Ram makes a lot of great trucks & trims, including in the half-ton, heavy-duty & off-road segments. We review the differences between two solid choices: the Ram 1500 & Ram 1500 Rebel.
Dodge and Ram have a long history of performance-focused trucks. The Dodge Ram SRT-10 was produced from 2004 to 2006 and was powered by the same engine as the mighty Dodge Viper of the time. Its 500 horsepower V10 engine was pretty wild for the day, although the latest Ram TRX is now over 700 horsepower.
In 2009, the Ram Truck brand launched as a stand-alone division, soon offering a full lineup of trucks: the Ram 1500, 2500/3500 Heavy Duty, 3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cab, ProMaster, and the ProMaster City.
Additionally, there’s another great off-road-focused performance truck for those not looking to drop over $70,000 for the latest beefy Ram. The Ram 1500 Rebel is a version of the Ram full-size pickup truck that started for the 2015 model year and continues with the latest Ram 1500.
This isn’t an off-road racer like the Ford Raptor. The Rebel is a bit more subtle, and a bit more usable.
We will run through the details and of the Rebel and highlight differences between the 1500 Rebel and the normal Ram 1500 across each model year to help you through the buying process.
Ram Rebel: More Than an Options Package
There are a handful of off-road-focused packages out there on dealership lots, both new and used. The Toyota Racing Design, or “TRD” package is one of the more popular. It can be added to the Tacoma, Tundra, Sequoia, 4Runner, and even the RAV4.
The Rebel isn’t an options package though, it’s an actual trim level of the Ram. For example, in 2015, there were 16 different trim levels, from the base Tradesman up to the top-spec Laramie Limited 2.0, and the Rebel was one of those trims.
If you are looking for an upgrade to the off-road abilities of your future Ram 1500, the Rebel is a good place to start. It is engineered to ensure that the day-to-day usability of the Ram 1500 remains while delivering some off-road goodies to help you get a little muddy.
Ram starts with a 1500 crew cab, adds a one-inch lift, larger 33-inch tires, a trick off-road air suspension, as well as new front bodywork that allows the Rebel to have a better approach angle while off-road.
Ram Rebel vs. Ram 1500: Key Similarities & Differences
Some of the biggest differences are under the skin. Like any good off-roader, Ram focused on making sure it could handle a muddy trail, as well as the daily drive on pavement.
The 2015 to 2018 Rebel is available in 4×2 or 4×4 and is fitted with Bilstein monotube shock absorbers tuned to handle a mix of driving scenarios. It also uses a revised rear stabilizer bar that is softer and can improve the Rebel’s suspension articulation.
Big 33-inch 285/70R17 series Toyo “Open Country” all-terrain tires help outfit the Rebel for off-road duty. These are mounted-on Rebel-specific 17-inch wheels with a half-inch offset to make the Rebel a bit wider. Ram even gave the Rebel revised wheel alignment specs to make up for the increased ride height.
Speaking of ride height, the Ram starts with a mild one-inch lift, but you can get another one-inch of lift with the push of a button. That means a 23.8-degree approach angle, even at normal height.
The Rebel utilizes the standard Ram air suspension, but with a press of the “Off-Road” in the Rebel, you can get that extra one-inch of extra ground clearance when needed.
A stout steel brush guard and skid plate are built in to protect your investment while out on the trail.
On the exterior, you’ll the large “RAM” grill instead of the normal Ram crosshair grille. Elsewhere, you’ll find black trim all around, including cool black fender flares borrowed from the Ram Power Wagon. The rear bumper has cutouts to ensure that more of the tire is exposed for better clearance.
The engine options in a Ram Rebel from 2015 to 2018 come from the regular Ram lineup. They include a 3.6L V6 Pentastar with 305 horsepower and 269 lb.-ft. of torque, or an optional 5.7L Hemi V8 putting out 395 horsepower and 410 lb.-ft. of torque.
On the inside, the Ram Big Horn-based interior has lots of black and red stitching. The coolest feature is the Toyo Open Country pattern that has been emblazoned onto the seating surfaces.
Some heavy-duty floor mats are included as well, so when your boots get muddy from the trail, cleanup will be easy.
The Ram was all-new for 2019. So, let’s see how the off-road Rebel has changed over the years.
Ram Rebel: Updates Over the Years
The Ram Rebel was always pretty well equipped, and not all that much changed between the 2015 and 2016 model years.
However, the 2016 Ram 1500 Rebel was named “2016 Pickup Truck of the Year” by Four Wheeler Magazine.
“If there’s one word to describe the Ram 1500 Rebel, it’s balanced,” said Four Wheeler Editor Christian Hazel. “No matter what we threw at the Ram 1500 Rebel, it just flat-out worked with no drama, no excuses, and no compromises.
“The Ram 1500 Rebel was the vehicle the Four Wheeler judges overwhelmingly chose not only as the 2016 Four Wheeler Pickup Truck of the Year, but the vehicle they’d most like to take home,” he added.
A year later, for the 2017 model year, the Rebel got a host of new standard equipment, including:
- Updated Uconnect infotainment with an 8.4-inch screen
- Premium gauge cluster
- Automatic dual-zone climate control
- Rear-view camera with rear park assist
- New “anti-spin” differential
- Remote start
- Alarm System
Additionally, for 2017, you could opt for the cool 1500 Rebel Blue Streak which was painted in a new unique shade of blue with decals emblazoned across the performance hood.
Naturally, there was plenty of black trim on the grille, brush guard, badges, and wheels. It also had unique black interior accents and slate-grey stitching throughout. The best thing was that the Blue Streak was a no-cost option on any Rebel.
For 2018, the Rebel now had the option for a full leather interior, as well updated infotainment software that included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 4G LTE, and HD Radio.
The Ram was all-new for 2019, with great new exterior and interior designs and lighter overall curb weight. The Rebel got new, more capable, off-road tires, fortified shocks and suspension, 3.92 axle ratio, front tow hooks, skid plates, a hill descent control system, and an electronic-locking rear axle.
Elsewhere on the exterior, you get LED headlights and foglights plus a Class IV hitch receiver.
The interior is still based on the well-equipped Big Horn, so you’ll get great standard features like a power-adjustable driver seat, a larger driver information display, and a satellite radio.
The updated Rebel carried over the same 3.6L and 5.7L options found in the previous generation Ram.
For 2020, you could now get a 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel engine with 260-horsepower and 480 lb.-ft. of torque. The torquey engine has a 12,560-lb tow rating.
2019 Ram 1500 Rebel 12 Special Edition
Adding a bit more variety to the Ram truck mix, for the 2019 model year, Ram offered a special edition Rebel 12 package on all Rebel cab, color, and powertrain configurations.
The 2019 Ram 1500 Rebel 12 also brought new technology never before available on Rebel, including Ram’s Uconnect 4C with 12-inch reconfigurable touchscreen display with split-screen capability and navigation.
The fourth-generation Uconnect system included enhanced processing power, sharper graphics, and the ability to support smartphone integrations.
The Rebel 12 special edition also featured a leather-trimmed interior with heated front seats and unique metal speaker grilles trimmed in the Rebel’s signature Radar Red anodized finish.
It also offered a Harman Kardon audio system with 19 speakers, 900-watt surround-sound amplifier, 10-inch subwoofer, and active noise cancellation.
The Ram 1500 Rebel 12 was equipped with a factory lift, locking rear differential, 33-inch tires, Bilstein shocks, skid plates, tow hooks, and other off-road-ready features.
In 2018, the 2019 Ram 1500 Rebel 12 started at $46,990.
Mopar 2021 Ram 1500 Special Edition
In early 2021, Stellantis announced a new, limited-production vehicle available in North America and built with a package of unique performance parts and accessories from Mopar’s Factory Upfit Shop: the Mopar 2021 Ram 1500 Special Edition.
Available exclusively on the 2021 Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab 4×4, the Mopar 2021 Ram 1500 adds a variety of Mopar accessories.
Only 250 Mopar 2021 Ram 1500 units will be assembled; 210 for the United States and 40 for Canada, with a choice of four colors: Billet Silver, Bright White, Flame Red, and Hydro Blue.
The 2021 Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab 4×4 is equipped from the factory with 20-inch black wheels riding on 275/55R20 all-season tires; black grille badges; body-color bumper, door handles and fender flares; black-painted mirrors; and a Mopar bed step.
Powered by a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 paired with a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, the Mopar 2021 Ram 1500 landed in Ram dealerships in the U.S. and Canada in summer 2021. At the time, the retail price for the exclusive Mopar package was in the low $10K range.
How Much Does the Ram 1500 Rebel Cost?
The Rebel has been in showrooms since 2015, and prices on the used market range from just over $27,500 for the least expensive model up to close to $49,000 for the latest 2021 Rebel.
So, there is a great mix of style and price available across the various years the Rebel has been around.
- 2015 – Prices range from $27,581 – $30,716
- 2016 – Prices range from $32,004 – $35,567
- 2017 – Prices range from $35,438 – $39,283
- 2018 – Prices range from $37,268 – $41,179
- 2019 – Prices range from $41,168 – $45,335
- 2020 – Prices range from $44,740 – $48,240
- 2021 – Prices range from $45,320 – $48,820
Is the Ram Rebel Worth the Upgrade?
The Ram 1500 Rebel is a great option for those who want a capable off-roader, but also need the comfort and convenience of a normal full-size truck. The Rebel has it all, and you can find them at a pretty reasonable rate on the used market. For our buying recommendation, take a look at the 2019 Rebel. The latest Ram is a great update and builds on the successes of the Dodge and Ram 1500 series over the years. Either way, you can’t go wrong with the Ram Rebel.
Photos: Dodge; Deposit Photos: Ed Aldridge, Slagreca
