The 2021 Ram 1500 Big Horn arrives with a healthy $8,000 discount in its short-box

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When the Unhaggle deals get hot, Driving.ca looks at the combined discounts, resale value, and overall ratings to find you the best deal for your money in new vehicles. Here we take a look at the 2021 Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab with a 5-foot-7 short-box and four-wheel-drive.

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2021 Ram Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab 4×4 5’7″ box

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The 2021 Ram 1500 Big Horn arrives with a healthy $8,000 discount in its short-box Back to video

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $54,520
Ram Canada Incentive*: $6,000
Unhaggle Savings: $2,000
Total Savings: $8,000
Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $2,025
Total Before Tax: $48,545

At one time, the Ram pickup was the poor relation in the full-sized truck market. However, after the company upped its game, it quickly rose to become one of the top contenders in the hottest segment in the business. This year, the Ram pretty much carries over, although the addition of the TRX and its 702-horsepower V8 is the notable exception!

The Big Horn’s cabin is spacious and well-conceived. However, being one up from the base Tradesman it is fairly sparsely equipped. That said, it gets key features like air conditioning, power locks and windows, cruise control and push-button start. The letdown is the Uconnect 3 multimedia setup and its five-inch touchscreen — it pales in comparison to the Uconnect 4C system. It features an 8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. This makes the Level 1 Equipment Group ($1,695) well worth the investment. It brings the better infotainment system along with a raft of kit including a power driver seat and power adjustable pedals. This makes it any-driver-size-friendly.

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The other letdown is it takes the Level 1 Safety group ($1,195) to get Forward Collision Warning with auto braking and pedestrian detection along with lane departure warning with keep assist. Blind-spot monitoring in not offered at this end of the Ram range.

The Big Horn’s 3.6L Pentastar V6 produces 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. It also works with Ram’s eTorque mild-hybrid system. This 48-volt-based setup boosts low-end punch by delivering an additional 90 lb-ft of torque. It also smooths the engine’s start/stop function.

The V6 works with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a two-speed transfer case to drive all four wheels. There are 2WD-high, 4WD-high, 4WD-Auto, and 4WD-low settings. The latter gives it some off-road cred.

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As equipped, the featured Ram 1500 Big Horn has a payload rating of 821 kilograms and a towing capacity of 2,908 kg.

Of the full-sized pickups, the Ram has the most civilized ride thanks to its five-link rear suspension with coil springs and heavy-duty shocks. The combination absorbs road irregularities very well and makes the rear-end is less predisposed to washboard out of line when the road gets rough mid-corner. This adds stability to the drive. Likewise, the steering is crisp with above average feel and feedback. If comfort is key, Ram’s Active-Level four-corner air suspension takes the good and makes it better.

Transport Canada does not list any recalls for the Ram 1500 Big Horn.

The Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Ram 1500 Crew Cab Big Horn Good ratings in all crash tests including the tough small front overlap tests on the driver and passenger side. It gets a Superior rating for forward collision prevention with optional equipment, but scores a Marginal for the halogen-based headlight performance. Ironically, all models except the Tradesman and Big Horn get better LED headlights and are rated as Top Safety Picks as a result.

The projected resale value of the 2021 Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab in 2024, after being driven an average of 20,000 km/year, is $32,100.

The 2021 Ram 1500 Big Horn Crew Cab short-box 4×4 arrives with a substantial $8,000 combined Unhaggle discount, which leaves a pre-tax sticker of $48,545.