While dealers have been getting the 2020 Ram 1500 in their dealer inventories for the past several weeks, Ram Trucks had yet to release any new information about the 2020 lineup until this morning. Going into it’s second model year, the Ram Truck team isn’t resting on their laurels. So let’s breakdown everything that is new for the 2020 Ram 1500.
3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6:
Of course, the biggest change will be the available of the new third-generation 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 powertrain. The new diesel V6 puts out an impressive 260 horsepower and a class-leading 480 lb.-ft of torque, which is good enough for a best-in-class 12,560 lbs. of towing capability. Ram engineering told us at the media launch, that 80% of the engine is all-new. Recently, we got to spend a day with the EcoDiesel lineup in Duluth, Minnesota and we were impressed.
The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 is a welcomed addition to the Ram 1500 lineup. While some were worried about mechanical issues from the previous generations of EcoDiesel pickups, we were told Ram has sorted everything out. As for fuel economy numbers, there is nothing official from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) numbers, just yet. But on our time with the EcoDiesel, we noticed about a 25% improvement in fuel economy over our long-term 2019 Ram 1500 Laramie Sport with the non-eTorque 5.7-liter HEMI V8 in our mixed driving situations.
Don’t forget the new third-generation EcoDiesel is now available with all trim-levels now. That includes the Rebel, Canadian-only Sport, and the later-availablity fuel miser HFE model.
Night Edition Packages:
We broke the news several weeks ago about the Night Edition packages hitting dealer lots. Now, Ram Trucks has officially announced that the Night Edition returns on Big Horn and Laramie models. The package resurrects a package that was extremely popular on the older fourth-generation Ram 1500 (DS) models, but introduces even more sporty flavor that people have been asking for, since the fifth-generation trucks made their debut.
Opting for the Night Edition, will get you the monochromatic look of the Big Horn (Lone Star in Texas) Sport and Laramie Sport, however black grilles, badges, wheels, black bezel headlights, and black trimmed tail lights from the Black Edition trucks.
The interior of the Night Edition trucks follows that of the Sport packages of both models. This includes an all-blacked out theme, including the pillar covers and headliner.
Rebel Changes For 2020:
The model that gets probably the most love for the 2020 model year, is the Rebel trim. The Ram 1500 Rebel goes into the new model year with quite a few new option packages that will make it more appealing to the tech-savvy consumers. While the Rebel sits in the mid-high tier in the Ram 1500’s lineup, right beside the popular entry-level luxury Laramie, there were some key options that some consumers felt were missing from the Rebel. But 2020 changes that.
While we talked about the addition of the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 being the biggest news for the Rebel, a new Rebel Black Appearance Group also joins the lineup. The package includes Diamond Black Crystal Pearl Coat paint, blacked-out wheels, black skid plate, and black badging. The package also comes with an all-black interior as well, but for diehard fans of the black and ruby red interior, you can still order that as well.
Ram is also offering an optional Rebel Safety Group package, which includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop and Go, Forward Collision Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning Plus, and Automatic High-Beam Headlights. There is also a new Comfort Package, which is standard on the Rebel. This package includes a power tailgate release, the RamCharger wireless phone charger, rear heated seats, and a 12-way power driver seat with memory functions.
Mopar is also offering a few new exterior graphic options as well, however they haven’t released the details on those, just yet.
Other 2020 Changes:
Ram is introducing three new colors for the 2020 model year. Hydro Blue, RV-Match Walnut Brown, and Olive Green are replacing Blue Streak, Rugged Brown, and Black Forest Green for the new model year. All colors are listed as late availability.
The Tradesman lineup will also now be available with Blind-Spot Monitoring for the first time, while the eTorque models will be now getting eTorque specific badging on the hood of the trucks. Laramie Longhorn models with the available 22-inch aluminum wheels will also have the availability of having their wheels come in a two-tone color combination as well.
So what do you think of the 2020 model year changes? Leave a comment below, we interested to hear your comments.
