The modern truck market is filled with unique trims aimed at drivers with more specialized needs. From dedicated off-road versions sporting massive tires and steel skid plates to luxury trucks fully outfitted with premium leather seats and tons of technology, you can find a pickup that caters to just about any desire. However, in between these highly specialized options are the versatile trims that make up the trucks that actually get the most use. If you are looking for a Ram 1500 for sale, which is hands-down one of the most popular trucks in the industry, you’ll see that the Big Horn trim represents this in-between perfectly. It’s certainly much nicer than an entry-level trim, but it’s not the truck’s highest-level luxury trim. Because of this, it meets a key market demand as many drivers want something more than the essentials but don’t want the high price of the nicest trim. The Ram 1500 Big Horn proves how truly excellent a mid-range trim can be, and it’s worth looking into in more detail. So, let’s dig into the Big Horn and see how it’s proving the quality and value of a mid-level trim.
What Is a Trim?
Sometimes, when you’re reading about a truck and hear all of these acronyms and random words associated with the model, it can be confusing to track what it all means. Is it a trim? Is it a special edition? Is it an engine type? More often than not, it is indeed a trim. Vehicles have different variants that focus on meeting the demands of different drivers. Trucks usually offer entry-level, luxury, off-roading, and work trims. From trim to trim, you’ll find different interior materials, technology features, color schemes, and even some differences in architecture. When it comes to off-roading trims, in particular, you’re likely to find modified exteriors, sometimes including extra-durable hardware and utility features that cater to drivers who are looking to get more out of their trucks.
Any given vehicle has the potential to offer higher or lower levels of luxury and technology features, and they even have the capacity to emphasize certain capabilities like off-roading or towing. Grouping all the available features into a smaller number of specialized trims is a great way to appeal to different types of drivers with different budgets and requirements. The Ram 1500, like most other modern vehicles, provides a number of trim levels that offer a variety of features and capabilities. So, with the concept of a trim defined, what sets the Big Horn apart from the rest?
What Is the Big Horn Trim?
In order to understand the Big Horn trim, it’s helpful to offer a brief word on the Ram 1500’s entry-level trim, the Tradesman. As the name suggests, the Tradesman trim is focused on providing baseline capability with utility-oriented features. As the entry-level trim, its job is to focus on providing the basics without any of the superfluous bells and whistles in order to remain affordable. This means it comes with details like a flat black grille and bumpers, steel wheels, and a basic V6 engine.
Moving up from the Tradesman (and the closely related Tradesman HFE) is the Big Horn. Now, the name Big Horn, of course, stems from Ram’s very name as a brand. As the trim name suggests, the Big Horn has a special focus on standing out from the rest. It does so by offering a more powerful engine as well as higher-end features that drivers cannot access in the Tradesman trims.
The Ram 1500 Big Horn comes standard with the same V6 as the Tradesman but can also be optioned with an impressive 3.0-liter Hurricane turbocharged I-6 engine. The name certainly sounds impressive and appealing, and this engine lives up to its name and proves itself to be a competition-crusher, offering an impressive 420 hp and 469 lb-ft of torque. Most gasoline-powered trucks don’t come close to offering such specs, so the Big Horn lives up to its name just by the nature of its engineering.
In terms of design, you’ll notice right away that the Big Horn stands out from the rest by its exterior appearance alone. With a more sophisticated appearance, including chrome details, the Big Horn communicates its capability from the outside. Inside the Big Horn, you’ll see an elevated interior compared to the Tradesman trims. You’ll find available features like a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and an impressive 12-inch infotainment center. While the Tradesman trims are capable trucks, the Big Horn is the kind of truck that people want to be in and stay in.
The Ram 1500 Big Horn represents the middle of the road for the 2025 Ram lineup; it’s neither the entry-level trim nor the top-tier trim. By nature of its position in the Ram 1500’s lineup, the Big Horn trim serves a pivotal market that is often not talked about as much in advertising, and being aware of that market position can help you optimize your vehicle purchase.
The Big Horn’s Market
Of course, if you go up to the higher-level Ram 1500 trims, such as the Laramie and Limited, you’ll find higher-level luxury features. However, you will also find higher prices. Not everyone needs or even wants an interior filled with genuine wood and leather, massaging seats, or air suspension. The Big Horn trim serves as a perfect example of a mid-level trim—one that often gets lost in the mix between the lower-level trims and the higher-level trims.
The Big Horn trim strikes the perfect in-between for drivers looking to have something more than the base model while not looking to spend top dollar on a premium trim. With solid engineering, nobody will be lacking any capability in the Big Horn, and you’ll even get some nice comfort and convenience features. However, it doesn't include any of the more extravagant luxury features, thus keeping it at a lower price point.
The Big Horn trim represents a key market, as many drivers tend to fall into that in-between category. There’s a lot of publicity given to the more specialized trims, particularly off-road and luxury options, because their features are the most attractive. But, in between the entry-level and those special trims, there’s a whole lineup of vehicles that provide something that’s affordable with some extra features, delivering a realistic and attainable balance.
Finding the Balance
Navigating the truck market can be a tricky thing. You might know the exact features you want, but getting all of those features all at once may be unrealistic due to your budget. On the other hand, going for the most affordable option available will almost certainly mean missing features that will lead to greater comfort and convenience—or even may be a necessity—for your family. So, it’s important to look at the in-between. The Ram 1500 Big Horn is a great example of this in-between, providing premium capability with some extra interior features without driving it out of your budget. When looking at any given vehicle, don’t be discouraged by what you see on either end of the spectrum; sometimes, looking at the middle of the spectrum provides the perfect balance.