A new generation for the Ram 1500 just kicked off a couple years ago, so the last thing I expected to see this year was anything actually new and exciting for this light-duty pickup. Don’t get me wrong; it’s a fantastic truck with a lot to offer; I just figured they would be riding on the high praise they already have and not really doing much new. Yet, the 2022 Ram 1500 has not one, not two, but three new and exclusive special editions available this year that really push it further than ever.
To be completely honest, I’m not usually one to get into special editions or similar features for vehicles. I prefer to look at the overall truck, its various trims and packages, and go from there to judge what it has to offer. Special editions can be so gimmicky that a lot of the time, I feel they’re just not worth spending much time on – unless you’re a hardcore fan of a particular brand or model, in which case go nuts. However, the three editions available this year for the Ram pickup are actually quite impressive and definitely worth the time of anyone interested in this truck.
The 2022 Ram 1500 Limited 10th Anniversary Edition
First up, we have the 10th Anniversary Edition for the Limited trim of the Ram 1500, which will likely only be available this year. You’re probably wondering to yourself, “10th Anniversary of what?” It’s been 10 years since Ram created the Limited trim. Prior to that, as you probably know, it was the “Dodge Ram pickup,” so this is celebrating 10 years of Ram 1500 being its own thing.
While the other two special editions down below are available for a couple of different trims each, this one is only being offered with the Limited trim. The Limited is the highest trim for the Ram 1500, so it already has impressive luxury features and sophisticated technology inside and out. But with the 10th Anniversary Edition, Ram is building onto those features to take everything to the next level and offering a special, unique experience.
The 10th Anniversary Edition is available in an exclusive Blue Shade exterior color, so if you see a Ram 1500 in this color, then you’ll know they went the extra mile when buying it. Inside, you’ll find quilted leather-wrapped seats and door inserts, unique suede headliners, and other details throughout. There’s a special 10th Anniversary badge on the center console, and a unique graphic even displays on the driver’s cluster when you start the engine.
To go along with that Blue Shade exterior, a new Indigo/Sea Salt Grey interior is featured inside the 10th Anniversary Edition, with aluminum bezels and other accent touches. You also get a 19-speaker premium sound system, metal pedals, and other touches to highlight the refined interior and give you an amazing driving experience. While this one is only offered on the Limited trim with a crew cab, you can still pick between either a 5.7L V8 mild-hybrid engine or a 3.0L EcoDiesel to get the performance you want.
The Ram 1500 G/T Editions
While I really dig the features of the 10th Anniversary Edition, most of them are purely aesthetic touches that look great but don’t really add to the driving experience. The G/T Editions, on the other hand, not only look amazing but deliver something special in terms of what you get behind the wheel. The G/T Edition is available for both the Laramie and Rebel trims of the 2022 Ram 1500, so you have some freedom here to get exactly what you want.
What sets these G/T Editions apart is that they have a performance focus in terms of their design and features. They have a performance hood with G/T decals that set them apart from other models. In terms of performance features, they also come with a factory-installed cat-back exhaust and cold-air intake to deliver a more advanced and exciting driving experience.
One of my favorite things about the G/T Editions is that they feature Performance pages as part of the included software. This lets you easily view and monitor aspects of your truck’s performance, including timers for things like 0-60 time, engine performance data, and other information that you can view as needed. You can even download the data from the truck’s computer onto a USB stick, which lets you share your truck performance information.
For the first time outside of TRX models of the Ram 1500, the G/T Editions also feature paddle shifters, a console-mounted performance shifter, and a metal pedal kit. All of this comes together to create a unique and fun driving experience that goes well beyond simply adding some decals and badges. The only limitation here is that the G/T Editions are only offered on crew cab models with the 5.7L V8 eTorque engine, which restricts some of your options, but that’s such a great combination that it really doesn’t take away from anything.
The 2022 Ram 1500 BackCountry Editions
If you’re looking for a full-size truck for going off-road, then the Ram 1500 has been a great option for years – but the BackCountry Editions for 2022 take that even further. Much like the G/T Editions, you can choose the BackCountry Edition on two different trims for the Ram 1500: the Big Horn and Lone Star models. This gives you quite a lot of flexibility in figuring out which model of the BackCountry Edition might be right for you; this one also has the most freedom in choosing the configuration you want.
From the outside, there are a number of exterior details that set the BackCountry Editions apart from other Ram 1500 models. They feature 18-inch black wheels, black tu-tone exterior paint that is a stunning combination of warm gray and black, and black badging, exhaust tips, and mirrors. You also get a body-color grille surround, black running boards, and a tonneau cover to set these models apart.
What really makes the BackCountry Editions stand out, however, is that they include the 4×4 Off-Road Group of features that are available on some other models. This includes tow hooks, skid plates to protect the front suspension, transfer case, and other areas, as well as a rear electronic locking axle and off-road calibrated shocks. The BackCountry Editions also include hill-descent control and all-terrain tires to really make them fantastic off-road trucks – not to mention all-weather slush mats to help protect your interior.
While the other editions have a lot of constraints for how you can configure them, you get more freedom with the BackCountry. This edition is available with either a quad or crew cab, and you can get either a standard 5.7L V8 engine or one with the eTorque mild hybrid system. Every model comes with 4×4 rather than rear-wheel drive, but that makes sense for an off-road-focused pickup like this.
Should You Choose One of these Special Editions?
As you can see, all of these special editions have a lot to offer, but whether one is right for you really depend on what you’re looking for. If you’re already interested in the Ram 1500 Limited, and you like the idea of celebrating 10 years of Ram trucks, then the 10th Anniversary Edition is likely a great choice. The performance features of the G/T Editions make them an excellent pick if you like getting the most from your truck’s engine, while the off-road focus of the BackCountry Editions is perfect if you like to hit the trail. Personally, I think a Big Horn BackCountry is an amazing off-road Ram 1500 that costs a lot less than the Rebel trim.
