2018 RAM 1500 Regular Cab

The 2018 RAM 1500 Regular Cab is offered in a total of six trims namely; Express, Lone Star, Big Horn, Night Sport, and the Tradesman with two different 4X2 and 4X4 drivetrain configurations. The buyers get three engine variants to choose from in all the trim options; a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine, a 5.7L HEMI V8 engine, and a 3.0L V6 diesel engine. 

The Tradesman trim is the base model and gets the least amount of features. It gets cloth upholstery, a 5-inch infotainment screen, satellite radio, Bluetooth, proximity keyless entry, and an additional USB port. That’s about it. The Express is also similar to the Tradesman, but it deletes the hitch and bed liner. On the other hand, it adds body-colored exterior trim and 20-inch wheels. The Big Horn/Lone Star includes premium cloth upholstery, a power-adjustable driver's seat, an 8.4-inch touch screen, satellite radio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay. 

Optional on the BigHorn includes dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a sunroof. The Sport trim comes standard with heated front seats, the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touch screen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and satellite radio. Sport trim can be equipped with leather upholstery. Night trim is similar to the Sport trim but it comes in an all-black theme.

Which Trim should you buy? 

If you are going to use it a bit rough; say construction site work, then you should get the Tradesman trim. It comes with standard features like vinyl seats, a six-speaker stereo, a USB port, and a rearview camera and available features include power mirrors, cloth upholstery, a 5-inch infotainment screen.

The 2018 RAM 1500 Regular Cab offers three engine options. It gets a 3.6L Pentastar V6 churning out a total power output of 305 hp and 269 lb-feet of net torque, a 5.7L HEMI V8 that produces 395 hp with 410 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0L V6 diesel engine that gives out 240 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. The power is sent to the rear wheels as standard but you can opt for a 4WD drivetrain config if you wish to. Regardless of the engine configuration and trim level, an 8-speed automatic transmission comes standard allowing smooth shift between the gears.

While the NVH levels from V8 motors are impressive, the exhaust note is a little too soft and lacks grumpiness. As mentioned above, the 8-speed automatic gearbox is smooth with the shift and complements the power delivery. The low-end grunt from the V8 motor is decent but the power starts building as you get to higher revs, just in typical V8 fashion. However, a heavyweight does take a toll on the performance and drivability of the truck. These trucks are not meant to win drag races and are more meant to tow heavy loads. When properly equipped, it can tow up to 10,640 pounds.

The GM twins offer a bigger V6 engine in their base trim but still find it hard to outrun the RAM. The Ford F-150 gets the smallest engine in the lineup and is underpowered as compared to the rivals, while also being the one that takes the most time to reach 60 MPH and to cover the quarter-mile distance clocking 7.6 and 15.9 seconds, respectively. While other rivals come equipped with 6-speed automatic transmission as standard, you get a better 8-speed automatic transmission with the RAM 1500.

How well does the 2018 RAM 1500 Regular Cab handle?

The suspension setup offered with the 2018 RAM 1500 Regular cab is impressive. It delivers a smooth driving experience despite being more on the rugged side. NVH’s level is impressive as the engine is naturally more muted as compared to its key rivals with low idle noise. 

Driving this one in the city is stress-free all thanks to its accurate steering. The steering feels well-weighted and offers a direct feel and feedback from the road. Being a truck, body rolls are inevitable and with the base trim’s suspension tuned to be on the firm side, the 2018 RAM 1500 is not meant for cornering. However, take it on a highway, it feels composed and planted to the roads,

2018 RAM 1500 Regular Cab Braking Performance

The braking system offered in the 2018 RAM 1500 Regular Cab is powerful and strong. Although it sits on the heavy side, its braking setup does a great job offering the best stopping performance in the segment. As standard, you get 13.2-inch brake rotors in the front and 13.8-inch brake rotors at the rear that allows the truck to stop from 60 to 0MPH in 127 feet.

The Ford F-150 drags 139 ft before coming to a stop from 60 MPH despite getting a larger brake setup than the RAM 1500 and being noticeably on the lighter side at 4,069 lbs. Ford has to improve the brake bite though. On the other hand, RAM 1500 Regular Cab gets a large 13.8 rear brake rotor and this helps it stop the 4.5-ton mammoth quicker than most.

When talking about fuel economy, the 2018 RAM 1500 Regular Cab is just an average truck in the class. It offers similar combined and highway MPG as to the rivals but scores really low in the city. The base V6 engine returns 17 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway. With a large 26-gallon fuel tank, it delivers 442 miles in the city and 650miles on the highway. Opting for the larger V8 engine drops the fuel economy figures by about 2-3 MPG. The diesel engine on the other hand offers significantly more power and better fuel economy.

In terms of fuel economy, the Ford F-150 is the one with the best EPA figures this class has to offer. However, it gets a 23-gallon fuel tank which is three-gallon smaller than the rivals, taking a toll on its range. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 which get lower EPA figures than the Ford, manage to pull off a better range and excelling the class with the best overall range in the city of 468 miles. 

The interior of the RAM 1500 Regular Cab is pretty spacious and decent. However, the materials used in the base trim are cheap and plasticky The seats offered on the base are not as comfortable as compared to the rivals, although the available leather seats on the Sport trim are soft to the touch and have unique stitching giving it a decent look. Being a regular cab, you get bench seats on the front and as standard, it can accommodate only three people.

On the features front, the base trim is bare-bones while the higher trims get heated leather seats. Big Horn also comes with a heated steering wheel along with the dual-zone climate control that adds up to the in-cabin experience. The arrangement of the touchscreen display and climate control seems decent and practical.

Although the cabin of the 2018 RAM 1500 Regular Cab is decent, the rivals offer much better headroom and legroom. The GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, being sister-trucks, offer similar interior dimensions, and with 45.2-inch legroom, it is the best that this class has to offer. On the other hand, the Ford F-150 Regular Cab has a maximum cargo capacity of 62.3 cu.-ft. The RAM 1500 also gets quite inferior standard features in the base option but the buyers can get various upgrades in the higher-end models and with the packages.

Standout interior features:

• Heated Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Premium cloth upholstery
• Leather upholstery
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Heated front seats

What’s there to keep you entertained in the 2018 RAM 1500 Regular Cab?

The 2018 RAM 1500 Regular Cab comes equipped with a six-speaker stereo and a USB port in the barebones base trim. However, it can be upgraded to a 5-inch display or a bigger 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system. The Uconnect system is intuitive and easy to figure out even for first-time users. On the screen, there are different menus controlling different features such as FM/AM bands, Bluetooth and CD, USB, and AUX, controls for smartphones among others. 

Necessary features like Smart Device Integration, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto are available. Upper trims offer advanced optional packages that add integrated navigation and a better audio system.

Standout infotainment features:

• 8.4" touchscreen UConnect infotainment system
• Smart Device Integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Integrated Voice Command w/Bluetooth
• Smart Device Remote Engine Start
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio
• 6-speaker audio system

While there were no major changes made in the 2018 RAM 1500 Regular Cab, minor updates to the exterior can be spotted. It is one of the very few trucks to feature a conventional exterior design and boasts an old-school boxy layout. The large grille in the center along with the squarish premium bi-functional halogens headlamp with LED DRLs and turn signals along with the prominent bumper gives it a strong road presence. 

The side profile however remains simple and is well proportioned. The rear remains subtle and features elegant vertical mounted tail lamps. The look is still fresh with its wide and tall chrome-lined grille. The build quality is decent and does attract eyeballs due to its design. The regular cab can be had in two-bed sizes and as standard, you get a Class IV hitch receiver with the base trim. While the BigHorn adds more to the interior, the Sport trim gets 20-inch wheels and projector headlights.

The RAM 1500 is the heaviest in the lot with a curb weight of 4,520 lbs followed by the Silverado 1500. In terms of length and width, it is outshined by most of its key rivals with the Chevy Silverado 1500 being the best in the segment. Ford F-150 offers a large wheelbase of 122 inches, which in turn translates to better interior space.

Standout exterior features:

• Premium bi-functional halogens
• 20-inch wheels
• Projector headlights
• Black exterior accents
• LED lights in the cargo box
• Easy lower and lift tailgate

The 2018 RAM 1500 Regular Cab has been crash-tested by IIHS where it received the highest rating of ‘Good’ in three crash tests and the ‘Marginal’ rating in the roof strength test and driver-side small overlap front test. The RAM 1500 received an overall rating of four out of five stars in the test conducted by NHTSA, getting four stars in the frontal crash test and five stars in the side crash test. The 2WD models got a four-star rating in the rollover, while the 4WD models here received three stars. 

Standout safety features:

• Rear-view camera
• Front and rear parking sensors (Available)
• Automatic high beams (Available)
• Electronic stability control
• SiriusXM 
• Guardian emergency SOS
• Driveline traction control
• Tire-specific low tire pressure warning

2018 RAM 1500 Regular Cab vs 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab

The RAM 1500 offers similar MPG figures to the GMC Sierra 1500 Regular Cab. Under the hood, the Sierra boasts a 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 which puts it at par with the RAM’s smaller 3.6L V6. The power and torque figures of these rivals have considerable differences giving RAM 1500 an upper hand still delivering similar 0-60 dash timings. Talking about the in-cabin experience, the GMC offers a better and rich interior at the base level, unlike the RAM.

2018 RAM 1500 Regular Cab vs 2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab

The Ford F-150 Regular Cab is priced a little higher than the RAM and gets a 3.3L Ti-VCT V6 engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission that delivers decent performance. This smaller engine takes a hit on its overall performance. The braking setup is really impressive and better than rivals offering a safe and stress-free drive. Coming over to fuel economy it gets the best in class fuel efficiency but due to its smaller fuel tank, it didn’t do well in the overall range.

2018 RAM 1500 Regular Cab vs 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Regular Cab

The Chevy Silverado 1500 is among the most popular pick-up trucks in the Chevy lineup. It comes with various engine choices and received a redesign for the 2018 MY. Although the RAM lacks in terms of styling and new generation features it has focused itself more power delivery area. The RAM is better in terms of performance as compared to Chevy but lacks far behind in terms of the towing capacity.

The 2018 RAM 1500 Regular Cab is a decent truck with its own special traits. Although the rivals are better in terms of styling and interior quality, it boasts responsive controls on the dashboard. The RAM 1500 Crew Cab could use some upgrade but still looks like a decent truck to drive. The RAM in terms of safety is not the best pickup the segment can offer. It doesn’t get the latest safety features and its inferior safety score harms its reputation as a must-have vehicle. People can consider buying a GMC that happens to be better in this area. With this being said the 2018 RAM 1500 Regular Cab will be a great choice for those who are looking for a reliable and capable no-nonsense pickup truck.