Ram Finally Commits To The Compact Truck Space
Ram and Stellantis have considered a smaller pickup for North America for years. CEO Tim Kuniskis liked the idea, but there were questions about whether buyers here would go for a unibody truck with a Ram badge. Profitability was another concern, since price tends to matter more than image in this segment.
That approach has shifted. Stellantis now says a new compact Ram pickup is coming to the US as part of a broader product rollout through 2030. This truck will slot below the upcoming midsize Dakota, giving Ram a way into one of the few truck segments still growing in North America. It’s also part of a plan to boost Ram sales by about 60% before 2030.
The Rampage Formula Looks Ready For America
Ram hasn’t shared US specs yet, but the South American Rampage gives us a pretty clear preview. Built in Brazil on a unibody platform, the Rampage is available only as a four-door crew cab. At about 198 inches long, it’s a touch shorter than the Maverick.
Step inside, and the Rampage feels more like a crossover than a work truck. Higher trims get a 10.3-inch digital cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Under the hood, there’s a 2.0-liter Hurricane turbo four making 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.
By the time Ram lands, the segment could look very different. Toyota is working on a compact pickup based on the RAV4, which could add another fuel-efficient, lifestyle-focused truck to the mix. With the Hyundai Santa Cruz gone, Ram has a real shot – if it nails the pricing and capability.
Ford
Dakota Returns, Ramcharger Joins The Party
The compact truck won’t be coming alone. Ram has also confirmed the long-awaited Dakota midsize pickup is finally on the way, with production set for later this decade. Dealers have already seen early previews, and Ram is aiming high with performance versions. An SRT version – a nameplate Ram’s quite favoring right now – is even being considered as a rival to the Ford Ranger Raptor, so horsepower numbers over 400 are on the table.
Then there’s the Ramcharger SUV, marking Ram’s first return to family-focused utility vehicles in decades. It’s expected to share parts with the Jeep Grand Wagoneer and could offer both traditional gas engines and range-extended electric options.
Beyond those headline models, Ram says updated versions of the 1500, heavy-duty trucks, and ProMaster vans are also coming. The delayed 1500 REV is still in the works, with Stellantis betting big on range-extended tech as a key part of its truck strategy.
By the end of the decade, Ram’s lineup – and really, the whole Stellantis family – could look very different from what buyers know today.
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