Three Reasons Drivers Value the Fifth-Generation Ram 1500

For drivers who prioritize extreme reliability, torque-heavy powerplants, and excellent ride quality in a full-size truck, the fifth generation of the renowned Ram 1500 line is widely considered an excellent choice. Drivers know exactly what they’re getting in a Ram truck, and it’s exactly what full-size trucks are celebrated for providing: steady power, enhanced capability, and practical versatility. With its rugged styling, towing and payload brawn, and a well-appointed interior loaded with comfort and convenience, the fifth-gen Ram 1500 has been a top seller since it premiered in 2019. 

 

Now in its eighth model year of production, the Ram 1500 continues to wow drivers with its many outstanding features. Although the new 2026 Ram 1500 is still part of the fifth generation of the legendary truck’s production run, fifth-gen models from previous years continue to be coveted. They provide a great option for drivers who want the innovative engineering and precision-driven quality of a Ram at a lower price point. While there are many reasons drivers consider purchasing a used Ram for sale, we cover three of the most compelling reasons for the continuing popularity of pre-owned fifth-generation Ram 1500 models here.

When praising the merits of the fifth-gen Ram 1500, it makes sense to begin with its versatile, capable powertrain options, which offer the horsepower and torque to tackle a wide variety of tasks. The Ram 1500’s exceptional towing and payload capacity is due to the lineup of precision-engineered powerplants, giving drivers the opportunity to select a powertrain that best conforms to their daily needs. 

 

The fifth-generation Ram 1500 premiered in 2019 with three primary engine options: a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with eTorque, a 5.7-liter HEMI V8, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel turbo diesel V6. Drivers could also opt for a version of the HEMI powerplant with the eTorque option, which adds an electric motor to boost low-end torque and improve fuel efficiency. In 2021, Ram introduced its high-performance entry into the Ram 1500 lineup, the TRX, which used a 6.2-liter Hellcat supercharged HEMI V8 that produced 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque for dizzying performance on the road and off.

 

For the 2025 model year, Ram dropped the HEMI options from the Ram 1500 lineup, replacing them with a turbocharged 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-6. Despite being a smaller engine, the turbo‘s output of up to 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of torque trumped the indomitable HEMI’s 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque in the eTorque configuration. The Hurricane also achieved that boost in power while offering a notable improvement in fuel efficiency over the 5.7-liter HEMI. 

 

However, HEMI fans can rejoice because the large-displacement legend is making a return in the 2026 edition of the Ram 1500, offering drivers continued versatility and hard-working power. Older fifth-generation models can be found with the EcoDiesel option, but it was dropped following the 2023 model year. There are rumors that a revamped diesel powerplant may return in the future, but the current 2026 Ram 1500 doesn’t offer a diesel option.

 

With such a wide range of engine options available in used Ram trucks, drivers can tailor performance and efficiency to meet their needs. Those who want a practical, capable pickup with strong fuel efficiency can opt for the smaller Pentastar engine for better fuel mileage, while those who want maximum towing power can opt for a HEMI-equipped model. For drivers seeking maximum performance, a used truck with a Hellcat or Hurricane under the hood can offer an exhilarating driving experience. 

Ride quality isn’t just about power and torque, however, and the fifth-generation Ram 1500 is known for its smooth, luxurious ride. Although trucks are built primarily for practical tasks like towing and hauling, the Ram 1500 offers exceptional comfort and handling, due in part to its innovative suspension system. 

 

Though technically introduced on the fourth-gen Ram 1500, the coil-spring rear suspension became a game-changer for improving ride quality in the fifth-gen Ram 1500. Previous incarnations of the Ram 1500 and full-size trucks from other automakers relied on rear leaf spring suspension. Because trucks from prior generations were primarily designed for their working capability, such as carrying heavy payloads and towing bulky cargo, leaf springs were common despite the less-responsive, springy ride quality they offer. 

 

However, the Ram 1500 departed from that tradition, employing a coil spring rear suspension in the fourth generation that continued with the fifth generation. The suspension features a metal coil instead of flat leaf springs, which gives the Ram 1500 a more car-like ride quality and enhanced comfort without sacrificing the truck’s practical load-hauling capabilities.

 

Coil spring suspensions offer a more controlled range of motion, improved contact with the driving surface, and better shock absorption qualities, so they soak up vibrations and shocks from potholes for a tighter, more controlled ride. They also have greater leeway for customization when adding components for better off-road performance, and they have reduced maintenance and repair costs compared to leaf springs.

 

The calculated risk of breaking with tradition and embracing the benefits of coil springs gave the fifth-generation Ram 1500 an advantage over competing full-size truck models. In fact, competitors have taken notice, with Ford and Toyota now beginning to employ coil spring rear suspension in their full-size trucks. However, if you're looking for a used truck with this feature, Ram may be your only option.

At the heart of every full-size truck, towing and payload capacity are key considerations that ensure your pickup isn’t just a performer on the pavement. After all, trucks originated as hard-working vehicles built for tackling tough tasks, like moving materials and equipment to the job site, carrying hay and feed across the pasture, or pulling a trailer loaded with heavy equipment. 

 

Since its introduction in 2019, the Ram 1500’s fifth-generation incarnation has offered exceptional towing and payload capacity, though specific metrics depend on engine choice, truck configuration, and equipment selections. For example, over the production run of the fifth generation, maximum towing capacity has varied from 8,110 pounds for the 3.6-liter Pentastar to a high point of 12,750 pounds for the HEMI e-Torque-equipped powertrain.

 

The same can be said about the payload capacity of fifth-generation Ram 1500 models, as cargo-hauling capabilities vary with equipment selections, cab and bed configurations, and powertrain choices. For example, the Ram 1500 TRX with its Hellcat HEMI V8 has a mere 1,310 pounds of onboard payload capacity, while models with the reliable Pentastar powerplant can carry as much as 2,370 pounds, depending on the model year and other equipment considerations.

 

Towing and payload power are priorities in the Ram 1500, giving drivers the ability to move heavy loads with ease. Its onboard cargo capacity offers tremendous convenience and flexibility for modest payloads, and though the Ram 1500 is considered a light-duty truck, it offers heavy-duty towing capacity that allows it to efficiently move equipment and supplies on the jobsite, around town, and on the open road.

With versatile powertrain options, hard-working towing and payload capacity, and car-like ride quality thanks to its refined suspension, the fifth-generation Ram 1500 continues to win fans among drivers who prioritize those qualities. These Ram 1500 models demonstrate that a truck can be rugged and practical without sacrificing comfort, convenience, and ride quality, with an efficient yet powerful engine lineup and innovative coil spring rear suspension. 

 

Though new production 2026 Ram 1500 models are still a part of the fifth generation, there are models reaching back to 2019 that offer many of the same strengths and features found in new trucks. With world-class reliability, practical power, and innovative tech and safety features, a pre-owned fifth-generation Ram 1500 continues to offer drivers automotive excellence in a hard-working, performance-driven, full-size package.