Ram has officially announced the discontinuation of the 1500 Classic, the last half-ton truck in its lineup to feature a Hemi V-8 engine. The 1500 Classic, a continuation of the previous-generation Ram 1500 introduced in 2009, has been sold alongside the newer model since 2019 as a more affordable and simplified option. However, with the introduction of the Tradesman trim on the latest Ram 1500 for the 2024 model year, the company has decided to phase out the Classic after 2024.
A spokesperson for Ram confirmed that the decision to discontinue the 1500 Classic is directly tied to the launch of the new Tradesman trim, which will serve as the entry-level option for the 2025 Ram 1500 with a starting price of $42,270. The 2024 Ram 1500 Classic was offered in two trims, the Tradesman and the Warlock, with prices starting at $40,700—only slightly less than the newer-generation trucks.
Previously available with either the Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 or the Hemi 5.7-liter V-8, the 1500 Classic’s departure means that Ram will no longer offer a current-model-year half-ton pickup with a V-8 engine. Instead, the latest Ram 1500 lineup will feature the Hurricane twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six as standard.
While the Hemi V-8 continues to be available in the 2025 Dodge Durango and Ram’s heavy-duty trucks, those interested in the 1500 Classic will need to act quickly, as remaining models will sell into 2025. Once these are gone, the era of Ram’s half-ton trucks powered by the iconic Hemi V-8 will officially come to an end.
