Ram has been noticeably absent from an essential section: The mid-size pickup truck class. The Dakota was discontinued in 2011, and it hasn’t had a substitute since. However that is about to vary.

Earlier this yr, Ram confirmed that it’ll construct a brand new mid-sizer to compete alongside the Chevy Colorado, Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, and others. The small print are scarce, and its arrival remains to be a number of years away. However we anticipate info to start trickling out now that the corporate has formally confirmed its mid-size truck’s arrival.

That mentioned, Ram’s shrunken-down pickup doubtless will not go on sale till the 2028 mannequin yr, so the corporate nonetheless has loads of time to determine the main points.

Till then, although, that is all the things we all know (to date) about Ram’s new mid-size pickup.

What Will it Be Referred to as?

Ram hasn’t introduced the truck’s identify, merely referring to it as its new mid-size pickup. The Dakota moniker is primed for a revival, even when it doesn’t actually match the model’s present naming scheme. It was known as the Ram Dakota simply earlier than manufacturing ended, shortly after Ram turned a separate model—and it makes essentially the most sense to carry it again. We’d hate to see one thing boring like Ram 1200, a reputation that the corporate already makes use of in Mexico.

What Platform Will Underpin It?

Stellantis STLA Body Platform

Picture by: Stellantis

Early rumors instructed that Ram may use the brand new STLA Massive platform, a unibody structure, for its mid-size truck. Nevertheless, a current report alleges the automaker will use a correct body-on-frame setup as a substitute, probably one thing much like what underpins the Jeep Gladiator. That mentioned, Ram might restrict physique types to a four-door Crew Cab configuration.

On condition that the automaker’s new STLA Body structure is designed for full-size vehicles, it’s unclear if the identical platform that underpins the 1500 would additionally work right here. In that case, it might give the Ram the appropriate bones to be a real truck with off-road functionality, differentiating it from unibody options just like the Honda Ridgeline.

Powertrain selections stay a thriller, however we suspect Ram would supply a variety of four- and six-cylinder engines like different vehicles within the section. There may even be a hybrid possibility. Hell, if we’re fortunate, we might even get a high-powered child TRX, however most efficiency vehicles on this area give attention to off-road prowess as a substitute of outright energy.

What Will It Look Like?

Ram Mid-Measurement Pickup Rendering By Motor1

Picture by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1

We have now but to see Ram testing any prototypes, so the design is a thriller, however there are solely so some ways to make a truck. The styling will undoubtedly borrow closely from the brand new Ram 1500, doubtless shrinking the full-size truck’s proportions to suit on the smaller pickup.

It’ll doubtless have distinct design options, like distinctive lighting parts and cabin structure, and quite a lot of trim types, wheel selections, and aftermarket upgrades. Inside, there ought to be no less than two screens with the newest infotainment expertise and connectivity options.

How A lot Will It Price?

If Ram needs its new mid-size truck to be aggressive, it’ll doubtless begin within the low-$30,000 vary, with the Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, and Ford Ranger all beginning between $30,000 and $35,000. We doubt Ram will need to be the costliest possibility at a time when customers are searching for extra reasonably priced options.

It stays unclear if Ram goals to compete towards vehicles just like the Ranger Raptor, Tacoma Trailhunter, and Colorado ZR2. Nevertheless, if it does, Ram’s new mid-size truck might price as a lot as $60,000 for a child TRX.

The Ram 1500 RHO, which borrows a number of parts from the last-generation TRX, begins at $70,000. A couple of of these items might trickle right down to a mid-size sibling.

When Will It Debut?

Ram has confirmed that the brand new mid-size truck will launch someday in 2027. The United Auto Staff Union 2023 tentative settlement with Stellantis revealed the proposed manufacturing date and the placement, the automaker’s Belvidere Meeting Plant in Illinois. Nevertheless, it’s unclear precisely when in 2027 manufacturing will kick off.

Ram, first, has to disclose the factor, and that would occur inside the subsequent yr. Earlier this yr, the model mentioned it had over 24 product bulletins deliberate for the subsequent 18 months, and we anticipate a kind of to be Ram’s new mid-size truck. However with manufacturing not anticipated to start out for one more two years, it’ll doubtless hit showrooms in the summertime of 2027 as a 2028 mannequin, lastly giving Ram a brand new mid-size providing for the primary time in over 15 years.