A red 2020 Ram 1500 Classic Express is next to a black 1500 in front of a barn.

The Difference Between the 2020 Ram 1500 and the Ram 1500 Classic

Are you shopping for a new pickup truck? If you are, you’ve probably noticed the sheer number of options out there, particularly within the Ram family lineup. From light-duty pickups to hefty workhorses that are all utility, the Ram brand has plenty of unique faces within its collection, and one of them is the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic. The 2020 Ram 1500 Classic is an iteration of the model that has garnered plenty of attention across the industry. Known for its remarkable power, and iconic styling, the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic is an eye-catching pickup truck that adds a bit of flair and positive difference from the model that currently graces the pavement. Although, if you’re in the market for a new Ram, you may be asking yourself, ‘which of these two groundbreaking pickup trucks deserves more of my attention?’ the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic or the traditional Ram 1500? Continue reading, where we’ll showcase the major differences.

What You Get Out of the 2020 Ram 1500

The 2020 Ram 1500, in many ways, is everything you should be able to expect out of a flagship pickup truck, with its incredibly diverse trim lineup, and solid low cost. The trim levels in the 2020 Ram 1500 include the Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star, Rebel, Laramie, Laramie Longhorn, and Limited. This extra bit of choice comes with a decent sticker price of $32, 145 MSRP. The 2020 Ram 1500 is designed to appeal to a broad audience of potential drivers, from the commercial fleet owner to the utility-nut who puts power and spacing above all things.

When you purchase a base model of the 2020 Ram 1500, you’ll get a pretty solid powertrain, with base models getting a 3.6-liter V6 engine that uses the assistance of a 48-volt electric motor generator that improves performance, providing up to 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. What makes the Ram 1500 a standout on the road, is the offering of both a V8 and a turbodiesel V6 engine. The 3.0-liter turbodiesel puts out 260 horsepower and a tremendous 480 lb-ft of torque, giving it a simply mind-blowing tow-capacity of 12,560 lbs, which can come in handy if you’re looking to put your pickup truck to some serious work. The 5.7-liter V8, on the other hand, pushes specs even further, rated for 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft worth of torque. So, it’s easy to say that the 2020 Ram 1500 is a serious star in terms of performance.

When shopping for a pickup truck, chances are you’re looking for a truck with a sizable rear bed. The rear-bed of a pickup truck can make or break the truck’s overall value, and fortunately, the 2020 Ram 1500 does provide two solid bed configurations. When you purchase the latest Ram 1500, you’ll find a 5.7-foot and 6.4-foot bed. You’ll also get a pretty sizable interior that sports an available three-seat bench in the front as well as a spacious rear seat. Cloth and leather upholstery are both available in the Ram 1500, which can provide either a more practical or truly premium ride. There are other available additions that you can equip to the 2020 Ram 1500, and they include highlights like a spray-in bed liner, cargo tie-downs, and custom Ram box storage compartments.

The bed storage on a black 2020 Ram 1500 is shown.

Technology in the 2020 Ram 1500 is particularly remarkable, existing well beyond what you can typically find in competitor models who tend to short-change the amount of technology packed inside base models. For instance, in the Laramie model, you’ll get a 7.0-inch gauge cluster information screen as well as an 8.4-inch infotainment screen that’s complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. That 8.4-inch infotainment display can be upgraded seamlessly though, jumping up to a much larger 12.0-inch infotainment screen.

Automotive technology in the 2020 Ram 1500 goes well beyond just the range of entertainment, expanding into areas of safety and driver assistance. While you won’t find much in the way of safety in base models, you can certainly find quite the array in the Advanced Safety Group package available in the Laramie, Rebel, Laramie Longhorn, and Limited truck models. Some of the features in this package include top-notch features such as active lane control, lane departure warnings, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beams.

This is just a summary of what you can expect to find in the 2020 Ram 1500, but what about the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic?

How the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic Differs

The 2020 Ram 1500 Classic is a little different than what you’ll find in the 2020 Ram 1500. For one, you’ll get a much narrower selection of trims, including only the Tradesman, Express, and Warlock. Although, just because you have fewer trim options doesn’t mean you’ll get less capability. When it comes to power, the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic is still plenty capable, giving drivers two different, yet still quite capable powertrains. One is a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, which puts out 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft worth of torque. Backing up this V6 engine is a bit more powerful 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine, which tops out the performance of the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic at 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque.

Thanks to the eight-speed automatic transmission, your experience behind the wheel is bound to be responsive and high-powered regardless of how you push it. When equipped with the Hemi V8, the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic gets a max towing capacity of 10,680 pounds, and with Electronic Stability Control and Trailer Sway Control, you should have no issue hauling even the heftiest load of cargo.

A white 2020 Ram 1500 Classic is driving on the highway.

While not as robust in power as the 2020 Ram 1500, what’s here is still a lot better than what competitor models bring to the table. Not only that, the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic offers far more truck bed options, including a 5.7-foot bed, 6.4-foot bed, and even 8-foot bed. You’ll also get a more unique appearance than what can be found in traditional models. From the blacked-out front grille of the Ram 1500 Classic Warlock to the chrome finish found in the Tradesman trim, the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic is certainly a looker.

Stepping into the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic is a real treat, as every model comes with a cabin meticulously designed for comfort and ease of access. Take the 8.4-inch infotainment touch-screen which comes as standard in some trims and the high-definition digital display cluster which gives you a detailed readout of the status of your vehicle, and you’ll end up with a pickup truck that does a pretty great job at giving you all of the information you need. The 2020 Ram 1500 Classic also benefits from all of the driver assistance features offered in the basic model, even going so far as to give drivers an intuitive Rear Park Assist system, which makes moving a big truck like the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic a simple breeze.

Classic or Not?

The 2020 Ram 1500 Classic offers plenty of curb appeal, and with the decently low MSRP of $27,645, this is a pickup truck worth experiencing if you want something unique, powerful, and iconic. The options of a Hemi V8 and some seriously captivating exterior styling options, the 2020 Ram 1500 Classic is certainly worth the buy, especially if you want something that stands out from the rest.