Ram pickup beats BMW, Mercedes as top luxury vehicle of 2020

If you’re surprised Ram would be in the discussion with Mercedes and BMW for the top luxury car of 2020, you’ll be even more surprised by the winner of one such contest.

The Ram 1500 Limited and Laramie Longhorn trims are Cars.com’s top luxury car of the year, beating offerings from both European blue bloods, not to mention every other automaker.

In fact, it’s the first time a truck has even been in the discussion, according to Jenni Newman, Cars.com’s editor-in-chief.

“It’s really kind of astounding, but if you’ve been in these trims and in this truck, you may not be that surprised that it won,” Newman said. “This truck really blew us away.”

It’s no secret that luxury trucks have been a growing focus for automakers. These profit machines have been gaining steam as automakers have added fancy touches —massaging seats, supple leather and wood trim — and the prices, highlighted by the $100,000 F-450 Super Duty Limited pickup from a couple of years ago, have climbed, too.

The 2020 Ram 1500 Limited is one of two Ram 1500 trims that Cars.com designated its luxury car of the year.
The 2020 Ram 1500 Limited is one of two Ram 1500 trims that Cars.com designated its luxury car of the year.

The Ram website lists a Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab 4X2 starting at $50,890 and a Limited Crew Cab 4X2 starting at $53,465, but extras and special packages would quickly add thousands to those prices. But value, according to Newman, is one of the keys to snagging the luxury car award.

Hello Cayenne, see ya later coupe: How the SUV boom changed Porsche

DC Auto Show 2020: Kia, Toyota, Honda take home best overall value awards

So what’s so special about these Ram truck trims that they beat out the three-row 2020 BMW X7 and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

“It’s a luxurious leather that’s used. It’s the genuine wood trim that you see around the cabin. It’s the beautiful color combinations that you normally wouldn’t see in your everyday car," Newman said.

The 2020 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn even has a mark from a branding iron in its wood trim.
The 2020 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn even has a mark from a branding iron in its wood trim.

The Laramie Longhorn even has a branding iron mark on the wood-trimmed upper glove box door.

“But the thing that stands out is the multi-media system. It’s this really impressive, 12-inch tall system that allows you to display two different inputs.”

That big screen lets you see what’s playing on the stereo at the same time you’re checking other functions.

The interior of the 2020 Ram 1500 Limited is full of luxury touches.
The interior of the 2020 Ram 1500 Limited is full of luxury touches.

“Ram has really set the bar,” Newman said, noting that it’ll be interesting to see if GM and Ford rise to the challenge the next time they redesign their pickups.

Not surprisingly, the award was cheered by a top Ram official.

“This award validates Ram’s unrelenting efforts to deliver more comfort, refinement and value to our customers. The Ram 1500 Longhorn and Limited are examples of how we deliver the most luxurious pickups in the industry," Reid Bigland, head of the Ram brand for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, said in a statement.

The award not only gives Ram bragging rights, but it should also help FCA's truck brand solidify its hold, behind the Ford F-Series, on the No. 2 U.S. sales slot, ahead of the Chevrolet Silverado.

As for the other Ram 1500 trims, Newman said they're nice, too, they just don’t make the cut for this award.

Follow Detroit Free Press reporter Eric D. Lawrence on Twitter: @_ericdlawrence. Phoebe Wall Howard contributed.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ram 1500 Limited, Laramie Longhorn pickups win Cars.com luxury award