In the ultra-competitive world of full-size pickups, it takes a lot to set yourself apart from the crowd. While drivers have historically made raw horsepower and torque the go-to metrics for comparing different models, that approach has become a little old-fashioned as most of today’s full-size pickups already offer all the power one could ask for. Sure, the high-performance off-road models might still garner all the headlines, but these desert racing-inspired pickups are usually well beyond the requirements of most drivers who aren’t likely to encounter many sand dunes or sheer rock faces during the course of their morning commute.
For the average driver, tech features represent the newest arms race in the full-size pickup market. These models have come a long way from their working-class roots, in many cases becoming veritable luxury vehicles that are packed with all manner of high-end technology, styling, and comfort features. Consistently ranked as one of the best-selling trucks in the country, the Ram 1500 has stayed well ahead of the curve when it comes to integrating the latest in-vehicle technology. The current Ram 1500 for sale is no different, packed with some innovative features that will give the competition a run for their money.
Join us as we explore some of the most notable upgrades for the coming 2023 model year as see how Ram is leveraging cutting-edge technology to keep the 1500 at the top of its class.
Healthier Driving
Originally debuting in 2022, the Ram Limited (RAM)RED Edition pickup is back for the 2023 model year. This luxurious package adds a number of never-before-seen features to the popular pickup’s bag of tricks, with a focus on health that speaks to Ram’s partnership with the non-profit ONE Campaign.
The charity’s Product Red branding has been used on a number of consumer goods since its debut in 2006, with consumer powerhouses like Nike, Apple, Coca-Cola, American Express, and Gap all partnering with the campaign. The partnership has been a huge success in the global fight against infectious disease, with the sale of Product Red-branded goods contributing as much as 65 to 69 percent of all global funding for the fight against tuberculosis, malaria, and AIDS. The Ram Limited (RAM)RED Edition carries on this proud tradition with the Ram, Jeep, and FIAT family of brands pledging to donate a minimum of $4 million to help fund these life-saving programs.
In keeping with the Product Red mission, all 2023 Ram Limited (RAM)RED Edition pickups will feature a first-of-its-kind disinfection system built into the glovebox. The technology uses a bacteria-killing UV-C light to disinfect your keys, phone, toothbrush, kid’s toys, or whatever else you can fit in the glove box. Simply place the item in the glove box, press a button on the center console, and within three minutes, it’ll kill off most any bacteria, molds, viruses, and fungi that might be lurking on the surface. The UV-C radiation has even been shown to be effective in destroying SARS-CoV-2, shredding through the virus’ outer protein coating and rendering it ineffective.
UV-C light has been used for decades to stop the spread of bacteria, but the Limited (RAM)RED Edition marks the first time it’s ever been integrated into a vehicle like the Ram 1500.
A Safer Road for First Responders
Doubling down on the health-focused features, Ram 1500 models equipped with a 12-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen will now see the addition of Stellantis’ Emergency Vehicle Alert System (EVAS). Available on over 4 million Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo vehicles, the system will not only alert drivers when there is an emergency vehicle nearby but will also indicate what type of vehicle and which direction it’s headed from. Stellantis hopes the feature will help to reduce the number of accidents involving emergency vehicles, which reached a record high in 2021 when 63 first responders lost their lives in automotive crashes. “It’s all about saving lives,” said Mamatha Chamarthi, Stellantis head of software business and product management.
Stellantis has partnered with HAAS Alert, the company behind the first-ever connected vehicle platform dedicated to road safety, to design EVAS, which currently works with over 1,000 emergency response fleets across North America. A study by the University of Michigan has found that systems like EVAS can reduce the likelihood of emergency vehicle-related accidents––which are the second-leading cause of death among first responders––by 90 percent.
EVAS works much like the weather and traffic-related advisories that have become commonplace in many of today’s higher-end vehicles. When the system detects an approaching emergency vehicle, it’ll display a message on the Ram 1500’s instrument panel or touch screen, showing the type of vehicle and the direction that it is traveling. EVAS reduces the likelihood of irrelevant alerts by geofencing the data to a driver’s specific direction of travel, meaning that you won’t be notified when an emergency vehicle is traveling on the opposite side of a divided highway. It’s an ingenious piece of engineering that addresses a real problem on the road today, and one can only hope that other automakers will follow Stellantis’ approach.
Custom Cluster
Dashboard touchscreens have been all the rage in recent years, but digital instrument clusters are ready for their moment in the sun. With the ability to display a wide variety of driving-related information and nearly endless customization options, these digital instrument clusters provide next-level functionality for data-hungry drivers. The Ram 1500 provides the ideal showcase for this exciting new technology, with each model above the Tradesmen trim receiving a new 12.3-inch frameless digital gauge cluster for the 2023 model year.
The full-color digital gauge cluster has room for five reconfigurable widgets, allowing drivers to monitor a number of important metrics at a quick glance. This includes all the basic features one might find on the gauge clusters of old (speed, fuel level, tachometer, and coolant temp), as well as some more innovative inclusions. For example, Ram 1500 drivers weighted down with a heavy load on a sweltering summer day can display powertrain temperature to ensure the truck isn’t feeling the heat. Other gauges include average MPG, battery voltage, oil pressure, driving range, and more.
The digital instrument gauge also provides shortcuts to almost two dozen different menus, giving drivers access to all the relevant settings without having to stretch to navigate the central touchscreen display. With so many options to choose from, the customization potential is almost unlimited, making it easier than ever to feel comfortable behind the wheel of a Ram 1500. This approach is great and all, but it does present one potential issue: what happens when you have multiple drivers sharing the same vehicle?
Ram has it covered, allowing drivers to store up to five different user profiles so that every time you step behind the wheel, your chosen setting will pop right up. This extends not only to the digital gauge cluster but also the touchscreen dashboard display as well as cabin temperature, seating position, mirror placement, and even music settings. It’s these little touches that lend the Ram 1500 such a high-end feeling, freeing up drivers to enjoy their ride without having to fiddle with settings every time they get behind the wheel.
While drivers might be drawn to the Ram 1500 for its considerable power and towing ability, it’s these new tech features that truly set the pickup apart in the crowded full-size sector. From life-saving technology like Emergency Vehicle Alert System to never-before-seen features like a germ-killing UV-C light, the Ram 1500 is focused on improving not only safety for those inside the pickup but every other driver on the road as well.
The Emergency Vehicle Alert System, in particular, is a thoughtful inclusion, giving drivers all the information they need to avoid emergency vehicles while addressing an important issue on today’s roads. The customizable digital gauge cluster might not have the same lofty goals as the EVAS of UV-C light, but it’s just one example of how technology, when properly deployed, can have such a major impact on the overall driving experience. The Ram 1500 remains a leader in its class thanks to just these types of innovations, and we’re always excited to see what the automaker will roll out with each new model year.
