Pricing Announced for 2019 Ram 1500, Rebates Abound for 2018 Models

Matthew Guy
by Matthew Guy

Ram announced pricing today for its snazzy new 1500 pickup and, while the relentless upward march of MRSPs continues unabated, starting prices may not have risen as much as you may think.

Critically, Ram also saw fit to release the costs for upgrading to their intriguing eTorque Hemi, a power team that promises the trucker’s holy grail – extra low-end grunt for hauling and increased fuel economy on the highway.

Hewing to another law of retailing, while base prices for the 2019 model haven’t moved the needle significantly from last year’s sticker, 2018 models now enjoy large rebates in some markets.

The least expensive 2019 Ram pickup is the Tradesman Quad Cab 4×2, priced at $31,695 plus the unavoidable $1,645 destination fee. Destination is $250 more than last year. For that princely sum, shoppers will find FCA’s corporate 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar under the hood, now bestowed with eTorque technology. Ram’s eight-speed automatic is part of the deal.

Compare that to the 2018 Tradesman Quad Cab 4×2, a trim that delivers the same engine without eTorque, absent of a stereo without uConnect goodies, and five-lug hubs for $30,895 plus $1,395 destination. All things considered, a net price hike of $1,050 is not bad at all. The new truck is also equipped with a backup camera, power accessories, and keyless entry.

Topping the Ram range is the snazzy Limited Crew Cab 4×4, which comes standard with the 5.7-liter Hemi V8. It stickers at $57,390 plus destination, $595 more than last year’s truck in the same spec. Given the new truck incorporates a raft of new technologies, including the dazzling Jumbotron 12-inch infotainment screen, the cost increase is quite reasonable. Plus, y’know, there’s the intangible benefit of being seen by yer neighbors in a 2019 model.

Even though MSRPs haven’t changed significantly, shoppers should be aware that the outgoing 2018 model now has some significant cash on its hood. For example, a 2018 Rebel Crew Cab 4×4 is listed at $47,395 – a mere $100 less than an equivalent 2019 model – but has upwards of $6,250 in rebates and bonus cash in some markets (such as the Southeast). Smart customers should do their homework and bargain hard if they’re considering a leftover 2018 Ram of any stripe.

Prices for the Off Road Group were not revealed, a figure this author is dearly looking forward to learning. This new package is available on a myriad of 4×4 trims and endows the pickup with much of the kit that comes standard on the off-road focused Rebel. Featuring a rear locker, HD suspension bits, and skid plates, your author certainly enjoys the prospect of a bucks-deluxe Limited Crew Cab being fitted with knobby all-terrain tires from the factory. If the Off Road Group is even close to being a reasonable price, it could be the must-check option box of the year.

In the proletariat Tradesman, Big Horn, and Rebel trims, the optional Hemi V8 with eight-speed automatic transmission will set you back $1,195, while the eTorque-equipped Hemi is $1,995. The latter engine won’t show up on dealer lots until later this year. High-spec Laramie, Laramie Longhorn, and Limited pricing reflects the standard 5.7-liter V8, while the late-to-the-party eTorque Hemi will be an additional $800.

Alert readers will spy the obvious lack of single-cab Rams in the 2019 lineup. For now, the company will continue to crank out copies of the old body style, selling them alongside the new one for the time being. To this author’s understanding, lower-spec trucks (such as single-cab work machines) will make up the bulk of the old body style for now. A regular cab 2019 Ram pickup has not been shown.

Base sticker prices for the maze of trims and drivetrains are listed below. We will have a full First Drive report of the new Ram 1500 later next week.

[Images: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]

Matthew Guy
Matthew Guy

Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.

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  • Eggsalad Eggsalad on Mar 06, 2018

    That's the base model of truck they *want* to sell you. There will, at some point, be a $27k regular cab long bed, for (mostly) sale to city fleets. None of the big 2.5 actually wants to be selling these fleet-spec strippers because they take up production space from more profitable versions, but no one wants to be the first to ditch the regular-cab trucks.

    • See 3 previous
    • Eggsalad Eggsalad on Mar 06, 2018

      @Scoutdude: I'm sure you're right. I usually don't know as much about the car business as I think I do.

  • Ponchoman49 Ponchoman49 on Mar 07, 2018

    1645 destination charge. And I thought 1395 was absurd. This takes it to new heights. My buddy bought two Buick Century station wagons for less than that 3 years ago and is still driving both. And it's not like gas prices are back up to 5 bucks per gallon either so this is a huge profits making scheme for sure.

  • Gray Here in Washington state they want to pass a law dictating what tires you can buy or not. They want to push economy tires in a northern state full of rain and snow. Everything in my driveway wears all terrains. I'm not giving that up for an up to 3 percent difference.
  • 1995 SC I remember when Elon could do no wrong. Then we learned his politics and he can now do no right. And we is SpaceX always left out of his list of companies?
  • Steve Biro I’ll try one of these Tesla driverless taxis after Elon takes one to and from work each and every day for five years. Either he’ll prove to me they are safe… or he’ll be dead. Think he’ll be willing to try it?
  • Theflyersfan After the first hard frost or freeze - if the 10 day forecast looks like winter is coming - that's when the winter tires go on. You can call me a convert to the summer performance tire and winter tire car owner. I like the feel of the tires that are meant to be used in that season, and winter tires make all of the difference in snowy conditions. Plus, how many crazy expensive Porsches and Land Rovers do we see crashed out after the first snow because there's a chance that the owner still kept their summer tires on. "But...but...but I have all wheel drive!!!" Yes, so all four tires that now have zero grip can move in unison together.
  • Theflyersfan One thing the human brain can do very well (at least hopefully in most drivers) is quickly react to sudden changes in situations around them. Our eyes and brains can quickly detect another driving dangerously, a construction zone that popped up while we were at work, dense fog out of nowhere, conflicting lines and signs on some highways, kids darting out between cars, etc. All of this self driving tech has shown us that it is maybe 80% of the way there, but it's that last 20% that still scares the crap out of us. Self driving computers can have multiple cameras feeding the system constant information, but can it react in time or can it work through conflicting data - think of construction zones with lines everywhere, orange signs with new exit information by the existing green exit sign, etc. Plus, and I think it's just GM's test mules, some systems require preexisting "knowledge" of the routes taken and that's putting a lot of faith in a system that needs to be updated in real time. I think in the next 15-20 years, we'll have a basic system that can self drive along interstates and highways, but city streets and neighborhoods - the "last mile" - will still be self drive. Right now, I'd be happy with a system that can safely navigate the slog of rush hour and not require human input (tapping the wheel for example) to keep the system active.
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