Stellantis does have a midsize offering with the Jeep Gladiator. But we’ve seen no revival of the Dakota. And the smallest Ram-branded pickup in the lineup is currently the full-size 1500. However, reports and recent product reveals suggest that could be about to change. Ram launched a new small pickup, the Rampage, in South America. And it may be coming to the USA.
Here’s everything you need to know.
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Is the Ram Rampage definitely coming to America?
Stellantis
Ram has not confirmed the truck is coming to America yet. But The Drive reports that a well-placed source confirmed the Rampage will come to America with a debut in late 2023. It's possible the UAW strike may cause that timeline to be delayed; Stellantis pulled out of CES and may have put other activities on hold.
Stellantis did confirm plans to launch four electrified pickup trucks in the next two years. Two are confirmed: the Ram 1500 REVand a "new hydrogen solution." That would still leave room for a Jeep Gladiator 4xe and a yet-to-be-named Ram pickup.
The Rampage that debuted will be built in South America. Ram would likely move production for an American version to Mexico to avoid the Chicken Tax. Given the Maverick's popularity, it would be weirder if Ram did not bring the Rampage to market in America.
The Rampage should be a unibody Ford Maverick rival
Stellantis
Like the Ford Maverick, the Ram Rampage should have styling cues cribbed from Ram’s body-on-frame truck lineup but have a unibody construction. It’s expected to share the same underlying platform with the Jeep Compass, Alfa Romeo Tonale and Dodge Hornet.
What engines will the Ram Rampage have?
Stellantis
The South American Rampage launched with a gas engine, the 2.0-liter Hurricane I4, which puts out 272 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. That’s the same engine the Dodge Hornet uses and a good bet for the American truck.
In South America, the Rampage will also get a diesel option. We would bet the diesel does not make it to the American market. The 1.3-liter plug-in hybrid used in the Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale for an alternate (and more efficient) engine would be far more likely.
What trims will the Ram Rampage have?
Stellantis
Ram has not confirmed a trim lineup for the Rampage. The South American lineup has three: an off-road Rebel trim, a flashier Laramie trim and an R/T Sport model. We could see all three trims make it to America.
Ford took a budget approach with the Maverick. At least in South America, Ram is opting for a different tack with the Rampage by taking it upmarket. All the Rampages are all-wheel-drive. It offers leather seats. A 12.3-inch infotainment display and a digital instrument cluster come standard.
The starting price for a gas Rampage in Brazil is a little more than $50,000. We’d bet Brazilian taxes are responsible for much of that figure; the American truck won’t be that ambitiously priced. But expect it to start north of the Maverick’s $22,595 starting MSRP.
