Ram 1200 Is The $25,000 Ford Ranger Rival America Needs

Earlier this year, the Ram 1200 leaked early, giving us our first glimpse at Stellantis’ Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux rival. Based on the Peugeot Landtrek and Fiat Titano, jointly developed with Chinese automaker Changan, the newcomer has officially debuted in Mexico.

As such, the Ram 1200 isn’t exactly a new truck but a rebadged offering with which Ram hopes to capture some sales in the midsize truck segment. Whereas rivals offer multiple engine options, the Ram 1200 is saddled with just one option. The gas-powered 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine delivers a respectable 207 horsepower and 226 lb-ft of torque and is standard across the lineup.

• 2024 Ford Ranger

  Base MSRP

  $32,670

  Engine

  2.3L Turbo Inline-4 Gas

  Horsepower

  270 hp

  Fuel Economy

  TBC

• 

  2025 Ram 1500

  Base MSRP

  $40,275

  Engine

  3.6L V6 Gas

  Horsepower

  305 hp

  Fuel Economy

  20/25 MPG

Just One Engine Option Limits Appeal

That means the base Tradesman shares its drivetrain with the top-spec Laramie, which may annoy some customers. The Peugeot Landtrek is available with a 2.2-liter turbodiesel that produces 178 hp and 295 lb-ft, which would be better suited to the workhorse models. Whether Ram Mexico will introduce this motor remains to be seen, but more choices would broaden consumer appeal.

Add CarBuzz to your Google News feed.

Buyers can, however, choose between a manual or automatic transmission, both with six forward gears. Four-wheel drive is standard on the plusher Laramie trim, while Tradesman and Bighorn 1200s make do with rear-wheel drive. Ram Mexico claims the newcomer has a payload capacity of between 2,535 and 2,668 lbs, which is better than the US-spec Ford Ranger with its maximum payload capacity of 1,805 lbs. As for towing capacity, the 1200 can haul up to 6,614 lbs, which is helpful for a truck of this size. The Ranger, in its most capable trim, can pull heavier loads of up to 7,500 lbs.

Generic Styling Doesn’t Set 1200 Apart From Peugeot, Fiat Siblings

In terms of styling, the 1200 is identical to its European siblings in almost every way. Ram has made minimal exterior changes, fitting a model-specific grille and prominent Ram badging on the front fascia. Aside from that, there is no design relation between the 1200 and the larger 1500, which has been facelifted for MY2025. Overall, the Ram Rampage (sold in South America) is far more successful in terms of styling. The 1200 is available in two body styles: a two-door ‘Regular Cab’ and a four-door Crew Cab with different-sized beds.

Related

Ram Serious About Building A Pickup Truck With 3-Row Seating

The original concept had several cool features that didn’t make production, but Ram promised they’d come eventually. Here’s one of them.

Aimed at fleets and work use, the base Tradesman has black plastic bumpers and 16-inch steel wheels. The Bighorn and Laramie are more aesthetically pleasing, with larger 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, chrome-trimmed grilles, and color-matched exterior finishes. The Tradesman receives a basic 10-inch infotainment screen with standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and heavy-duty cloth upholstery.

Competitive Pricing Is A Big Selling Point

Step up to the mid-spec Bighorn, and you’ll find a reverse camera and textured fabric/leather upholstery, while the range-topping Laramie gains a 360-degree surround view monitor and full leather seating. On the safety front, all 1200 variants receive traction control and up to six airbags for Crew Cab variants. Other features include parking sensors, hill climb assist, lane departure warning, and trailer stability control.

Pricing is very competitive, with the entry-level Tradesman starting at MX$444,900 (roughly $25,000) and going up to MX$668,900 ($37,600) for the Laramie 4×4. The Ranger lineup starts at MX$818,000 ($46,000), which makes 1200 relatively good value. Whether Mexican consumers respond positively remains to be seen, as many may question the Chinese underpinnings. It’s unlikely that the 1200 will ever be offered in the United States. Mexican publications suggest the 1200 will be built in China, which means it will be hit with a hefty tariff should it reach our shores. However, we are still hoping for the local introduction of the impressive Rampage.