2028 Ram RampageMotorTrendCompact Ram stylingStrong turbo-four potentialNew blood for brandU.S. specs unconfirmedDiesel unlikely to come hereThe Rampage could give Ram something it has never had in the U.S.: a true compact pickup. Expected to slot below the new Dakota, this unibody truck would aim less at traditional work-truck buyers and more at shoppers who want Ram style, useful capability, and an easier-to-live-with footprint.AdvertisementAdvertisementSmall truck competitors include the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz.What's NewThe 2028 Rampage is expected to be an all-new model for the U.S. market, giving Ram its first entry in the compact-pickup segment. Already sold in South America, the Rampage is a unibody pickup aimed most directly at the Ford Maverick. Reports suggest the North American version should arrive largely unchanged, aside from updates needed to meet U.S. regulations.Unlike the body-on-frame Dakota, the Rampage is expected to follow a more urban-friendly, lifestyle-truck formula, with off-road and sport-themed variants likely to mirror the South American Rebel and R/T trims. In Brazil, the Rampage is offered with turbocharged four-cylinder gas and four-cylinder turbodiesel powertrains, plus available 4WD.If Ram keeps the U.S. model close to the global-market truck, expect a compact pickup with more premium positioning than the least expensive Maverick trims, a tech-heavy cabin, available AWD or 4x4 capability, and styling inspired by Ram's larger trucks.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis page will be updated with more insights and photos as information becomes available.Top-Ranked Competitors:Ford MaverickHyundai Santa CruzSlate TruckHonda RidgelinePerformanceRam has not announced U.S.-market powertrains for the 2028 Rampage, but the South American–market truck is offered with two turbocharged four-cylinder engines.The most likely U.S. candidate is a 2.0-liter turbocharged gas engine rated at about 268 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. A 2.2-liter turbocharged diesel is also available in that market with about 197 hp and 332 lb-ft, though a diesel option seems less likely for North America.If the Rampage comes here largely unchanged, expect a nine-speed automatic transmission and available all-wheel drive or 4x4. The gas engine should make the Rampage one of the stronger small pickups, while the diesel would emphasize low-end torque and efficiency.AdvertisementAdvertisementFor reference, the gas-powered Ford Maverick uses a 2.0-liter turbo-four that makes 238 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, while the Hyundai Santa Cruz is available with a larger 2.5-liter turbo-four rated at 281 hp and 311 lb-ft.In MotorTrend testing, the Maverick reached 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, while the Santa Cruz was slightly slower at 6.3 seconds. Provided the Rampage does not weigh significantly more than its rivals, it should be similarly quick.Safety FeaturesThe South American–market truck offers some familiar modern driver assists. Available or standard equipment in that market includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keep assist, automatic high-beams, adaptive cruise control, lane centering assistance, parking sensors, a rearview camera, stability and traction control, and trailer sway control.Higher trims also offer a driver assistance system that combines adaptive cruise control with lane centering, though it requires the driver to keep their hands on the wheel. That suggests Ram could offer similar semi-autonomous assistance on the U.S.-market Rampage.Payload CapacityIn the South American market, the Rampage is rated to carry about 1,653 pounds with its turbocharged gas engine and about 2,238 pounds with its turbodiesel.AdvertisementAdvertisementThat would put the gas Rampage slightly ahead of the gas-powered Maverick, which is rated for up to 1,500 pounds of payload, and the turbocharged Santa Cruz, which is listed with a 1,411-pound maximum vehicle load limit. The diesel Rampage's payload rating is substantially higher than both, though that version seems less likely for the U.S.We are not comparing towing capacity here because the available South American Rampage technical sheets list unbraked towing capacity, which does not line up cleanly with the braked trailer ratings typically used for U.S.-market trucks. Final U.S. payload and towing ratings will depend on the version Ram sells here.TechnologyIf Ram brings the Rampage here largely unchanged, that equipment would already make it competitive with other small pickups. The South American–market truck points to a fairly upscale setup. Current versions offer a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual phone pairing, wireless charging with cooling, and six USB ports.That Rampage is also available with a Harman Kardon audio system with 10 speakers as part of an optional package that also adds ambient interior lighting and a power-adjustable passenger seat.Street and Off-Road RampagesIf we get them in the U.S., the Rebel and R/T trims would likely give the Rampage two distinct personalities. The Rebel is the rugged-looking, trail-leaning version, with all-terrain tires and off-road-oriented hardware. The R/T is the street-performance model, pairing the turbocharged gas engine with a sport suspension, lower ride height, larger wheels, sport exhaust, and unique interior trim.AdvertisementAdvertisementRam has not confirmed U.S.-market trims, but those two versions would give the Rampage a clearer spread than the Maverick's mostly value- and utility-focused lineup.
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