Ram has a reputation for producing some of the best trucks in the North American market, and the recent “best trucks” rankings by MotorTrend show that reputation is well-warranted. The automaker’s offerings were ranked first in three of the six categories, including full-size trucks, heavy-duty trucks, and heavy-duty dually trucks.
Two of the remaining top spots were shared between Chevy and Ford, with the 2022 Ford Maverick taking the crown for the best compact truck and the 2022 Chevrolet Colorado being the best midsize truck. As for the electric trucks category, most of the offerings are yet to be ranked. Nevertheless, below is a breakdown of why the Ram trucks were picked as the best options in their respective categories.
The 2022 Ram 1500
A Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images
MotorTrend ranks the 2022 Ram 1500 first in the full-size truck category with a 9/10 overall rating. The Ram 1500 is priced between $29,515 and $64,395, and the reviewer lists its most notable perks as a comfortable interior filled with tech.
Engines vary with trim and mainly include V6 and V8 options, with Car and Driver mentioning they’re also fitted with a 48-volt hybrid system. Concerning the various subsegments, the full-size truck got an 8.2/10 for performance, 7.6/10 for fuel efficiency, a 9.3/10 for tech, and lastly, 8/10 in terms of value.
Also notable is that the Ram 1500 is a two-time winner of the MotorTrend truck of the year award, having beat other trucks to the title in 2019 and 2021.
2022 Ram 2500
The 2022 Ram 2500 takes the crown in the heavy-duty trucks segment with an overall 9.1/10 score. Like the Ram 1500, MotorTrend notes it comes with a well-designed interior, with the other two main pros being capable engine options and off-road capabilities. Other minor positives include excellent ride quality due to a well-tuned suspension and the truck being less expensive than competing models.
Notably, while the auto reviewer has nothing but good things to say about the gas transmission, it mentions the diesel transmission is outdated. As for the subsegment scores, the 2022 Ram 2500 gets an 8.2/10 for performance, a 9.3/10 for tech, and a stellar 10/10 for value. However, being a heavy-duty truck, fuel efficiency isn’t one of the 2500’s strong suits, and it gets a 5.5/10.
2022 Ram 3500
Clinching the top spot among heavy-duty dually trucks is the 2022 Ram 3500 with an 8.8 MotorTrend score. The reviewer claims that for this class of vehicles, the Ram 3500 offers excellent ride quality and responsive engines that are great for hauling and towing. Also notable is the $39,325 to $71,825 price tag, making it cheaper than some of its competitors.
The 3500 is not short on tech and shares the same 12-inch infotainment touchscreen available in the 1500. Nevertheless, MotorTrend does note some flaws, including the fairly limited six-speed automatic transmission for the diesel options. Additionally, the diesel versions of the truck are also slower than some direct competitors.
Ultimately, the reviewer gives the Ram 3500 an 8/10 for performance, 9.3/10 for tech, and 9/10 for value. However, like the Ram 2500, the 3500 gets a low 5.5/10 for fuel-efficiency.
MotorTrend’s picks for second place
As for the vehicles that played second fiddle to the Ram pickup trucks mentioned above, they all came from the same automaker. The Ford F-150 came in second after the 2022 Ram 1500 with an 8.8/10 MotorTrend score.
The reviewer lists positives such as a variety of powertrains, including electric options and some extra usable features, e.g., an onboard power generator. However, the 2022 F-150 is not nearly as comfortable as the 1500.
Similarly, the Ford F-250 ranked second after the Ram 2500 with an 8.3/10 despite significantly better torque figures at 1,050 lb-ft of torque compared to the Ram’s 850 lb-ft of torque. This would, of course, make it better for cargo and towing. That said, it can get rather bouncy if the truck bed is empty, reducing the ride quality. Also, the top trims are rather expensive.
Lastly, there’s the Ford F-350, and just like the F-250, it can cost buyers a pretty penny depending on trim. MotorTrend notes the design may be a bit old, but that doesn’t take away from the truck’s capabilities. Furthermore, the reviewer praises the F-350’s torque output, especially for the diesel option. It gets an 8.1/10 MotorTrend score.
Keyword: Ram Topped Almost Every Number 1 Spot for Trucks, According to MotorTrend