You’re sitting in the driver’s seat, and for a second, you forget you’re in a pickup. The leather is thick. The stitching on the dashboard looks like something out of a European sedan. Then you stomp the gas, the 5.7L HEMI V8 growls, and you remember exactly what this is.
The 2015 Ram Laramie 1500 was a turning point. Before this era, trucks were mostly tools. They were bouncy, plasticky, and loud. But when Ram dropped the 2015 Laramie, they basically told the world that a guy hauling drywall deserved to be as comfortable as a guy driving a Mercedes. It was a gamble that paid off, and honestly, even a decade later, these trucks are still everywhere on the used market for a reason.
People love them. They also sometimes hate the air suspension. It’s a complicated relationship.
What Actually Sets the 2015 Laramie Apart?
If you're looking at a 2015 model today, you’re looking at the sweet spot of the fourth-generation Ram. This was the year Ram really dialed in the 8-speed TorqueFlite transmission. If you find one with the old 6-speed, just walk away. The 8-speed is smoother, keeps the engine in the power band, and actually helps with the dismal fuel economy these things are known for.
The Laramie trim isn't the top-of-the-line—that would be the Longhorn or the Limited—but it’s the one most people actually bought. You get the chrome. You get the heated and ventilated front seats. You get that Uconnect 8.4-inch touchscreen which, surprisingly, doesn't feel like a relic from the Stone Age even by today's standards. It’s fast. It’s intuitive. It just works.
The Coil Spring Secret
Most half-ton trucks from 2015, like the Ford F-150 or the Chevy Silverado, were still using leaf springs in the back. Leaf springs are great for heavy loads, but they ride like a tractor when the bed is empty. Ram went with a multi-link coil rear suspension.
It changed everything.
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The 2015 Ram Laramie 1500 rides like a car. It doesn't skitter across washboard dirt roads. It doesn't jolt your spine when you hit a pothole. If you're coming from a SUV, this is the only truck from that era that won't make you regret your life choices on a long road trip.
The Elephant in the Room: The Engines
You basically had three choices in 2015.
First, the 3.6L Pentastar V6. It’s a fine engine. Reliable. It’s in everything from Jeep Wranglers to minivans. But in a Laramie? It feels a bit thin. If you’re buying a luxury-leaning truck, you usually want the grunt to match the chrome.
Then there’s the 3.0L EcoDiesel. Man, people went crazy for these when they came out. 420 lb-ft of torque and nearly 30 mpg on the highway? It sounded like magic. In reality, it was a bit of a headache. Owners dealt with EGR cooler leaks and specialized maintenance that cost a fortune. If you find a used one today, check the service records twice.
Finally, the 5.7L HEMI V8. This is the heart of the 2015 Ram Laramie 1500. It puts out 395 horsepower. It sounds incredible. It’s also thirsty. You’ll be lucky to see 18 or 19 mpg on the highway, and in the city, forget about it. 13 mpg is your new reality. But the reliability of the HEMI—aside from the infamous "HEMI tick" caused by broken manifold bolts—is legendary.
Inside the Cabin: Where You Actually Live
The Laramie interior is where Ram won the "Truck Wars" of the mid-2010s. While Ford was still using a lot of hard, scratchy plastics, Ram was using soft-touch materials.
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The storage is insane. You have the dual gloveboxes. You have the massive center console that can fit a whole laptop. And if you’re lucky enough to find one with the "RamBox" cargo management system in the bed rails, you’ve hit the jackpot. Those lockable, drainable bins are perfect for ice and drinks or muddy tow straps.
Why the 2015 Model specifically?
By 2015, the initial kinks of the 2013 refresh were ironed out. The electronics were more stable. The interior materials held up better under UV rays. It’s a "safe" year. You aren't the guinea pig for new tech, but you aren't stuck with the prehistoric tech of the 2010-2012 models.
Real Talk: The Problems You’ll Face
No truck is perfect. If you’re shopping for a 2015 Ram Laramie 1500 right now, you need to look for three specific things.
- The Air Suspension: If the truck has the optional four-corner air suspension, be careful. It’s amazing when it works. It lowers the truck at highway speeds for better aero and levels the load when you’re towing. But in cold climates? It fails. Often. Replacing the air bags or the compressor can cost thousands. Many owners eventually swap them out for traditional coils.
- Exhaust Manifold Bolts: Mentioned it before, but it bears repeating. If you hear a ticking sound when the engine is cold that goes away after it warms up, the bolts are snapped. It’s a common HEMI issue. It’s fixable, but it’s a job you’ll want to negotiate into the price.
- Rot: Check the cab corners and the rear wheel wells. Even with the "luxury" Laramie badge, it’s still a Ram. They love to rust if they’ve spent their lives in the salt belt.
Comparing the Competition
Back in 2015, the F-150 had just gone to the all-aluminum body. It was lighter and more tech-heavy, but the interior felt cold compared to the Ram. The Silverado was dependable but felt like it was designed in 1998.
The Ram Laramie was the "grown-up" choice. It was for the guy who wanted a truck but didn't want to feel like he was driving a piece of construction equipment. It bridged the gap between utility and genuine comfort.
Towing and Payload
Don't buy a 1500 Laramie if you're planning on hauling a massive 35-foot fifth wheel. The coil springs, while great for ride quality, do sacrifice some payload capacity compared to leaf springs. Most 2015 Laramies are rated to tow between 7,000 and 10,000 pounds depending on the rear-axle ratio. That's plenty for a boat or a car trailer, but you'll feel the squat if you push it to the limit.
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Is it worth it today?
Honestly, yeah.
Prices for used trucks are still high, but the 2015 Ram Laramie 1500 offers a lot of "bang for buck" because it doesn't look old. The styling has aged incredibly well. Put a modern set of wheels on it and a fresh detail, and most people will think it's a 2020 model.
You’re getting a V8 that sounds like a V8 should. You’re getting an interior that doesn't feel cheap. And you’re getting a ride quality that most modern trucks are still trying to catch up to.
Your Pre-Purchase Checklist
If you’re serious about pulling the trigger on one of these, do this:
- Listen to the cold start. If it ticks like a clock, those manifold bolts are gone. Use that to knock $800 off the asking price.
- Cycle the air suspension. If it’s equipped with it, raise it and lower it three times. If it struggles or throws a warning light, run away.
- Check the Uconnect screen. Look for "ghosting" or delamination where the screen looks like it has bubbles inside. It’s a known issue that requires a full head unit replacement.
- Verify the 8-speed. Make sure it has the rotary dial shifter on the dash. If it has a column shifter, it’s likely the older 6-speed transmission, which isn't nearly as good.
The 2015 Ram Laramie 1500 remains a benchmark for what a daily-driver truck should be. It’s comfortable enough for the school run and tough enough for the weekend project. Just keep an eye on the rust and the air bags, and you’ll have a truck that feels way more expensive than the price tag suggests.