designated as its own model, separate from the standard Ram 1500. From the Ram 1500 Big Horn up to the TRX, and from the Ram Classic Tradesman up to the Warlock, there are some major differences between the Ram Classic and Ram 1500 when it comes to trims alone. You can check out the list below to see which trims are available for the two different models and how they differ.

For the 2022 Ram 1500 Classic, the trim line-up includes:

  • Tradesman
  • SLT
  • Express
  • Night Edition
  • Warlock

For the 2022 Ram 1500, the trim line-up includes:

  • Tradesman
  • Big Horn
  • Sport
  • Rebel
  • Laramie
  • Limited Longhorn
  • Limited
  • TRX

Ram Classic vs Ram 1500 Colours

It may not seem like a huge deal, but both the Ram Classic and Ram 1500 have different colour options depending on the trim. For the Ram Classic, all five of the trims come with the same eight colour offerings. Regardless of which trim you opt for, the colours for the Ram Classic stay the same across the board. So if you want a specific trim with specific features of the Ram Classic variety in a specific colour, you can do so. These include:

  • Bright White
  • Flame Red
  • Red Pearl
  • Hydro Blue Pearl
  • Patriot Blue Pearl
  • Billet Metallic
  • Granite Crystal Metallic
  • Diamond Black Crystal Pearl

The Ram 1500 is a bit different, as the colour variety is dependent on the trim. Upper-end trims and special editions get different colours than the standard entry and mid-level trims. For instance, the Tradesman and the Big Horn have the exact same colour options as the Ram 1500 Classic. The Ram 1500 Sport, Rebel, TRX, Limited Longhorn, and Laramie, however, have a slightly different variety of colours you can acquire from a Ram dealer.

For instance, the Sport and Laramie add Ivory White Tri-Coat and Maximum Steel to the line-up. The Limited has seven colours available and is missing Hydro Blue from its line-up, but otherwise features all of the same colours as the other trims. The Rebel, TRX and Limited Longhorn, meanwhile, only have six available colours. Also, Patriot Blue Pearl, Ivory White Tri-Coat and Red Pearl are not available for the Rebel and TRX, while Hydro Blue, Granite Crystal, and Flame Red are not available for the Limited Longhorn.

A grey 2022 Ram 1500 is shown parked near a Ram dealer.

Ram Classic vs Ram 1500 Features

Apart from the looks and colours, there are also a few changes to the feature sets for the Ram Classic and Ram 1500. Most importantly, a cab option is missing from the Ram 1500. The Ram Classic is available in a two-door Regular Cab format, a Quad Cab, and a Crew Cab. The Quad Cab format features two full-size doors and two smaller rear doors to access the rear seats, while the Crew Cab has four full-size doors. The standard Ram 1500, however, is only available in the Quad Cab and Crew Cab formats. If you select the Regular Cab, you also have access to a 2.4-metre bed that is not available with the other two cabs. If you do not choose the Regular Cab, both the Ram Classic and Ram 1500 have the same 1.7-metre and 1.9-metre bed options.

The two options, found at our truck dealership in Edmonton, also feature similar drivetrain configurations, including rear-wheel and four-wheel drive. However, the Ram Classic powertrain configurations are limited to just the standard 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 and the available 5.7-litre HEMI V8. The Ram 1500 shares those same two engine options, but it can pair them with the eTorque mild-hybrid system for added power and efficiency. It also offers the 3.0-litre EcoDiesel V6 and the supercharged HEMI V8 in the TRX.

Additionally, all of the luxury and off-road features available for trims like the Rebel, Laramie, Limited, and TRX are not available for the Ram 1500 Classic. This means that the larger 31 cm infotainment suite, Uconnect 5 multimedia system, and comfort features like the 12-way power driver seat with lumbar support are not available for the Ram Classic 1500. So these are a few of the major feature differences between both iterations of the truck.

Which Ram Is Right for You?

Now that you have an idea of what the Ram Classic offers and what the standard Ram 1500 offers, you have to decide which one is right for you. It might seem like it's an easy decision when you visit us to get a new or used pickup, but keep in mind that the two versions of the truck serve different purposes. The Ram Classic 1500 is designed for work purposes. Hence why its trims are almost entirely work-oriented, with heavy-duty shocks and workhorse powertrain configurations.

If you need a reliable pickup, especially a two-door model that's affordable, rugged, and powerful, the Ram Classic is the way to go. It's a no-nonsense full-size pickup that affords you up to 4,836 kg of towing with a maximum payload capacity of 875 kg. The standard Ram 1500 does net you slightly higher tow and payload capacity ratings thanks to having access to the EcoDiesel and HEMI with eTorque engines, so the max towing tops out at 5,783 kg while the max payload is 1,043 kg.

Of course, you're also looking at a higher cost of entry for the standard Ram 1500 vs the Ram Classic, so that's something you have to consider. If you want a Ram with all the bells, whistles, and luxury items, then the standard Ram 1500 is the way to go. If you want a dependable, affordable, work-ready, equipped, light-duty pickup truck, then the Ram Classic is a great option worth considering. Still have questions? Contact us to learn more or swing by Londonderry CDJR to see these two trucks in person.