The RAM 1500 has earned another distinction from the people who know the truck best: its owners. The pickup ranked highest in the Large Light Duty Pickup segment of the JD Power 2026 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) Study. At Brunswick Auto Mart, we’re taking a closer look at what the award measures and what helped the RAM 1500 come out on top.
What Does the JD Power APEAL Study Measure?
Rather than evaluating vehicles solely on specifications or expert testing, the annual APEAL Study measures how owners feel about their new vehicles after 90 days of ownership. For 2026, JD Power surveyed 78,514 owners of new 2026 model-year vehicles and asked them to consider 37 attributes, ranging from comfort behind the wheel to the feeling of acceleration. The RAM 1500 ranked highest among Large Light Duty Pickups, finishing ahead of other trucks in one of the industry's most competitive segments.
Why Did the RAM 1500 Earn the Top Spot?
There is plenty for RAM 1500 owners to appreciate. In the 2026 model, four available engines give drivers a broad range of capability, including the returning 5.7-liter HEMI® V8 with 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque and the available High-Output 3.0-liter Hurricane™ engine with 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft. When properly equipped, the RAM 1500 can tow up to 11,610 lbs and carry a maximum payload of 2,360 lbs.
The technology is equally useful. Available Trailer Hitch Line-Up Assist can steer the truck toward a trailer tongue, and Trailer Reverse Guidance with Dynamic Gridlines displays the predicted trailer path when backing up. Inside, an available 14.5-inch Uconnect® touchscreen and 10.25-inch Front Passenger Interactive Display put information and entertainment within easy reach. Available Hands-Free Active Driving Assist can also help manage speed, following distance, and lane positioning on approved roads.
Test-Drive the Award-Winning RAM 1500 in Brunswick, OH
The JD Power APEAL award gives you something more useful than another impressive specification: feedback from thousands of actual vehicle owners. Visit Brunswick Auto Mart to get behind the wheel of the RAM 1500 and experience the capability, technology, and comfort that helped it lead the Large Light Duty Pickup segment.
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