Chicago tester finds 2026 Ram 1500 Laramie blends muscle with luxury

John Stein, a freelance automotive journalist based in Chicago, spent the past week driving a 2026 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 to evaluate its capabilities. The vehicle is designed for buyers seeking the utility of a full-size pickup with the interior comfort of a luxury SUV. Stein noted that the truck performed well in these areas, though its high final price prompted questions about the necessity of its luxury features.

The powertrain consists of a 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup produces 420 horsepower and 469 pound-feet of torque. Stein described the acceleration as strong and the transmission shifts as smooth, contributing to a composed driving experience on both interstates and city streets. The truck is equipped with Stop/Start technology to improve fuel efficiency, with ratings of 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

Stein found the ride quality to be a major strength of the vehicle. The suspension managed ordinary pavement imperfections effectively, and the cabin remained quiet at highway speeds. However, he noted that steering required extra attention in tight parking lots and narrow streets. The exterior features a broad grille and sculpted bodywork, with 22-by-9-inch forged aluminum wheels that provide a taller stance. He advised that these larger wheels may make potholes feel more pronounced and could be more expensive to replace than smaller tire combinations.

The interior of the Crew Cab configuration offers ample space for five adults. The cabin includes leather-trimmed seating, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Stein highlighted the Laramie Level 2 Equipment Group, which adds a 14.5-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a Harman Kardon audio system. While the large display is visually impressive, Stein noted that finding some functions requires more attention than traditional physical switches, though Ram retained physical controls for frequently adjusted settings.

Optional packages added several thousand dollars to the truck's cost. The $2,495 America’s 250th Anniversary Edition package includes patriotic design touches and cabin accents. The $3,315 Advanced Safety Group II and $2,495 Hands-Free Active Driving Assist package provide adaptive cruise control, lane management, and collision warning. The hands-free feature allows driving on approved roadways but requires the driver to remain attentive. Additional options included a $1,595 dual-pane panoramic sunroof and a $695 tri-fold tonneau cover.

The base price for the 2026 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 is $64,880. Stein's tester, after adding the optional equipment packages and delivery fees, totaled $81,855. Ram offers a 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty with the vehicle.