2019 Ram 1500 North Edition: Ready to Walk in a Winter Wonderland

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

Despite redesigning the 1500-series for 2019, Ram’s leaner, meaner, and more economical pickup was already in danger of being overshadowed by the parade of special edition models pouring out of the factory. While many emphasize style over substance, the inverse is sometimes true — which happens to be the case with the 1500 North Edition.

Visually, there’s not much going on here. It’s definitely the new Ram 1500, but lacks some of the bolder designs that typically epitomize a special edition model. Based on the Big Horn, the North Edition focuses entirely upon adding equipment that might be useful in the snow. Presumably, Fiat Chrysler realized that bold graphics and bright colors lose some appeal when covered in road salt.

Unveiled to the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) members Monday evening, the truck will eventually be shipped to dealerships across America — so long as they see snow every winter. The North Edition Ram 1500 comes standard with winter-rated three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) Falken LT tires, one-inch factory lift, 4×4 transfer case (with auto, high and low), electronic locking rear axle, and engine block heater.

Creature comforts include heated seats, steering wheel, and side mirrors. FCA has also deemed the North Edition fit to receive a 12-way power driver seat with 4-way lumbar adjustments, remote starting capabilities, front and rear Park Sense, and a 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen with SiriusXM Travel Link Weather.

While light on visual aesthetics, the winterized Ram does come equipped with a 4×4 decal on the rear fender (likely to reassure other motorists that you are ready to tow them out of a snowy ditch) as well as body-colored bumpers, grille, mirrors, and door handles. There are also cold-weather Mopar floor mats, but those have at least some practical value.

Engine options include either the eTorque 3.6-liter Pentastar or 5.7-liter Hemi V8, the latter of which can tow 12,750 pounds. Adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring can all be added as part of FCA’s safety tech suite. You’re also able to upsize the center console to a full 12 inches, which adds split-screen capabilities and a 360-degree camera view.

The 2019 Ram 1500 North Edition starts at $45,890, plus a $1,695 destination charge. Available exclusively as a crew cab 4×4, buyers do have the option to customize bed length. However, while futzing around on Ram’s website, we noticed setting a Big Horn up with the North Edition package was actually a few hundred dollars cheaper than FCA claimed in its media release. Maybe that’ll give you some extra wiggle room while haggling, assuming you’re in the market for something customized specifically for a winter wonderland.

[Images: FCA]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

More by Matt Posky

Comments
Join the conversation
6 of 38 comments
  • Carlson Fan Carlson Fan on Nov 20, 2018

    Good looking truck and nice color. First thing I'd do to it though when I got it home would be to take a hot air gun to that stupid "4X4" decal on the sides of the box. I'd have to remove that stupidly big RAM emblem on the tailgate as well. Should come standard with a nice set of factory mud-flaps to keep all road salt and sand from being thrown up into the body and nice big heavy duty form fitting floor mats that keep your salty/sand/snowy feet from ruining the interior carpet.

    • See 3 previous
    • Qwerty shrdlu Qwerty shrdlu on Nov 21, 2018

      @87 Morgan Do you prefer aftermarket badgers?

  • Brodyboy Brodyboy on Nov 21, 2018

    It's not about simple undercoating to save these cheaply made, high-profit trucks, it's about filling all the body cavities with appropriate moisture and corrosion proofing. They all rot from the inside, every generation. Ask me how I know. Loved the truck, the single base-coat/clear coat, zero-apparent factory rust protection, not so much. Rusted out faster than a 3-year old late-model Mazda. Shameful. And the rear bumpers, why? Why all the rust, still? Just blast a quick dab of rhino-liner in there on the assembly line and be done.

  • MaintenanceCosts It's not a Benz or a Jag / it's a 5-0 with a rag /And I don't wanna brag / but I could never be stag
  • 3-On-The-Tree Son has a 2016 Mustang GT 5.0 and I have a 2009 C6 Corvette LS3 6spd. And on paper they are pretty close.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Same as the Land Cruiser, emissions. I have a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruiser and it’s a beast off-roading.
  • CanadaCraig I would like for this anniversary special to be a bare-bones Plain-Jane model offered in Dynasty Green and Vintage Burgundy.
  • ToolGuy Ford is good at drifting all right... 😉
Next