The Ram lineup is one of the simplest ones in the auto industry. Whereas many other companies try to do everything possible—making cars, trucks, and SUVs—Ram does one thing and does it at a higher level than almost anyone else: makes powerful, hard-working trucks that are built for incredible capability. That’s why they offer the standard Ram 1500 and more powerful options like the Ram 2500 and Ram 3500, but you won’t find a Ram SUV or a muscle car. So, where does the Ram 1500 Classic fit into all of this? As your Ram dealer near Mount Holly, we get asked this question quite a lot, and while the answer is pretty simple to start with, there are some specific differences that are well worth understanding. Essentially, the Ram 1500 Classic is the previous-generation model, but it’s still being built as new, so these aren’t old models that have been sitting around for years. Offering this creates more options for drivers looking for a powerful Ram truck with great performance and bold engineering. Let’s take a closer look at what differentiates these two trucks and see which one might best meet your needs.

What a Difference a Generation Makes

To fully appreciate what differentiates these two trucks from each other, we first have to take a step back and better understand the Ram pickup and its generations. First introduced for the 1981 model year, this powerful truck was originally known as the Dodge Ram, and many of us still call it that from time to time simply out of habit. Since it was released more than 40 years ago, it’s been through many different versions, and new generations have been introduced. Notably, with the fourth generation that kicked off for the 2009 model year, the Ram lineup was separated from Dodge and became its own brand starting with the 2011 model year. This was done to give Ram and Dodge more distinct identities, and we think it was an excellent move that makes it easier to know what you’re looking at in a vehicle. The fourth-generation Ram truck is also important because it’s still going. When Ram introduced a fifth generation for their popular pickup for the 2019 model year, they chose to continue making the fourth-generation Ram 1500 since it remained a popular option that was still in demand. Some of us figured it would last a year or two and then fade away or be discontinued; instead, Ram has continued to make this model as the Ram 1500 Classic because it has remained an incredibly popular choice for a lot of drivers. Here, we have the essential difference between the Ram 1500 and the Ram 1500 Classic—the Classic is a fourth-generation version that continues in production, while the standard Ram 1500 is the current fifth generation. With that distinction come a number of additional differences since so many aspects of a vehicle, inside and out, depend on the generation it’s a part of. So, let’s look at how this difference in generation manifests in some distinct and tangible ways that might affect your drive around Mount Holly each day.

Power and Performance

What might surprise some people about the Ram 1500 Classic and the modern Ram 1500 is that they have nearly identical engine options for the moment. When you consider that you’re looking at one truck that’s essentially still in production from when it started 15 years ago and another that was redesigned five years ago, that can be a bit shocking. It’s a testament to just how good the engine has been on this truck for quite some time now. Right now, when looking at 2024 models of the Ram 1500 and the Classic, you’ll find similar engines available. They both feature a standard 3.6L Pentastar V6 with 305 hp; the Ram 1500 Classic has this engine with 269 lb-ft of torque, while the current Ram 1500 is tuned for 273 lb-ft of torque. The Ram 1500 also has an eTorque mild hybrid system on this engine that boosts fuel efficiency and delivers an improved drive. Similarly, both trucks have an available 5.7L HEMI V8 engine that provides 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque, though again, the Ram 1500 has an MHEV eTorque system on this engine. You should keep two important details in mind that make comparing the engines between these two models a bit more complicated. The Ram 1500 has a TRX trim available with an incredible 6.2L HEMI supercharged V8 engine that delivers 702 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, which you can’t find on the Ram 1500 Classic, but you can only get it on the TRX trim. Another factor to note is that Ram has announced new engines for the 2025 Ram 1500, which is getting a mid-cycle update and refresh for its fifth generation. This will include a new Hurricane turbocharged engine with 540 hp and 521 lb-ft of torque. It’s possible the Ram 1500 Classic will not be offered for the 2025 model year, but if it is, we expect its current engines and not the new Hurricane.

Towing and Payload Capability

At first glance, looking at the engines we just saw, it’s easy to assume you get the same kind of performance and driving experience from the Ram 1500 Classic and the current Ram 1500. If you’re just running errands around Mount Holly, that might be correct, but if you’re trying to get any work done, there are some important differences. Ram gave the 1500 pickup an impressive update and redesign for its fifth generation that includes improved capability—engineering means more than just the engine, which you can see as soon as you compare what these two trucks can do. With its standard engine, the 2024 Ram 1500 Classic tops out at 1,930 lbs of payload capacity and 7,660 lbs of maximum towing. Those numbers are great, don’t get us wrong, but they’re more reflective of what we expected from capability a decade ago. By comparison, the current 2024 Ram 1500, with its standard engine, offers up to 2,300 lbs of maximum payload capacity, which shows you how well it’s been built to handle more weight loaded onto it. Similarly, the Ram 1500 Classic, with its available HEMI V8 engine, tops out at 10,520 lbs of maximum towing capacity, while the Ram 1500 with its V8 comes in at 12,750 lbs of maximum towing for hauling stuff around Mount Holly. That’s a pretty significant difference that can matter if you’re looking to get the most work from your pickup, so keep that in mind.

Interior Features and Options

The differences between these two trucks extend far beyond performance and capabilities, but those are clear and simple ways to see how they differ. Similarly, when you look inside these two trucks, it’s easy to see a number of ways that Ram’s designers have improved the interior of the current Ram 1500. For example, the Ram 1500 Classic has a standard 5.0-inch Infotainment display with an 8.4-inch screen available, while the Ram 1500 adds an available 12-inch Infotainment screen to that list that looks absolutely stunning. You’ll find similar differences throughout their interiors; the Ram 1500 Classic is beautifully sophisticated, but it ultimately can’t keep up with the modern changes delivered in the new-generation model.

Bold Ram Trucks for Mount Holly Drivers

Despite these differences, a considerable number of drivers have continued to choose the Ram 1500 Classic every year for the remarkable performance, impressive features, and classic design it offers. Honestly, we don’t blame them—it’s a great-looking truck, and all the evidence we need to prove it is that Ram has known what they’re doing with their trucks for a long time. As we mentioned, however, the future of the Ram 1500 Classic is in doubt more than ever before, with the current Ram 1500 getting a facelift and update for the 2025 model year. Only the top brass at Stellantis and Ram know if we’ll see a 2025 Ram 1500 Classic, but we wouldn’t be surprised either way. If not, we still have the 2024 model to enjoy now, with its great features and classic style inside and out.