Why the 2021 Ram 1500 Big Horn Hits the Sweet Spot of Price and Features

The lineup of 2021 Ram trucks is extensive. Not only are there several different models to choose from, but each model also offers a variety of different trims. Visit any Ram dealer in Cincinnati, and you’re sure to find a confusing mix of Ram truck options. Sometimes it helps to highlight the ideal trim, one that marries value with included features. We think the Ram 1500 Big Horn fits the bill perfectly.

The 2021 Ram 1500 Big Horn is not the most expensive Ram truck trim available; in fact, it’s on the lower end of the trim range. We chose it because buyers have plenty of opportunities to add packages and performance upgrades to ratchet up both capability and comfort at an affordable price. You might even find a few true luxury options to include.

Buying a full-size pickup truck can get confusing. Before you start shopping, get to know your intentions. Is this a work truck? Are you planning to tow an RV or haul heavy payloads? Maybe this is a second family car or a weekend road trip vehicle. Whatever your plans, knowing ahead of time what you need out of your truck will save you a lot of headaches during the buying process.

We also recommend working with a knowledgeable dealer that knows the ins and outs of the truck market. Things like axle ratios and max towing capacity are all part of the mix, and a skilled dealer can help you navigate your choices and zero in on the truck that has everything you need and nothing you don’t. Here at Zimmer, we do our best to be just that kind of dealer. We invite you to read on about the Ram 1500 Big Horn to discover why it’s our choice for the most well-rounded option in the Ram Trucks lineup. Then, give us a call or stop by when you’re ready to take a test drive.

Body Style and Powertrain Options

The 2021 Ram 1500 Big Horn comes in three different body style and bed length combinations, making it a versatile and customizable choice. You can choose a Crew Cab with either a 5’7″ box or a 6’4″ box or a slightly smaller Quad Cab with a 6’4″ box. You can also decide if you want a 4×2 or 4×4 powertrain. The 2021 1500 Big Horn Quad Cab 4×2 starts at just $37,140, providing a lot of capability and comfort for a low price.

Ram designed the 1500 series of full-size pickups with capability in mind, so it’s no surprise that buyers can choose from four different engines. Each engine is tuned for optimal performance and fuel economy, but some provide just a little more power than others, an important feature for heavy-duty work.

The Ram 1500 Big Horn comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6 eTorque engine. It’s the most fuel-efficient engine but still delivers plenty of power, with 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. The eTorque mild hybrid system contributes on both counts, using a small electric motor to fill out the torque curve. Next up, the 5.7-liter V8 HEMI engine will add just under $1,800 to the sticker price. This engine amps up performance and mitigates fuel economy loss with added fuel saver technology.

However, our favorite option is the 5.7-liter V8 HEMI eTorque engine. This engine delivers the same meaty 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque as the basic 5.7-liter V8. But thanks to eTorque, you get better fuel economy and noticeably improved low-end torque. That extra torque is what gives this engine option its 12,750-pound max tow rating, which is 1,140 pounds more than the normal 5.7-liter V8 and the highest of any Ram 1500 engine.

Ram also offers a diesel option for buyers inclined to choose a diesel-powered truck. The powerful and efficient 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 will set you back nearly $5,000, but you’ll get Ram’s EcoDiesel technology with fully-redesigned intake ports and fuel injector nozzles, delivering 260 horses and a whopping 480 lb-ft of torque. All that power doesn’t decrease efficiency either – the diesel engine gets an average of 32 MPG on the highway.

Equipment Packages

For the Ram 1500 Big Horn, Ram offers two equipment group packages. Level 1 offers several comfort and convenience features. These include power heated mirrors, an 8-way power driver’s seat, power-adjustable pedals, a rear power sliding window, rear window defroster, and more, all for a sticker price of $1,300. Bump up to the Level 2 group, and your truck will include most of the Level 1 equipment, plus remote start, several additional power outlets, dual-zone temperature control, a 7-inch driver display cluster, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.

Ram currently offers a special Night Edition and a Built-to-Serve Edition, both with specific equipment designed to customize the Big Horn to suit individual buyers’ tastes. The Night Edition includes a series of black exterior trim pieces and black badging, along with body-color front and rear bumpers and dual exhaust with black tips. The Built-to-Serve Edition honors our military with special instrument panel badging that includes an American flag decal, body-color fender flares, LED exterior lighting, black exterior elements, and special tubular side steps.

Additional packages and equipment groups include a Max Tow Package, Sport Appearance Package, Technology Group, Level 1 Safety Group, and more. These packages are designed to be added as standalone options or combined with one or more other groups, giving you even more flexibility when customizing your truck.

Interior and Technology

Maybe the most exciting interior improvement made to this latest generation of Ram full-size trucks is the available 12-inch infotainment touchscreen. When selected on the Ram 1500 Big Horn, the screen comes with Uconnect navigation and the option to add a nine-speaker audio system with a subwoofer. The optional head-up display helps drivers pay attention to the road by projecting important vehicle data, like speed and turn-by-turn directions, right on the windshield.

We love the optional 10-square-foot power sunroof for another level of luxury, and the standard cloth and vinyl bucket seats are customizable with different seat insert stitching. You’ll settle right in and enjoy the onboard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity gateway, where the infotainment touchscreen acts as a control hub. Dial-in your favorite streaming music channel or podcast, and minimize distractions with the available active noise cancellation system.

An optional media center built into the center console area allows for easy cell phone storing and charging, along with four USB charging ports and as many as three 115-volt outlets for easy access and handy charging options for multiple devices. Opt for the available in-floor rear storage and your back seat doubles as a hidden spot for cargo.

Design Your Ram

While the 2021 Ram 1500 starts at under $40,000, it’s easy to creep up well into the high $50,000 range. But that is exactly why we like the Big Horn trim the most. It’s fully customizable and capable of being equipped with a serious amount of extra features, but if budgets are tight, the base Big Horn is affordable and well-equipped on its own.

Whether you choose a bare-bones Ram 1500 Tradesman, the Big Horn, or a fully-loaded Limited with all the bells and whistles, the Ram lineup has an answer for all budgets and every lifestyle. These are work trucks through-and-through, designed for hard work, serious towing, and all the mud you can traverse. However, that doesn’t keep them from being comfortable, well-equipped, and stylish.