Ram originally rolled out the fifth generation of its 1,500 half-ton pickup trucks for the 2019 model year. For 2023, Ram trucks will not receive major mechanical or visual redesigns. But the lineup will get some new tech, luxury options designed for the Grand Wagoneer SUV, and an off-road Rebel trim for the Ram 2500.
The Ram 2500 Rebel is a new truck for 2023
2023 will be the first year of a Rebel off-road package for the Ram 2500. This heavy-duty 4×4 offers 11.1 inches of ground clearance, 33-inch tires, a rear-lock differential, skid plates and Bilstein shock absorbers.
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When it comes to raw, rock-crawling capabilities, the Ram 2500 still takes the cake. This is because the Ram truck is equipped with a winch, front box and over 14 inches of ground clearance. But all this technology does affect the Power Wagon’s uncompromising capabilities and towing capacity on the road. it also costs about $3,000 more than the Ram 2500 Rebel.
You can get into a heavy Ram 2500 Rebel for $67,045. But unlike the Power Wagon, you can add this pack to multiple trims with multiple engines. This means that you can equip a Ram 2500 Rebel with the Cummins turbo diesel engine.
The Ram 2500 Rebel will likely be a popular option for off-road enthusiasts who want a 4×4 capacity truck that can also haul all their toys to the trailhead. It is a direct competitor to the Ford F-250 Tremor with its available Powerstroke engine.
Ram adds technology to its 2023 trucks
While there is no major redesign for 2023 Ram trucks, they are getting many new features. One of the most exciting is the Selec-Speed Control off-road driver assistance, which comes with select packages. You can think of it as a low-speed cruise control designed for the trail.
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2023 Ram 1500 trucks will also get active safety systems as standard. This includes key features such as blind spot monitoring, collision warnings and even braking assistance. These features have been available for years, but Ram charged extra. Years ago, Aries promised to make them standard by the fall of 2022.
Luxury features designed for the Grand Wagoneer appear in Ram trucks
The Stellantis engineers may not have designed an entirely new generation of the Ram 1500 for 2023. But they’ve been working hard on other projects that benefited the Ram 1500.
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Wagoneer is a sub-brand of Jeep that includes the luxury SUVs Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. These full-size SUVs are built on a custom Ram 1500 frame, packed with options. Wagoneer features migrating to the new Ram 1500 include a heads-up display and a 12-inch frameless digital meter cluster.
The new trim level of the Ram 1500 Limited Elite starts at a hefty $65,305. But it will be loaded with deluxe features straight out of the Grand Wagoneer. This includes 12-way heated, ventilated seats. It also gets a premium stereo and even a bejeweled shift knob.
The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer also have independent rear suspension. In 2023 they will add a 3.0-litre I6 good for 510 horsepower to their engine line-up. Perhaps these features are a taste of the next-generation Ram pickup.
Learn more about the inline six-cylinder V8 replacement from Stellantis or watch the 2023 Ram 2500 Rebel reviewed in the video below:
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