Five years ago, CNBC reported that RAM is “taking food out of Ford and GM’s mouth.” Apparently, the brand’s popularity has soared to the point where it’s “gone from a 3rd-place also-ran in America’s truck wars to a serious challenger.”

While this doesn’t mean Ford and GM are starving while RAM eats their breakfast, lunch, and dinner, there’s no doubt that an increasing number of people are growing fond of RAM.

Now that we’ve mentioned it, JD Power named the 2023 RAM 1500 the Most Appealing Large Duty Pickup in its Power APEAL study – a study that evaluates the emotional bond between drivers and their vehicles. So, what’s the RAM appeal? Well, we have 13 answers to that question.

The Oil, man, The Oil

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Ford and Chevrolet recommend oil changes every 7,500 to 10,000 miles for their F-150 and Silverado pickup trucks, respectively. Toyota recommends 5,000 to 10,000 miles, all presuming normal driving conditions.

RAM beats all three rivals in this aspect with a class-leading 15,000-mile oil change interval for the RAM 1500. Note that older models that use conventional (not synthetic) oil have shorter intervals of 3,000–5,000 miles.

“Regardless of what your odometer says,” wrote RenaissanceJeep, “Your oil should be swapped out every 7,500 to 15,000 miles, but this also depends on your Bedford driving habits and the type of oil your RAM 1500 requires.”

Something For Everyone

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There’s a perfect RAM for everyone since it offers up to nine trim levels for customers to choose from. Whether you’re a dad, a frequent apartment hopper, a business owner, or just the typical American who can’t wait to join the truck fray, there’s a RAM model to make you happy.

The Tradesman base model is ideal for work, just as the HFE variant of the Tradesman offers similar features with better mileage. Then there’s the Big Horn (Lone Star in Texas) trim with more comfort and convenience features, the Rebel with off-road tires, skid plates, and a more rugged appearance, the more luxurious and techie Laramie, the Limited Longhorn combining luxury and western-themed styling, the Limited upscale trim, performance-oriented TRX with a supercharged engine, and the top-of-the-line Limited Elite trim.

A Bed Like None Other

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The RamBox Cargo Management System, an innovative storage feature built into the bed of a RAM truck, transforms the truck’s bed into one like none other. You’d be surprised how many people choose RAM for this feature alone, comprising weatherproof, lockable, and drainable storage bins built into the side rails of the truck bed.

The space can take small items and even larger tools like rakes, shovels, and fishing rods. If you need to haul longer items, the RamBox even comes with an adjustable cargo bed extender and divider to help you manage and secure cargo effectively.

The driver-side of the illuminated bins (they come with downward-facing LED lights) lets you charge rechargeable tools and other devices via a built-in 115-volt power outlet.

Superb Self-Leveling Suspension System

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A car, SUV, or truck with a self-leveling suspension can maintain a constant ride height regardless of load. Perhaps no one rates the necessity of this feature more than SUVs and truck owners who frequently haul heavy cargo.

While Ford and Chevrolet deploy air suspension systems in their heavy-duty trucks, RAM’s system stands out for its automatic leveling and adjustable ride height.

The RAM 3500, specifically, features an exclusive Auto-Level rear air suspension with automatic leveling capabilities. If you don’t like it or, for any reason, prefer the system doesn’t do all the work for you, you can manually adjust the settings to your driving preferences.

Comfortable Interior

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What does RAM have to say about why people love its trucks? Owners cite evident quality—from a quiet, rock-solid structure to impeccable materials and fit-and-finish—as a key reason they chose a Ram over rivals from Ford, Chevy, and others, RAM says, quoting actual RAM owners Rich and Linda Barritt.

Like the Barritts, many will gladly tell you RAM offers some of the best interiors in the segment. The comfort level can rival that of smaller cars.

“I don’t know of any truck that has cooled seats in back,” continued Rich Barritt, and when you’re driving with people in Florida, that’s awesome… All the noise cancellation built into it is really beautiful. The truck drives so quietly. They really deserve credit for what they’ve done.”

Advanced Technology

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It’s no longer news that many RAM models boast cutting-edge infotainment systems and connectivity options to rival the best across industry segments. This is a big lure for tech-savvy drivers.

The automaker rightly boasts few, prior to the new-gen RAM 1500’s arrival in 2018, had imagined a tough-as-nails truck could be this versatile, comfortable, and bursting with features. The Limited trim’s 12-inch Uconnect touchscreen is one of the highlights.

It “quickly became a national talking point in trucks, dwarfing rivals in screen size and intuitive features. The dramatic screen paired smartly with a configurable center console, large enough to use as a work table or to swallow a laptop.”

Durable Construction

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The automaker did use the term “tough-as-nail” to describe RAM trucks but should you take their word for it? A cursory or deeper search through the web ultimately suggests RAM exhibits rock-solid reliability.

If you listened to car subscription services like FINN, you’d hear that the RAM 1500 is “a full-fledged powerhouse” that “doesn’t merely excel in reliability,” a reliability FINN is happy to say begins with its powertrain, thanks to an engine with enough power for tough work without overstressing the mechanical components.

If you listened to actual owners, you’d hear that “reliability was never a problem” with RAM trucks, “as their drivetrains, from the early flathead sixes to the slant six, 318 poly and 318/360 LA engines,” are durable. They can withstand tough conditions due to their high-strength materials.

Good For Business

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RAM trucks aren’t just good for business in terms of transporting goods and services; they’re literally good for business. In other words, it’s not just about how powerful and capable they are but the business-friendly deals they bring with them. Owners can take advantage of the RAM BusinessLink program, which supports small and midsized businesses that use RAM trucks and vans.

A BusinessLink membership gives you access to a dedicated account manager, priority service at RAM dealerships, extended service hours, loaner vehicles to ensure your business is not interrupted while your vehicle is being serviced, and upfit allowances (discounts for customizing your trucks). It’s easy to see how such privileges influence consumer preferences.

Go, Baby, Go

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For those who care about such things (and we are many), RAM happily announces the 1500 TRX “has the most powerful factory-installed engine in its class.” It’s an obvious reference to the legendary supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 engine (only available on the 2024 RAM TRX) that launches the truck from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.

Among half-ton trucks on the market right now, the RAM 1500 TRX is the one to beat, thanks to its supercharged HEMI producing 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque.

“The twin-screw supercharger provides near instantaneous torque,” says Dodge, “has a maximum speed of 14,600 rpm, and can regulate boost pressure up to an astounding 11.0 psi.” By comparison, Ford’s F-150 Raptor boasts 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, while Chevy’s Silverado uses a V8 producing 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque.

Strong Towing Capacity

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RAM may not be the overall best in every aspect, but it demonstrates highly competitive towing capabilities, nonetheless. The 1500’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 eTorque provides up to 7,750 lbs of towing strength, which moves up to an impressive 12,560 lbs with the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6. The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 is good for 11,610 lbs, while the eTorque is good for 12,750 lbs.

The RAM 2500 model features a 6.4-liter HEMI and a 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel inline-6, each supporting a max towing strength of 17,540 lbs and 20,000 lbs, respectively. The RAM 3500 comes with a 6.4-liter HEMI and a 6.7-liter turbodiesel inline-6, each rewarding the truck with a max towing capacity of 18,210 lbs and 37,100 lbs, respectively.

EcoDiesel Option

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We have to remember there are all kinds of people in discussions about why people love a certain brand. Automakers recognize this along with the growing concern people have about their contributions to the environment and just about how far they can stretch value.

This makes RAM’s EcoDiesel powertrain a valuable asset to the nameplate, offered with the promise of better fuel efficiency and torque. The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 produces 260 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque while still supporting the truck’s 12,560 lbs max towing strength.

Confident Off-Road

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RAM isn’t just the most powerful truck but also satisfyingly off-road capable, equipped with a handful of thoughtful features that inspire confidence when venturing off the beaten paths. You have a slew of advanced safety techs, such as adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring, for your on-road travels and several off-road focused features designed to help you “stake your claim on unknown territory.”

The TRX, specifically, sits eight inches wider than the standard 1500 model, resulting in enhanced balance and agility. The imposing RAM badge on the grille isn’t just for style.

As the 35-inch tires with available beadlock-capable wheels tear through unfriendly terrains and climates, the “porous” badge gulps up to 32.9 liters of air per minute into the engine, ultimately filtering four times as much dirt and debris than the Ford Raptor.

Speaking of the Raptor, RAM goes on to say the TRX’s Bilstein® Black Hawk e shock system is more sophisticated than the Ford Raptor shock system, evenly distributing all 702 horses to the ground and equally suppressing opposing forces from unvarying terrain.

Made In America

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RAM is American, and that’s a big deal for many drivers around the world. It’s not just about quality, though. The truth is many Americans view supporting American brands and their workforce as an important factor in their purchasing decision. In other words, choosing the RAM is patriotism for many, even if they don’t say it.

But how American is RAM trucks, exactly? The 1500 is built in Michigan, while the 2500 and 3500 are assembled in Mexico, with their parts sourced from the US and Canada. As of 2021, about 58% of the RAM 1500’s components were sourced from the US and Canada, while 32% came from Mexico, according to TheDrive.

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